Lynx – Page 10 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wolves Owner: KAT Return Not Imminent

Posted on February 1, 2023 by David Shama

All-NBA Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t played in a game for the Timberwolves since November 28 because of a severe right calf strain. The Timberwolves have 29 regular season games remaining and are intensely competing for favorable playoff positioning and home court advantage.

Initially there was thought that the Wolves’ forward-center, who was averaging 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in 21 games, could return in January. Team owner Glen Taylor talked with Towns Monday and the 27-year-old veteran implied it will be another couple of weeks before he is ready to play.

Towns was named All-NBA Third team after last season when he averaged 24.6 points and 9.8 rebounds. “It can’t be soon enough for me,” Taylor told Sports Headliners about a KAT return.

Jordan McLaughlin, a key reserve at point guard, hasn’t played in a regular season game since December 9 because of a left calf injury. Taylor spoke to McLaughlin on Monday and the 26-year-old hopes to be back “within a week.”

McLaughlin’s return apparently will be prior to KAT’s. “That’s what my understanding would be,” Taylor said.

The Wolves expect a sellout crowd tonight at Target Center to watch their game against the Warriors. Taylor said both attendance and TV viewership are on the upswing in the New Year as the Wolves play better basketball.

The Wolves, 27-26, are eighth in the Western Conference ultra-competitive positioning for the playoffs that can change nightly. The Warriors, 26-24, are fifth in the standings.

Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to take over the majority share of ownership in the Wolves and WNBA Lynx in less than 12 months. The two men are on an installment plan to purchase the teams from Taylor.

Although Lore and Rodriguez exercised in writing their option for a second payment in December, Taylor said payment won’t be made until March 28. “They requested that they could delay (from a December 31 payment date)…and I had written them back and said I’ll accept their new date.”

Does Taylor expect the ownership sale for $1.5 billion to eventually take place? “Yes, I do,” he answered.

Remembering Ken Lien of Minnesota Mr. Basketball

The Minnesota basketball community lost a pioneer last week when Ken Lien, 72, passed away from blood cancer after being in hospice since November. The longtime Bloomington resident loved basketball and for 40 years owned and chaired the Minnesota Mr. Basketball program, among the oldest such programs in the country annually recognizing the best prep player in the state.

”Outside of his love for his family, he loved going to a basketball game in any gym in the state and knowing probably half the people in the gym,” his son Jon wrote via email. “He truly had a love and passion for giving players opportunities through coaching, summer programs, and with Mr. Basketball.”

Ken was a fan of this column and a friend for many years. Two weeks ago, I texted this: “Ken, thinking about you and grateful for our friendship. We enjoyed a lot of conversations, storytelling, and exchange of information. The Sid (Hartman) stories were favorites. Those darn Gophers just can’t revive the glory days. Thank you for helping me with my column, my friend!”

Ken would have turned 73 on February 17, a birthday date he shared with wife Mary Kay. He also liked to remind others that the February 17 birthday club included basketball legend Michael Jordan and former Vikings coach Denny Green.

Heartfelt condolences to Mary Kay, sons Eric and Jon, and other family members. A memorial event will be held Monday at the Washburn-McReavy Bloomington Chapel with visitation at 10 a.m., services at 11 a.m. and lunch afterward.

Worth Noting

Wishing the best for Mike Wilkinson, who is battling pneumonia. He is the author of the coach Murray Warmath biography, The Autumn Warrior.

The No. 1 ranked Gopher men’s hockey team has played in front of five consecutive home sellout crowds. Minnesota is second in the nation in attendance, averaging 8,980 per game and is behind only North Dakota’s 11,325.

Among Division I programs, the Gophers were third nationally in home attendance last season averaging 7,913, while trailing North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Two groups that support local sports, the Twin Cities Dunkers and the Capital Club, ironically both have programs next Wednesday. At Interlachen Country Club Dunkers members will hear from University of St. Thomas sports leaders, including athletic director Phil Esten and multiple coaches as the Tommies progress in their second school year of Division I sports.

The Capital Club, meeting at Mendakota Country Club, will hear from five local women sports executives sharing their insights and success stories: Wendy Williams Blackshaw, Minnesota Sports and Events CEO & president; Meka Morris, Minnesota Twins executive vice president and chief revenue officer; Lara Juras, Minnesota Vikings executive vice president and chief people & culture officer; Carin Anderson, Minnesota Wild senior vice president; and Andrea Yoch, president and co-founder of Minnesota Aurora FC.

Happy 54^th birthday today to former Gopher basketball player Walter Bond.

The University of Minnesota announced today that as part of her world tour, Beyoncé will perform July 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Deacon’s Lodge near Brainerd is the choice for Minnesota’s top public golf course on the Men’s Journal list of the best in each of the 50 states. Best Golf Courses in America: The Top Courses in Every State (mensjournal.com)

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Wolves Owner Taylor Unhappy with Team

Posted on January 1, 2023January 1, 2023 by David Shama

Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor is disappointed and frustrated with his team’s performance so far this season. In a phone interview with Sports Headliners several days ago Taylor expressed discouragement and befuddlement with the club’s poor play, while expressing expectation there is enough time remaining in the season to qualify for the playoffs in April.

The Wolves record, after a sixth consecutive loss last night, is a distressful 16-21. Demoralizing was losing last evening at home to the lowly Pistons who are 10 and 29.

Last season Minnesota finished the regular season with a 46-36 record and lost its opening playoff series to the Grizzlies. Expectations by Taylor before the season was the Wolves would be improved and could secure home court advantage for the opening round of the postseason (they didn’t have it last spring).

“That’s my expectation (to get beyond the first round),” Taylor told Sports Headliners in October. “I think with the guys that we have, if other than injuries, they should deliver that. I am confident in our coaching. I think they’ll get the most out of these guys. That’ll make a difference.”

The Wolves will have to go 30-15 in their remaining games just to equal last season’s record. They could miss the playoffs, although that’s not the message from Taylor now. “I know they can do it. We have the manpower (talent and depth) to do it. …”

What’s gone wrong consists of a long list of issues including injuries that have sidelined multiple key players starting with All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) who might not play again until late January or February. Reality, though, is the team struggled even with a healthy lineup and blew an opportunity to start the season fast against a succession of mediocre opposition.

The performance has been inconsistent and resulted in a record around .500 all season. Taylor talked about lack of focused play for four quarters and inability to get defensive stops toward the end of games. Rebounding, turnovers, lack of cohesive team play, and technical fouls have been problematic, too. “Little things we just shouldn’t have, and we lose those games to teams we can compete against,” Taylor said.

Chris Finch was hired as Wolves head coach in February of 2021 and has won praise in the past. Based on the team’s performance since October, is there a coaching issue now tied to the failed record?

“I am not sure what it is,” Taylor said. “I really like our coach. I think he’s got a good staff. I do mention that I don’t think we should be having technicals and I think somebody is responsible for that. I think you gotta get the respect of the players to say that they can’t be thinking of themselves individually. They gotta be thinking of what’s in the best interest of the team and if that requires keeping their mouths shut, then keep their mouth shut.”

Taylor’s frustration is evident, and the team’s record prompts the question of whether Finch’s job is safe? The coach and his staff are in a classic situation of being blamed for a team going in the wrong direction.

“Well, they certainly are (safe) now,” Taylor said. “We’re going into the (new) year and we certainly can turn it around. There’s time to do that. That’s my expectation when Kat gets back, and the (other) guys get back. That they still have every reason to think that they could get into the playoffs and that’s …our expectations.”

New president of basketball operations Tim Connelly made a mega deal last summer sending five draft choices, plus five Wolves players, to the Jazz in exchange for center and defensive titan Rudy Gobert. Only the most Polly Anna observer will describe the deal as a success so far.

The 7-foot-1, 30-year-old Frenchman has struggled to fit in with his new team, with contributions much more minimal than expected of a player who came at such a high trade price and commands a salary of over $35 million. Gobert hasn’t been the shot blocking force fans expected and offensively he is frequently an afterthought. The Wolves’ offense is inconsistent at including the 266-pound force who is difficult to stop near the basket.

Taylor doesn’t question Gobert’s dedication and believes the Wolves need to be more consistent in making use of his scoring potential, while also suggesting his center can do a better job with “put backs” near the basket. “He is big and strong and powerful,” Taylor said.

Asked when it’s fair to evaluate the trade that shook up not only the local basketball community but made national headlines, Taylor said he prefers to have the “basketball guys” answer that question.

Taylor is convinced the Wolves “have a very good team” but there are a lot of mistakes to correct while approaching a January schedule that will see them play some of the NBA’s better teams. Troublesome are downfalls both with execution and judgment by players. “I don’t think I am telling you anything (that) any good basketball fan can’t see,” Taylor said.

Meanwhile, the process of Taylor selling controlling interest in the Wolves and WNBA Lynx continues to move forward. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who are expected to take over the majority share of ownership in about 12 months, have added investment partners.

Taylor said there are three individuals joining Lore and Rodriguez. He is comfortable with the three but didn’t identify them. “…I know who they are. I know they would be acceptable to me and the league.”

Lore and Rodriguez are on an installment plan purchase and process that began about 18 months ago. There has been ongoing speculation whether the two have the money for the $1.5 billion purchase price. The additional investors seem to indicate the need for additional funding. Taylor said if more investors are to be added he needs to be made aware of that in the next few days.

Lore and Rodriguez had to exercise their option by the end of last month for their second payment but have the flexibility to push the transfer of money out a couple months. “They would still be within their rights to do that,” Taylor said.

While acknowledging the sale is proceeding, it’s not a certainty until it is. A final payment must be made and that’s expected around the end of 2023. Then, too, the NBA must eventually sign off on the deal that looks like it will result with Taylor owning a minority share of 20 percent.

“I don’t want to speak for the league, or anything like that,” Taylor said. “I have an agreement with these guys. So far, they’ve made the first payment. I anticipate they’ll do everything, and it will all work. But the league also at some point in time has to approve them.”

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Wolves Owners Envision New Arena

Posted on September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 by David Shama

Target Center opened in 1990 and although it has since been remodeled, the downtown Minneapolis facility is the oldest home to an NBA team except for iconic Madison Square Garden in New York where the Knicks play. Although nothing is imminent, Minnesota Timberwolves owners Glen Taylor and Marc Lore foresee a new arena eventually being built in Minnesota.

Taylor spoke to the media yesterday at a news conference introducing limited partners Lore and Alex Rodriguez, the baseball great turned businessman. Lore is a visionary in business endeavors, even talking about building a utopian city using what is termed reformed capitalism. He and Rodriguez will have controlling interest in the Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx franchises in a couple of years.

The two new owners talked extensively yesterday about creating a vision for the franchises with strategies that will create an exemplary organizational culture and lead to success on the court. With ultra sophisticated and technology friendly arenas becoming an NBA trademark, it wasn’t surprising to hear the e-commerce savvy Lore talking about one day replacing city-owned Target Center with a state-of-the-art facility that would be a much better business model for him and his partner.

Taylor said he is on board for a new arena some day and understands the necessity. “That won’t be easy,” he told Sports Headliners. “I hope it can happen. It better happen.”

Taylor said he is absolutely sure the Timberwolves will remain in Minnesota long-term, indicating the league is committed to the marketplace. And Rodriguez said he and his partner are “bullish” on Minnesota, with no plans to relocate the franchises.

Asked when he sees himself talking to city officials about Target Center, Lore said, “We’re a long ways off before we start thinking about something like that.”

Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire, has controlled the Timberwolves since 1994. During much of that period the team has been known more for missing the playoffs than being a force in the NBA. That needs to change to make the likelihood of support for a new building more realistic.

“We have to win,” Taylor said. “That builds the arena. It’s pretty simple.”

Lore and Rodriguez reportedly will pay $1.5 billion to own the franchises. Taylor said others would have paid more but he was attracted to the two men. As Taylor reviewed potential owners, he stressed the fit had to be right because he has seen takeovers of other NBA franchises fail with the wrong people in charge.

Taylor shared that instead of being so focused on money, Lore and Rodriguez showed a lot of interest in the people and culture with the Timberwolves and Lynx. “They’re smart. They’re really nice people and I think they care about the employees,” Taylor said.

Taylor believes his new partners are also committed to the product fans will see at Target Center. “What I found out is they want to win, and I love that,” he said.

Worth Noting

More from Taylor on Lore and Rodriguez: “I can tell you these two guys aren’t bashful.”

Rodriguez on interaction with Wolves players: “If we have to rely on my pep talks, we’re not going to win a lot of games.”

Rookie Joe Ryan, 2-1 with a 2:45 ERA, is scheduled to start the Minnesota Twins’ final home regular season game Thursday night against the Detroit Tigers. With the starting staff in flux, he could be the team’s opening day pitcher in 2022.

Viking owners Zygi and Mark Wilf were in the Vikings’ locker room following Sunday’s timely win over the Seattle Seahawks and heard coach Mike Zimmer say if the players do the important things they can “win a lot of games.”

At Zimmer’s post-game news conference he was irritated with a session ending question from Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, who asked how it felt to “finally get a win over Seattle and (quarterback) Russell Wilson.” Here is how Zimmer replied about ending the seven-game losing streak:

“It’s a win. You always bring up those kind of things, don’t you? And you always ask questions like, well, you haven’t beat these guys in 17 years so what do you think about this time? I mean, just ask the question.”

The often maligned Viking offensive line is receiving praise for its performance in the win over the Seahawks, although Seattle was missing its top pass rushers.

The Golden Gophers’ stunning loss to Bowling Green last Saturday is now a major impediment to a winning season. The Falcons, about a 31 point underdog going into the game at Huntington Bank Stadium, were expected to be the worst team on Minnesota’s 12-game schedule. The nonconference loss left the Gophers at 2-2 for the season, instead of 3-1 if they had won. With eight Big Ten games remaining, Minnesota will have to win five times just to finish with a 7-5 overall record. In the prior 10 years, the Gophers have only three times finished with a winning Big Ten record.

The Gophers’ Tanner Morgan has now been outplayed by two quarterbacks from the Mid-American Conference. Bowling Green’s Mike McDonald made better throws in Saturday’s 14-10 win. Two weeks prior Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert threw for 201 yards, while Morgan had 112 in Minnesota’s 31-26 win.

It will be a surprise if Morgan, a four-season starter, doesn’t keep his job for Saturday’s upcoming game at Purdue. However, if the offense is sluggish he might get replaced during the game by Zach Annexstad.

It’s not an excuse for Minnesota’s lack of offensive preparation and execution against the Falcons, but it’s a pattern of Gopher coach P.J. Fleck to use a “vanilla offense” early in the season against nonconference teams. This time it backfired and a successful season is in jeopardy and perhaps the future of offensive coordinator Mike Sanford.

Congratulations to Ed Cohen, a member of the gameday Gophers football statistics crew for 66 seasons, who will celebrate his 90th birthday October 20.

Eric Nelson, Wally Langfellow and former Gophers football player Lee Hutton have a new show airing from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays on AM-1440 KYCR. The “Gopher Gold Rush” program includes guests talking about University of Minnesota football.

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