Wolves Updates 8/23
by SG on Aug 23, 2010 1:39 PM CDT
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Rubio impresses against Team USA, Love expected to be fine after hitting head and more
UPDATE:
From John Schuhmann's twitter account:
Kevin Love expected to be fine. USA staff says if the next game wasn't the night after he hit his head, he would have been fine to play.
From Paul Logothetis/AP Sports: Ricky Rubio impresses in Spain loss to US
Ricky Rubio continued to impress despite Spain's 86-85 loss to the United States in a friendly game Sunday.
The teenage point guard scored seven points and had three assists for Spain, and proved to be a key player at the "Magic Box" center down the stretch thanks to impressive dribbling and no-look passes.
While Kevin Durant managed to block Rubio's last-gasp attempt at the close, the Oklahoma City forward came away impressed from his first brush with the 19-year-old.
"He's an amazing defender, that's one thing that stood out to me is how well he pressured the ball and disrupted our offense," said Durant, who led the game with 25 points. "He's flashy, he's crafty as well and the passes he did tonight were kind of amazing."
From Jason Richardson's twitter account:
Watching USA basketball vs Spain, Ricky Rubio is making me a believer. Didn't know he could play that good on both ends of the floor.
From Sid Hartman:
Timberwolves 2009 first-round draft choice Ricky Rubio scored seven points and added three assists for Spain in its 86-85 loss to Team USA on Sunday in Madrid, a warmup contest in preparation for the world championships.
Among people Rubio impressed was Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke coach who is coaching the United States. Coach K said he expects Rubio, 19, to be a great NBA guard as he continues to grow. Krzyzewski's Team USA faced Rubio and Spain in the finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"He's gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he's a pass-first guard, he's going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Krzyzewski told the Associated Press. "He's improved his shooting and he's not afraid."
From SI.com: FIBA 2010 Players To Watch
Ricky Rubio
Guard, Spain
Just 19, Ricky Rubio is already regarded as one of the most talented point guards in the world. The flashy Spaniard was drafted fifth by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009, but remains in Europe for myriad reasons. In an exhibition versus Team USA on Aug. 22, Rubio finished with seven points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists in 21 minutes. He helped his national team win a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and snag a gold medal at the 2009 FIBA European Championship.
From Dwight Jaynes/The Godfather:
After watching Ricky Rubio yesterday, it looks to me as if Kahn, the Minnesota general manager and the man who drafted Rubio, is handling the whole situation exactly right. What’s the hurry in getting Rubio over here?
From Paul Forrester/SI.com: Q&A with 'Wolves big man Love
SI.com: Fair enough. How about their floor plan with all the new players?
Love: A lot of the guys are going to have to figure out different positions, different reads in the triangle offense, which I think coach [Kurt Rambis] is going to try to implement again because that's what he came from with Phil [Jackson]. He may also implement some new offensive schemes as well. It's going to be tough because we kind of blew up the team again, so we're going to have to rebuild that chemistry.
From Donna Ditota/The Post-Standard: Fans wait in long lines to get Wes Johnson's autograph (Video)
From Michael Washbourne/PerthNow:
THE Perth Wildcats will pit themselves against an all-star Lakeside Lightning team featuring prolific NBA journeyman Anthony Tolliver this week.
Tolliver, a power forward and centre who recently signed a two-year $4.5 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, will be the star attraction for the Lakeside All Stars in three exhibition games against the reigning NBL champions.
From Chris Broussard and John Hollinger/ESPN:
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
The more things change: Losing the best player on a 15-win team is no big deal, so bye-bye Al Jefferson. Now, the Wolves' most talented player, though perhaps not their best, is Michael Beasley, who's already had a duffle bag's worth of controversy in his disappointing two-year career. While you hope Beasley can turn it around in Minny, it just doesn't seem like the place to build a problem child into a professional. Elsewhere on the roster, Luke Ridnour replaces Ramon Sessions. Ho-hum. Both are truly backups.
The more they stay the same: The Timberwolves remain, undisputedly, the worst team and franchise in the league. Since Kevin Garnett left for brighter days in Boston three years ago, the Timberwolves have become a joke. They're overstocked at point guard, yet all of them are mediocre, and perhaps the best of the bunch (Ricky Rubio) refuses to play for them, choosing instead to remain in Europe. The one bright spot is Kevin Love, but even he's not bright enough to overcome the darkness covering this club.
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Chris Broussard and John Hollinger......
Sensationalism is rampant within the ranks of sports reporters. Its funny how now Rubio refuses to play for us, as far as targets go the T wolves are at the novice level. Every pen in the country has to get their shot in……..We are not playoff bound, but we will surprise…..30 wins would be just that.
"My buyout? I don’t know…eet eez very compleecated." -Ricky Rubio (when asked about his contract)
#^$&*#@ ESPN
How much longer until none of their content is available unless you are an Insider?
Not having read the full article to get their take, I am baffled why the “experts” think that the Cavs and Raptors will be anything but the 29th and 30th teams by a long shot. I keep thinking it is due more to not wanting to pick on those two cities who have lost their superstars (for nothing in return) rather than anything rational. A historic drop off/crash awaits the Cavs and no seems willing to say this out loud.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 23, 2010 2:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah I agree especially coming from ESPN
The people the brought you the decision. I bet the higher up’s don’t want the writers to bash those teams after they got all that bad press for airing the decision.
Eddie Griffin's Corpse ??
That shit is funny
Runaway train, never coming back
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually feel that name is in pretty poor taste.
But I guess I won’t tell you not to use it. It’s better than “Malik Sealy’s Corpse,” I guess. Barely.
by princelyfrank on Aug 23, 2010 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Griffin killed himself
Sealy was killed. Difference.
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Ipecac and rotten eggs taste different
But they both taste bad.
Eddie Griffin had issues that were tragically left undealt with.
But I’m with losDelFuego on this. Your choice.
I looked ahead to the open road, thought about the people and what they know, and wrote a book called "People Don't Know Nothin!"
by Bahlgren1 on Aug 23, 2010 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
i also find it to be in poor taste
but, call yourself whatever you want. i don’t have to like it.
Everyone take a breath.
by losDelFuego on Aug 23, 2010 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
poor taste
with eddie, it has to taste like alcohol
win some, lose more
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I don't like your name either, bro.
But it’s your choice . . .
by MNPhatz on Aug 23, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's repugnant
so great of you to join yesterday in order to drag Eddie Griffen through the mud and make stupid jokes at his expense.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Aug 24, 2010 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
biggitybiggityboomboom
win some, lose more
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 24, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Soon, the meaningful category will be "outsiders."
They’re painting us into a corner.
"As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way." RWE
tom dooley paint your ragon wed, tom dooley
reminds me of that song
win some, lose more
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay, so what should happen to Kahn if
he is ultimately unable to land the Spanish Fly?
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
by Flagrant on Aug 23, 2010 3:02 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Check this out
Shocking Reunion: Kwame Brown Signs With Michael Jordan’s Bobcats. Now will the media vilify MJ. I think not
If Ricky rocks at the FIBA fest
Then this season would be the time to sell.So far with the rave reviews it would seem that Ricky would have really good value and if there is any doubt about him coming over to the Wolves this would be the time to sell. Have to be a very good offer though: a 1st rounder from a team where you would know it is a top 6 or 7 pick or a proven young gun.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 23, 2010 3:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
wolf fan revolt if rick traded. specially to burroughs
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions
too late then. leverage gone. strike with hot irons.
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
he will be here
I think that far too much has been made about his not wanting to play in Minnesota. If anyone really thinks that national media is going to be approaching this story honestly, they are fooling themselves. If Rubio is in a bigger market, the national media directly benefits in a cha-ching sort of way. Don’t trust the hype.
I want to see something tangible one way or the other and the last tangible thing I’ve seen was Rubio spending last summer working on a way to get to Minnesota (and succeeding actually) before ultimately deciding it was too expensive and his career would be better served maturing at home and keeping his money in his pocket. It’s a decision that is hard to argue against given his progress in the last year in Spain, his still young age and the incredibly high personal cost portion of his buyout at the time.
But back to the primary point, the ridiculous idea that we should trade Rubio’s rights at this point of the year. Besides the fact that Rubio’s value will only increase playing for Barcelona for another year, the Wolves would be better served in trading his rights after the draft lottery, when they can get a pick and know what it is going to be.
Grrr....stupid phone. And it is supposed to be a smart one.
Anyway,
I think that the current world championship is a big stage and with Calderon out Ricky’s stock could really be high. Probably a better stage than Spanish or Euro League if there is a desire to sell.
I would love to see Ricky playing for the Wolves since he is an exciting playmaker, but would hate to see him pull some type of diva crap and try to force a trade. We know he can just keep making good money in Spain and he is a rock star there.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 23, 2010 9:17 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He can make better money
here. That is why I think he comes over in two years, not next year. Kahn will give him $8-10 million a year to come, and he will be worth every penny in renewed interest, advertising, ratings, and wins. Do you really think Barca is going to pay him $50 million guaranteed to play 20 minutes a night for 30 some games? No, as long as Kahn and Rambis are in charge of this team Ricky will be here. In fact that is probably the trump card Kahn has up his sleeve to buy time until 2012 – his relationship with Ricky. As long as this roster continues on the direction that it is headed there is no other ‘young gun’ or prospect who makes more sense that Ricky Rubio. It is Rubio or bust, people. Come to ’Sota, Ricky, and discover just what being a rockstar means in the US of A.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Aug 24, 2010 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions
wrecked for sure.
phuckin' machine took my quarter.
by speed-racer on Aug 24, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
ricky might make sense for the woofies, but i think
he sees things from a different perspective. that is a kid who is looking at an opportunity to play in the nba, and he sees big market. that’s just my take.
i know you really, really want him to come here, and want to ‘believe’ it will all come down that way….but what is your contingency plan?
if that kid keeps getting better, he is going to understand his value only grows. his opportunity to be a big cog in a big wheel will certainly be obvious to him.
even if he is ‘cornered’ into signing a three year deal, why would he re-sign in minnesota? seems like a real long shot, to me. if i were him, i would have my eye on a few teams and push for that. i’m not trying to rain on your parade.
i’m only being realistic.
this team could become a real nice re-build without him, and the risk…
as long as they keep moving pieces and get some star talent.
phuckin' machine took my quarter.
What if Ricky decides the magic box
is where he wants to stay? What happens to Kahn?
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
At what point do you get nervous?
Seems to me he is going to wait until we get a better sense of what is happening with the CBA after next year. He could have every intention of joining the Wolves but not make the jump for another 2 years – meanwhile there will be speculation that he hasn’t decided if he wants to join the Wolves and some will maintain that he wants to play elsewhere. It will be a PR mine field for the front office.
by Breaking Ankles on Aug 23, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he CBA will change
I don’t think they will allow a player to sit out after being drafted so that that player will no be on the rookie scale. remember Glenn is on the board of directors I don’t think he would let that fly.
Not sure
I don’t think Gelnn will do anything to hurt his chances of getting rubio over here asap. i was referring more to the possibility of not having a 2011-2012 season or if that possibility exists before he needs to opt out of his current contract that would weigh on his decision.
by Breaking Ankles on Aug 23, 2010 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions
There will be a season.
owners will not get everything and players will concede a few things like the cap will go down and the length of contracts will be shorten and maybe the luxury tax will be stiffer. instead of dollar for dollar maybe dollar for every 2
I hope so
but i think the miami free agency coup will resonate with the owners. i think they are going to try to address how to prevent further player collaboration in free agency. When will they try to address it is the question to me – that could really muddy up the negotiations amongst the owners themselves before a proposal gets to the player association.
by Breaking Ankles on Aug 23, 2010 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
The owners can do nothing to prevent another “Miami” situation from happening. They certainly can’t get rid of free agency. They can’t prevent players from befriending each other. They can’t prevent players from speaking with one another about their preferred free agency destinations. The absolute most they could do is impose fines against players for talking about players that are currently under contract with other teams – in the same way that front office personnel are fined for talking about players that are under contract with other teams. Anything more than that is likely to result in an Anti-Trust lawsuit against the league.
Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric? That's ridiculous! I would never have traded Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric.
- Sam Cassell on McHale's decisions while running the Timberwolves.
At what point do you get nervous?
why get nervous, trade his rights this season for some actual progress now.
at the verrrry least, they should be quietly floating offers and drumming up potential deals.
It will be a PR mine field for the front office.
then steer clear of the mine field and save your….um….sack.
phuckin' machine took my quarter.
The front office has been tiptoeing
…through landmines for the last two years. Actually, not tiptoeing, but rather stumbling with combat boots.
Regardless, we have a very cool core, with Ricky in the wings. Nice place to be.
you've got the right to practice any faith you wish, timmuggs...
p.s. i dropped you some funny video links to check out in your other reply.
phuckin' machine took my quarter.
Thank you
for being the first to actually respond to my question. Also, what happens to Kahn if he can not land the star player he hitched his wagon to?
Breaking down cognitive dissonance and group think since gasoline was cheap.
Yeah but I responded to your question with a question
Not sure on Kahn in that scenario. Many people have mentioned that he is gone at that point and I think Gelln (thank you Eddie Griffin’s Corpse…) would be justified to fire him. However, I just don’t see Gelln making that move after 3 or 4 years. He held onto McHale years after he should have seen his incompetence. Perhaps he gets too personally tied to the decisions and has a hard time making personnel moves because he feels the mistakes are partially his own fault.
by Breaking Ankles on Aug 24, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Seems to me that Kahn has improved a lot lately
Probably due to his enforced vacation from the microphone.
If he can just stay away from mikes, he will do just fine. His moves are mostly very good, occasionally brilliant. It’s when he starts talking in public that he looks like a - ummm, I won’t say.
He needs that element of mystery about him that only staying quiet can deliver. Then people will talk about his good moves, rather than his persona.
Truly, I never ever thought that going into this year we’d have a respected and high profile coaching staff, Beasley, some good wing talent to develop, a very talented Euro big, plus another one in development, a Good Housekeeping Seal Of Approval from Milicic, the talent duopoly at PF solved, plus a young PF talent like Tolliver, and tons of cap space and flexibility.
And no one else gets the credit for that except Kahn — except Rambis and Ronzone, and there Kahn gets 5 stars for listening, and not screwing up our flexibility to make further moves.
See? Absence makes the heart — and so on. The virtues of keeping one’s mouth shut.
Anyway, with Ricky becoming a superstar and Kahn owning his rights, we are golden and Kahn gets credit for that.
How exactly are the Wolves 'overstocked' at PG?
If, as all the writers like to say, Rubio isn’t going to play for the Wolves, the Wolves have Ridnour and Flynn under contract. If Rubio comes over, guess what, that’s only 3 PGs under contract. Is the expectation that the Wolves will only have one PG on the team, a true backup at that, until Rubio can come over next year?
some teams have 3 pg's
Dallas has 3 Portland has 3 I can go on and on
chalmers, house, beverly
plus bron. heat are pointed up.
by Eddie Griffin's Corpse on Aug 23, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
And with Flynn’s injury, the Wolves really only have one. The point guard line needs to stop. It’s just false.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
I don’t think anyone is banking on him being on the roster once the season starts. He won’t put on a Wolves jersey this year.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
I wouldn't be so sure
With Flynn’s injury likely keeping him out for a month or two into the season, there is a very good chance we keep Telfair at this point. Not sure there’s anyone else that plays the point right now, and certainly can’t play Ridnour every minute for 1-2 months.
I thought the talk was dumping Bassy and taking a flyer on a D-League kid, but that might not actually happen. In any event, Telfair is not part of anything even resembling long term plans.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
Wonder who Ridiculous Upside would choose for us....
"As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way." RWE
Uh huh
Kevin Love expected to be fine. USA staff says if the next game wasn’t the night after he hit his head, he would have been fine to play.
How many garbage minutes exactly were that going to be?
Yea that is annoying
You’d think a big man that can rebound and pass would be a very valuable asset against Euro teams. I don’t get why he hasn’t played more.
I am sorry to say this but
He is only on that team because all the good players would not or could not play. Plus he does not fit the mode of coach K wants Coach K wants . Athletic guys that can run the floor. look at the 2008 team usa Melo and James both played power forward.I maybe wrong but I don’t think love is going to get significant time.
I don’t think he’s going to get time, either. It’s obnoxious to hear Coach K talk about the team’s size disadvantage and how they’re going to get beat on the boards and then actively make those problems worse by leaving one of his only 3 bigs on the bench. Even if you aren’t a huge Love fan, I think most people can acknowledge that he’s at least a good player in the right role. Team USA has that role available, but Coach K has locked into the idea that this team needs to play like the Redeem Team to win. If he didn’t think Love was a good fit, he shouldn’t have brought him. There were fast, stretch 4s available when he was assembling the roster, and he chose Love over those guys. It’s frustrating to see Love sit on the bench when they could really use him for 15 minutes or so per game, just because he doesn’t fit the style Coach K was hoping to have when the tourney started.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
LMA, Rashard Lewis, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Anthony Randolph, Mike Beasley, Channing Frye, and any number of bigger 3s would have been fine, too. The point being, if Coach K only wants to give minutes to guys who “fit,” he should have left Love at home and grabbed someone who fit his philosophy better.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
chuckd79, that's not true
there are a lot of other PFs who are not on that team. Sure if Lopez is healthy maybe Love is not on the team, but it’s still a good thing to be selected, over many other players.
it’s not like Love was the last choice. I’m sure if Love got hurt 1 month ago the team would have picked up some other professional player.
Coach K: Oh shit, Love is injured.
D’Antoni: we have to fill that roster spot.
Coach K: Well, let’s head to down to the local YMCA and see if we can spot anyone in a pick up game. Love was our absolute last choice in the NBA so we have to get creative to find his replacement.
I would drive 10 miles to hear fucktwats sing.
what is this ESPN you talk of?
I am only aware of BSPN.
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Aug 24, 2010 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like it. Low expectations can keep us under the radar. No one will be looking
when we steal their lunch.
Wolves will top expectations
The National media is being lazy with their PG-loaded/Darko hating stereotypes. It’s fun and easy to write that way.
Wolves will win 25-30. Still not great. But not the league low. Would be great to follow that with a 1st time ever lottery win.
Sorry, Stern has the lottery rigged :)
The Wolves will get the first overall pick when they are ice skating in hell.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 24, 2010 11:09 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The lottery
is rigged to prop up big-market teams and dying markets. San Antonio was a dying market when they won the Tim Duncan lottery. Seattle was dying and Portland was the only other team that could maintain interest in the pacific northwest if Seattle died. Washington was in serious need of a new face for their franchise this year – when your team is best known for having the face of the franchise pull guns on a teammate over a gambling debt, you best believe that help is on the way. That kind of a situation makes you wonder why they even bothered to change the name of the team.
What we need here is a legitimate threat to the future existence of the franchise. If that happens we just might find ourselves with the top pick in the draft – unless Toronto has an even bigger meltdown.
Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric? That's ridiculous! I would never have traded Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric.
- Sam Cassell on McHale's decisions while running the Timberwolves.
The puppetmaster/commish
doesn’t have that low of a level of morals that I mentioned (at least I hope not), but the lottery should go away. The other three pro sports are fine with the worst team getting the 1st pick.
It seems crazy that a team can barely miss the playoffs and still have a possibility to get a top pick in the draft. I would assume that if a team barely misses the playoffs they are a pretty good team and that it is the bad teams that need the top picks to get better.
Another great example was the Heat getting the 2nd pick in 2008. They already had a superstar in Wade, but due to injury the team was in the lottery and got lucky. Sure Beasley wasn’t a world beater for them, but it would have been nice to see the 2nd worst team get the 2nd pick.
The Nets were really close to the history books last year and instead of getting a franchise changing PG, they have a big that will hopefully be good in a few years.
In basketball it seems that we talk about 1 or 2 player drafts often times and having a good team in the hunt for the top talent is far from fair.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 25, 2010 8:32 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
As to morals
Stern would do whatever he had to to make the league successful. And I mean anything.
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Aug 25, 2010 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
And the owners as well
They realize that what is good for the NBA is good for them.
Just tough as a fan to even think that such things could happen.
by hoopsfan1 on Aug 25, 2010 10:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
+1
Knowing the success the league had during the 90’s when one team dominated thoroughly, and the 80’s when two rival teams vied for greatness, it seems only logical for the league to want to build truly great teams. This is why I believe there is no real outrage over the Miami free agency coup this summer. The NBA just gained the attention of plenty of casual fans by forming another team that everyone wants to watch – some hoping for the best and others hoping for the worst, but all interested in seeing what happens.
Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric? That's ridiculous! I would never have traded Sam Cassell for Marko Jaric.
- Sam Cassell on McHale's decisions while running the Timberwolves.
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