Timberwolves – Page 93 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

GM Sees Wolves in .500 Range Again

Posted on October 29, 2014October 29, 2014 by David Shama

Milt Newton, a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands and former executive with the NBA’s Wizards, was named the Timberwolves general manager about 13 months ago. Fans and media are still becoming acquainted with Newton who is in the shadow of Flip Saunders, the franchise’s minority owner, president of basketball operations and head coach. The revamped Timberwolves open the regular season tonight at Memphis, and earlier this week Sports Headliners asked Newton to fill in the blanks on various basketball and personal topics to better understand who he is.

I will be surprised if the Wolves’ record this season is not: “Close or better than it was last year (40-42).”

When Sports Illustrated’s NBA preview issue predicted the Wolves will finish 14th out of 15 Western Conference teams: “I thought first of all, who is qualified on that staff to make that decision? Two, they don’t know the hearts of the players on our team—or the knowledge in our coaching staff—so you can’t necessarily make a judgment until you know the guys in the locker room.”

You can bet your last dollar the Timberwolves will: “Be exciting to watch.”

My first impression of 2014 NBA No. 1 draft choice Andrew Wiggins—acquired by the Wolves in the Kevin Love deal—was: “Ultra athletic, smooth and incredible potential to be a star.”

The two teams I see in the NBA Finals next spring: “I am gonna have to go with the San Antonio Spurs and with the Cleveland Cavs because of LeBron (James). The winner (NBA champions) is the San Antonio Spurs.”

Where do you rank former Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love with the best at his position in the NBA? “I would say top 10 (in history). I would put him in the top three to top five (among power forwards today).”

The thing that is challenging about the Ricky Rubio contract negotiations: “Parties involved.”

What’s weird about Flip is: “He’s fidgety. When he’s standing, he’s moving his leg or when he’s sitting he’s tapping his legs, or he’s moving his hand.”

The best thing about my job: “Working with great staff (and) being around great players—still being involved with the game and seeing the best athletes in the world compete on a nightly basis.”

I spend most of my time as GM: “Communicating with our players and with our staff. In the communications you’re (sometimes) putting out fires or potential fires. …”

If I were Milt Newton’s boss I would praise him for: “His accountability and his responsibility to his job.”

What surprises me about Minneapolis is: “How it can get so cold in the winter time, and also the ‘Minnesota nice’ (reputation) that I’ve heard is actually true.”

The dream vacation for me: “My wife and I probably in Tahiti. Been married for 20 years (to Shalaun).”

My worst habit is probably: “My impatience when my kids don’t so something I ask them to do the first time.”

The best meal on the planet: “My mom’s chili, and the butter knife steak from Murray’s is a close second.”

If I could invite five people to dinner who are alive today, or from history, they would be: “No. 1 Jesus Christ. I would like to talk to Muhammad Ali…Arthur Ashe…Bruce Lee, I am a big martial arts fan…(and) Mother Teresa.”

The best NBA team I ever saw: “Probably the Lakers with James Worthy, Magic (Johnson), Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), Michael Cooper (and) Byron Scott because they were ‘Showtime’ (and) they won. They made it look exciting. They made it look classy but you could see behind the play that they were definitely a team that cared about each other.”

The best NBA player I ever saw: “I am gonna have to go with my idol, Dr. J. He (Julius Erving) had a flair for the game. To me I thought he was one of the better ambassadors of the game. He cared about the game (and) how he carried himself on the floor—exciting, graceful. He was the one that brought the NBA to a level in the public’s eye where it was exciting to watch.”

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Vikings Likely to Tame Lions on Sunday

Posted on October 8, 2014October 8, 2014 by David Shama

Although the Vikings embarrassed themselves in last week’s loss to the Packers in Green Bay, a win seems likely against the Lions on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium. You don’t have to buy a crystal ball from the Vikings Locker Room store at Mall of America to be optimistic.

The 42-10 loss to the Packers occurred on Thursday, while this past Sunday the Lions’ inept field goal kicking cost them a win at home against the Bills. The Vikings, 2-3, will have the advantage of extra preparation time for the Lions game. No doubt the 3-2 Lions wish they had played Thursday because more rest might increase the chances of injured offensive stars Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush being available in Minneapolis.

The Lions will be using their third field goal specialist this year against the Vikings after dismissing Alex Henery who missed three kicks in the Bills game. That doesn’t speak well for the Lions, long known as a dysfunctional organization and one the Vikings have a 69-34-2 all-time record against including wins in three of the last four games.

The Vikings played without Teddy Bridgewater at Green Bay but the 21-year-old rookie quarterback returns on Sunday. That figures to give the whole team a lift while juicing an adoring crowed that will roar approval every time he completes a pass or scrambles for yardage.

The Vikings should be in a determined mood on Sunday—looking for a make-good performance. Mike Zimmer preaches resiliency and the Vikings can show what they have learned from their head coach. Veteran defensive end Brian Robison talked to Sports Headliners awhile ago about Zimmer’s influence.

“It doesn’t matter what happens to us. All we can do is move forward and get ready for the next opponent,” Robison said last month. “I think that’s the approach he takes and I think that’s the approach he’s instilled into us. …And that’s what you want out of a head coach.”

Worth Noting

The game with the Lions can be considered sold out. Vikings’ executive vice president Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners on Monday that at mid-week there are likely to be tickets returned by the Lions from their visiting team allotment.

The game at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus will be the club’s fifth, counting regular season and preseason games. Bagley said reaction by fans to the team’s new temporary home has been positive. “Our fans love it because it’s such an upgrade from the Metrodome.”

Transportation and parking have been a challenge for fans. “Our message is plan ahead on how to get in and out ,” Bagley said.

This Saturday and Sunday is the only weekend when the Gophers and Vikings both have home games at TCF Bank Stadium. Scott Ellison, the Gophers’ associate athletic director for facilities, said it will require eight workers about 12 hours to prepare the stadium for Sunday’s NFL game after the Gophers finish their contest with Northwestern on Saturday. The Gophers’ game begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday but Ellison said even if Minnesota was playing at night his crew could have the stadium ready Sunday morning for the Vikings.

The Vikings announced yesterday quarterback Chandler Harnish has been signed to the practice squad where he provides depth behind Bridgewater and Christian Ponder. Harnish replaced McLeod Bethel–Thompson who was released.

Last month ESPN announced the results of what fans think of all 122 MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises. The results were based on surveys, research and calculations developed by Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center that figures “how well teams turn fans’ money into wins.” Results on each franchise were calculated in the following eight categories: affordability (price of tickets, concessions, parking), coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience, bang for the buck (“wins in the past year, per fan dollars”) and title track.

Title track means “championships won or expected within the lifetime of current fans.” In that category baseball’s Cardinals are No. 1 while the Timberwolves are last at 122nd. The Vikings are No. 102 while the Wild are 61st and Twins 51st.

In the overall rankings of the 122 franchises the Wild are No. 24, Twins 62, Vikings 103 and Timberwolves 114. The Wild are fourth among all franchises in stadium experience while the Twins are ninth.

The Wild rates No. 7 among 14 Western Conference teams, according to the October 8 Sports Illustrated NHL power rankings. The Blackhawks—picked by S.I. to win the Stanley Cup—are first in the rankings with the Kings, Ducks, Blues, Avalanche and Stars also ahead of Minnesota. The magazine said the Wild’s strength is on “the blue line” and noted Minnesota defenders last season allowed “just 27.7 shots-against per game, fifth best in the NHL.”

The Wild’s season opening game will be tomorrow night starting at 7:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy. A pre-game party outside Gate 2 will be from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and includes music, food, beverages, happy hour prices and interactive games.

In a move to reduce payroll, the Blackhawks traded former Gopher Nick Leddy to the Islanders. Leddy, a 23-year-old defenseman reportedly making $2.7 million, was a key contributor to the Blackhawks’ 2013 Stanley Cup championship.

Author George Rekela’s new book, A History of Professional Hockey in Minnesota from the North Stars to the Wild, is a well researched and entertaining description of the highs and lows of the NHL here through the years. More at Historypress.net.

Former Gophers’ golfer and New York Times best selling author Harvey Mackay received a surprise birthday present last month when wife Carol Ann provided—on 48 hours notice—a trip to Scotland to watch the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup, he told Sports Headliners, had been on his personal “bucket list.”

East Ridge High School junior quarterback Seth Green is expected to announce his college choice October 15 with Michigan State, Minnesota and Oregon the contenders. The guess here is he will choose Oregon where he visited September 6.

Dr. Phil Esten, the former Gophers’ associate athletic director who was most recently working in the University of California athletic department, starts a new position next week as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for intercollegiate athletics at Penn State. His career experiences also include University of Minnesota Alumni Association president.

Congratulations to Les Viken from Fosston High School and Bill Weiss of Chisago Lakes High School who earned their 100th career coaching wins on September 26. Viken’s record at Fosston is 100-102 in 20 seasons while Weiss’ record is 100-75 in 18 seasons at Chisago. Congratulations, too, to Underwood High School coach Chuck Ross who won his 100th career game last Friday, increasing his 18 year record to 100-75.

Bridget Hennen is the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for women’s soccer after scoring three goals in Bethany Lutheran College’s two recent wins. Hennen, a junior midfielder from Apple Valley, was also the UMAC Defensive Player of the Week in late September two years ago. She is only the second player in UMAC history to win both awards during her career.

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Spielman Playmakers Explode for Vikings

Posted on September 29, 2014September 29, 2014 by David Shama

Weekend analysis and notes on the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins.

Rick Spielman was under plenty of scrutiny last winter but yesterday at TCF Bank Stadium the Vikings general manager looked like a football savant. Spielman draft choices, including rookies Teddy Bridgewater and Jerick McKinnon, led a parade of explosive plays as the Vikings out-scored the Falcons 41-28 to even their record at 2-2.

Spielman was on the spot going into the NFL Draft last spring after quarterback Christian Ponder, his first round pick in the 2011 draft, faltered in 2013 after helping the Vikings to the playoffs the previous season. Spielman chose Bridgewater late in the first round this year, even though most other teams passed on the Louisville quarterback who yesterday in his first pro start passed for 317 yards and led the Vikings offense to its best day of the season. And it was also last spring that Spielman chose an obscure running back from Georgia Southern named McKinnon in the third round. He came off the bench against the Falcons to run for 135 yards.

Receiver Jarius Wright almost matched McKinnon’s 135 yards, coming up with a career high 132 yards on eight catches. Spielman chose Wright on the fourth round of the 2012 draft and his speed blends perfectly with a giddy-up gang of young offensive talent.

That group of playmakers includes Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the NFL’s most explosive talents for catching passes and returning kickoffs. Yesterday Patterson, who probably drew extra preventive attention from the Falcons’ defense, caught two passes for 38 yards and averaged 43 yards on two kickoff returns. Patterson is one of three No. 1 draft choices Spielman maneuvered to obtain in 2013.

The Vikings showed off a think fast, move faster attack yesterday. Bridgewater processed his decisions like a veteran—sometimes tip-toed and sometimes ran away from pressure—and consistently released the football quickly and with accuracy. Several times he took off and ran with impressive foot speed, complementing the track-like acceleration and high speed motoring to McKinnon, Wright and Patterson.

Another leg came in handy yesterday, too—the right leg of third-year placekicker Blair Walsh. Yup, another Spielman find. Walsh was taken in the sixth round of the 2012 draft and replaced veteran Ryan Longwell whose leg strength was no match for Walsh. In the win over the Falcons, Walsh made four of five field goals including one from 55 yards.

The Vikings offensive line was outstanding, making it possible for the flashy playmakers to score points. And while the defense had its struggles, it was resilient enough to shut out the Falcons in the fourth quarter after Atlanta had started the period with a 28-27 lead. The Vikings made a habit of blowing games in the fourth quarter last year but that looks like a problem solved. “We hung in there and we fought,” head coach Mike Zimmer told KFAN Radio after the game.

For now why scrutinize the meltdowns of last year or Spielman’s hot seat last winter? Not after yesterday when the Vikings young offensive talent had too much juice for the Falcons.

The Timberwolves open training camp this week and players will hear owner Glen Taylor refer to Adrian Peterson. The Vikings running back allegedly abused his four-year-old son and is facing criminal charges. During the first week of training camp Taylor always talks to players about the importance of their personal conduct.

In the past Taylor’s topics included spousal abuse but not child abuse. “We hadn’t even thought of that,” he told Sports Headliners.

The NFL has provided newsmaking examples about assaults, shootings, drinking and drugs. Hornets NBA forward Jeffery Taylor, who is being kept away from his team as he awaits an October 8 court date on domestic assault charges, is a reminder that pro basketball isn’t immune from issues.

Taylor will cover various subjects in his talk including how important it is for players to be involved with the community, and also respectful toward fans. He mentioned a potential situation where a player could find himself with a fan that has had too much alcohol. “You just have to learn to walk away,” Taylor said.

Twice in the past Taylor was interested in buying the Vikings. The last time was before the Wilf family acquired the club from Red McCombs in 2005. The NFL told Taylor what it believed the franchise was worth but the Wilfs and their group of investors were willing to pay more. “I think I bid like $525 (million) and I think theirs was closer to $600 (million), and I didn’t counter,” Taylor said.

Timberwolves rookie Andrew Wiggins is popular in Lawrence, Kansas and the Kansas City area because of his freshman phenom season for the Kansas Jayhawks in 2013-2014. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Wolves hosted an exhibition game in Kansas City in the coming years. The Missouri city was once home to the NBA’s Kings and has interest in acquiring a team again.

The Gophers’ win over Michigan Saturday was the 25th for Minnesota in the rivalry that started in 1892. The Gophers have now won more times in Ann Arbor, 13, than in Minneapolis, 12. Michigan leads the all-time series, 73-25-3.

Minnesota, 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten, will probably be favored by odds-makers to win each of its next three games—at home against Northwestern and Purdue, and then at Illinois. The Gophers could be undefeated in the Big Ten going into the Iowa game in Minneapolis on November 8. Iowa is a favorite to win the Big Ten West Division but the Gophers prompted some notice as a factor in the division race by defeating Michigan.

The Purdue game on October 18 will be part of the 100th Homecoming celebration at the University of Minnesota.

The public season tickets renewal percentage for Gophers men’s basketball for the 2014-2015 season is more than 95 percent. If Minnesota impresses during the nonconference schedule it wouldn’t be surprising to see nearly all of the Big Ten games at Williams Arena sell out.

Condolences to the family of former Gopher Jed Dommeyer who passed away earlier this month. Dommeyer led the Gophers in scoring during the 1955-1956 season averaging 19 points per game.

Twins first baseman Joe Mauer finished the 2014 season with four home runs in 455 at bats. Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner had four homers in 66 at bats. Jim Kaat, perhaps the best hitting Twins pitcher in club history, hit three home runs in 83 at bats in 1964, according to Baseball-reference.com.

Former Twins players who had productive seasons included first baseman Justin Morneau who won the National League batting title with a .319 average playing his first season with the Rockies. Ex-Twin Michael Cuddyer, now a Rockies teammate, won the NL title last year. Former Twins center fielders Ben Revere and Denard Span finished fifth and sixth in the National League batting race with averages of .306 and .302. The two tied for the league lead in hits with 184 each. Revere was third in stolen bases with 49, and Carlos Gomez, another ex-Twins center fielder, had 34 to finish fourth. Span, with 31, was fifth.

No one close to the Twins will be surprised if a decision comes this week on manager Ron Gardenhire’s future. He has a record of 199 wins and 291 losses the last four seasons, losing more than 90 games per year. Gardenhire has one season remaining on his contract.

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