Lynx – Page 22 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Minnesota Lynx Tracking Record Year

Posted on June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 by David Shama

The Lynx set a WNBA record last night for most wins opening a season, pushing Minnesota’s record this spring to 11-0. If the Lynx can win their next three games, including against the 10-0 Sparks on Tuesday, they can break the franchise record of 13 consecutive wins that spanned the 2011-2012 seasons.

The Lynx defeated Indiana last evening at Target Center to break the best start to the season record the 2012 Minnesota team set. The 10-0 2012 club didn’t lose a game until June 17 and went on to lose in the WNBA Finals to Indiana.

The team is off to an impressive start but what matters the most is whether Minnesota can repeat as league champions, and it will be interesting to see how the break for the Olympics this summer impacts the franchise’s title plans.

Four years ago there was also a break in the WNBA schedule because of the summer Olympics, and the stoppage didn’t derail the Lynx season. But there is risk involved with a long break, especially for the Lynx who will send four players to Brazil for the summer games. The last Lynx game before the break will be July 22 and the first after the Olympics will be August 26.

Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen will play for the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. The Lynx have more players on the U.S. roster than any other WNBA franchise. A serious injury to one or more of the Lynx’s Big Four in Rio de Janeiro could prevent Minnesota from winning its fourth WNBA championship in six years.

Moore is off to a sensational start this season, having twice been named Western Conference Player of the Week. She is fourth in league scoring at 19.8 points per game. Augustus, Fowles and Whalen are former WNBA All-Stars as is Moore. Playing different positions, they bring varied scoring, playmaking, rebounding and shot blocking skills that have helped make the Lynx a dynasty and Minnesota’s most successful pro franchise.

Even if the Lynx players stay healthy during the Olympic break, there are other factors that will test the team when the WNBA season resumes in late August. For example, the Lynx Big Four will face the demands and fatigue of the Olympics. Of the four Lynx players, only Moore is under 30 years old.

Then, too, there is the question of whether team momentum can continue after the WNBA schedule break for the Olympics. In another month the Lynx may still be the hottest club in the WNBA but that offers no guarantee in late August and early September as the schedule draws to a close and the playoffs follow. Momentum is a major factor in continued success for any team and a long break could impact Lynx chemistry in the team’s final nine regular season games after the Olympics. The Lynx’s Big Four will spend a month playing with Olympic teammates, then readjust to their Minnesota teammates. How will that go?

This is not only another talented Lynx team but perhaps the deepest in franchise history. Will this be the most historic of seasons for the franchise?

The 2016 Olympic team, with the key Lynx contributors on the roster and a five-time history of being Olympic champions, will be expected to win Gold again. The Lynx could compile the best regular season record in WNBA history, perhaps breaking Phoenix’s 29-5 record set in 2014. And by repeating as WNBA champions in the playoffs, Minnesota would tie Houston for most league titles with four.

Worth Noting

Former Timberwolves forward Kevin Love draws criticism for not doing more to help the Cavs who trail the Warriors 3-2 in the NBA Finals. Love, though, isn’t a good fit in the Cavs offense featuring a lot of one-on-one basketball with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Rumors may continue about Love being traded and he would benefit by being in a more team oriented offense like those in Boston, New York and San Antonio.

Jerry Kill told Sports Headliners he starts his new job July 18 as associate athletic director at Kansas State. His focus will be helping the Kansas State football program.

Kill was in Rochester, New York earlier in the week to participate in a Coaches vs. Cancer golf event fundraiser. Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim, himself a cancer survivor, was honored for support of Coaches vs. Cancer.

The Gophers’ opening football game at home against Oregon State on Thursday, September 1 will be the first Big Ten Network telecast of the season. Telecast time from TCF Bank Stadium will be 8 p.m. (Central Daylight).

New Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle is meeting in-person with athletic department contributors who have helped the program in the past.

Two-time Minnesota All-American and 1962 Outland Trophy winner Bobby Bell will be the Gophers’ dignitary for the first-ever All-Big Ten Alumni Cruise of Alaska June 20-30 of next year. Each Big Ten school is inviting its own dignitary, according to an email last week from the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

A sports industry source told Sports Headliners former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who still works for the organization, may interview for the University of Texas head baseball job this week. Gardenhire has the experience and personality to connect with college players.

The Twins host the Yankees for a four-game series starting tomorrow night (Thursday) at Target Field. Saturday the first 10,000 fans receive a Miguel Sano Bobblehead.

Late next week the Twins are in New York for a three-game series with the Yankees that includes a June 24 promotional giveaway of 18,000 Mickey Mantle Triple Crown Bobbleheads. It was 60 years ago, in 1956, that Mantle won the American League’s Triple Crown.

Although the Minnesota Legislature didn’t grant a property tax exemption on the St. Paul land for a soccer stadium this spring, it’s expected to happen in the next 10 months or less. Construction of the privately financed stadium has to start soon for a desired 2018 opening for Minnesota’s anticipated new MLS team. It seems all but certain the team will play next year at the Gophers’ TCF Bank Stadium.

Jimmy Fortune, formerly of the Statler Brothers, will entertain at the seventh annual Camden’s Concert on July 11 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. WCCO Radio Sports Huddle host Dave Mona and wife Linda named the event after grandson Camden Mona. Now eight years old, Camden was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis and the concert raises money for cystic fibrosis research. More at Camdensconcert.com.

The North Star Bicycle Festival that started earlier in the month will continue today (Wednesday) thru Sunday with the North Star Grand Prix, a five-day, six-stage race held in cities around east central Minnesota that is part of USA Cycling’s national racing calendar. More at Northstarbicyclefestival.com.

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Viking Pick Promising, But No Certainty

Posted on April 29, 2016April 29, 2016 by David Shama

It was a no-brainer for the Vikings to use their first round pick in last night’s NFL Draft to select Mississippi wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. It’s far from certain, though, how much he will help the team—and how soon.

While the Vikings have needs in the offensive line and at safety, adding a quality wide receiver is the franchise’s major personnel need. The Vikings WR group caught only six touchdown passes last season.

The hope is Treadwell can help boost production immediately. The 20-year-old 6-2, 222-pound Treadwell is known as a physical pass catcher who can go up and take the ball away from defenders.

In its April 18 issue rating NFL Draft prospects, Sports Illustrated ranked Treadwell No. 1 among wide receivers. The magazine praised his ability to push around defensive backs and be dominant in the air.

After selecting Treadwell last night, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer described him as “the best blocking receiver I’ve ever seen.” General manager Rick Spielman listed several of Treadwell’s attributes including his work ethic. Indeed, the Vikings must have been sold on Treadwell’s attitude because in two seasons coaching here Zimmer has let the world know he won’t tolerate poor work habits.

What the Vikings didn’t acquire in Treadwell is speed. The call for a fast receiver to open up the long range passing game has been heard for quite awhile now, but that’s not Treadwell, who ran a slow 4.63 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine. It could be challenging for Treadwell to get separated from quick cornerbacks in the NFL.

Last night ESPN draft analyst Jon Gruden had another word of caution. “He’s got to catch the football better to be great,” Gruden said. “There’s just too many times he lacks concentration.”

The months and years ahead will show what Treadwell can do but Vikings fans can feel some optimism looking back at the influence of Speilman. The franchise has made 11 first round selections going back to 2007 and 10 were starters in their rookie seasons, seven were All-Rookie picks, and four were Pro Bowlers as rookies.

Worth Noting

There’s speculation that next season will be Adrian Peterson’s last with the Vikings because of his advanced age and compensation for a pro running back. It’s been thought for awhile he might end his career with the Cowboys but that seems unlikely after Dallas used its first round draft choice last night to select Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. With his power and speed, Elliott could be an AP clone.

Elliott, chosen No. 4 by the Cowboys, was one of three Buckeyes selected in the top 10 last night. A total of five Ohio State players were chosen in the first 20 selections.

Minnesota sports trivia master Dave Mona e-mailed that despite successes as college running backs, ex-Gophers haven’t gained a lot of rushing yards in the NFL. He researched 15 prominent U runners going back to the 1960s and learned the following: “Six of them had no NFL carries. That group includes Thomas Hamner, Tellis Redmon, Amir Pinnix, Garry White, Chris Darkins and Barry Mayer. The leading rusher, by far, is Marion Barber III with 4,780 yards and 53 touchdowns. His college running mate, Laurence Maroney, was second at 2,504 and 21.”

Darrell Thompson, the Gophers all-time leading career rusher, ran for 1,641 yards and seven touchdowns during five years with the Packers. His totals placed third on Mona’s list behind Barber and Maroney.

Multiple media reports during the last several days have Benilde-St. Margaret’s offensive lineman Eric Wilson verbally committing to Harvard and declining offers from other schools including the Gophers. Wilson will be a high school senior next fall and is a Rivals.com three-star recruit.

Tickets are available for the Jerry Kill Roast & Toast May 6 at Jax Café. The event starts at noon and is sponsored by the Minnesota Minute Men. Proceeds benefit the Chasing Dreams program for children through the Epilepsy Foundation. Jim Carter, Dave Lee, Joel Maturi, Mike Max and Ron Stolski will be among those roasting the former Gophers football coach. Dick Jonckowski will emcee. More information is available at Minutemen.com, or by calling Claud Allaire at 952-913-6502.

Former Gophers football coach Jim Wacker, who died in 2003, would have been 79 yesterday.

A memorial service for former Gophers All-Big Ten linebacker Bill Light will be held tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 11 a.m. at Westwood Community Church in Chanhassen, 3121 Westwood Drive. A lunch at the church will follow. Condolences to Bill’s wife Julie, children, other family and many friends.

Former Gophers basketball trainer Roger Schipper and his wife are relocating to Naples, Florida.

Some fans attending this evening’s Twins-Tigers game at Target Field purchased Wrestling Night VIP Packages. Perks include a Twins wrestling mask, and private meet and greet with pro wrestling legends “Jumpin” Jim Brunzell, Greg Gagne, Larry “The Axe” Hennig and Baron Von Raschke.

Glenn Caruso, who coached the Tommies last year to the Division III football title game, is proud his team placed first among 3,500-plus national student fundraising groups generating monies to support Memphis-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His team raised nearly $40,000 in donations in 2015-16, a record total, according to Tommiesports.com. The website reported the total tripled the UST amount from the previous school year and is the most any single organization has generated for the national effort called Up ‘Til Dawn that raises money for St. Jude.

Former Timberwolves president Bob Stein told Sports Headliners when he was assembling a staff for the Minnesota expansion team years ago he wanted Scott Layden to be the franchise’s first general manager. Layden was working for the Jazz in the late 1980s and declined Stein’s offer. Last week Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor hired Layden to become his GM, taking him away from the Spurs where he was assistant general manager.

It might be a couple of weeks before new Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau decides on his assistant coaches and other staff. A sentimental choice with the public, of course, is Ryan Saunders who was hired as an assistant by his late father Flip two years ago. It will be a surprise if Ryan isn’t given a continued assignment with the franchise.

The Lynx are considering multiple sites in the metro area for playing home games in 2017 while Target Center is renovated. The WNBA team will be able to work around arena renovation this summer for its 2016 schedule.

Horse racing analyst Kevin Gorg guests on the KARE 11 Saturday show tomorrow morning about 9:35 a.m. and will talk about the May 7 Kentucky Derby, a popular wagering day at Shakopee’s Canterbury Park. Nyquist might be an early favorite for winning the Derby.

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Stakes High for Wild in Playoffs

Posted on April 13, 2016April 13, 2016 by David Shama

The Wild opens its Stanley Cup first round playoff series with the Stars tomorrow night in Dallas—and it looks like more than the usual postseason pressure is on Minnesota.

Critical evaluations and judgments about the Wild appear probable whenever this spring’s playoffs end. The franchise that initially began with the 2000-2001 season has never won its way into the Stanley Cup Finals and only once made the conference finals. Although the Wild has qualified for the playoffs each of the last four years, Minnesota didn’t advance beyond the second round.

General manager Chuck Fletcher and new coach John Torchetti may need an impressive stretch of playoff hockey by their team to further secure their positions. Fletcher has been the franchise’s general manager since 2009 and the Wild hasn’t been able to make a deep playoff run during that time. Twice the club didn’t make the playoffs.

Fletcher has hired three coaches during his era—Todd Richards, Mike Yeo and Torchetti. Yeo was dismissed in February when doubts prevailed about the team making the playoffs. Under Torchetti the club played well enough to just qualify for the postseason, but the inconsistency of play during 2015-2016 continued.

Torchetti’s job security could be tied to Fletcher. If Wild owner Craig Leipold decides to replace Fletcher, it’s certainly plausible the new GM will want another coach.

When the Wild is given a final report card after the playoffs, the players won’t avoid judgment either. There is speculation disgruntled players pushed Yeo out. If so, Leipold can ask how did his personnel respond to Torchetti?

Torchetti hasn’t hesitated to be direct with his players, letting them know what he thinks and sometimes telling them they need to just watch and learn. Whether this team has the skills and chemistry to beat the Stars will be interesting. Dallas won the Central Division with 109 points. Minnesota, with 87, had the fewest points of any Western Conference club qualifying for the playoffs and finished fifth in the seven team Central.

The Wild don’t have superstars but when Leiopold signed forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter to $98 million deals in 2012 it raised expectations these two might do more for the franchise’s Stanley Cup ambitions than what’s happened so far. A playoff run where Parise and Suter have their best springs for the Wild will make fans feel the club has received more value from the expensive contracts. But Parise’s contribution toward that looks in doubt because of a back injury that will at least keep him from playing in the first two playoff games, according to numerous news reports.

There might not be a more worn out cliché in sports than a hot goalie can take a team deep in the playoffs. Goalie Devan Dubnyk reportedly signed a $26 million, six-year deal last summer to stay with Minnesota. Much will be expected of the 30-year-old Dubnyk whose regular season goals against average of 2.33 didn’t earn a spot among the NHL leaders but was certainly better than the league average of 2.51.

The franchise is increasing ticket prices for next season. Part of the fans’ perspective and attitude about those prices will be impacted by how the team performs. Customers will obviously feel better about the extra expense with a big playoff run.

Worth Noting

The Wild will have home playoff games against the Stars next Monday and Wednesday. Both are certain to be sellouts. The club has sold out 106 straight regular season games and all 26 playoff games in franchise history—with each postseason game surpassing 19,000 in attendance. The official seating capacity for games at Xcel Energy Center is 17,954. Standing-room-only tickets allow for additional capacity.

The franchise set a regular season home attendance record during 2015-2016 by averaging 19,062 fans per game. Thirty-five of the club’s 41 regular season home games drew over 19,000 fans.

The Twins announced this morning they have placed left-handed pitcher and All-Star closer Glen Perkins on the 15-day disabled list with a left posterior shoulder strain, retroactive to April 11. To replace Perkins on the 25-man roster, the Twins have recalled left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers from Triple-A Rochester. Rogers will make his major league debut with his first appearance—possibly tonight when the Twins play the White Sox at Target Field. He has a career minor league record of 37-28 with a 3.27 ERA.

The Twins, Rod Carew and the American Heart Association will promote the Heart of 29 Campaign at Target Field with a pregame ceremony tonight featuring heart disease survivors including Carew. Twins players will wear Heart of 29 patches on their red jerseys.

WCCO Radio Sports Huddle host Dave Mona and his wife Linda drove around Ramp A for 37 minutes searching for a parking space prior to Monday’s Twins opener at Target Field. Frustrated, they ultimately skipped the game and went home to watch on TV.

Bob Lurtsema presented a gold football to his old high school earlier this week. In recognition of the Super Bowl’s 50th anniversary, the NFL is providing players who participated in the games with gold footballs to give their high schools. Lurtsema, who played for Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a defensive lineman on Vikings Super Bowl teams in the 1970s.

While in Michigan, Lurtsema also stopped at his college alma mater, Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. His Broncos jersey is on display in the team’s weight room.

Lurtsema is a believer in Teddy Bridgewater, the Vikings’ 23-year-old quarterback who starts his third NFL season next September. “The media is way too rough on him,” Lurtsema said.

Look for media reports about Gophers men’s basketball tonight and tomorrow after head coach Richard Pitino meets with journalists this afternoon to talk about the program’s offseason. Media will also watch player workouts.

The Lynx have two second round draft choices (No. 14 and 22 overall) and one third round (No. 35 overall) in tomorrow night’s WNBA Draft. ESPN2 will televise the first round starting at 6 p.m. Minneapolis time. ESPNU will televise the second and third rounds.

Former Gopher Rachel Banham, the 2016 Big Ten Player of the Year and the conference’s all-time leading scorer for women’s basketball, will be the No. 4 selection in the first round after being chosen by Connecticut, according to Bleacherreport.com’s mock draft. Draftsite.com predicts Banham will be the No. 5 selection by Dallas.

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