http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_19422000 Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman still can't introduce himself to his new players or place a call to Kevin Love to see what type of offense the all-star forward prefers. Since Adelman was hired in August, he has only been able to look at the roster he inherited and imagine how the players might fit into his system. As soon as NBA owners and players sign off on their proposed new collective bargaining agreement, bringing a formal end to the 149-day lockout, Adelman will no longer have a distant relationship with Wolves players. NBA owners and players are expected to finalize terms of their new 10-year labor agreement later this week, giving Adelman and Wolves fans a chance to finally think about basketball matters - starting with whether Adelman can turn around a team that finished with the league's worst record last season (17-65). 自從 Rick Adelman 正式接掌總教練職缺後，礙於封館因素，他無法與球員們進一步接觸 。一旦勞資雙方正式敲定新版 CBA 細節內容，封館宣告結束，Adelman 在灰狼的時代也 正式來臨。這名資深老教頭能否施展魔法，讓灰狼從谷底翻身，球迷正拭目以待。 MINIMAL PREP TIME NBA commissioner David Stern set tentative dates of Dec. 9 for the start of training camps and Christmas Day to begin a proposed 66-game regular season. That gives Adelman and his staff just two weeks and two days to revamp a team that needs a lot of work. As good as Adelman has been over a successful 20-year coaching career in the NBA, he is facing his biggest challenge with one of the league's youngest rosters. The league has yet to say whether teams will be able to play any exhibition games before the regular season, which could further affect the Wolves' transition with Adelman. Wolves owner Glen Taylor and president of basketball operations David Kahn might have to be patient again because of the abbreviated season. One thing is certain about Adelman's playbook: He probably won't be making much use of the Triangle offense. 季前訓練營預定12月9日展開，開幕戰則在聖誕節。這表示 Adelman 和球員們僅有兩個 星期外加兩天進行磨合和調整，修補一些問題。另外，熱身賽的重要性將大大提升。經 驗老道的 Adelman 和這群年輕球員必須加快調整步伐，從陌生到熟悉。無論如何，保持 耐心吧！往好處想，神秘的百慕達三角真的要消失了。 RUBIO IS FINALLY HERE The Wolves waited two years for Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio to become an official member of their roster. Wolves fans will be curious to see if he is worth the wait. Though Luke Ridnour remains the team's starting point guard, he turns 31 in February and showed signs last season that he's not suited for major minutes at such an important position. If Rubio lives up to the hype, fans are going to want to see him play. The Wolves, needing a major upgrade at point guard, are counting on Rubio's quick development. Rubio already has endorsement opportunities in the Twin Cities, and the Wolves organization can't wait to market him. The question remains, however: Is he an NBA-caliber point guard? 兩年等待加上封館的延遲，Ricky Rubio 總算要踏上標靶中心球場。大家都知道灰狼的 先發1號位置需要補強，而 Luke Ridnour 在上季已經讓球迷了解他無法扛起此重擔。一 切將仰賴 Adelman 的功力和 Rubio 的「NBA級控衛養成計畫」，這也關係到灰狼能否 大幅進步。 THE LOVE-BEASLEY-WILLIAMS TRIO How will Adelman handle a potential overload at forward, particularly at small forward? Derrick Williams, the talented rookie out of Arizona, was considered the best player in the NBA draft by many experts but plays the same position as Michael Beasley, the Wolves' No. 2 scorer last season. This is where Adelman's winning experience comes in. He will find a way to get quality minutes for Williams, even if it means playing Williams, Beasley and Love together. Love will have to develop a chemistry with both players since his playing time will be solidified under Adelman. Adelman 如何將 Love、Beasley、Williams 三人的績效極大化，也是個重要課題。Love 的上場時間應該沒有太大問題，至於上季球隊第二攻擊重心 Beasley 和榜眼郎 Williams 間的角色分配，值得留意。有一位打第六人？還是嘗試同時將三人擺在場上？ FREE AGENCY OPTIONS Stern said the league's free agency period also has a tentative start date of Dec. 9. Unlike last summer, this year's free agent pool is not glittery. Adelman's best seasons with Portland and Sacramento featured veterans in his main rotations. Even with a limited pool, the Wolves likely will take a look at available shooting guards and backup centers. Veteran center Brad Miller, acquired in a draft-night trade with Houston, is 35 and coming off major knee surgery. Adelman might feel the Wolves can do better at center behind Darko Milicic than Nikola Pekovic, who signed to play with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia until the lockout ended. 在過去 Adelman 執教歷程中，總會有老將在主要球員輪替中。從火箭交易來的老將 Brad Miller 說不定將扮演不可或缺的角色，儘管他的膝蓋在上季動過手術。兩名外籍 中鋒 Darko Milicic 和 Nikola Pekovic，Adelman 會較偏好誰呢？自由球員市場開市 日預定為12月9日，雖然這次自由球員市場不若往年，灰狼也許仍會試試水溫，2號以及 5號替補是重點。 --

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