Author: David Shama

Wouldn’t it be interesting if former Gopher assistant basketball coach Jimmy Williams ends up as an assistant to new Kentucky coach Billy Gillespie?  Williams resigned as an assistant at Oklahoma State last week and speculation was he would join former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith’s staff at Minnesota.  A source told Sports Headliners last weekend that Williams won’t be hired here. 

There’s been no official announcement yet but the Gopher home football games with Bowling Green, September 1, and Purdue, September 22, will be 7 p.m. kickoffs. 

Don’t write off the possibility of a comeback season by Troy Williamson this fall. The Vikings’ 2005 No. 1 draft choice had a better rookie year than he did last season when injury held him back, plus he’s expected to benefit from the coaching of new wide receivers coach George Stewart. 

The Wild will host a rally on Sunday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul.  There will be live music from Martin Zellar, food and beverage, free face painting and appearances by celebrities including team owner Bob Naegele, Jr. and Brad Bombardir, a member of the 2003 Wild playoff team. The event will take place prior to game three of the Wild’s Western Conference quarterfinal series against Anaheim at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.

Here’s the TV schedule for the Wild-Anaheim playoff series:  tonight, KSTC, 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, FSN North, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, KSTC, 8 p.m.  If games five, six or seven are necessary in the best of seven series the TV schedule will be: Thursday, FSN North, 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 21, TBD; Monday, April 23, KSTC, 9 p.m.  Because of FCC licensing restrictions that limit broadcasting to the metro market, KSTC games will not be available outstate on satellite or cable systems. 

Although dinner and program tickets are sold out, program-only seats remain for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s annual celebration event featuring Tony Dungy as a speaker.  Association volunteer president Denny Schulstad said a record attendance of over 4,000 is expected for the May 8 event at Mariucci Arena.  For ticket information call 612-624-2345, or www.northrop.umn.edu

The Minnesota Timberwolves may try to buy a 2007 first round draft choice. Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners that acquiring another team’s pick in the June NBA draft through a cash transaction is something he has thought about.

 The Wolves owner said recently it “depends on where we finish” in the draft order as to whether he will further consider purchasing a draft choice.  The Wolves may not have a No. 1 pick because of a deal they made with the Clippers in 2005 sending Sam Cassell to Los Angeles for Marco Jaric.

Where the Wolves will draft is ultimately determined by the NBA’s lottery system. If the Wolves draft 1-10, they retain their No. 1 choice in 2007.  If the pick is lower than No. 10, it goes to the Clippers.   

Finding a seller to buy a pick from is likely to be a challenge since teams covet  number one choices.  But not all NBA teams have equally deep pockets and perhaps a franchise like the New Orleans Hornets might be interested in making a deal for millions in cash.  Hornets’ owner George Shinn reportedly had financial challenges when his team was in Charlotte and now in New Orleans.   

Taylor is determined to improve the Wolves.  The franchise has doubled its scouting staff.  The last two drafts have produced three players, Rashad McCants, Randy Foye and Craig Smith, who have the potential to contribute to a winning nucleus.  McCants and Foye are guards, and Smith is an undersized (6-foot-7) forward.  No doubt the team needs to participate in the draft and find a quality big man, a power forward or center to join Kevin Garnett as the team’s second quality player in the front court. 

Taylor has been evaluating the Wolves at games.  His seat is next to the coaching staff and he couldn’t be any closer to the players.  Taylor said in an earlier interview this is the first year he has sat so near his employees.  The seats became available after last season and he enjoys the up close location allowing him to observe things he wouldn’t otherwise see. Taylor said after awhile the players and coaches “forget about you” (being there).  He makes mental notes about what he observes involving communications, motivation and focus.   He said it’s “helpful when having a business meeting to have my own perspective. …”

If Joe Nathan broke out the customary cigars last week over the birth of his second child, he’s probably holding a few smokes in reserve for another celebration.  A new contract would be cause for an additional special moment in the life of arguably baseball’s best relief pitcher. 

Nathan told Sports Headliners yesterday that “I’d love it” to finish his career as a Minnesota Twin.  Without a new contract, the Twins could lose Nathan after the 2008 season.  Nathan is contractually signed through the 2007 season.  The Twins have the option of picking up his contract for the 2008 season at an already agreed upon salary (made specific as part of the contract he signed in 2005).  If the team doesn’t exercise its option, there is a buyout for an undisclosed amount of money, according to a Twins spokesman. 

Nathan, 32, wants to stay here if a satisfactory contract can be negotiated and has given his agent the okay to continue to pursue a deal.  “I’ve showed interest,” he said.  That interest is based on several factors including the organization’s patience and assistance in helping him develop into a premier relief pitcher.  At the start of this season his 123 saves dating back to 2004 were second among major league relief pitchers to Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, both with 130.  Nathan saved 36 of 38 save opportunities last season and so far in 2007 is three for three. 

He’s also interested in remaining with the Twins because he “loves the city” and is optimistic about the club’s future with so much young talent.  He hopes his agent can complete a deal before the season ends. 

Nathan’s loyalty to the Twins made headlines last week when he was willing to pitch for the team on the day his wife gave birth to their first daughter.  Nathan said although he was “floating that day” he could have focused enough to pitch effectively.   

Compartmentalizing his personal and professional lives is part of Nathan’s success in both.  “Just a matter of separating the two,” he said.   

Even if he has a difficult experience at the ballpark, Nathan keeps a focus on other things at home.  At the ballpark he has a routine that helps him get ready mentally and physically including running and throwing.