Twins – Page 171 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Flip: Rubio to Become ‘Decent’ Shooter

Posted on January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 by David Shama

Don’t expect Flip Saunders to join those who criticize the shooting of Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.

Rubio is making 0.351 percent of his field goals, the lowest percentage among the team’s starters. As a group the Wolves are converting 0.434 percent of their field goal attempts.

Rubio averages 9 points per game, not much better than his backup Jose Barea at 8.3 who plays fewer minutes. Rubio’s scoring average is the lowest among starters on a team with a 16-17 record and may not fulfill its potential of going to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The Wolves have lost nine games by four points or less including last Saturday’s 115-111 game against the Thunder. They haven’t been able to close out games and a better shooting Rubio would have made a difference but Saunders, the Wolves president of basketball operations, emphasizes the strengths of the third year point guard.

“You gotta look at his impact on the game,” Saunders told Sports Headliners last week. “He’s one of the few guys in our league that can have an impact on a game without scoring a lot of points. He’s had nights where he’s scored seven, eight points, but we’ve had big blowout wins because he’s had 10 assists, four steals, (and) a lot of rebounds.

“What goes unnoticed is he’s either (the) first or second highest rebounding point guard in the league at 4.6 rebounds. He’s fourth in the league in assists and he’s leading the league in steals.”

Rubio is making 0.339 percent of his three point attempts, similar to the team average of 0.337 and certainly a respectable figure. And Saunders said fans may not be aware how much Rubio wants to improve his overall shooting.

“I think the misconception (is) people don’t think he works at it. He works harder than anybody on our team in shooting. He’s 23. In time he’ll become a decent shooter.”

Rubio puts pressure on himself to improve and help the team win including the frustration of trying to push the season record above .500. Does he care too much?

“I always say that your greatest strength is your greatest weakness because you can’t control it,” Saunders said. “His greatest strength is his competiveness and his will to win. He’s a perfectionist but he doesn’t fail quickly. Sometimes if he makes a mistake or if he misses a shot, he’ll be thinking about that shot instead of forgetting about it and worrying about the next one.”

Rubio is making 0.853 percent of his foul shots, second best among the starters and No. 19 in the NBA. Saunders mentioned the 85 percent and predicted better field goal percentages in the future for Rubio.

“You look at the history of the league, most guys that shoot 86 percent from the free throw line end up being pretty good (field goal) shooters. In time he’s gonna be a guy that’s gonna shoot I think in the 45 percent and above (range), and over 40 percent from the three point line.”

Worth Noting

In last year’s NBA draft Saunders chose Michigan point guard Trey Burke, then traded him immediately to the Jazz for two later first round picks, swingman Shabazz Muhammad and center Gorgui Dieng who have played minimal minutes and games for the Wolves. Burke is averaging 13.3 points and 5.2 assists for the Jazz, establishing himself as a starter and key contributor to the team’s success.

Saunders said Burke is a good player but the Wolves had “five point guards” on the roster at draft time, including Rubio. “It’s tough to take a guy that’s not a high lottery pick that duplicates one of your best players,” Saunders said.

Saunders said playing in the Western Conference against so many of the NBA’s best teams could mean the Wolves “win 46 games and not make the playoffs.” The team was 31-51 last season.

The Wolves have superstar forward Kevin Love who leads the league in rebounds per game and is second in scoring average. Rubio’s passing and dribbling can be worthy of top 10 highlights on ESPN. “No matter what, we play entertaining basketball,” Saunders said. “We’re a team that a lot of people when they turn on NBA League Pass…want to watch.”

It looks like a long season for former Gophers coach Tubby Smith at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders first year coach is 8-6 with losses against the better teams on his schedule including Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Iowa State and Pittsburgh. In their home Big 12 opener on Saturday, the Raiders lost to Iowa State 73-62 before 5,861 fans.

Jeff Jones, the Washburn running back who was a team MVP last week in the nationally televised Under Armour All-America Game, was only invited to the national prep all-star event because another player couldn’t participate, according to Millers head coach Giovan Jenkins. He also said Jones will make an official visit to Florida later this month but has yet to schedule visits to Missouri and Michigan State. The Gophers still could be Jones’ college choice.

Twins spring training tickets go on sale Saturday. On January 24 single game ticket sales begin for the April 7 home opener in Minneapolis against the A’s. Single game tickets for the rest of the season will be available starting February 22. Tickets remain on sale for TwinsFest January 24-26 at Target Field. All tickets are available for purchase via Twinsbaseball.com, or by telephoning 612-33-TWINS.

The extreme cold has postponed St. Thomas and Bethel men’s and women’s basketball games scheduled for tonight until next Monday evening. Those are anticipated games because all four teams are off to successful starts in the MIAC. The St. Thomas men are 4-0, the women 6-0, while Bethel’s men’s team is 3-2 and the women 5-0.

Let’s Play Hockey magazine had a January 3 feature on 93-year-old Norb Robertson, a former Gophers hockey player and the father of ex-Wild executive Billy Robertson. The older Robertson also participated in baseball and football at Minnesota, and played all three sports at St. Thomas College, too.

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Molitor ‘Excited’ to Work for Gardy

Posted on December 11, 2013December 11, 2013 by David Shama

Paul Molitor told Sports Headliners he and Ron Gardenhire are looking forward to working with one another in 2014 including when the Twins open spring training in Florida next February. “I respect tremendously what he’s done as a leader of this franchise on the field and I am excited about the chance to work for him,” Molitor said.

Molitor, hired after the 2013 season as a Twins coach, said Gardenhire “has reached out to him.” Molitor had been working for the Twins on assignments in the minor leagues and has long been admired for his baseball intelligence.

Media and fans have speculated for awhile that Molitor’s presence on the coaching staff could be perceived by Gardenhire, the team’s manager since 2002, as a threat to his job security. “I don’t think that exists in one iota,” Molitor said. “Gardy is very comfortable in his own skin and rightfully so.

“He’s not worried about what might happen down the road. He’s kind of a day-to- day grind it out kind of guy. When he’s got a title and a job, that’s what he’s going to concentrate on.”

Molitor, 57, has known Gardenhire for many years. The Twins organization saw the opportunity to add Molitor, a Hall of Famer, as a way to improve a franchise that has been among the worst in baseball for the last two seasons. Molitor saw an opportunity to become more involved with the organization by becoming a coach.

Could his future include becoming a big league manager some day? “I don’t close doors,” Molitor answered. “I am getting older now and I think this is may be my last opportunity to get back on the field. In some ways I think getting back in this particular role and seeing what the game is like on a daily basis at the big league level will give me a lot of insight as to where this is going to go.

“I envision our club getting better and becoming more competitive this year and into 2015. If things go well, this might be a role I can settle into also. It’s hard to say what’s down the road. But our focus will definitely be just on this year and trying to be as effective a coach as I can be.”

Molitor’s assignments with players will include base running, bunting and in-game strategy. The former All-Star infielder will also work with players like third baseman Trevor Plouffe, shortstop Pedro Florimon, second baseman Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer, who will be making the transition from catcher to first base.

Molitor said former Twins manager Tom Kelly, who helps with instruction at spring training, is among the best first base authorities in baseball. Molitor pointed out Mauer’s previous part-time experience at first base will help his performance in the field.

“Hopefully we can just get Joe to where we put the catching thing behind and we can start concentrating on making him that full-time first baseman and a very efficient one,” Molitor said.

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Frazier to Address Locker Room Attitude

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by David Shama

Leslie Frazier wasn’t pointing fingers at his news conference today despite the team’s fourth consecutive loss yesterday, a 1-7 record and criticism from veteran players. The Vikings head coach plans to address his players this afternoon about team attitude in the locker room.

Today’s Star Tribune reported that following yesterday’s game Vikings players made critical comments about defensive coordinator Alan Williams and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. “I respect their opinions and I know how competitive they are. How much they want to win,” Frazier said. “I’d like for them to talk to their coaches and myself about whatever concerns they have. Try to get those worked out, but I do understand their frustration.”

Frazier, who expressed confidence the Vikings can start winning, acknowledged he “probably” needs to talk with individual players who have been critical in the media. He wants players on the “same page.”

Frazier doesn’t foresee any staff changes in responsibilities or titles.

Former Vikings head coach Jerry Burns remains supportive of Frazier despite the record and preseason optimism about contending for the NFC North Division championship. “I think Leslie Frazier is a very fine coach,” Burns told Sports Headliners. “If he gave too much command (to his coordinators) I don’t know. I don’t think Leslie Frazier is at fault.”

Burns said criticism causes problems for team cohesiveness. “I don’t like to see that to be honest with you,” Burns said. “It doesn’t help the team. It doesn’t help the fans behind the Vikings.”

Burns is “proud” of Frazier and advises against any major changes to staff and personnel during the season. He said players could be making staff decisions look bad because of problems with execution, and added that it’s difficult to make any major changes in the middle of the season.

The Vikings’ 1-7 record is the worst in franchise history since the same start to the season in 1961. Burns said the team’s record should be better but isn’t partly because of having lost three games in the final minutes of fourth quarters.

Worth Noting

How times change. Sports Headliners was told by a local source that Vikings officials and Frazier discussed extending the coach’s contract late last summer. There was supposedly mutual interest after Frazier’s 10-6 record in 2012 and optimism about the 2013 season. Frazier’s current contract reportedly has an option for the 2014 season but management has declined to make a further commitment.

The same source who talked about Frazier’s contract said ex-NFL coach Jon Gruden was in town several weeks ago but didn’t know the reason for the visit.

Frazier said today tight end Kyle Rudolph’s fractured left foot could keep him from playing for another month. The coach plans to start Christian Ponder at quarterback for a third consecutive game when the Vikings play at home on Thursday night against the Redskins.

The NFL Network will air a one hour documentary on former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m. Minneapolis time. The program includes interviews with Cunningham, former Vikings teammate Cris Carter and ex-Vikings coach Dennis Green. Cunningham quarterbacked the 15-1 1998 Vikings team and he has lived a dramatic life on and off the field.

Cretin-Derham Hall High School assistant coach Ray Hitchcock said there’s a “pail of mail” at school every day from colleges wooing junior defensive end Jashon Cornell. He has been rated the No. 1 high school football prospect in the nation for the class of 2015 by ESPN.com. Hitchcock believes Gophers coach Jerry Kill has reason for optimism in the recruitment of the 16-year-old. “I think Jerry has a great shot,” Hitchcock said.

Jeff Jones, the Gophers’ only four-star recruit per Rivals.com who has verbally committed for 2014, ended his senior season for Washburn on Friday night with 44 touchdowns — 34 rushing, eight receiving and two kickoff returns for scores. Coach Giovan Jenkins told Sports Headliners that Kill’s struggles with epilepsy haven’t diminished his running back’s interest in the Gophers.

“If he had to pick a school today, I think Minnesota would be No. 1 due to his relationships with the coaches,” said Jenkins who coached the Millers to a 6-0 City Conference record and 13^th consecutive title.

After Saturday’s improbable 42-39 win over Indiana, the Gophers have won three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2008 and only the fourth time dating back to 2003. Minnesota is a surprising 7-2 overall, 3-2 in the Big Ten and justifies the faith of program insiders who before the season thought the Gophers’ record could be significantly better than last year’s 6-7 and 2-6 totals. The last time Minnesota won four consecutive conference games was 1973.

Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson was named Co-Big Ten offensive Player of the Week for his play against Indiana including four touchdown passes and a 70 percent completion rate. Minnesota punter Peter Mortell was named Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 43 yards per kick and placing two punts inside the Indiana 20 yard line. Nelson shared his honor with Penn State running back Bill Belton who had a career high 201 yards rushing versus Illinois.

Twins players can expect new coach Paul Molitor to be up front with them. Molitor has that reputation including a willingness to talk about the cocaine addiction he experienced early in his major league playing career.

Molitor is a smart baseball man and so, too, is another Minnesota native who could be on the Twins staff some day, Gene Glynn. He recently agreed to return for a third season as manager of the Twins’ AAA Rochester team.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins and Saints develop a business relationship when the St. Paul minor league team moves into its new downtown ballpark in 2015.

Tubby Smith recently hired his son Saul Smith, who worked for him at Minnesota, as video coordinator at Texas Tech. Saul joins former Gophers assistants Joe Esposito and Vince Taylor on his dad’s staff at Tech.

The Gophers basketball team plays Concordia, St. Paul tonight in an exhibition game at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Cardinal Stritch 79-57 in an opening exhibition game last Friday night and now plays a Concordia program that was 9-18 last season.

The Gophers made 11 of 30 free throws on Friday night and were out rebounded 40-34 by Division II NAIA Cardinal Stritch. “We’re not worried about the free throws,” said Gophers guard Andre Hollins. “I think that was a lot of nerves from the first game.”

Rebounding could be an ongoing issue, though. The Gophers lack size, and coach Richard Pitino noted that 6-4 forward Austin Hollins played 23 minutes but had no rebounds.

In the Williams Arena concourse there are photos of the Gophers’ greatest players including Ron Johnson who is identified as being All-Big Ten in the late 1950s. That is correct but missing is acknowledgement of his two-time All-American status.

The Timberwolves, 3-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season, play at Cleveland tonight. Wolves forward Kevin Love leads the NBA in scoring average at 29.7 points per game.

Wild right wing Jason Pominville, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Capitals left wing Jason Chimera have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 3. During that period Pominville tied for the league lead in goals (4) and points (6), scoring in all three games to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible team six points. He is tied for third in the NHL in goals this season with 10.

The Venture Bank 2014 Minnesota Golf Show will be February 14-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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