Timberwolves – Page 14 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Coach Confident about Wolves Paying Luxury Tax

Posted on July 23, 2024July 23, 2024 by David Shama

The controlling ownership of the Timberwolves is in dispute, but head coach Chris Finch told Sports Headliners he’s optimistic about the organization’s willingness to pay the NBA luxury tax to retain core players and add talent.

“I am extremely confident everyone (among key players) is back. We’re very fortunate to have our top seven players under contract,” Finch said. ‘We’re coming off a great season. We have strong team identity —which we’re looking forward to being able to add to, not detract from.”

That was evidenced on NBA Draft night last month when the Wolves acquired the No. 8 overall selection in the first round from the Spurs by giving up future draft picks. Minnesota used the lottery pick to take Kentucky point guard Rob Dillingham. The higher selection increased the franchise’s expected luxury tax by millions of dollars, with Sportrac.com now reporting the luxury tax amount for next season at $105.6 million.

The luxury tax will, of course, be on top of reportedly at least $196 million for next season in committed salaries. “Yes, Glen (Taylor) and ownership have been extremely generous in their willingness to support this roster and the opportunity I think this roster has,” Finch said. “That was evident by our ability to be aggressive on draft night to move up. That doesn’t happen unless you have ownership’s backing.”

Ownership of the Wolves and Lynx is in flux with the legal dispute between long time majority owner Taylor and the Marc Lore, Alex Rodriquez, Michael Bloomberg group. A resolution is expected by fall, with perhaps a vote by NBA owners deciding the matter.

Unconfirmed reports last spring speculated the potential new majority owners wanted to slash payroll, resulting in reduced luxury tax imposed by the league. For now, Taylor remains the majority owner and apparently is willing to pay the tax for exceeding the league tax threshold of $170,814,000.

The organization’s willingness to spend additional monies is sweet music to long suffering Wolves fans. The team is coming off a 56-26 regular season where Minnesota won the second most games in franchise history. The Wolves advanced to the Western Conference playoff finals for only the second time in their history and first time in 20 years.

Minnesota will enter next season among the favored teams to win the NBA championship. “..We have every opportunity to punch through and be considered among those teams,” Finch said after noting the last six titles have been won by six different franchises.

The Wolves return starters Mike Conley Jr., Jaden Daniels, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. Rounding out the top seven are Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander- Walker.

Towns, among the team’s veterans at age 28, will earn one of the NBA’s top salaries next season at $49,350,000, per ESPN.com. His uber talent as a 7-foot combo power forward-center is undeniable but his inconsistency and pricey paycheck have made him a subject of trade speculation if the basketball front office led by Tim Connelly is told to reduce payroll.

Finch (no surprise) is a KAT supporter and agreed with the suggestion he is underappreciated in this market. “Absolutely. KAT is a phenomenal player,” he said.

Finch also said KAT had a “great season” and is among the team’s most important and impactful players. More than anyone, the coach said, KAT was willing to take the lead role in making the partnership work between himself and 7-foot-1 center Rudy Gobert. The two put to rest a lot of the criticism and skepticism regarding whether “Twin Towers” could play together and help fuel a winning season.

“That, plus, I thought he (KAT) had… outstanding playoffs,” Finch said. “He had a lot of really…under the radar games that were important. He took the match up of (the Suns’ Kevin) Durant, he took the match up of (the Nuggets’ Nikola) Jokic. These are things that normally you wouldn’t have thought in the past that someone would ask of KAT, and in doing so has made a huge impact on our ability to win.”

The 19-year-old Dillingham, who only played one season at Kentucky before entering the NBA Draft, shows promise of being a major contributor off the bench. He has the kind of potential and rookie salary that the Wolves likely couldn’t afford with a similarly talented free agent or traded for player.

On Sunday, in the Wolves’ last Summer League game in Las Vegas, the 6-foot- 3 Dillingham had 25 points and 12 assists in a win over the Magic. He averaged 13.6 points, while Terrence Shannon Jr., who the Wolves selected at No. 27 in the NBA Draft, averaged 13.3.

“They both have NBA skillsets, NBA athleticism, speed and we’re excited about both of them,” Finch said. “And we’re excited about our other young players that haven’t had a chance yet. Josh Minott, Leonard Miller—these guys have an opportunity to earn minutes, too.”

Shannon, a 6-6 guard-forward, shares a skill with Dillingham of successful slashing to the basket. Both could provide valuable scoring off the bench next season, with Finch noting “they have a nose for putting the ball in the basket.” Minott and Miller, both forwards, have intrigued the Wolves with their talents since being added to the roster two years and one year ago respectively.

Finch expects Dillingham and Shannon to play extensive minutes in preseason games. Whether they can average double-digit minutes on the floor during the regular season will depend on understanding the team system and philosophy and executing. Finch added there are “non-negotiables” the coaching staff isn’t willing to accept and added “the first thing they gotta do, like any young player, is make sure they’re not hurting the team.”

There’s a “currency of trust” players must earn. Finch said his rookies will have to improve as the season progresses to achieve that trust.

Finch also said the Wolves not only like Dillingham and Shannon as players and also like their character. He believes they can handle the ups and downs of what awaits them as they start their pro careers.

As with all his players, Finch’s to-do list includes developing a one-on-one relationship with the two first round rookies. Let them know what’s expected and what they need to do.

Some of the relationship building comes away from basketball. “We try to meet them where they are,” Finch said. “We try to get comfortable with them. Who are the people in their lives? … And things they like to do off the floor. They’re all-important things that we need to know about them and learn. The best way to do that is learn them in a casual, comfortable environment.”

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Could Twins-White Sox Series Provide Trade Preview?

Posted on July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 by David Shama

The Twins’ three-game series starting tomorrow night in Chicago against the White Sox might be an opportunity to set in motion a trade to improve Minnesota’s chances of advancing to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

The Twins, who finish a three-game home series against the Astros today, are six games behind the Guardians in the race to win the AL Central Division. Perhaps more likely than overtaking Cleveland to earn a playoff spot, is entry as a wild card team. FanGraphs.com gives the Twins a 32.9 percent chance of winning the division, but 50.2 percent likelihood of being one of three wild card clubs in the AL playoffs.

Minnesota could boost its playoff prospects with a trade or two prior to the July 30 MLB trade deadline. Priorities include starting pitching and bullpen help. This week’s trip to the Windy City is perhaps timely with the lowly White Sox, 26-65, considered among the most likely of MLB teams to be sellers prior to the deadline.

As has been true all season, the Twins need a couple more solid starters in their rotation. White Sox emerging star Garrett Crochet is rumored to be available because Chicago needs prospects as it rebuilds the franchise.

Crochet was the AL Pitcher of the Month in June, leading MLB in strikeouts. The 26-year-old would add a left-hander to the starting rotation. He comes with a club-friendly contract at a reported $800,000, unless an extension is negotiated this month.

The Twins’ bullpen hasn’t been elite in 2024 like it was at the close of 2023. Help is needed for performance, consistency and depth. White Sox closer Michael Kopech could be available. Although Kopech has struggled of late, he and Crochet fit the Minnesota front office’s liking for strikeout pitchers.

Chicago outfielder Tommy Pham, rumored in past years as perhaps bound for the Twins, could be a right-handed bat that would help Minnesota in the second half of the season, particularly if injuries hit the roster. The 36-year-old veteran is having a mediocre season but has hit in the clutch and wouldn’t command a lot in trade return.

Twins president Derek Falvey, GM Thad Levine and other club leaders could be looking for some help in Chicago with Minnesota having night games Monday and Tuesday, before the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

The Twins, BTW, are TBA on Monday night’s starting pitcher, with Bailey Ober and struggling Pablo Lopez, 5.18 ERA, set for games two and three.

Worth Noting

Wow! Twins third baseman and DH Jose Miranda, who yesterday tied an MLB record with hits in 12 consecutive at bats, is hitting .376 with 13 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 31 RBI, a .419 on-base percentage, a .602 slugging percentage and a 1.020 OPS in his last 38 games dating back to May 24.

Among Gopher football players topping the curiosity list in 2024 is defensive end Jaxon Howard, the former four-star recruit from Robbinsdale Cooper who played briefly last season at SEC power LSU but transferred to Minnesota in June. Ryan Burns, the recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated, told Sports Headliners earlier this year he will consider it a “win” if Howard, hyped for his pass rushing potential, becomes the No. 2 defensive end behind senior Danny Striggow, the veteran standout.

“…Now, I know the fan base and maybe members of the media want to see a bigger impact from a kid like that, but I think people have to remember he’s only going to be a redshirt freshman this fall,” Burns said about the state’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023. “It’s very rare to see a redshirt freshman come in and just have a monster impact in year one unless they’re just incredibly talented.

“I am not saying Jaxon is not, but I am saying for a kid who didn’t play very many snaps at LSU last fall as a true freshman (that’s challenging). If he can come in and go from very little snaps to over 200, maybe 300 snaps at Minnesota for his first experience in the Big Ten, I think that would be a very impactful role for him. But he’s going to have to come in and win that number two job behind Danny Striggow this fall and then once Danny graduates in January and moves on it will be up for grabs for him to potentially grab a much larger role in 2025.”

Lindy’s Sports Big Ten football magazine ranks Howard No. 71 on a list of top 75 transfer portal players in the nation. Koi Perich, the safety from Esko, Minnesota who headlines the Gophers’ 2024 freshmen class, is ranked the No. 70 on the incoming freshmen list.

The Gopher receiving the most praise by the magazine (recently hit newsstands) is senior left tackle Aireontae Ersery, named to the offensive first team preseason All-American unit. Lindy’s made Ersery an All-Big Ten first team selection, too, and said Pro Football Focus rates the 6-6, 325 pound star the best returning run blocker in the country.

Gopher senior Dragan Kesich, the 2023 Big Ten Kicker of the Year, is the No. 3 kicker in the nation, per Lindy’s. Kesich is a Lindy’s All-Big Ten first team selection and the magazine said along with senior punter Mark Crawford, named to the third team, Minnesota has the two best specialists at those positions in the 18-member Big Ten.

Lindy’s predicts the Gophers will excel running the football but questions the improvement of the passing game and defense from last season—projecting a No. 15 finish in the standings and possibly no bowl game.

Forward Joe Ingles, a summer free agent addition by the Timberwolves, looks like a savvy move by front office leader Tim Connelly. Ingles, 36, brings outside shooting, playmaking and leadership off the bench, plus years of experience with Wolves starters Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gobert when all three were with the Jazz. He is a “glue man” replacement for versatile veteran sub Kyle Anderson who signed a free agent deal recently with the Warriors.

The Clippers, who drafted former Gopher Cam Christie last month in the second round, play the Nuggets in a Las Vegas Summer League game Friday night starting at 9 p.m. Minneapolis time and telecast on NBA TV.

Hazeltine National Golf Course’s 16^th hole checks in at No. 47 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s top 100 golf holes.

Former Vikings wide receiver Leo Lewis leads The Lewis Sports Foundation celebrating its 25^th year with the organization’s annual Awards Dinner August 4, and the 22^nd annual Leo Lewis Celebrity Golf Classic the next day, with both events at Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington. The dinner recognizes metro area community leaders for their efforts impacting the lives of youth. More at http://Lewissportsfoundation.com

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Enjoy a Sizzling Summer Minnesota Sports Trivia Column

Posted on June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 by David Shama

I’ve put together a sports trivia column to occupy any open minutes during the leisure days ahead including the Fourth of July holiday. Be prepared to stump yourself, family or friends—and anyone else.

Without much further ado, I present 20 questions with a mix of queries that include “softball” asks and a couple that might even stump trivia mastermind Dave Mona. For those who want to give up before starting, scroll down past question No. 20 to find the answers.

Mona used to organize an annual sports trivia contest with the finals broadcast on WCCO Radio. I sought his help for my exercise, and he didn’t disappoint.

“My favorite one (trivia question), is one I invented,” Mona said.

1. So here it is with Mona leading off with question No. 1: What baseball Hall of Famer has his name on nearly every small battery in the United States?

2. What’s the name of the Minnesota Wild’s mascot?

3. The Wild has three native born Minnesotans on its roster including Alex Goligoski and Vinni Lettieri. Who is the third?

4. In January of 2021 this Wild forward became the first player in NHL history to have three points, including an overtime goal, in his first game. Who is he?

5. Who were Minneapolis-St. Paul’s first NBA and NHL franchises?

6. This legend just retired from coaching the University of Minnesota baseball team. Name him.

7. Name the Minnesota golf club that has hosted every premier tournament of the PGA and USGA.

8. What was Bud Grant’s given name at birth?

9. Outfielder “Bombo” Rivera played for the Twins from 1978-1980. “Bombo” was his nickname but what was his real name?

10. Several years ago, these three slick fielding Twins outfielders liked to say: “Nothing falls (between them) but raindrops.” Who are they?

11. In 1968 Cesar Tovar of the Twins played every position in a game against the Oakland A’s. As a pitcher who did he strike out?

12. Name the public address announcer at the Metrodome who drew hoots with his warning: “No smoking in the Metrodome.”

13. Chad Hartman, son of media icon Sid Hartman, has a popular drive-time show on WCCO Radio. What powerhouse radio station did Chad work for prior to WCCO?

14. Who was the Viking who said “I play when I want to play” but then walked it back.

15. Who caught Bret Favre’s amazing 2009 touchdown pass to defeat the 49ers in game three of the season?

16. Who once said, “I play third-string center for the Vikings behind Mick Tingelhoff and Mick Tingelhoff hurt?”

17. Who is the former Golden Gopher basketball player who once made such a spectacular dunk at Williams Arena that ESPN referred to him as the “Jewish Jordan?”

18. Golden Gopher basketball coach Ben Johnson also played for Minnesota but at what school did he begin his Big Ten playing career?

19. Name the Golden Gophers football player who this summer is a preseason All-American.

20. What NBA honor did “The Big Ticket” win in 2004?

And the Answers Are…(See Grading at Bottom)

1. This is a real “groaner:” Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline. Get it: alkaline in batteries.

2. “Nordy”. Don’t know the species but word off the ice is that “Nordy” is a real party animal.

3. Emerging star Brock Faber, born in Maple Grove, Minnesota is the third native born player on the Wild roster.

4. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota’s star player. (Hope you’re building momentum with your answers to questions two, three and four).

5. The Minneapolis Lakers, who won five world championships in the City of Lakes, left town for Los Angeles after the 1959-1960 season, while the Minnesota North Stars, who never won a Stanley Cup, moved to Dallas after the 1992-1993 season.

6. John Anderson took over the University of Minnesota baseball program in 1981 and through his retirement last spring he coached in over half of all games the baseball Gophers ever played—dating back 136 years, per Joel Rippel from the Star Tribune.

7. Hazeltine National Golf Club has fulfilled the vision of more than 60 years ago that club founder Totton Heffelfinger and his colleagues had to bring the biggest of golf events to this area.

8. Harry Peter Grant, the great former Gophers athlete and Vikings head coach, died in March of 2023 and will forever be missed.

9. That was no “layup” question. Here’s the answer: Jesus Manuel Rivera. He got tagged with his nickname as a kid in Puerto Rico, with “Bombo” meaning flyball.

10. Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario were so slick in the field they could (presumably) even run down raindrops.

11. Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October”, was the batter Tovar struck out.

12. The late Bob Casey gave the no smoking edict and was the Twins’ public address voice every season from 1961-2004.

13. Chad Hartman was with KFAN prior to WCCO and almost a quarter century ago co-hosted “Chad and Barreiro” before he and Dan Barreiro split for separate shows on the station.

14. Controversial Randy Moss said those words in 2001 but gave “I play when I want to play” a different perspective after he retired from the NFL.

15. With 12-seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Vikings trailing 24-20 at the Metrodome, Favre threw deep into the end zone to WR Greg Lewis who tight-roped staying inbounds. The dramatic win made the Vikings 3-0 and got everyone believing a magical season awaited—and it did.

16. Center Godfrey Zaunbrecher watched the durable Tingelhoff play on and on. Tingelhoff never missed a game and started all 240 regular season games of his career that ended in 1978.

17. ESPN’s SportsCenter was blown away by Sam Jacobson’s spectacular dunk but incorrectly referred to him as “Jewish.”

18. Johnson, a college guard, started his Big Ten career at Northwestern (1999-2001) after graduating from Minneapolis DeLaSalle.

19. Athlon Sports College Football magazine named Gophers senior tackle Aireontae Ersery to its second team All-American offense. Phil Steele publications named the 6-6, 325 pound Ersery to its All-American third team.

20. Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett won the NBA MVP for the 2003-2004 season, averaging 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds as Minnesota emerged as one of the league’s elite teams.

Grading: answer 16-20 correctly and you’re invited to write the next sports trivia column. Scoring 11-15 right is worth two pats on the back. A pat on the fanny—from your significant other—is the reward for answering 6-10 correctly. O-5? It’s not too late to enroll in sports trivia summer school classes.

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