Pekovic trumps Lin in Minnesota
While New York goes ga-ga over Jeremy Lin, Minnesotans are partial to a different emerging star: Timberwolves center-forward Nikola Pekovic has become a pleasant surprise under new coach Rick Adelman. When star forward Kevin Love had to serve a two-game suspension, it was primarily Pekovic (with some help from rookie Derrick Williams) who emerged to fill the gap and prevent the Wolves from losing in Love’s absence. Were it not for Pekovic, the Wolves might currently be 13-18 instead of 15-16.
Of course, Pekovic has earned minutes all season with his smart, powerful play. During Love’s absence, it was Pekovic to took Sacramento sensation DeMarcus Cousins on and schooled him, keeping the rookie center sensation in foul trouble and limiting his minutes… on the very evening before Cousins received a wave of hype for his dominant play. (Not quite so dominant when facing Pekovic.)
It could be argued that Pekovic has mattered more to the Wolves’ season this year than Lin has to the Knicks, and he’s made a case for himself being named the NBA’s most improved player of the year. So forget all the Lin-sanity yard signs; in Minnesota, they’re enjoying the Pekovic of the litter!
