Posted June 27, 2008    

• O.J. Mayo

• Annika Sorenstam

• John McCain

• Brian Buscher

• Timberwolves' New Logo

Trade Shapes Timberwolves' Lineup  

After the Timberwolves made an eight player deal around midnight they made headway in balancing their roster and determining a starting lineup.  They also took a risk that O.J. Mayo won’t become a superstar playing for Memphis and add to the Wolves’ tradition of trading away on draft day players they should have retained (see Brandon Roy and Ray Allen).   

A lot of fans are describing the Wolves' move as midnight madness.  No one complains about dumping veterans Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner as part of the Memphis deal.  But Mayo, a consensus pick as the third best player available in last night’s NBA draft, is a potential all-star, if not a superstar.  The 6-4 guard has a variety of offensive skills and is a respected defensive player.   

Almost any trade is a gamble, though, and this one could help the Wolves.  With Mayo, the Wolves had five guards, and only one, Sebastian Telfair, is a point guard.  Former first round picks Randy Foye and Rashad McCants, along with Jaric, all play the same position, shooting guard.  The same spot that Mayo is best suited for. 

The Memphis trade is an apparent show of faith that Telfair, 23, will be the team’s point guard.  Last season, his first with the Wolves, he showed potential; averaging 9.3 points and 5.9 assists per game. With Telfair at point guard, Foye can play his more natural position of shooting guard and (cross your fingers) stay away from injuries and live up to his potential. 

The Memphis trade brought two likely starters in small forward Mike Miller and power forward Kevin Love, the No. 5 pick in the draft.  Miller’s outside shooting is exceptional and Love’s passing deserves the same description.  Veteran forward Brian Cardinal and center Jason Collins don’t have starter type skills but they add size to a roster that has been too guard heavy.   

All of this fits around the team’s only star, center Al Jefferson, who averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds last season.  He will enjoy playing with teammates who make him the center of attention with their passing and unselfish play.   

This rebuilt Wolves roster looks like one better balanced between guards, forwards and centers, even if it’s far from ideal (needs remain at point guard and power players at forward and center).  The starting lineup will provide effort and unity.  That will bring satisfaction to Wolves basketball boss Kevin McHale, owner Glen Taylor, and perhaps a skeptical fan base that will be watching the home town team, and also a 20-year-old rookie in Memphis.

 

 Glen Taylor

Kevin McHale

U.S. Open: No Monday Playoff, Sorenstam Farewell 

If there’s a tie after regulation play on Sunday at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, stay in your seat.  Unlike the men’s Open that uses an 18-hole playoff the next day, the women would compete in a three-hole playoff on Sunday. 

The women’s Open went to the three-hole format last year.  Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press golf writer who has followed the local and national golf scene for years, is an advocate of the Sunday formula to have a three or four-hole playoff.   

“It’s what the men’s U.S. Open should do, too,” said Wong.  “You’ve got your volunteers, infrastructure… (and) prime time on TV (all in place).  It’s the only tourney where they do it.” 

A lot of fans who watch this weekend’s Open at Interlachen Country Club will be hoping not so much for a playoff, but an Annika Sorenstam championship.  In a Scandinavian town, there’s extra emotion for the popular Swede who is retiring from the golf tour after this year. 

The 37-year-old Sorenstam injured her neck in 2007 and played in only 13 events.  She’s made a comeback in 2008 adding to her long list of tournament wins and is the No. 2 ranked LPGA player in the world.  

Sorenstam won the Open in 2006, her third Open title, and first in 10 years.  She’s won over $19 million and 10 major titles but Wong thinks it will be a surprise if she wins at Interlachen.  No. 1 ranked Lorena Ochoa is his pick to win the championship.  

Sorenstam was the No. 1 long hitter in the game before her injury and made few mistakes on the course.  “She had the other gals playing in fear of her, just like Tiger (Woods),” Wong said. “She had people playing for second place.  She intimidated them because she was so mentally tough and could make all the shots.” 

In opening play yesterday, Sorenstam shot a two-over 75.  The leader was Ji Young Oh with a six under 67.

 

Annika Sorenstam
Photo credit: Jeff Hornback

 Lorena Ochoa

Worth Noting

A media industry source predicts Comcast subscribers receiving the Big Ten Network through a basic programming package this year will have to pay more in another 12 months or so.  Speculation is Comcast will put the Big Ten Network in a more expensive package.  Comcast and the network recently reached an agreement allowing local viewers to watch Gopher football and basketball during the 2008-2009 season.  Charter Communications and Mediacom may soon have agreements to carry the network, too. 

This is the 25^th anniversary year of KSTP SportsTalk with Patrick Reusse and Joe Soucheray.  The station is considering celebration ideas including a possible show with a live audience.  

Tim Pawlenty remains under consideration to become John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, according to a former politician.  Also on the list are Florida governor Charlie Criss, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.  A selection is expected prior to the Republican Convention in early September. 

The source also said Vikings’ owner Zygi Wilf is mistaken if he thinks the state legislature will approve a new Vikings stadium with the economy struggling.  The cost was projected awhile ago at about $1 billion but with construction costs rising a revised figure seems likely.  

The Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game will be played tomorrow night (Saturday) starting at 7 p.m. at St. Cloud State University.  The game will be televised beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2 on FSN North, according to Vikings.com.  The Vikings and FSN are “partnering” to make the telecast possible. 

The Vikings report to training camp on July 25.  The team has a scrimmage against Kansas City in River Falls, Wisconsin on July 31.  

By almost default, the Twins keep turning to Brian Buscher to play third base.  The 27-year-old left-handed hitter is batting .386 since being recalled from AAA Rochester.  In his last 10 games he’s hitting .417.   Last year he was recalled after the season began and hit .244, with two homeruns and 10 RBI in 33 games.  The organization has been concerned about his fielding but because of the team’s ongoing need to find a third baseman Buscher has been given opportunities.  This season he has only one error.  Last season he had four.   

Talk about a long road trip, the Minnesota Thunder are in Puerto Rico for weekend matches against the Islanders tonight and Sunday evening. The Thunder don’t play at home until July 11 against Carolina.

In anticipation of the franchise’s 20^th season, the Timberwolves' primary logo, featuring the wolf's head amidst the tree line, has undergone a facelift. The Timberwolves also have a new, re-designed secondary logo. The modified primary logo includes adding  white to the wolf's head as well as a cleaner and sleeker design of the tree line and the script "Minnesota Timberwolves."  The secondary logo has been completely re-designed and features a Timberwolf in front of a tree line howling at the moon (depicted as a basketball).  The Wolves will also introduce newly-designed uniforms in August.

  

Zygi Wilf