[外電] Ellington unsure of playing time

看板Timberwolves (明尼蘇達灰狼)作者sato111 (Zenko)時間14年前 (2011/01/16 02:36)推噓0(0推 0噓 1→)

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http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_17100661 A day after hitting one of the biggest shots in his two-year NBA career, Wayne Ellington heard compliments about his professionalism and how he handled not playing in five consecutive games before his breakout performance Thursday night against the Washington Wizards. What Ellington didn't hear is the assurance from Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis that he will get more playing time — starting with tonight's game against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. The cruel reality for Ellington and rookie Wesley Johnson is Rambis is struggling to find minutes for both players at a crowded shooting guard position, which includes veterans Corey Brewer and Martell Webster. Though Rambis is sensitive to the desires of Ellington and Johnson to play more, he wants both players to understand that this is how things can be in the NBA. "If you're in the league long enough, you'll have to deal with a lot of situations," Rambis said. "It's part of the growth process. We're always upfront and honest with our players. We tell them what their situation is and give them our viewpoint. They might not like what we're saying, but it's their job to be professional and deal with it as best they can." Johnson played only 15 minutes Thursday night despite starting at small forward in place of Michael Beasley, who sat out with a sprained left ankle. Beasley remains uncertain for tonight. He practiced Friday, but Rambis noticed he wasn't "100 percent." A decision won't be made until pregame warm-ups, leaving Ellington and Johnson — both starters early in the season — in doubt about their roles tonight. For Ellington, the uncertainty is more taxing. Johnson was taken out of the starting lineup last week, but he's averaging 22.5 minutes over the past six games. Ellington had not played since Jan. 1 before Thursday's game. "I want to be on the court as much as possible," Ellington said. "I'll be ready for whatever the team needs me to do, but it's been real tough lately not playing. I've never in my whole career sat out that many games and wasn't hurt. I just have to keep myself prepared and keep doing my job in practice." Beasley's injury gave Ellington quality minutes against the Wizards. His clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter ended a textbook possession for the Wolves and was one of the game's highlights. Ellington shook off the rust to contribute 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes. He ended up getting the minutes that normally would go to Johnson as the backup shooting guard. Johnson, who started the first 33 games, is shooting only 34 percent (16 of 47) from the floor in the past six games and has lost his team lead in three-pointers. Kevin Love, who sank five of six three-point attempts Thursday night, now leads the Wolves with 59. Johnson is second with 54. Rambis is working with Johnson to improve his defense and make him more versatile beyond his three-point shooting. "He's really improved the last three games with his scoring and passing," Rambis said of Johnson. "We're asking him to expand his game to dribble and shoot more, so he's not just a spot-up shooter. We had units that were playing well last night, and that cut into his time." Ellington knows that feeling. Ellington投出兩年生涯最重要一球，再這次突出的表演前，他的精湛技藝與有效掌控連5場沒上場，造成的生疏感，Ellington聽到了對他的讚揚。 Ellington沒聽到Rambis再主場對魔術隊先發或在場上更多時間地保證殘酷的事實對於Ellington與Wes，是Rambis努力找時間給他們，在這擁擠的得分後衛位置上，但是這個位置還有Brewer與Webster，雖然Rambis了解 Ellington與Wes想多上場的需求，但Rambis還是要他們了解什麼是NBA。 Rambis：「如果你在聯盟待的夠久，你將必須處理更多情況，這就是大部分成長的過程，我們總是直率與誠實地面對我們的球員，我們告訴他們的情況是怎樣，與告訴他們我們的看法，他們也許不喜歡我們的說法，但這是他們的工作，去有效處理這些事情，他們是能做到的。」 Wes替代Beasley小前鋒位置15分鐘，Beasley對於對魔術隊的比賽是否上場，保持不確定態度，Rambis注意著他，沒有達到100%，就不會讓他上場。 Ellington位置還是不確定的令人傷神，Wes上禮拜離開先發，但還是有平均 22.5分鐘上場時間，Ellington則很久沒上場了。 Ellington：「我必須要增加更多上場的可能，準備好讓球隊需要我去做，最近無法上場真是個不幸，之前都沒這種事發生而且又沒受傷，但我還是蓄勢待發繼續做練習。」 Beasley受傷給Ellington有用的分鐘數，在第四節投進一顆三分球為灰狼隊，與比賽的焦點作結尾，Ellington擺脫生鏽的手腳添加11分、7籃板、5助攻在23分鐘裡，他最後得到通常情況下，該給予Wes當替補得分後衛的分鐘數。 Rambis再改進Wes的防守與增加他再三分投射外的用途。Rambis：「真的改進他的得分與過人，正在請求他擴展在比賽裡去控球及投射更多，所以他不只是一個等球射手，我們有很多大個打得非常好在昨晚，所以切去他一些時間。」 Ellington了解所有感覺，他會去面對。 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 58.115.112.236 ※ 編輯: sato111 來自: 58.115.112.236 (01/16 03:02)