Author: David Shama

Diehard Wolves fans look in the mirror and answer this question:  Can you praise Kevin McHale for his coaching?

McHale critics (are there any other kind?) are looking at an unexpected reality.  The Wolves’ failed personnel man has improved the team since moving from the office to the bench, replacing Randy Wittman as coach in early December.  After inheriting a five game losing streak that became 13, the Wolves have won eight of their last 12 including a streak where they won five straight.

McHale’s coaching and his players’ efforts have made the Wolves entertaining instead of unwatchable.  Not only are results better but so, too, is the karma.  These guys actually enjoy playing and keeping company with one another.  Smiles and backslaps are in; frowns and bad body language are out.

McHale thinks basketball should be fun and he coaches that way.  He’s encouraged his players to see the possibilities, not the doubts.  He’s found a receptive audience with a group of probably the best human beings in the 20 year history of the franchise.

The Wolves have a 13-27 record going into tonight’s home game with New Orleans.  The record was 4-15 when McHale took over.  With about three months remaining in the season the Wolves are more than half way to last year’s win total of 22.

Among NBA teams this month only the Orlando Magic with an 8-1 record have fewer losses than the 7-2 Wolves.  NBA.com has the Wolves No. 20 in its 32 team power rankings, ahead of teams considered better before the season like Toronto.

The resurgence has happened because the coaching and playing is better, but also the schedule has been easier.  During the 13 game losing streak the Wolves had a seven game stretch where they played San Antonio twice, plus Cleveland, the Lakers and Houston once each.  Since January 1, the schedule has had the Wolves playing six of eight teams with less than .500 records and four of them (Golden State, Memphis, Oklahoma City and the L.A. Clippers are 17 games or more under .500).  Give the Wolves credit, though, for defeating teams in January who like themselves are not among the NBA elite.

The team still has plenty of flaws including defensively.  The resurgent play has been mostly fueled by better offense producing 100 points or more in eight of the last 12 games.  Other problems include being undersized at the center and power forward positions, plus too many inconsistent performances by starters and subs.

For whatever weaknesses in personnel the Wolves have, the former vice president of basketball operations (that’s McHale) must take responsibility.  But give him credit for A+  coaching in his short term on the bench and he’s brought talented players like center Al Jefferson, guard Randy Foye and forward Kevin Love to the roster.  Plus, the tinkering he did during the last off-season to improve the locker room chemistry has been a winner.

McHale, who dislikes the NBA travel schedule, is seeing plenty of the road in his new role.  If he wants the job for next year, he’s off to the kind of start that definitely commands a second look.  Speculation is owner Glen Taylor won’t invite him back to the front office.

How strange will it be if come April, Wolves fans are howling in protest because the front office didn’t bring McHale back for another season?

Bob Lurtsema, a member of Zygi Wilf’s advisory board, believes the Vikings will obtain state backing for a new stadium within two years, but even if the team has to remain in the Metrodome he doesn’t think the franchise will relocate.  During an interview earlier this month with Sports Headliners, Lurtsema, speaking for himself and not the Vikings, said Governor Tim Pawlenty is “behind” a new stadium.

“He can’t push it just by himself,” the former Viking and local businessman said.  “Of course, he’ll have to have a little financial justification to the public on how it’s going to be paid for.

“Everybody knows that taxes right now are out of hand and who knows what’s going to happen next year?  But we’ve got to maintain first class facilities because that’s why your 3M’s stay here.  All your major corporations come here because they have football, basketball, baseball. They have all these different things for their employees…”

In 1984 the Colts unexpectedly deserted Baltimore for Indianapolis, a move that still reverberates with negativity.  It was an outcome the NFL won’t forget and Lurtsema  believes Vikings fans are beneficiaries of Baltimore’s disaster.

“I think the National Football League learned from the Baltimore Colts moving to Indianapolis that the rivalries that you have, that you created over the years, you can’t eliminate those,” Lurtsema said.  “The Vikings, the Bears, Packers, Lions (those) rivalries, that’s history.  Don’t take history and try to change everything over. …”

Lurtsema also talked about when the Cleveland Browns franchise relocated to Baltimore after the 1995 season and became the Ravens, with the name Browns retained for the expansion franchise that came later to Cleveland.  The Browns’ team colors and records were also retained for Cleveland, not Baltimore.  “Baltimore shouldn’t be the Ravens,” Lurtsema said.  “It should be the Indianapolis Ravens and the Baltimore Colts.”

Lurtsema admires Wilf, the Vikings’ owner.  “I love Zygi and what he’s done here as far as opening up his checkbook to coach (Brad) Childress and bring somebody in like a Jared Allen (All-Pro defensive end) who not only played unbelievable but he picked up the play of the other three defensive linemen,” Lurtsema said.  “Because if you look at the stats, you can see how many more tackles they had, how many more hurries they had…”

Purdue coach Matt Painter talking about holding Minnesota to a field goal percentage of 27.6 percent in last night’s 70-62 win over the Gophers: “You hold them to 28 percent.  There’s no way I thought that would happen.”

Among the spectators at last night’s sold out Gopher game were Timberwolves Brian Cardinal (former Purdue player) and Kevin Love, along with New York Times best selling author Harvey Mackay.

Mr. Basketball chairman Ken Lien, who has traveled the state for years scouting players, experienced a first this week.  He watched Spring Lake Park make 17 three point shots in an 85-81 loss to Cooper.

Team president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners he hopes to have Michael Cuddyer at TwinsFest this weekend even though the Twins’ outfielder has been sick with food poisoning.

Forward Nick Schultz said on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle show on Sunday that he couldn’t attend Justin Morneau’s wedding earlier this month because the Wild was playing in Columbus.  Schultz said his wife Jessica did attend the wedding of Justin and his girl friend Krista.  Schultz is a baseball fan and has taken batting practice with the Twins at the Metrodome.

Morneau, who loves hockey, signed a reported six year $80 million                         deal with the Twins last year.  Meanwhile, Phillies’ first baseman Ryan Howard (48 home runs, 146 RBI and .251 average last year) is asking for $18 million this season through arbitration, according to www.mlb.com.  Morneau, who won the American League MVP in 2006 when Howard was the National League MVP, hit 23 home runs, with 129 RBI and a .300 average last season.

Third baseman Garrett Atkins, whose name has drawn speculation as a possible third baseman for the Twins, asked Colorado for $7.95 million while the Rockies countered with $6.65 million, per mlb.com.  That’s likely too rich for the Twins.

Free agent third baseman Joe Crede, who hit 17 home runs in 97 games last season with the White Sox, seems a better possibility for the Twins.  He makes $5.1 million, according to www.espn.go.com.

Gopher football coach Tim Brewster said reports of future games against USC are premature and a contract hasn’t been signed.  Brewster remains interested in scheduling outstanding teams including Texas.

All of coach Brad Childress‘ assistant coaches are under contract for next season and he said that because there’s now so much player movement in the NFL it’s important to have effective instructors on the staff.  He said it’s “critical” that assistants are good teachers because many players are only with a team for a few years.

Canterbury Park’s “Canterbury College,” a free five class series to improve handicapping skills, begins February 15.  Canterbury Park’s Jeff Maday, part of the “faculty” along with Kevin Gorg, Dark Star and Paul Allen, said maximum enrollment will be 120 and 110 are already enrolled.  More information is available by e-mailing jmaday@canterburypark.com