Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis and Mike James are players fans can consider voting for as starters for the 56th NBA All-Star Game in February. A media panel chose 120 players from throughout the NBA for the all-star ballot. Among the ways fans can vote are at NBA arenas, on AOL.com/nba, and at T-Mobile-owned retail locations.
Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about Daunte Culpepper’s comeback chances in Miami following his “devastating knee injury” while playing for the Vikings last season: “He’s got all those tools. Sometimes when you have one of those devastating knee injuries that next year is tough and really you don’t get back to have all of your faculties maybe until you’re 16-18 months out.”
Gopher coach Glen Mason said on WCCO Radio Sunday that the improvement of offensive lineman Andy Brinkhaus, who is being red shirted this season, is “mind boggling.” Brinkhaus played at Bloomington Jefferson last fall.
Bill Lester, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission executive director, recalled testifying before the Minnesota legislature several years ago about stadiums including Lambeau Field in Green Bay where there are seats just 17 inches wide. “I said there isn’t a 17 inch derrière in the entire state of Wisconsin,” Lester chuckled.
Patrick Reusse talking on KSTP Radio compared the glory days of capacity crowds and roaring fans with the now dwindling attendance and quiet atmosphere at Williams Arena for Gopher basketball games. He described the change as enough to make you “puke.”
Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Jackie Hernandez is leaving the St. Paul Saints coaching staff to become the manager of the Charlotte County Redfish (Port Charlotte, Florida) in the newly formed independent South Coast League. Hernandez, 66, will be in his 47th year in professional baseball in 2007 and first as a manager.