Wolves Updates 10/30
by SG on Oct 30, 2010 1:45 AM CDT
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PrintWolves get first win of the season, Rambis waiting to find team captain, James reacts to Tolliver's spoof and more
Recaps of last night's win over the Bucks
Anthony Maggio/FOXSportsNorth.com: Beasley shows up big in Wolves' first win
Associated Press: Timberwolves Beat Bucks For 1st Win Of Season
Dana Wessel/1500ESPN.com: Timberwolves beat Milwaukee to get first win; team wants to run
Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune: Some ugly moments didn't keep the Wolves from enjoying their first victory of the season.
Recaps of tonight's game at Memphis
From Charley Walters/Pioneer Press:
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis wants to name a team captain, but hasn't found a player worthy of the title yet.
"I want somebody to show me," Rambis said after the Wolves lost their opener to Sacramento.
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press:
The Timberwolves don't play in Miami until Tuesday night, but they already seem to be on LeBron James' radar.
James learned of Wolves forward Anthony Tolliver's YouTube spoof of his infamous "Decision" spectacle when he announced he was leaving Cleveland to play for the Heat. Someone told James about Tolliver's 68-second spin-off ("The Decision, Part Deux") Friday night before Miami's home game against Orlando.
Tolliver, a free agent in the summer, held up a sheet of paper during a homemade video in August to announce he was leaving Golden State to take his talents to Minnesota. James said he hasn't seen Tolliver's video, but he had a quick response.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
During a five-minute media availability before he, Wade, Bosh and the Heat absolutely dismantled formerly mighty Orlando 96-70 by holding the Magic to 25 second-half points, James amicably chatted on a variety of subjects.
That is, until somebody asked the final question, one about Tolliver's spoof.
James turned icy and said: "I didn't see it, but I heard about it. We play Minnesota twice."
From Peter Vecsey/New York Post:
Rambis claimed his decision to use Anthony Tolliver , who came into the league unannounced three seasons ago and played for four teams before this one, had more to do with his outstanding defensive effort (4 blocks, 7 boards and a steal) than anything Love did wrong.
Untrue. When the two met for 30 minutes yesterday, I'm informed, Rambis told Love he benched him for "defensive" reasons, not realizing, I guess, that games sometimes can be won at the end other, too.
There were numerous times in the meat of the matter where it might have been nice to have Love's intelligence, screen-setting, offensive rebounding tracking device, and 3-point, floor-spreading ability out there.
If Rambis doesn't believe in Love by this time, if he perceives him as a defensive liability, in close games, this early, vs. an ordinary opponent, it might be overtime for team president David Kahn to choose between the two.
From Ball Don't Lie: BDL's 2010-11 Season Previews: Minnesota Timberwolves
From Kurt Helin/ProBasketballTalk: Wolves have little hope of getting more compensation for Webster
From Anthony Maggio and Patrick Donnelly/foxsportsnorth.com: AM/PD: Running with the Wolves
From Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune:
Two of the biggest Luke Ridnour fans in Target Center on Friday were from out of town: Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles and Bucks second-year point guard Brandon Jennings.
Ridnour is starting at the point for the Timberwolves, at least until Jonny Flynn comes back from hip surgery. He spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee, and last season, while the Bucks surprised many by turning themselves into an Eastern Conference playoff team, Ridnour served as a security blanket for Skiles and a mentor for Jennings.
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It shouldn't be titled "What should I do?"
It should be titled, “What did I do?”
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
He should probably just be
whatever Nike conjures up next.
Ah crap, Pek's tattoo just stole my soul.
I’ve always been kinda “meh” about them joining together.. On one hand I get that it’s kinda lame but on the other .. If you go for the dollars you’re getting frowned on, if you go for the championship you’re getting frowned on..
But now .. come on Lebron .. save what’s left of your image and have a laugh .. it was all in good fun. Tolliver was more laughing with himself (him being an unimportant player) than with you. Djeez
by Wim (Belgium) on Oct 30, 2010 3:32 AM CDT up reply actions
No kidding.
Display a sense of humor, Lebron. This bitter “Me against the world” thing is even stupider than the Decision. Is Lebron taking mental notes and planning revenge against every TV comedian who cracked jokes about the Decision?
I made some jokes about it at work. If Lebron finds out he might come to my house and humiliate me in a game of one on one! Although, actually, if he wants to do that, I would enjoy the experience and have a good laugh. Unlike Lebron, I enjoy jokes.
by princelyfrank on Oct 30, 2010 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's ridiculous
that Lebron has a former D-Leaguer on his ‘list’. I think all the criticism is getting to old BronBron.
Discussing homerism since 2008!
by biggity2bit on Oct 30, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
You hit the nail on the head with that comment Wim.
He was bored and decided to make a video for himself and his facebook page. He was indeed making fun of himself, and it’s not his fault it blew up and he became a celebrity.
Extend Jared Dudley!
I think you mean "NIke's LeBron"
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
I agree with Lebron
People have hating on this guy way too much. They act like he was molesting children. The way he left was stupid I would have had a press conference and to told Cleveland hey I am out. But he wanted to soften the blow by giving money to Boys and girls clubs not realizing that Americans don’t give a damn about kids.
I think primarily hate on lebron because he seems so out of touch with your average person
I think he has just surrounded himself with yes men and when he increased his profile and brand image (which was the whole point of the free agency and “The Decision”) he just couldn’t fathom why it turned a lot of people off. Like most 25ish year olds he didn’t handle that realization with the most grace. No biggie in the grand scheme of things, but I think his “team” (marketing that is) decided that he should try to emulate the whole Jordan enemies list thing. Not the route that I think he needed at the time as it just makes him look petty.
I personally am glad that the money went to charity and as a former boy scout and eagle I have spent an inordinate amount of time helping out those less fortunate than myself. Big props to Lebron for that.
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Oct 30, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I dont think he is trying to be like jordan in any fashion
If that were the case he would have stayed in Cleveland.
I think the hate has more to do with “he seems so out of touch with your average person” It has to do with a number of things. race, power, and privilege
If I was LeBron I would make an enemies list two. people are saying that the heat are no going to win which i Think is bullsh!@ I hate he left Cleveland for selfish reasons. another Midwest city losing a big star.
I think he left because of KG
He saw what happens when you are loyal to a franchise that is too poorly run to find a legit 2nd star.
Now he has every reporter looking for a negative sound byte so he looks like an jerk.
two things
first, CLE should have definitely gotten stat (100% agree). Second, I didn’t mean jordan’s career path, but rather how he operated. Jordan was petty, mean and very demeaning of everyone around him. Lately, James has adopted that same attitude towards anyone who questions him. Do some people deserve to get called out by James as being d-bags? Sure. But how he treats people publically is a lot like Jordan (think Jordan’s HOF speach).
As to creating enemies lists, I have some relatives who do that crap. You know what? NONE of them are happy. Not a single one. Why burden yourself with that crap when you are getting paid a ton of money? Just live it up and enjoy.
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Oct 30, 2010 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
If lebron right now said "give me money for kids"
he could raise 20 million dollars for the boys and girls club. At any time he ever wanted he could immediately raise money for kids. Therefore, it does not justify how awful having the tv show was.
"Brian Cardinal left Purdue being the only Boilermaker to receive both the "Mr. Hustle" Award and the "Courage" Award four years in a row"
No people would say
He is only doing this for this or that reason. He would then generate less then the 3 million got for the Boys and girls clubs
+1
Getting people to part with $ is a tough trick and just asking for money is not enough. If it was that easy, hunger would be one of the many problems we would no longer have in the world.
by midlife crisis on Oct 30, 2010 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions
-5 for LeBron de Con
He said he hasn’t seen the video yet he holds a grudge? The apple didn’t fall far from the Gloria James tree. Moron.
If anything, AT was spoofing on himself.
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
What a great motivator for Tolliver
He’ll be pumped when we play the Heat. And if he just slows LBJ down, it is a victory for Tolliver.
I’ll be looking forward to those games.
Agreed
He wasn’t spoofing Lebron. But do you think the reporter (or his friends) told him that? No they positioned it like AT was insulting him. And voila, they get a juicy, negative sound byte. Perfect for hits on the web.
That's what reporters do; that's why they annoy me. I guess it's good for them.
it sells papers. But I hate how they always try to create friction on a team for their own ends.
If you can’t start controversy, you’re not making news, or selling your rag.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Yup
Just like Jerry Z asking Rambis why he benched his best player. Throwing chum in the water.
Suprised Jerry Z didn't ask why Beas was sitting
the last half of the 4th quarter last night to try and stir up more shit.
Well, Kevin Love just ruled himself out as captain
Peter Vecsey heard that private news tidbit between coach and player and you can bet it didn’t come from Rambis.
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
+
did you see him pout this game? Great player but there’s something off about his character, not a headcase or trouble maker .. just a little off .. we call it “fils a papa”, or “daddy’s boy” .. he looks spoiled to me.
by Wim (Belgium) on Oct 30, 2010 3:35 AM CDT up reply actions
you don't know it was Love
Love could have told teammates and Telfair could have told Vecsey. Or Kahn could have told Vecsey for all we know. He’s the one that talks too much.
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
Well, if Love told Telfair or anyone else about the conversation...
…it is probably a negative on Love.
But talk about entitled and douchebaggery, that Vecsey article takes the prize over LeBron by a mile.
When Vecsey says this:
""If Rambis doesn’t believe in Love by this time, if he perceives him as a defensive liability, in close games, this early, vs. an ordinary opponent, it might be overtime for team president David Kahn to choose between the two.""
He’s going way beyond his skill level. It’s not Vecsey’s place to be telling Kahn what to do. And if anything, Rambis would win the contest. If, for example, the news of this meeting came from Kahn, Taylor would dump Kahn at the appropriate time. It’s a helluva lot easier to replace Kahn than to find another coach of Rambis caliber, or another PF with Love’s unique skill set.
I am really curious where Vecsey got his info. Rambis should be angry about this, and I do not believe that Love is stupid enough to be telling tales like this to the press.
But I suppose Vecsey is overjoyed that dummies like me are even mentioning his name, what a coup for a muckraker.
Agree on Vescey
disagree on Love. What’s bad about telling your teammates that your coach told you to work harder on defense? If I was the coach, I want Kevin Love telling his teammates that. That way, the team knows that even the best players on the team are held accountable and accept accountability.
This is a non-issue.
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
by littleboxes on Oct 30, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
You make a good point
I got thrown off by Vecsey’s wankery
I have not been in the love camp
But I think this is Vescey making stuff up. I dont think Love went to told this clown anything. Its just a way to makeup a story
Yep
and if you read the quote…Vescey isn’t really saying anything. Rambis said publicly that he played AT because he liked his energy on defense; hence, it’s true that he benched Love for defensive reasons.
We Are the Washington Generals
by Eric in Madison on Oct 30, 2010 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Ya
isn’t that what a team leader does? Admits their mistakes and tries to lead by example for the rest of the team?
Discussing homerism since 2008!
by biggity2bit on Oct 30, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Kurt & Kevin
I think Rambis sees the big picture on this one, and that is the fact that Kevin Love’s success in this league is going to be predicated on smarts and dirty work. For this team to be truly successful, Love is going to have to defer to a “superstar” go-to scorer (whoever that turns out to be) and embrace his the second banana role.
Put another way, Love may end up this team’s brain, but not its face.
+1
That is the most succinct explanation for Rambis benching Love. Love could be a superstar of dirty work, but great rebounders are generally know for hustle and hard work and the primadonna thing doesn’t play well with the lunchbucket.
by midlife crisis on Oct 30, 2010 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Vescey is like the CJ of the hoops world
He hasn’t had a legit source in a decade or so.
You miss the point
There were only two individuals involved in a private coach-player discussion. Coach comes away and says it was more a reward to Tolliver. Vescey says it was really about Love’s defense.
So how does this get to Vescey? Had to be through Love. Moreover, this is not the first time for Love, he has established a pattern of blabbing to the world. (McHale getting fired tweet?)
The Love talking through teammates is purely conjecture. Conversely, we know Love has as personal affinity with media types (Bill Simmons most recent).
All in all, Love is not trustworthy and hence not captain material.
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
"James turned icy and said: "I didn't see it, but I heard about it. We play Minnesota twice."
There is absolutely no way he can seriously be that big of a douche. What are you going to do LeBron, beat us? OH NO! We won 15 games last year! Waste some extra effort trying to rub it in if you want, but the joke’s on you!
Interviewer: Can you understand why teams value potential ahead of experience and accomplishment in the draft? Wes Johnson: "Yeah. I understand. It’s the youngness of everything – older guys like young women, so it’s the same way."
Of course he is that big of a douche
Seriously, e grew up in Ohio in the 90’s and chose to cheer for the Yankees. He’s an insecure little boy who has stayed that way because he happened to be a physical miracle and hoop savant. He’s a legendary dbag because he’s had the world fawn over him since he was 14.
It's a trick. Get an axe.
You just
made the list, buddy . . .
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Click an ad!
Lighten up Francis!!!
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Read his book
The guy has been getting ripped by the public since he was in 8th grade and chose to go to a private school rather than a public school so his childhood friends could all play together.
bet he couldn't write it
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
Why should we complain
He’s just like Jordan, getting all psyched up about an imagined slight from a lesser player. It’s gotta be tough getting motivated when you can sleepwalk your way through most opponents.
Personally, I hope Lebron scores 50 on us… and the Heat lose by 3
by midlife crisis on Oct 30, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
It will be interesting
to see if the Wolves have enough gas in the tank after last night to play full court defense on the Griz. Memphis is a team that can be beaten if the effort is there on D. I’m also looking forward to watching Darko and Pek on Gasol; they should be able to own him if they body him up.
"The Human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter"-Mark Twain
Darko has to keep Gasol off the boards
I’m not confident he can do that. On the other hand, Love will be matched up against Darrell Arthur, someone he should mop the floor up with.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 30, 2010 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions
It might be a good night for Love to get the fast break ignited.
We need him to get the break going early to take advantage of any tiredness the Grizz might have from the tough win they eked out over Dallas last night. Their starters were on the
floor for a majority of minutes. We can’t have a start like we had last night.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Should be interesting
If they rotate the way they did yesterday and bring some energy, I expect to see lots of contested jumpers coming from Memphis. If we can do that, we can win it no problem because Memphis isn’t stopping anyone on the other side of the court.
Interviewer: Can you understand why teams value potential ahead of experience and accomplishment in the draft? Wes Johnson: "Yeah. I understand. It’s the youngness of everything – older guys like young women, so it’s the same way."
Darko 0-6 and 5 blocks, but what doesn't really show up
is all the shots he altered; about 4-5. He came out several times on the little ones.
His shot’s nothing to get excited about, but he can be a presence that drivers have to be
concerned about. Changing shots is almost as good as getting blocks.
Memphis, our next opponent, had their starters log a lot of minutes in last night’s
game with Dallas. If we can get a decent start in the 1st quarter, unlike last night,
and keep them from slowing us down, so that we’d have to set up, I think we can
stand a good chance to steal one. I hope they relax against us so that we can
get a good early push. We have to make shots.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
League Pass
All the links I need are there, but it sure is a hard site to navigate. I don’t know
how many times I got lost looking for the game archives. They have too much
crap there. I wish they’d simplify the layout, but I guess it’s like going to the
supermarket; they want you to see everything, so they spread stuff out. It’s
a PITA.
Also, thumbs down on Yahoo’s new box score layout. It’s given as the default
and you have to click your way out of it. I wish they’d let you change back to
‘classic’ permanently, but I don’t see that option.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Very Encouraged
Game 1 — Good O, Bad D
Game 2 — Good D, Good enough O
And Wolves don’t have Jonny and Webster or perhaps a full-strength Wes.
Early season schedule is hard. But, Wolves got the talent to compete. Finally.
And it’s going to get better when they’re back at full strength. Can’t wait to see Jonny at backup PG. Martell as second-unit SG.
Jonny — Martell/Ellington/Brewer — Wes (assuming he’s not starting 2 by then) — Tolliver — Pek
Yeah, that’s pretty good for a second unit.
David stren did it agian
our schedule is hard while Kobe and Co have a cakewalk schedule
Not the worst thing that could happen
The Wolves need a bit of time to gel anyway.I would love to see them get the games out the way against the really tough teams so they can play lesser teams later at a time when things are clicking for this team.
I think once Wes gets the hammy healed
and gets his feet wet in the NBA, he should be the starting 2. This puts Wayne as the backup 2 and Web as the backup 3. The way Luke is running the show Jonny is coming off the bench.
Loving the depth once we get back to healthy.
Brewer is way down the depth chart once Web comes back.
On a different note, what’s the over/under for games before wes johnson gets the start … I’d say about 2 games max
to not hurt egos it should be gradual. Just keep adding minutes to Wes, subtracting
minutes from Ellington. In practice, keep Ellington working on PG skills. It will help him
with his inside/outside game.
Remember wes’ tender hammy.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Well actually Wes played 27minutes to Ellington’s 20mins… So the minutes is already on par I’d think, but still ..
by Wim (Belgium) on Oct 30, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I am guessing the hammy must be improving with the increased minutes
Wes should be the starting 2 by game 10 at worst.
Reality check....
How awesome has it been to watch these two games? What fun. They are so much more fun than last year. It’s so much fun to see their athleticism and potential. I haven’t enjoyed watching a team this much since KG/Marbury.
I’m lovin’ it, warts and all.
Comparing this team to last years', It's like Jekyll and Hyde.
I don’t know how many wins that translates to, but they are a better team. They haven’t
jelled yet, though.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
LeBron should put the Magic and Celtics on his list.
What a d-bag.
Tolliver seems to really grasp what Rambis wants out of his players. I won’t be surprised if he is named captain.
Tolliver is a high energy guy, but the will never give 'captain' to a role player.
That will be reserved for our Superstar, when or if we ever get one. There is no one
on this team you could pick out as ‘captain’.
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Is tonights game seriously not on TV?
Both the Wolves and Grizz site say its not. Will league pass still put up a feed?
Dear Alex Gordon:
I still think you will be awesome, but for the love of God, please stop getting hurt.
Sincerely,
RF
The League Pass link just says, "upcoming". I guess that means they have it.
8pm ET, 5pm PST
Wolves, it's time to "switch the flip".
Streams?
Does that mean there won’t be any live streams though? =/
free league pass preview until Tuesday
Dear Alex Gordon:
I still think you will be awesome, but for the love of God, please stop getting hurt.
Sincerely,
RF
On league pass it's "arena feed"
So get ready for the HOWL METER!!!!
Interviewer: Can you understand why teams value potential ahead of experience and accomplishment in the draft? Wes Johnson: "Yeah. I understand. It’s the youngness of everything – older guys like young women, so it’s the same way."
C'mon Rambis,
we all know you’re going to name Tolliver captain. No need to delay it.
Extend Jared Dudley!
HA!
As of Friday, Tolliver’s spoof had attracted 274,506 YouTube viewers, most of them coming after he produced the video in August.
I’d bet that all of the hits came after it was produced…
Tha, Often get scolded at for this kind of humour, like it ;)
by Wim (Belgium) on Oct 30, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow
That Ball Don’t Lie article written by Kelly Dwyer is absolutely atrocious. I think most reasonable people can tell that this team is at the very least an improvement over last year and in no way should lose MORE games than last year, yet he finds a way to do it.
13-69? Seriously? In the article, he mentions stats from last years team for reasons we won’t do well this year as well as saying that the loss of AJ and Ramon Sessions (apparently a top 3 player for us last year?) will hurt us. He also fails to recognize Beasley as one of our major additions, despite the fact that he was our biggest offseason addition.
I hope he acknowledges how poor of a journalist he is when the Wolves absolutely shatter that 13-win bar he set for them.
when the Wolves absolutely shatter that 13-win bar he set for them
by mid season!
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Oct 30, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
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