Timberwolves – Page 34 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

D’Lo Future to Test Wolves New Prez

Posted on May 31, 2022May 31, 2022 by David Shama

In the next 12 months Timberwolves fans will know what impact new president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has made on the franchise. No “barometer” could be more telling than that of enigmatic point guard D’Angelo Russell.

His resume after three seasons in Minnesota indicates Connelly should find another NBA residence for D’Lo. He is a flashy talent but his resume is too flawed for a player who reportedly earns about $30 million per season.

In the closing minutes of the Wolves-Grizzlies playoff series Russell was sitting on the bench. Coach Chris Finch chose not to play D’Lo, supposedly part of the team’s big three of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. The decision was a condemnation of Russell whose team couldn’t find a way to win Game Six, and lost their first round playoff series this spring.

Russell averaged 18.1 points during the regular season but just 12 in the postseason. He averaged 31 points against the Grizzlies in four regular season games. In plus-minus rating he was -0.7 in the playoffs after being +3.2 during the season.

Regardless of whether it’s regular or post season, Russell can perform more like an individual than a team player. He may force too many shots from too many precarious positions on the floor. As the floor leader at point guard, he can slow ball movement and not get teammates involved enough. Defensively, his reputation is about not being engaged and focused.

The words “he makes his teammates better” aren’t often associated with D’Lo. At age 26 he has played for four NBA teams. That’s telling in and of itself. Front office leaders and coaches have been tantalized by the talent but for whatever reasons no one has found him valuable enough to keep around indefinitely.

Connelly, who the Wolves hired off his reputation with the Nuggets as a top 10 NBA decision maker, will be challenged to figure out the D’Lo puzzle. Incoming calls from other teams inquiring about Russell won’t be frequent for Connelly, who is formally introduced today as the Wolves’ boss at a news conference.

If Connelly and Finch are shrewd about Russell, they will find a more complementary player for the “sum of their parts.” A steady point guard who can better run the offense and also be a contributor defensively. The help wanted sign should go up soon for a new player with attributes that include poise at the biggest moments, whether in the playoffs or nail-biting regular season games.

The Connelly watch starts now not only with D’Lo but the NBA Draft June 23. Minnesota has the No. 19 selection in the first round, plus three selections in the second.

The Wolves need help at power forward but rightly could take a too- talented-to pass-up player at any position. And what does Connelly do with those extra second rounders? Keep them all or trade one or more for better assets?

Connelly’s ability to judge talent will be scrutinized with this draft. Talent can be found anywhere in the draft and among college free agents. In 1999 the Spurs took Manu Ginobili with the No. 57 pick. They won four NBA titles with Ginobili as one of the team’s three stars. Ten years ago the Warriors found Draymond Green at No. 35 in the second round. Since then he’s been a huge contributor to the team winning three NBA championships.

Connelly will be tasked with producing more success than his predecessor Gerson Rosas who was fired last September for reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with an office employee and fostering a tense office environment. Outdoing Rosas won’t be accomplished with the snap of the fingers.

Rosas was hired in May of 2019 as president of basketball operations, taking over a franchise with a 36-46 record and MIA from the playoffs almost every year. Yes, the Warriors got the better of the deal that Rosas made unloading Andrew Wiggins and giving them a first round draft choice in exchange for D’Lo. And Rosas did whiff on 2019 first round pick Jarrett Culver, but Rosas reshaped the roster for the better and his decisions had everything to do with the Wolves qualifying for the playoffs in 2022. (Only the second time since 2004.)

Rosas made Edwards the NBA’s overall No. 1 draft choice in 2020. After two seasons and at 20 years old, Edwards has been spectacular and could become a top five NBA player. Trades by Rosas acquired promising 21-year-old forward Jaden McDaniels, starting power forward Jared Vanderbilt and guard Patrick Beverley, a catalyst either starting or as sub.

Role players off the bench who came via swaps and often helped are three-point shooting specialist Malik Beasley and power forward Taurean Prince. Contributors acquired through free agency are center Naz Reid and playmaking guard Jordan McLaughlin.

The Rosas ledger also includes hiring Finch as head coach a year ago last February. Finch is an effective communicator who listens to players and lets them know what is expected.

New owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are credited with the Connelly hire. They’re drawing applause from long suffering Wolves fans for making the move. Although they don’t take over majority ownership of the franchise until December of 2023, they’re pushing the envelope with determination and creativity so far.

That was evident earlier this year when they, along with majority owner Glen Taylor, created a new staff position responsible for enhancing the experience of their players. In a basketball market not known for its glitz like Los Angeles, Miami, New York and other places, creating an internal culture valued by players could go a long way in both attracting and keeping talent in the Northland.

In a news release last week the Timberwolves, coming in at No. 11, were ranked among the Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in The World for 2022, per Sports Innovation Lab. The release said the annual ranking is based on three primary metrics: revenue diversification, technology enablement and organizational ability.

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Twins Winning But No ‘Cartwheels’ Yet

Posted on May 24, 2022 by David Shama

With a 26-16 record and 4.5 game lead in the American League’s Central Division, the Twins are one of baseball’s surprise teams after completing about 25 percent of the 162-game schedule.

Minnesota has won five straight and is 22-9 since April 21. The Twins, who finished last in the division in 2021, are 14-8 at home and 12-8 on the road. Minnesota is 13-3 against division opponents, 6-5 versus the AL East, 7-6 against the West and 0-2 versus the National League.

Despite early success club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners recently he’s not going overboard. “It’s a long season. Nobody is doing cartwheels or doing victory dances yet.”

The Twins have dominated division opponents and can build on that now. They swept the Royals in a road series last weekend and play only division games thru June 2, including a home-stand against the Tigers that started last night with a ninth inning win, 5-4. Minnesota had an improbable comeback win in Kansas City Sunday, rallying from a 6-0 deficit for a 7-6 victory. It was the kind of win that is often part of a championship season.

Yes, the Twins’ schedule hasn’t been daunting. The Central Division is no powerhouse, although the White Sox were ranked among baseball’s most talented clubs before the season. The Sox, who the Twins swept in their only series so far, are one of four teams on the Minnesota schedule with a winning record currently. The Twins lost all three games to the Astros, went 0-2 against the Dodgers and won two of three versus the Rays.

Probably most impressive has been the consistent defensive performance. The Twins don’t falter much in the field and beat themselves. With regularity Minnesota fielders make pivotal and sometimes spectacular plays. The stellar defense starts with a middle core at catcher, shortstop, second base and center field. Most rivals can’t match Minnesota’s defensive personnel in that group.

The hitting has been spotty and at times the Twins struggle to score but that has been a problem for most MLB clubs. Speculation about a less lively baseball, the impact of a shortened spring training and unfavorable weather are all subjects offered up to explain the production drought in the majors. Still, the Twins have done more than many clubs with timely hitting and their lineup includes Byron Buxton who is among the league leaders in home runs and Luis Arraez is hitting a nifty .349 with a .876 OPS.

The Twins appeared almost desperate for pitching help before the season but overall results from both starters and relievers is exceeding expectations. “Some of our pitchers have had success,” St. Peter said. “Some of our pitchers have had some struggles but we think that there is more depth here.

“And the good news is I think we’re really excited about the young core that we’re developing. Some of those guys are already at the big league level; some are fast approaching the big leagues, whether they be at Double A or St. Paul (Triple A). So we like our chances of having more of a home grown pitching staff. That’s always the goal and I think we’re positioning ourselves for that in 2023 and beyond.”

In 2021 the Twins were coming off a season-shortened 2020 when they won their division. Expectations were high but the Twins finished with a 73-89 record. There was pessimism during the summer the local favorites were headed toward a major rebuild of the roster and could be a losing team in coming seasons.

Dave St. Peter (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)

St. Peter, front office leaders Derek Falvey, Thad Levine and manager Rocco Baldelli made an assessment. “We talked openly and honestly about the state of our system,” St. Peter said. “Where our major league team was and where our farm system was, and where we were. Ultimately within the construct of that conversation it was pretty clear that ownership, along with Derek, Thad, Rocco and others, felt like we had a path toward competing in 2022.

“And thus the plan was enacted to re-sign Byron, to sign him to an extension, and try to work over the course of the offseason to put this team in a better position to rebound from a really tough 2021. I know there was a narrative that we were going to rebuild, but that was never the focus internally.”

Worth Noting

Injuries have already forced the Twins to use many players not on the opening day roster. Technology has played a role in contributing both to injuries and their prevention in baseball and other sports. Advancements in training push the human body to extremes not known in the past, while medical diagnostics provides accurate analysis regarding injuries. The result is injuries sidelining players today that wouldn’t have done so decades ago.

With an injury comes caution from the player, his agent and team. “Players are not encouraged to play through injury like I think they once were,” St. Peter said.

Mike Grant talking about his father Bud Grant who turned 95 last Friday: “Everything that has gone on in his life, he remembers every one, and he remembers everything. That’s a real blessing to have that, you know.”

Former University of Minnesota regent Michael Hsu, a leading proponent of monetization for college athletes, attended a Washington D.C. symposium last week featuring three panel discussions. The topics: unionization, Name, Image and Likeness, and a college athletes bill of rights.

The Sack Symposium is named after Allen Sack, a national expert in the college sports culture. Sack was a backup tackle at Notre Dame to former Vikings’ great Alan Page. Sack’s college roommate, former U athletic director Joel Maturi, also attended the symposium.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners he is open to retiring Kevin Garnett’s jersey. Garnett has been critical of Taylor but the owner says the organization is open at anytime to honoring the NBA hall of famer and has extended past invitations. “So we’re leaving that up to him,” Taylor said. “But I would be as nice and helpful to him as I would be (to) anybody. It’s kind of on him right now.”

The Gophers, averaging 2,899 per home date, finished No. 7 in attendance among the nation’s Division I wrestling programs this year, according to figures from the National Wrestling Media Association. Minnesota has been top 10 in attendance since 2002.

Iowa led all programs, averaging a capacity 14,905 in its arena. That’s a record for the Hawkeyes who have been national attendance leaders since 2007, per NWMA.

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Wolves’ Glen Taylor: No Comment on GM

Posted on May 22, 2022 by David Shama

It’s evident the Timberwolves want someone with a high profile resume to become the leader of basketball operations in the front office. Sachin Gupta has been the interim boss since last September when Gerrson Rosas was dismissed for reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with an office employee and fostering a tense office environment.

Asked recently by Sports Headliners about developments in naming a leader of basketball operations, owner Glen Taylor said, “No, I don’t have any comments on that.”

Publicly, Taylor has remained noncommittal about Gupta who was a top assistant to Rosas. In a March interview with Sports Headliners Taylor said in regard to Gupta’s status “we’ll wait and see how this year goes.”

While Gupta is highly regarded in the organization, he has never led an NBA team as its GM or president of basketball operations. Perhaps prompted by aggressive ownership partners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, multiple media reports are that the franchise is in pursuit of a proven decision maker.

The list of best NBA basketball execs is short and it isn’t a slam dunk for the Wolves to draw interest. Things can be complicated by existing commitments or the fact candidates don’t see the Wolves franchise as a desirable destination.

Media reports have Minnesota talking with Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly who has been in Denver for almost 10 years. There is speculation Lore and Rodriguez have signed off on Connelly but any deal would need the blessing of majority owner Taylor.

Connelly is an NBA lifer whose team next season will rank among contenders to win the Western Conference. It’s reasonable to think the Wolves will pay the right executive $10 million annually. That’s believed to be far more than Connelly earns in Denver. Whether money talks loud enough for Connelly or another top leader to change residences will likely be known in the next seven days.

The NBA Draft is June 23 and with that date looming a candidate like Connelly will want to settle soon on where he is working. For now Gupta, with the title of executive VP of basketball operations, is running the pre-draft process for the Wolves. If ownership’s pursuit of a big name leader falls short, Gupta may see his title change to president of basketball operations—at least for awhile. Taylor, Lore and Rodriguez could be shopping again next spring.

The process leading to majority ownership by Lore and Rodriguez appears on track for their takeover in December of 2023. “They haven’t asked for any changes,” Taylor told Sports Headliners last week.

In that interview Taylor described Lore and Rodriquez as “wonderful guys.” Lore, an aggressive entrepreneur, is expected to bring innovation including technology to the franchise. “He’s a big thinker,” Taylor said.

Rodriquez was an MLB superstar who transitioned successfully to business. Taylor anticipates Rodriguez’s background as a player will bring a new perspective to Wolves ownership about how players want to be coached, and how players can best relate to one another. “A-Rod is just very likeable,” Taylor said.

While the new owners say they’re committed to keeping the franchise in Minneapolis, Lore and Rodriguez have made it known Target Center (opened in 1990) needs to be replaced with a new arena in coming years. “I think we’ll have to do something,” Taylor said. “I think it will be more their priority than mine.”

Of more immediate concern is the draft when the Wolves will select at No. 19 in the first round and then have three second round picks. Asked what the Timberwolves are looking for in the first round, Taylor identified power forward as a priority. Another need could be a backup for starting center Karl-Anthony Towns.

With draft choices and trades, this offseason could see roster changes. Regarding potential trades, do the Wolves have untouchables? “I would put Karl on there, that’s for sure.” Taylor said about his NBA All-Star

Does 20-year-old Anthony Edwards receive the same label? “I sure would,” Taylor answered about Edwards who led all NBA rookies in scoring a year ago.

While the Wolves earned their way into the NBA playoffs this spring for only the third time since 2004, the experience left Taylor unsatisfied. He said “quite frankly” his team could have won the best of seven series against the Grizzlies, instead of losing 4-2.

“We just had letdowns that affected our whole team. Players just backed off on defense and didn’t do what the coach expected of them and that really hurt us. They did that kind of by quarter. They just had periods of 12 minutes where they didn’t do it and it’s just enough to lose the game.

“…I saw some really great things that they could do and they did do, so I am a little disappointed that important games like what we had in the playoffs the guys couldn’t carry through all 48 minutes.”

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