KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS – Page 2 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

And How Was Your California Vacation, Mr. Shama?

Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by David Shama

Random shots after 19 days of vacation in southern California.

The weather was sunny almost every day, with daytime temps in the 60’s and 70’s in Palm Desert and Del Mar. Yes, I sent sympathies to Minnesotans suffering through windchills of minus 20 and worse.

The devilish cold brought back memories of walking through howling winds on the U campus to attend Gopher basketball games. I never did so much backward walking before or since. Other strategies could have included a scary ski mask and finding a big lug to walk ahead of me and break the wind.

The show inside cozy Williams Arena was more than worth the trek, though. Last century Gopher basketball was often the best entertainment in town with nationally ranked teams, great players, colorful coaches and deafening crowd noise inside historic Williams Arena.

Alas, the show is no more.

The silver lining? Escaping for weeks in January from Minneapolis prompts no second guessing about missing swaths of the Gopher basketball schedule. Yes, I know the 2025 lads have awakened from the ashes (poor start to the season and last place Big Ten finishes two of the last three years) and won three consecutive games. Sorry, but a below .500 conference record and half empty arena won’t make up for lost ground or wake up the ghosts of Williams Arena.

Where have you gone, Kevin McHale and Bobby Jackson? The coaching trio of Bill Musselman, Jim Dutcher and Clem Haskins is no more.

But back to the trip: I’m appreciative of California adventures including safe travel on infamous state Highway 74 across the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. The two-lane road with hairpin turns rises from the Coachella valley to over 4,000 feet. In addition to gorgeous views, there are discarded car skeletons in plain sight—presumably vehicles whose drivers encountered disastrous outcomes.

Other than potholes, switchbacks and steep drop-offs driving was a breeze (ha!). BTW, I have a history with the highway including a drive coming down to the valley in deep fog!

My mental acuity on the trip was otherwise most challenged by golf. After years of pulling out my hair and restless nights, I’ve ditched the how-to videos on YouTube and in print. The new mantra is move the body back in the swing, keep the head down and follow through. And: compress your irons, sweep your woods.

Voila. Sign me up for the PGA Tour Champions.

Now if I can just get back on the tennis court. A friend from Edina, also visiting southern California, is of a similar age and is playing five times per week.

My hero!

From two time zones away, it doesn’t seem like a lot has changed on the Minnesota pro sports scene. The Wild still has a promising season and the Twins aren’t making headlines regarding personnel or the franchise sale.

The Timberwolves and Vikings are ongoing soap operas.

The Wolves miss their KAT. Their Ant seems as likely to be fined by the NBA as he is going off for 40.

The Vikings quarterback soap opera is part of the stuff that fuels fan interest and keeps Skol scorching even in the dead of winter.

Coach Kevin O’Connell received his no-brainer contract extension. The love affair between coach and the organization is real. I’ll bet my last bitcoin ownership never brought up during contract discussions that in three seasons KOC has lost the three biggest games he’s coached.

Harry Peter Grant lost four Super Bowls and we adored him.

Various media allowed me to track hometown teams but the most enjoyable reading on the trip came from the Wall Street Journal. WSJ offers the fairest and most accurate newspaper coverage that I know of. In an age of media bias that slips over from the opinion pages to the news columns, the WSJ is a model for professional journalism.

The publication is known for its political and business coverage. The newspaper also provides lifestyle, entertainment and sports reporting and opinion. And the WSJ comes up with stories and angles that both inform and entertain.

Did you know there is a black market for gallstones from cows? A front-page WSJ story last Wednesday was headlined:

“Cow Gallstones Drive A Smuggling Frenzy. Worth twice the price of gold, they are prized in Chinese traditional medicine.”

I’ll never look at cattle the same way again.

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Kevin O’Connell’s Post-Game Speeches Drawing Attention

Posted on December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 by David Shama

ABC TV’s Good Morning America featured Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell today, recognizing the 39-year-old’s success in leading the Vikings to a 12-2 record that ranks with the best in the NFL. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/vikings-head-coach-talks-nfls-youngest-coaches-116858495

Part of the focus was O’Connell’s postgame speeches, with GMA describing them as “rousing and viral.” The public has seen those speeches on YouTube and they offer a glimpse into the leadership of the third-year Viking leader.

O’Connell told GMA: “Everybody thinks that he must rehearse those things, or think about what he is going to say long before. That could not be more further from the truth.

“The emotion of the moment might drive me to use a word or two I probably shouldn’t. May be I am getting better at it. …

“When we recently beat the Atlanta Falcons, as I kind of finished up, I kind of felt like maybe they (the players) expected a little more. Did I not deliver in that moment? It was the first time ever I couldn’t wait to watch it back to critique myself.”

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

O’Connell certainly delivered last night in the locker room after the team’s 30-12 win over the Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Speaking in front of the players and others including franchise owners Mark and Zygi Wilf. O’Connell both praised his team for its 12-2 resume and warned them that three games remain and they “have to grind” to close the season with the ultimate success. He ended his talk by telling the players he loves them.

During the speech he also gave out game balls to linebacker Blake Cashman, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, running back Aaron Jones, kicker Will Reichard, and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsGKD7HXkA

Worth Noting

Vikings’ long snapper Andrew DePaola, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, cornerback Byron Murphy and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel are leading NFC vote getters by fans at their positions for the AFC- NFC Pro Bowl Games in February in Orlando.

It might be the most emotional scene all season at Target Center when the Timberwolves host the Knicks Thursday night. The game will be the first regular season game between the two teams since the blockbuster early fall trade that sent center Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks, with power forward Julius Randle and combo guard Dante DiVincenzo coming to the Wolves.

Towns, who played nine seasons with the Wolves, told Newsday.com yesterday he didn’t know what to expect from the fans but said regarding his time with Minnesota “…I gave the absolute best of me even when I wasn’t 100 percent.” Towns will likely hear a few boos but more so applause as he returns to Minneapolis averaging 24.8 points and a career high 13.9 rebounds for the 16-10 Knicks.

Towns will be determined to play at a high level, as will Randle and DiVincenzo for the 14-11 Wolves. If any of the three are subpar in their performances, they will potentially have the satisfaction of being on the winning team.. The two teams will play one other time this season, January 17 in New York.

The emotions likely go beyond the three players and fans. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, once the Wolves head coach and president of basketball operations, could take extra satisfaction from a New York win. So, too, might former Wolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas now a senior vice president with the Knicks. Both men were fired by the Timberwolves earlier in their careers.

The NBA certainly thinks it’s a big game because Wolves-Knicks will be nationally televised by TNT.

Longtime Twins president Dave St. Peter talking about season tickets for 2025: “We’ll be north of 90 percent on season ticket renewal. Whether or not we’re going to get to 95 percent, which is where we were last year, I think is up in the air. But it’s still early on that and we have a lot of offseason left.”

Twins’ infielder Royce Lewis, 25, was a wunderkind in 2023, his first full season in the big leagues. He delivered some of the club’s most timely hits back then, and finished with a .309 batting average, 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 217 at bats.

Lewis, frequently troubled with injuries during his limited career, managed 292 at bats in 2024. Although he homered 16 times and drove in 47 runs, his batting average plummeted to .233. Over the last 30 games he hit .171.

St. Peter reminded fans Lewis is still a young player and that “baseball is hard, and it will humble you.” He added that it will be interesting to see how Lewis works during the offseason and prepares himself for 2025.

“I am optimistic he’s going to have a big bounce back,” St. Peter said. “We see the talent. We certainly see the enthusiasm, and when he puts in the work, I think he’s going to have a lot of success.”

Fan voting for the Twins Hall of Fame ends today, December 17. Candidates for 2025 are former players, but the 2026 ballot will be non-players meaning that historical figures like legendary club broadcaster Halsey Hall can be voted for. https://www.mlb.com/twins/fans/twins-hall-of-fame-ballot

Jeff@MNTwinsZealot recently posted on X the concession prices for 1983 Twins games at the Metrodome. Almost every item was under $2, with prices ranging from .60 cents for coffee to the highest price on the board: $2.75 for a large beer.

Creative Charters, the Stillwater-based company that has promoted Golden Gophers trips since 1993, will take fans to Charlotte for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl between Minnesota and Virginia Tech on January 3. The three-night trip leaves Minneapolis on January 2 and returns travelers home on January 5. Part of the trip’s offerings include a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Creative Charters is a Sports Headliners advertiser (see ad toward top of the page).

Comments Welcome

Turkey of the Year? Make Room for the Ducky Award

Posted on November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 by David Shama

Up here in the Bold North, when it comes to Thanksgiving, we’re a step ahead of the nation. Yes, we too gorge on turkey and watching football on television. But we’re unique because Minnesota is the top turkey producing state and…we’ve got Patrick Reusse’s Turkey of the Year column entertaining us every Thanksgiving.

The veteran scribe has been serving up a Turkey of the Year since 1978 when he was opining for the Pioneer Press. Since 1988 he has been bestowing the dubious honor as a favorite columnist for the Star Tribune.

I’ll guarantee there are throngs of Minnesotans who have been gossiping for days now in anticipation of who will be Reusse’s 2024 selection. An early favorite could be Joe Pohlad from the Twins. Joe’s grandfather, the late Carl Pohlad, is the only two-time winner on Reusse’s turkey list.

I sat next to the Turkey selection committee chair last month at a Timberwolves game. Reusse didn’t let out any clues about this year, retaining the policy of clandestine operations that keeps us on edge leading up to Thanksgiving morning. We conversed on various subjects, and he dazzled (as usual) with his recall about the local sports landscape.

It occurred to me awhile ago that there could be another annual award that Minnesotans might eagerly devour during Thanksgiving week.

So, let’s be honest.

The Turkey of the Year is someone, or some organization, that has screwed up. Here at Sports Headliners we’ve decided to go in a different direction.

I am pleased to announce the annual Sports Headliners Ducky Award. This honor will be bestowed on a Minnesota sports figure who is doing “just ducky.” To be considered by the Ducky committee this person has to be going through a delightful period in his or her career. The highest criteria will be someone we can look at and declare that life is pretty peachy keen.

The committee consists only of positive thinking devotees. We begin each meeting by reading out loud several paragraphs from a Norman Vincent Peale or Dale Carnegie classic. At one meeting the chairman (yours truly) went to the blackboard and drew up John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Committee homework assignments include listening to Tony Robbins talks and reading Harvey Mackay books.

Our research to determine the winner of the Ducky Award has been arduous but the chairman insists on a certain amount of frivolity. We laughed our way through the Marx brother’s movie Duck Soup, and younger committee members were astonished to see a film in black and white. Bedlam prevailed for a few moments until order was restored.

To keep things loose at the meetings I may offer a Dick Jonckowski joke. Here’s one:

A teacher asked where Jesus was born.

A student raised his hand and said, “Philly.”

Nope, said the teacher.

The same student then guessed “Pittsburgh.”

No, said the teacher who then told the class it was Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

The persistent student replied: “I knew it was in Pennsylvania.”

The duck tasting part of our meetings has been another committee pleaser. Our mouths have been watering from a steady diet of Duck a l’orange, classic Duck confit and smoked Duck breasts. At this Friday’s banquet feast honoring the award winner we’re serving Peking Duck and advising members to wear XXL gear.

On Monday we settled on the finalists and then chose the winner. The committee debated about issuing a news release to the media, but the chair insisted the world should first learn about the finalists and winner via Sports Headliners. (As I type this, I see Lester Holt’s name coming up on my phone. I am certain he wants to go national with the Ducky news as the lead story tonight on NBC).

No way.

So, the finalists are…

Karl-Anthony Towns photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns. We liked to pile on KAT when he played for the Timberwolves. Critics howled about his silly fouls, carping at the officials and lack of production in playoff games. After nine seasons in the Mini Apple, KAT is purring in the Big Apple with the Knicks where he is averaging 26.3 points and 12.6 points per game. He is playing at an All-NBA level, and no doubt is a Spike Lee favorite at Madison Square Garden. The Wolves are struggling on defense and miss the 7-footer’s presence on both ends of the court. Things are pretty ducky for the New Jersey born KAT.

Kirill Kaprizov. The 27-year-old superstar forward is No. 1 in the hearts of Wild fans and No. 2 in the NHL in points scored this fall with 34. His 13 goals trail only five other NHL players. The 2021 NHL Rookie of the Year has been a fan favorite from the beginning, including his first game when he became the first player in league history to score three points in his debut. Things are ducky with the team, too. The Wild, 13-4-4, has surprised the skeptics who before the season considered Minnesota to be on the bubble for the playoffs.

Bob Motzko. When a coach tells the public he has a darn good team it’s usually not bluster. Minnesota men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko doesn’t deal in hype, so best to take him at his word that the Gophers are deep and talented. He is in his seventh season at Minnesota after leading the St. Cloud State program for 13. A national championship has so far eluded Motzko with results that include Minnesota’s painful overtime loss to Quinnipiac in the 2023 Frozen Four title game. The Gophers are off to a 12-2 overall start, 6-0 in the Big Ten. Ranked among the best teams in the nation, the feeling here is Motzko and the Gophers are overdue for an NCAA crown. If they do that in the spring, Motzko will be positioned to win the 2025 Ducky.

Gable Steveson. The NCAA and Olympic wrestling champion announced earlier this month he will use a final season of eligibility to again compete for the Golden Gophers. “First I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for their time, their effort and their persistence with me to push me to the man I am today,” the Minnesota native said in his comeback video. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”

With Steveson’s debut last Friday and Sunday (he scored dominant wins over his heavyweight foes), the Gophers earned their first consecutive team shutouts since 1997-1998 with victories over North Dakota State and Campbell. It could be a peachy season on the mat for Steveson and the undefeated Gophers.

And the winner is.

Kevin O’Connell. Smiling KOC embodies what the Ducky Award is all about. Great disposition. Good results. Wouldn’t surprise our researchers if KOC was in those Gerber baby commercials years ago, with his face beaming into the camera and on the jar. In his third season as Vikings head coach, O’Connell has made a national reputation for creating a much-praised working environment for his players. They laud his leadership and support while also noting the boss enforces accountability.

In O’Connell’s first season as coach the surprising 13-4 Vikings reflected the poise of their new leader. They were an amazing 11-4 in one score victories, an NFL record. The Vikings are 9-2 this season, again surprising forecasters who had them winning around six games.

And things remain calm in Skol Country. As recently as Sunday Minnesota went into overtime in Chicago but defeated the Bears 30-27. A smilin’ KOC watched from the sidelines.

So that’s it, folks. The banquet will be at Hurley’s Hanging Gardens up Nordeastway. It’s sold out. BTW, if the Gophers surprise and beat Wisconsin earlier in the day on Friday, the duck feast will make way for Badger stew.

How ducky would that be?

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