Wolves Updates 7/20 Part 2
by SG on Jul 20, 2010 8:17 PM CDT
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Wolves to introduce Luke Ridnour tomorrow, Sessions says he expects to remain a Wolves player and more
From Jonah Ballow's twitter account:
The # Twolves will officially sign Luke Ridnour tomorrow - Live presser @ 12 PM on www.timberwolves.com
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
The Wolves haven't officially announced the signing of point guard Luke Ridnour just yet, but they'll introduce the former Milwaukee Buck anyway tomorrow at noon at Target Center.
The two sides agreed last week on a four-year deal worth about $16 million.
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press: Luke Ridnour to be introduced as a Timberwolf on Wednesday
From Associated Press:
Reserve point guard Ramon (rah-MAHN') Sessions says he expects to remain with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.
Sessions spoke Tuesday during a stop at Owatonna High School on the team's summer caravan.
He says he embraces the challenge of competing for playing time at his position, with Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour. Sessions has been rumored as a strong candidate to be traded.
From Sports Radio Interviews: Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley: 'I have matured on and off the court'
On how his game has developed:
"I think it developed in every aspect. I think I am the same player I was in college, just a little tuned up. I handle the ball better, I make way better decisions and I have matured on and off the court, and it helped me on the court most."
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With a looming lockout
in 2011, I would have been surprised to see Rubio before the 2012 season.
But now the Wolves have three undersized point guards on the roster making 12 millionish between them (25% or so of the likely payroll), and signed for several more years into the future—well, let’s just say it doesn’t increase the likelihood of the Spanish Savior whipping passes around the Target Center any time soon.
Sorry to sound like the POBO
or Sid Hartman dropping names. My sports-loving Spanish friend in Barcelona reports that RR benefitted greatly from another year in Europe, but that (are you ready for this), he’s not really so excited about playing for the Wolves. Perhaps nobody really does expect the Spanish Acquisition.
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."
Mark Twain
by uncle rico on Jul 20, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The question will be
Can they Torquemada staying in Spain…
I think this is the first time in history one man managed to destroy an entire city by himself. Even the Enola Gay had a flight crew.
by Auswolf on Jul 20, 2010 10:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Does this person converse with RR
or obtain information by way of mutual friends, handlers, newspapers, etc?
Just curious because it seems like the Spanish media spawns rumors and half truths at a rate that would rival New York.
I could see Rubio being reluctant due to Flynn/Sessions/Ridnour being on the team. However, I would bet a lot of money that Kahn has repeatedly said he will trade guys the second RR commits to coming here. So unless Rubio doesn’t believe him, that doesn’t seem like a big impedement.
I could also see Rubio being reluctant due to the team’s lack of wins. I would not blame him and can only hope this year the teams looks far more competitive and wins more games. If he could see himself as making a difference but not being solely responsible for “saving the team”, I’d think that is a positive situation to enter. From what I’ve read, it sounds like in Europe the best players often end up to the best teams. The rich get richer. That seems to be true in baseball but not in the NBA, at least not among the best draft age players.
If he is reluctant because MN is not a major market or because it is cold, that is a big problem. Those things are not going to change. The only hope is that if they convince him to give it a try, those factors will seem less important. Many stars have received major exposure in small markets: KG in MN, Bron in CLE, Duncan/Manu/Parker in SAN, etc. Many NBA cities, including some of the biggest markets, also have cold winters too (NYC, CHI, BOS, etc.)
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Jul 20, 2010 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I have to say it...
I could care less about Rubio joining the Wolves at this point, other than it would be a waste of a high draft choice if he doesn’t. If he is as good as Wolves fans on this blog think (hope) he is, then he should relish the opportunity to come to a team that needs a superstar. Yet, he worries about Minnnesota winters, or the size of the market? Please… I think he is just insecure that he is not as good as the hype that has been built up on him, and by playing for Minnesota, that overhype will be fully exposed with no other star to hide it. We need to stop worrying/planning about what suits Rubio, and start just putting a good team together.
by San Diego Viking on Jul 20, 2010 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
We gotta start winning
Or at least play some exciting ball and show some potential. Then Rubio will want to play here. You could say that’s a big if, but what choice to we have? Show some promise and everything will take care of itself.
Sorry
he’s not that well connected, as far as I know. But he also never said RR would not play for the Wolves either. Just that he did not seem to want to play for them, which is not breaking news at all. But hearing it from an avid fan there means more than, let’s say, what the NY media claims.
I do hope that Rambis and Kahn’s puddle jumping junkets pay off in the end. Stay tuned.
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."
Mark Twain
...
I cant wait for Him to come so we can stop talking about the point guard position on this team.
+100
The sweetest part for me, though, will be no longer hearing
“He ain’t coming to Minnesota. Might as well trade him to NYC like he wants. We’ll give you Curry – he is a legit 20/10 center when he is healthy!”
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Jul 20, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
God, Sessions is cool.
Never gives any hint of irritation despite being mis/under- used at every turn so far.
I don’t believe him, by the way. But the fact that he’s already come out and “embraced” playing with both Flynn and Ridnour says a lot about him.
The D-league
will give you perspective. Sessions knows the bus rides and one gas station towns, all else is an upgrade.
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
Quick Count
Okay, CH, how many times did Beasley say “definitely” in his interview?
I’m guessing 3 times but I could definitely be wrong.
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
As many as Magic Johnson used to say, "No Question"
"You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy."
John Calvin
by WillistonCoyote on Jul 20, 2010 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
But seriously
there is no way Sessions starts the year with us, right?
If you want a reputation for being a player friendly organization, you don’t make 3 borderline starters compete for playing time at one position.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Jul 20, 2010 9:39 PM CDT reply actions
Paraphrasing John Madden:
If you think you have 3 starting point guards, you probably don’t have any.
by Madison Dan on Jul 20, 2010 10:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Sessions is a class act...
..who deserves a better situation elsewhere. Competing with Flynn didn’t do him good last year. With Ridnour and later Rubio coming, I don’t see it for next year or the year after. Two would have to go if Rubio comes, unless we want a lot of money in a 3rd and 4th PG.
I hope Kahn can get a 2nd rounder and cap space for him. The Cavs trade would do this and help us and Ramon.
He is getting a raw deal
I’m doubtful that any of the other PGs have as much upside as him. He’s a really good player, but after watching last year, everyone in contact with the team is tainted
by midlife crisis on Jul 20, 2010 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Flynn's the guy who's on his way out, not Ramon.
Maybe all this Ramon trade-talk is just what Khan is leaking out there while he is looking for the best deal for Flynn. We spent a spring hearing that K Love was going to be the power forward dealt and then come summer it was clear that Big Al was the lucky guy who got to leave along.
Here’s what’s transpired that we think we know regarding the team with the worst point guard situation in the league: Us trying to attain Granger for Al: Indy offering us the tenth pick for Flynn; Indy not going too hard after Livingston, Luke, Blake, or any of the other points out there when they are so clearly desperate for the same; us signing a redundant point guard; us giving away Al for a pocket of money- and still seemingly coveting Danny Granger.
I’m saying it. I think Kahn and Indy have something worked out where Flynn and cap room are en route to Indy for Granger. Or maybe I’m just thinking all wishfully.
by TheFlingerofPoo on Jul 21, 2010 2:13 AM CDT reply actions
Granger
is wishful thinking. Paul George may not be. I’d be down with a Flynn for George deal (with whatever else you need to make it happen).
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Jul 21, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I’m saying it. I think Kahn and Indy have something worked out where Flynn and cap room are en route to Indy for Granger.
by TheFlingerofPoo on Jul 21, 2010 2:15 AM CDT reply actions
Love your optimism
But that trade would make zero sense for Indiana. It seems Indy had no interest in moving Granger – and why would they? He is far and away their best player – not mention their most marketable. To move him for Flynn and cap space would kill that franchise.
Not at all
Granger will bring them nowhere. He’s basically their version of Big Al. As long as he’s on the team they’ll wind up with picks in the 8+ range and likely miss out on star talent while never actually being good enough to compete. They really need to dump him for assets and start rebuilding around their younger guys, otherwise they’re just prolonging the inevitable.
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."
I respectfully disagree
Granger seems like a player you can absolutely build around. Indiana actually showed some signs of life as the season progressed last year and will have a ton of salary falling off the books after the 2010-11 season. I can’t imagine them trading Granger for Flynn and cap space. I’m not saying they wouldn’t be open to trading him – but I would assume it would need to be a package that would blow them away.
Eh, no disrespect meant at all
But I really don’t think he’s a guy you build around. He’s a #2/3 player at best, somewhere between Al and Pau Gasol. I’m not saying they should dump him for Flynn and space, but if they were smart they’d already be shopping him unless they think they have a true star hiding on their roster somewhere.
Their W/L record ever since he joined, starting in 05/06: 41/41, 35/47, 36/46, 36/46, 32/50. A star he is not, and the longer they hold on to that delusion, the worse it will be for their franchise.
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."
Because
we don’t already have enough long, athletic shooting wings
You are very adamant on your point
I’m saying it. I think Kahn and Indy have something worked out where Flynn and cap room are en route to Indy for Granger.
I don’t see any evidence supporting your statement. But your user name demands respect. Any relation to Purple Pussy Eater?
Summer League is irrelevant unless it validates my opinion
by Son of Gerald Green on Jul 21, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
My Bad.
I had no idea that evidence was something needed to make a drunken, optimistic grab at thin air in the wee hours of the night on a fan site. Thanks for the clarification. I’ll try to get multiple sources on my semi-delusional guesses in the future.
I’ve never heard of this Purple Pussy Eater, and assume we aren’t related. But I have no evidence of such . . . And I imagine Eater isn’t his given surname. So I think I’ll abstain from answering the question on the grounds that what I say might indeed be folly. Thanks for keeping me in line.
PS: I loved your dad in Summer League this year. Have you any evidence that he’s your real dad, though. I mean, he must be like 25, how young could you be?
by TheFlingerofPoo on Jul 22, 2010 1:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Not your bad at All!
And an awesome response. I just wanted to make a joke about your user name (and the underlying joke being my user name is more ridiculous – but I decide to throw stones from the window of my beautiful house made of glass)
I hope you’re right on Flynn!
What goes on between my Dad and I is my business. Please don’t be like my so-called real “parents”, who for many years denied that my actual parents are one John F. Kennedy (he was a politician, from Rhode Island I think) and the late Marilyn Monroe (the actress). Oh sure, the man and woman that raised me are nice people (I guess), and perhaps they are getting through to me. Because watching Gerald Green on the TV go 1 for 7 with 4 turnovers I now realize that he, one Mr. Green, is the man that brought me into this world, and when wherever we end up, whether it’s the 8th man on a the Belgrade Tigers in the Euroleague, winning the dunk contest for Yokomotiv Kuban, we’re going to survive with our heads held high and our feet on the ground
Summer League is irrelevant unless it validates my opinion
by Son of Gerald Green on Jul 22, 2010 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah,
Family dynamics. Always complex.
Does Gerald still have the hops to take the Yokomotiv Kuban dunk contest? I’ve heard great things about some of their Hmoung players’ bounceability.
I don’t believe in the Flynn thing happening right now, because, you know, I’m not drinking. But tonight around one-ish, I shall believe all over again. Delusion-juice, I call it.
by TheFlingerofPoo on Jul 23, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I dont think Flynn goes anywhere....
Until next year. Flynn is still thier insurance policy against Rubio not coming over here. They’re not going to trade Flynn until Rubio has his Twolves uni in his locker.
Sure, just another brilliant example of Khan
dealing guys when their value is at their lowest. Wait until you’ve signed a guy’s obvious replacement and have (at minimum) 3 point guards on the roster. Then proceed to do some dumb interviews where you make it clear that you’re going to have to trade one of said guys. Then watch the big offers pour on in. It worked with Al and it’s certainly a stunning strategy with Ramon right now. And next year, with Flynn, when the whole world knows we have to move him, what kind of value is to be expected?
by TheFlingerofPoo on Jul 23, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
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