Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

NBA D-League or Europe May Await Sampson

Posted on May 2, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Sources with second-hand information told Sports Headliners last week that Ralph Sampson III was declaring for the NBA draft. Thursday’s early entry list from the NBA confirmed his intent.

But neither Sampson, his family nor the Gophers have made it known whether a professional sports agent has been retained. If so, Sampson can’t return to Minnesota for his senior season. Players who don’t have representation have until May 8 to change their minds about entering the draft and return to college teams.

Sampson’s three year career has been characterized by inconsistency and mediocrity. The 6-11 junior center-forward has averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. His best career season scoring was 2011 when he averaged 10.2 points per game while his top rebounding average was a year ago when he finished at 5.8.

News of his sniffing at the pros has been met by surprise and even cynicism by Gophers fans. A finesse big man with not even honorable mention all-Big Ten honors during his career, Sampson seems an improbable candidate to be chosen even on the second round of the June NBA draft.

Yes, the NBA is always looking for length and athleticism, and it doesn’t hurt that his bloodlines include dad Ralph II, among the most famous college centers of all time. But Ralph III is a classic example of a tall player that could benefit from one additional season of college basketball, adding more muscle, plus strength and versatility for his game.

What fans should be asking is why this development? If Sampson has hired an agent then he knows there’s no return to Gopherville. That means facing the real possibility of not making an NBA team next fall either through the draft or as a free agent. Even if he were drafted on the second round or signed as a free agent, neither designation guarantees him a roster spot next fall in the NBA.

In this scenario what Sampson has to be prepared for is a future later this year playing in the NBA Development League, in Europe, or some other professional league. Sampson may feel those options are better for his career than another season at Minnesota.

If Sampson returns to the Gophers he faces less competition for playing time than it appeared a few weeks ago. Center Colton Iverson, who for three years shared playing time with Sampson, has transferred. During the last 12 months or so the Gophers have lost three players who were juniors but chose not to return for their senior seasons. Paul Carter transferred last spring, then Devoe Joseph and Iverson this year.

Gophers fans are hoping Sampson doesn’t become No. 4.

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Worth Noting

Posted on May 2, 2011October 9, 2011 by David Shama

The Vikings chose 10 players in the NFL draft, the most since they selected 10 in 2000. The large number is important for an organization trying to create more competition for jobs, and with numerous personnel needs even at starting positions.

Among the most intriguing selections is Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard, drafted on the fourth round. Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said his organization considered Ballard a second round value.

The Big Ten Conference led the nation in men’s basketball attendance for the 35th consecutive season, averaging 12,826 fans per home game, according to NCAA figures. Seven Big Ten schools ranked in the top 25 in average attendance, while no other league had more than four. Wisconsin was seventh nationally with an average of 17,230 fans per game. Illinois was No. 10 (15,851), followed by No. 12 Indiana (15,259), No. 13 Ohio State (15,125) and No. 15 Michigan State (14,797). Also among the top 25 were No. 17 Purdue (13,916) and No. 24 Minnesota (13,241).

Lynx players Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Candice Wiggins were named last week to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp roster, the most participants of any WNBA team. The five players are expected to comprise nearly half of the Lynx’s 11 women season opening roster later this spring. The USA training camp will be May 10-12 in Las Vegas.

Because of declining student enrollment, the Minneapolis North basketball team will participate next season in Class A, the smallest of Minnesota State High School League groupings for teams. Class A includes charter schools and other schools such as the Academy for Sciences & Agriculture, Calvin Christian High School and Maranatha Christian Academy.

Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn, expected to start Wednesday in Chicago against the White Sox, is 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA. In his last outing he gave up eight hits and five earned runs during 3.1 innings at home against Tampa Bay.

The Twins have to play seven of their next 11 games against East Division teams Boston and Toronto. After Tampa Bay swept the Twins at home last week, Minnesota was 5-12 so far this season against teams from the East Division.

The NHL Coaches Association will hold its annual Coaching Clinic on June 23 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis. Coaches from all hockey levels are welcome at the clinic where NHL coaches will lead group presentations and break-out sessions. Registration for the clinic is available at www.wild.com/nhlca.

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Draft May Set Up Ponder as 2011 Starter

Posted on April 29, 2011October 10, 2011 by David Shama

Who will start for the Vikings at quarterback in their season opening game in San Diego on September 11?

It won’t be Tarvaris Jackson and probably not Joe Webb. Certainly not Rhett Bomar, the other quarterback on the team’s roster going into last night’s NFL draft.

Unless the franchise adds a journeyman quarterback, the starter in San Diego could be Christian Ponder. In a quarterback heavy draft among the early selections, the Vikings used their No. 12 pick in the first round to select the 6-3, 227-pound Texas native and former Florida State player.

Rick Spielman, the Vikings’ personnel boss, told KFAN Radio the pick was not a “reach.” He and coach Leslie Frazier may have hoped that any of the three quarterbacks who went before Ponder in the draft might have been available to them but they weren’t about to complain about their newest QB.

“He has some tremendous attributes at the quarterback position,” Frazier said on the radio. “First of all he’s extremely intelligent. He has a great arm. He has a great feel for the passing game. He’s one of those kids that other players kind of rally behind, and at that position, that is critical.”

For Ponder to be ready by September 11 seems like a lot to expect. In the judgment of draft experts, none of the quarterbacks chosen last night, Ponder included, is ready to start in the NFL but the Vikings may have no choice if they can’t find a veteran to play in front of their young quarterbacks, Webb, 24, and Ponder, 23.

Certainly Jackson seems to be on his way out of town after the NFL settles its labor dispute with the players. He’s had numerous opportunities to establish himself as the No. 1 quarterback here. Bomar has been regarded as a deep reserve, an insurance policy added to the roster late last season.

Webb might not read defenses and make enough correct plays to stay ahead of Ponder. He was a sixth round draft choice last year and he started two games for the quarterback desperate Vikings last season. In college and so far in the NFL he’s had a mixed identity as a quarterback and wide receiver. It wouldn’t be surprising if one day he’s back at wide receiver.

With perhaps the NFL’s best running back in Adrian Peterson, it seems certain that whether the quarterback is Ponder, Webb or a journeyman to be named, the job description will be “manager.” Whoever the QB is, he will be asked to make good decisions, provide leadership and occasionally produce a timely pass.

The jersey of the Vikings’ starting quarterback on September 11 won’t say Savior, but the word Christian could be spelled out.

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