David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Shannon Overcame Challenges to Become Wolves Hero

Posted on May 25, 2025July 8, 2025 by David Shama

Terrence Shannon Jr. came off the bench last night to ignite his teammates and the Target Center crowd as the Timberwolves defeated the Thunder 143-101. He contributed to the team energy and physicality that overwhelmed the Thunder and delivered the first win for Minnesota in Game 3 of the best of seven Western Conference Finals series.

The seldom used rookie, 23 years old, scored 15 points in 13 minutes, making five of eight shots and all four of his free throws. He was electric dribbling toward the basket and also hit a three-pointer as the Wolves set a franchise playoff record scoring 143 points. He joined a stealth defensive effort by his teammates, too, and had a steal.

Shannon had played briefly in six previous playoff games, averaging one point. He entered the game last night in the second quarter when the score was somewhat competitive and when he left the floor he had scored nine points in four minutes. The delirious crowd gave him a standing ovation.

What prompted coach Chris Finch to use the 6-4, 220-pound guard so early in the game? Well, he was looking for an additional talent to be part of the player rotation. And he hit the jackpot with Shannon who played in just 32 regular season games and averaged 4.3 points.

“…He’s just a guy that can stretch the floor in transition,” Finch said. “Downhill player, got a good body…we needed some physicality out there. Kind of just a different type of player than we have in other positions, so, we kind of knew coming into the game what we were gonna get.”

Shannon certainly delivered last night, just like he did at Illinois where he was a third team All-American in 2023-2024 averaging 23 points per game. “… I feel like with the way I play, the defense has to adjust to me because I’m going so fast and fearless downhill that they gotta adjust. And when they crowd the paint, I’m gonna kick it out, and if they don’t, I’m just gonna score the ball.”

Shannon was a hero last night but his journey to the NBA has produced challenges. The Wolves selected him at No. 27 in the first round in the 2024 NBA Draft last June, just a couple weeks after a Kansas jury found him not guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman.

The alleged crime hung over Shannon for much of his senior season at Illinois and potentially jeopardized his pro future. The verdict last June brought closure and Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly saw a prospect with tantalizing offensive skills to attack the basket, along with the athleticism and instinct to be a special contributor defensively.

Shannon didn’t draw much attention from Division I schools when he was a high school player in Chicago. So he spent a year in prep school, at IMG Academy in Florida. He made himself into a four-star, top 100 recruit.

He played three seasons at Texas Tech where he did make the Big 12 All-Freshman team in 2019-2020. But he didn’t show the drastic improvement for the Red Raiders that he achieved at Illinois where he averaged 17.2 points per game his first season and then followed up with a senior season that included being named the Big Ten Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as the Illini defeated Wisconsin for the tourney championship.

Edwards, Finch photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

Shannon values being a good teammate. At Illinois, he wanted his bio to include that he was the funniest guy on the team. In Minneapolis he hit it off with superstar Anthony Edwards, 23, who had a game-high 30 points last night.

“That’s my dog man,” Shannon said. “We talk all the time, give each other feedback. …We both work hard, and we love the game, so we gelled right away when I got here.”

Wolves Notes

The Wolves had a noticeable difference compared with the Thunder in energy and physicality from the game’s start. Minnesota led 34-14 after the first quarter and then 72-41 at halftime.

“…They were here to play, and they did everything correctly from the jump,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault . “Dug ourselves a hole. I thought we tried to jump out a couple different times, but they did a good job holding us off as well. We can learn from it, obviously. Not our best punch, but again, we tip our hats to them.”

Led by Shannon’s playoff career-high 15 points off the bench, the Wolves subs scored a postseason franchise-high 66 points in the victory, besting the previous high by 20 points (46: May 8, 2025, against the Warriors).

The Wolves had seven players with 10-plus points (Edwards: 30, Julius Randle: 24, Shannon: 15, Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 12, Leonard Miller: 11, Naz Reid: 10, Jaden McDaniels: 10). That set a franchise record for most players with 10-plus points in a playoff game.

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Wolves-Thunder Playoff Intrigue Includes Officiating

Posted on May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 by David Shama

Scatter gunning about the Timberwolves-Thunder playoff series that starts tonight in Oklahoma City.

It will be intriguing to see how excessive the physical play will be in the best of seven games Western Conference Finals and how much aggression is allowed by the referees. There’s been plenty of the rough stuff in the NBA playoffs so far, and sometimes it’s been extreme.

“I don’t even know what a foul is any more in the NBA,” a former NBA scout told Sports Headliners Monday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he added this about the Wolves-Thunder series: “You know it’s going to be physical.”

Both teams have strong, athletic, aggressive players who can push the limits with the referees, but he believes the Wolves are the more physical bunch. He expects, for instance, Thunder MVP and high scoring guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) will get knocked on his butt by the Wolves when driving toward the basket.

If the refs “swallow their whistles” regarding SGA, that will be a new trend. He is averaging 8.7 free throw attempts and converting 85.4 percent in the playoffs.

The Wolves showed a physical style of defense, offense and rebounding in their two previous playoff series this spring. They overwhelmed both the Lakers and Warriors in five games.

Now the Wolves have a much more challenging opponent in the Thunder, the gambling favorite to win the NBA championship in June. The Wolves will try to pull off an upset against a team that had an NBA best 68-14 regular season record.

Wolves coach Chris Finch complained during the regular season about how much Thunder players foul. That style isn’t likely to change starting tonight. So, it’s difficult to predict how an “anything goes” officiated game will favor two teams who are both long on finesse but capable of mucking things up.

The former scout thinks the two teams are “evenly” matched. “I like the Wolves chances (to win the series),” he said.

While SGA may be announced any day now as the 2025 NBA MVP, he thinks Wolves superstar guard Anthony Edwards is the better player. “As he goes, so go the Wolves,” said the source who also was a former college coach.

SGA, 26, is averaging 29 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists in the playoffs this spring. Edwards, 23, is at 26.5, 8 and 5.9, and is the superior defensive player.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Edwards guarding SGA at big moments in the series, although Minnesota defensive stopper Jaden McDaniels, 6-foot-9, is another superb defender the Thunder scoring machine will have to deal with. If the Wolves double and triple team SGA, they will gamble that his teammates won’t take advantage of open looks.

The Thunder have their own “defensive devils” including swingman Alex Caruso. At 6-foot-5 and playing like a pit bull, he could be a potential stopper against either of the Wolves’ leading scorers in Edwards and Julius Randle.

Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren, at 7-foot-1, gives the Thunder one of the best rim protectors in the league. He is averaging 2.2 blocks per game in the playoffs, and his wingspan alters plenty of shots. He is also an offensive challenge to opponents, able to shoot three pointers and score close to the basket.

Holmgren, a center-forward, is averaging a Thunder third best 15.1 points per game in the playoffs. The Wolves will also have to defend the OKC second leading scorer in guard-forward Jalen Williams averaging 19.6 points.

The Thunder are No. 1 among NBA playoff teams in both defensive rating and steals per game. The Wolves are second and fourth.

The Thunder top the Wolves in most team stats during the playoffs including points per game, rebounds and assists. Oklahoma City’s net rating of 13.5 is best in the post season.

Randle, averaging 23.9 in the playoffs and showing playmaking skills, will be pivotal to Minnesota’s success. He will have to contribute or even lead the Wolves in scoring to relieve some burden off Edwards.

That kind of help will be important, too, from McDaniels who has emerged in 2025 as a potential 20-point scorer with his ability to make three-point shots and drive to the basket. Naz Reid, often referred to as the NBA’s best sub, is expected to deliver instant offense with his trademark three-point shooting.

To fully click offensively, the Wolves will need around 30 minutes each game from 37-year-old veteran point guard Mike Conley. Minnesota is a better team when Conley is directing the offense with his patience and wisdom. The Wolves can’t afford his absence because they have no one else like him. The Thunder thrive on turning turnovers into points.

Center Rudy Gobert, at 7-1 and 258 pounds, leads the Wolves rim protection. He can also chair the “welcoming committee” when SGA attacks the rim. The balancing act will be for Gobert to avoid foul trouble. On offense, it would be nice if Gobert’s clumsy hands allow him to cleanly handle passes from teammates who often deliver the ball too low. Also, if he can average double figures in rebounds, that will be a big factor in the series, too.

Both the Thunder and Wolves have deep rotations. Superb contributions by a bench player or two could tip the series, or at least a game or two.

Hear that, Donte DiVincenzo? The Wolves 6-4 combo guard is making a miserable 33.3 percent of his field goal attempts in the playoffs.

Win the series and the Wolves go to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. It’s a matchup of two teams with talented, versatile players, explosive offenses, stingy defenses and deep rotations. Heck, even the two fan bases are similar with delirious partisans in both Oklahoma City and Minneapolis.

Prediction? I’ll take the Thunder in six. OKC is collectively just better than the Wolves. If you don’t like the prediction, send “flowers” to the former NBA scout who likes the Wolves chances.

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Twins Legend Tony Oliva Upbeat about Stroke Recovery

Posted on May 18, 2025 by David Shama

It was about a month ago that Tony Oliva had the last of his mini strokes. Reached by telephone at his Minneapolis area home Saturday, the 86-year-old Twins legend talked about his recovery and said he’s never slept so much in his life.

“I stay at home, take a lot of rest,” the National Baseball Hall of Famer said.

Other than doctor appointments, Oliva is at home these days with his wife Gordette. Suddenly hit by the strokes, Oliva was surprised by his misfortune. He has endured a troublesome back for years but otherwise stayed healthy with regular workouts at the gym. “These things will happen, you know,” said Oliva whose thousands of fans are wishing him the best in his recovery.

The stroke saga included five days in the hospital. While he can walk okay, and his speech is clear, his vision has been compromised.

Oliva’s days at home have a familiar routine. He gets up and soon engages in activities that include breakfast, taking his medicine, reading the Bible and looking at the newspaper.

Family have been generous with their time by travelling from near and far to support him and Gordette. The presence of relatives has been coupled with an outpouring of well wishes from the public. Oliva is uplifted by the thoughtfulness of those he knows and by strangers.

He has long been an admirer of Minnesotans, choosing to live his post-baseball career in the Twin Cities. Saturday, he referred to the “best fans in the world and the best town in the world.”

There was no sorrow, or “woe is me” in Oliva’s voice during the phone conversation. “Everything could be worse, you know, what I mean.”

A poor teenager who came out of Communist Cuba in the late 1950s, Oliva persevered all the way to Cooperstown in 2022. He was an American League All-Star for eight consecutive seasons from 1964-1971. A .304 lifetime hitter, he was a three-time batting champion with the Twins over 15 seasons.

Worth Noting

Oliva has been delighted by the Twins’ winning ways. The club has won 13 straight including a win over the Brewers in Milwaukee on Saturday night. It’s the longest Twins streak since the 1991 World Series season when the club won 15 in a row.

The success has been remarkable given the team’s slow start to the season and persistent injuries. Regarding club health, MLB.Com/news posted this yesterday morning:

“Of the nine position players who were in the Opening Day lineup for Minnesota, only one – (Ty) France at first base — finished Friday night’s game in the same spot as he was on that March 27 afternoon in St. Louis. Only three players from that lineup were even in the game at the end of Friday night. … Minnesota has taken a remarkable number of hits and just continues winning.”

It’s not even summer, but already you might hear Vikings fans saying all they want for Christmas is to see their favorites playing for the NFC North Division title on December 25. The preseason division favorite Lions are in town that date and it’s about time Santa is nice to the Vikings who are 1-3 on Christmas Day games, with the most recent loss to the Saints in 2020 in New Orleans.

Retired Golden Gophers baseball coach John Anderson turned 70 last Friday. The legendary leader texted a well-wisher that his birthday weekend included a Saturday night dinner with former players (they revere him). Happy Birthday to No. 14!

Paige Bueckers returns to Minnesota for the first time as a pro Wednesday night when her WNBA Dallas Wings play the Lynx at Target Center. The former Hopkins High School icon made her regular season professional debut Friday evening, scoring 10 points in a 99-84 home loss to the Lynx.

The fact the 6-foot guard led the Wings in rebounding with seven didn’t surprise Brian Cosgriff, her prep coach at Hopkins. “Nothing surprises me when it comes to her,” he told Sports Headliners.

Bueckers’ talent and basketball instincts will make her a star in the WNBA, Cosgriff predicted. He remains in touch with the Bueckers family, including texts with Paige. Her father, Bob Bueckers, sends him merchandise like Nike t-shirts and UConn sweatshirts.

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