David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Does Anthony (‘Ant’) Edwards Have a New Nickname?

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

Maybe instead of “Ant” we should call him “Gumby.”

In yesterday’s playoff game Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves and the Lakers’ LeBron James scrambled for a loose basketball. As James dove for the ball, he landed on Edwards’ lower left leg and ankle. The crowd gasped as Edwards lay on the floor, writhing in pain. The video board replay only heightened the angst among the home crowd at Target Center.

A broken ankle or leg? Dislocated knee?

Nope, within a couple of minutes the 23-year-old superstar was on his feet and standing at the free throw line. He converted both shots to put the Wolves ahead 56-55 with 1:26 to play in a second quarter that had found Minnesota playing from behind in Game Four of the playoff matchup between the Wolves and Lakers..

“Gumby” (for those who don’t know) is a fictional character made of clay who can contort into all kinds of shapes and regenerate his body. Edwards is a seemingly indestructible human who during his five- year career has seldom been slowed by injuries and might be more likely to be sidelined by illness or suspension than a serious injury.

Edwards’ remarkable body and mind with its strength, coordination, timing, flexibility and basketball IQ are gifts that have kept him resilient. In the last three regular seasons he has missed only a total of nine games.

Yesterday he scored 43 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Wolves to a 116-113 win over the Lakers. The victory gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in their opening playoff best of seven games series.

Edwards photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards has been special in the last two victories. In a Friday night win that broke a 1-1 series tie, he was dominant in a fourth quarter comeback. He either scored or assisted on a 13-point Minnesota run where his team out scored the Lakers by 10 points in the quarter to secure a 116-104 victory.

The performances have only added to his reputation of being among the best clutch players in today’s NBA.

Yesterday he had a game-high 43 points on 12-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three and 14-of-17 from the free throw line. Edwards also had nine rebounds and a team-high six assists.

Edwards, who played a team-high 44 minutes, was at times unstoppable. If he wasn’t bombing three-point scores, he was dancing or swooping into the lane for close in baskets. He was part of the reason the Wolves out scored the undersized Lakers by 18 points in the paint.

Edwards, who won’t be 24 until August 5, celebrated one of his biggest professional wins after the game. The player who could be the face of the NBA in a few years, told ABC’s Lisa Salters he’s been “dreaming” of moments like this for a long time.

“I love everything about him,” James said earlier in the series.

Another NBA veteran, the Wolves 37-year-old Mike Conley, praised Edwards for his mature play after Game Four: “He’s being really meticulous with what he’s doing late in the games. He’s taking his time really sizing up the defense, understanding where guys are going to be on the court.

“Taking what’s there and available. He had the three going there for a little bit, then he started getting downhill making plays. Just happy with him being able to seek out different matchups and take advantage.”

With the drama of a scary first half fall and clutch fourth quarter, Edwards couldn’t have put on a more entertaining show for a national TV audience and Target Center crowd that included celebrity new Wolves owner Alex Rodriguez, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, and new Golden Gophers basketball coach Niko Medved.

They watched the “Gumby” show that had an important supporting cast including forward Julius Randle who had 21 of his 25 points in the first half when the Wolves led 61-58. Forward Jaden McDaniels not only scored 16 points and led the team in rebounds with 11, but was a pest to the Lakers on defense, including superstar Luka Doncic. Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo gave Minnesota 12 and eight points off the bench.

In Los Angeles on Wednesday night the Wolves are likely to close out the series. The Lakers could be a fatigued and discouraged bunch facing a deeper and overall more talented team in the Wolves. Lakers coach JJ Redick, trying to even the series at 2-2, played his starters the entire second half yesterday. That’s a marathon for an “Iron Five” whose bench at times borders on woeful.

James, 40, was superb in both losses in Minneapolis but there is only so much energy in that “senior citizen” body. His co-superstar, Doncic, played sick Friday night and probably wasn’t 100 percent yesterday. Doncic and James scored 65 of their team’s 116 points yesterday but didn’t close the “show.”

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Vikings Remain on Clear Path to Build Support for J.J.

Posted on April 25, 2025April 25, 2025 by David Shama

Updated at 4:03 p.m. April 25, 2025

Enjoy a Friday notes column.

A former NFL team executive who follows the Vikings closely texted Sports Headliners with the following evaluation about Minnesota’s decision to use the No. 24 spot in the first round of last night’s NFL Draft to take an offensive lineman. (The authority asked that his name not be published).

“The Vikings selection of Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson is all about J.J. McCarthy and giving him great protection along with establishing a dominant running game to support him.

“After the interior O-line’s struggles against the Lions and Rams late last season, the Vikings were determined to upgrade this area, and they have in free agency with center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries, and now with Jackson who is a solid pick as a fine pass protector and excellent run blocker.

“There were defensive backs who surely tempted them at No. 24, and I expect them to pick a corner or safety in round 3, and probably try to obtain another pick or two via trades beyond the three remaining picks they have in this draft.”

The Vikings have a league low four total selections in the draft which continues with rounds two and three today, followed by four through seven on Saturday. Their three remaining draft spots are in the third, fifth and sixth rounds.

McCarthy has yet to play a snap in an NFL regular season game after getting hurt as a rookie in preseason in 2024. It’s evident head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to give McCarthy the strongest supporting cast possible. Jackson could start as a rookie in place of veteran Blake Brandel at left guard.

It’s to Jackson’s advantage that his teammates on the offensive line are gifted and experienced. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw has played four NFL seasons, Kelly nine, Fries four, and right tackle Brian O’Neill seven. They block for a roster of skilled playmakers including wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and running back Aaron Jones. The Vikings are loaded on offense but won’t reach their potential if McCarthy is mediocre or worse.

The Vikings wouldn’t have selected Jackson if they didn’t believe his character and talent met their standards. His evaluation on NFL/prospects.com this winter predicted the 6-4, 315-pound lineman “will eventually be (a) plus starter.”

In mock drafts this month Chad Reuter of NFL.com had the Chiefs selecting Gopher offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery in the first round. Ersery wasn’t picked by any team on opening night of the draft but still figures to be the first of several Gophers with draft hopes to be selected.

The 2025 NFL Draft should have an economic impact of $20 million for Brown County and $90 million for the state of Wisconsin, per an Associated Press story earlier this week that sourced information from Beth Jones Schnese, Greater Green Bay Chamber vice president of marketing/member engagement. The article said that equates to the amount generated by three consecutive Packer home-game weekends.

The NFL, honoring the tradition of pro football in Green Bay, awarded the draft to the area knowing it had logistical challenges with direct flights and number of hotel rooms. The 2025 draft is a driving destination for many fans who are travelling from places like Milwaukee and Madison, two hours or so away.

For those who follow the Golden Gophers football team to road games, the 2025 away schedule is the most intriguing in memory. All five destinations are attractive including West Coast trips to the Bay Area (Cal) and Eugene (first time at Oregon), plus border rival Iowa, Northwestern (at Wrigley Field) and defending national champion Ohio State. Creative Charters, the Stillwater-based company, has been serving roadies since 1993 and has details on 2025 packages.

Derek Burns, president of Dinkytown Athletes, texted that a recent matching campaign hit $400,000 to benefit Gopher men’s basketball NIL (name, image and likeness).

The Timberwolves will enter tonight’s Game Three against the Lakers favored by a couple of points by oddsmakers. The opinion here is the Wolves should be favored by five points or more in their first home game in the best of seven playoff series. The Wolves have the better overall roster talent and depth.

A couple of things to watch: In splitting the first two games in Los Angeles, the Wolves were behind after one quarter both times so a better start will be an improvement. Also, the Lakers, lacking depth and relying on 40-year-old LeBron James, looked fatigued and just able to hang on to a big fourth quarter lead Tuesday night. Lacking depth, and relying on a Big Three of James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves playing extensive minutes, the Lakers could be gassed late in all remaining games.

The Athletics’ NBA player survey came out Tuesday and the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards finished second in voting (13.8 percent) to the Spurs Victor Wembanyama (54.3) on the question of who will be the face of the league five years from now.

In the annual poll where players can answer questions anonymously, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert was second at 10 percent behind the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, 14.4, for most overrated.

The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov is now only two behind Zach Parise’s franchise record of 16 playoff goals. Last night Kaprizov scored two goals to help the Wild win 5-2 in Game 3 of their best of seven opening playoff series against the Golden Knights.

The Wild, leading 2-1 in the series and hosting Game 4 Saturday afternoon, hasn’t advanced past the opening series in the playoffs since 2015.

If reserve Marc-Andre Fleury of the Wild plays in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring it will be for an 18th postseason. That would break a tie with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy (17 postseasons) for most total playoff years among NHL goalies.

The Twins Byron Buxton is 31 and has fought off injuries for years, but he still has his speed. Twins media notes recently said his 30.2 miles per hour speed leads all MLB players.

Gopher basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit, whose team recently won the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament title in her second season, will speak to the Capital Club breakfast group May 1 at Mendakota Country Club. Another program will feature Minnesota sports columnists Chip Scoggins, LaVelle E. Neal and Charley Walters on May 14. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

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Medved Making a Difference with Golden Gophers NIL

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by David Shama

The Name, Image and Likeness effort to generate money for University of Minnesota men’s basketball is positive under new head coach Niko Medved who was hired in March.

Dinkytown Athletes, the entity that creates and develops NIL opportunities for Gopher athletes with businesses and sponsors, is led by co-founder and president Derek Burns. He told Sports Headliners NIL revenue raised for men’s basketball players is “significantly ahead” of a year ago.

This is the third offseason DA has worked on NIL resources and Burns said money available for the 2025-2026 school year is “by far” ahead of previous totals. Like other collectives around the country, DA doesn’t make public the total NIL revenue it has. Such information can create a competitive disadvantage with rival schools, collective executives maintain.

However, it’s believed former Gopher men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson had a seven-figure amount of NIL money last school year, but the total was under $2 million. It could be (based on background work by Sports Headliners) that in Medved’s first year the total will be between $3 million to $4 million. Athletes are paid at Minnesota and elsewhere to make appearances, endorse products or services and appear in advertising.

Medved, who coached Colorado State to the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years, is a Minnesota native. He was a student manager for the Gophers in the 1990s and has a passion for the program that hit hard times under Johnson, partially because of minimal NIL money.

The personable Medved knows a rebuild is in front of him. He’s been using his determination and salesmanship with donors to build up NIL support. Burns said Medved has “been very effective and well received.”

Part of the fund-raising strategy uses donors of means to engage in matching campaigns. Medved wants, of course, to avoid as much as possible not being priced out for players in recruiting against other programs.

Medved photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Of developing significance is that Big Ten athletic departments and other major conferences are expected to soon receive court approval to share revenues with athletes. The cap could be $20.5 million per school the first year, with the Gophers expected to allocate for five sports with football receiving more than half the total and men’s basketball being second in the pecking order.

Even with revenue sharing, NIL will remain in play. It figures to make a difference as seen frequently in news reporting about college basketball and football.

Kyan Evans, one of Medved’s best players last season, was wanted in Dinkytown but the junior guard chose North Carolina where he reportedly will have a more than $2 million NIL deal.

Orono High School guard Noah Groves, the state’s player of the year, committed to Texas Tech last week, a program where his agent has relationships. The Red Raiders took Gopher point guard Elijah Hawkins a year ago. Tech is known for its NIL success in football and basketball, and is reportedly paying hoopster JT Toppin around $4 million in NIL money to return to the Red Raiders.

Medved has so far brought in five transfer players. Only state native BJ Omot from Cal is from a Power Four conference, an indication of limitations in NIL funding at Minnesota.

That doesn’t mean those transfers won’t help the Gophers, with some even excelling. On3 uses an algorithm to determine whether a program has improved its roster talent, stayed the same or declined during the transfer window. Minnesota is ranked No. 25 in the nation by On3 after determining an improved roster.

NIL monies have reportedly increased nationally, although Burns cautions he knows figures are frequently exaggerated not only in basketball but in football, too. A point of differentiation for the Gophers is that unlike some schools Minnesota has a reputation of making good on its NIL commitments, not reneging.

Still, it’s bizarre to hear some of the reports about NIL money just for men’s basketball. Former Marquette, Indiana and Georgia head coach Tom Crean, talking to Dan Barreiro on KFAN last week, put the number in the 50s of college programs with $9 million war chests, he believes.

College basketball authority Evan Miyakawa, writing last week on X, guesstimated the top spenders this offseason on basketball transfers is led by Michigan at $8.8 million, Kentucky, $7.6 million, Maryland and Miami at $7.1 million each, and Iowa at $6.6 million.

Absent from Miyakawa’s top 10 list was St. John’s where coach Rick Pitino has a billionaire booster who is willing to pay whatever it takes to have the Red Storm at national prominence.

Believe Miyakawa’s figures at your discretion, but no one can doubt NIL money is big business.

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