I Haven't Forgotten My Password
by Stop-n-Pop on Sep 3, 2010 8:50 PM CDT
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PrintA few quick words of advice for those of you looking to do some home remodeling: It's going to take 2 months longer than you think it will and you will find 10 more things that need to be fixed. You will also end up spending thousands of dollars more than you first thought you would.
On the bright side of things, the madness is almost over. We are a counter top away from being done. Unfortunately, it's the 3rd counter top that we've had measured, and we've gone through 2 different service providers in order to find someone that actually can get a real measurement on our cabinets...but, that's another story altogether.
I just wanted to drop a few random thoughts on the state of the Wolves and to start to get back into a writing mode before the team starts up training camp right here in my backyard.
- How nice is it that David Kahn has been forced into silence with a hefty fine? Thank you Mike Beasley. You are a magic man. Perhaps we can get David Stern to drop off a $50-100k fine on the POBO every 6 months or so to ensure that he doesn't feel the need to start mouthing off again.
- Pipers and Muskies? No thanks. I love Minny basketball and I am a child of the 80s, but it's pretty hard to get nostalgic about a team that started up in 89.
- Kevin Love is the pre-Rubio face of the franchise. Check out the merchandise page....well, not this one. At least they still don't have Gerald Green on the NBA page like they did a year ago.
- Kevin Love is really, really good.
- Now that David Kahn has shut up, it's probably a whole lot easier for media members to realize that he actually has a decent plan to build around Rubio. It's hard to give credit to a douche and once you stop reminding people that you are a douche, things start to look upwards. Ricky Rubio + Kevin Love + massively athletic swingmen who can shoot the 3 isn't that bad of an idea.
- Ricky Rubio is really, really good for a 19 year old point guard.
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Good to have you back, Snp!
I hope the time away from the site has helped restore some of your trademark enthusiasm and love for the game. I, for one, am getting excited and looking forward to some actual competitive basketball this season.
I’m emotionally prepared for another bad record, but as long as we see the young guys improving, a few wins, and an appearance that Rambis is actually trying to win some games, I am determined to look on the bright side and enjoy the good things.
This World Championship tournament has been great to watch, too! Here’s hoping for a Spain/USA Rubio/Love deathmatch that will eventually lead to best friendship, in the style of the immortal Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed.
by princelyfrank on Sep 3, 2010 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I haven't forgotten your password either
oops. Welcome back.
"Silence is golden but duct tape is silver." ---Anon.
Remodel or move to Hawaii
We opted for the latter this summer. It still was a lot of work, but we are looking forward to winter ;)
This is the most positive spin you’ve had on the wolves in awhile SNP. Is it the remodel completion talking or true optimism???
It's watching Rubio play...
….and imagining what he would do with uber athletes on the wing while Love grabs every rebound in sight.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
Exactly, getting that nr5 for Foye+Miller is even more highway robbery than the Love trade…
by Wim (Belgium) on Sep 4, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
yep
it’s hard to believe that he’s a teenager who has been playing pro ball for about 5 years now.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
Greece vs. Spain today
While I’m excited about Ricky, I have to say his performance in the Worlds has been decidedly mixed. He is among the leaders in assists per game (he is the leader on a per minute basis) and he’s kept the turnovers down too. But his shooting has been horrific and his team has underperformed. A win over Greece today with a strong performance from Ricky would be good to see.
I don't see the agressive moves to the hoop
but that could be Euroleague style. I hate the way they have openings to the hoop, drive and kick
when they have easy slams if they would man it in. Also, Ricky’s shot outside is absent.
Maybe he does need more time. But I hate that coaching style; it seems to be a confidence
killer. Eorostyle is not aggressive enough.
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
Don't forget Australia/Slovakia - excitement plus
David Andersen going beautifully. If only Kahn had listened to me.
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.
David Andersen
…is a free agent now, I think. No, he’s with the Raptors. At least we know the cold doesn’t bother him ;)
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
Rascal, you need to read the twolvescentral forum. There is a Spaniard wolves fan(ibericwolf) who explains that the coaching of Spain’s team is sorely lacking.
The most recent thread
Is here. IbericWolf has been consistent about not liking the coach since before the tourney.
There are some universals among basketball fans, and one of them is that when the team isn’t looking well, fans think the coach’s rotations are bizarre. Whether that’s accurate in any given situation is a question.
"As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way." RWE
After watching Vazquez in that game
and then looking at his stats over the tourney, it seems like he’s been getting the Kevin Love treatment. Why is he not starting next to Gasol instead of Garbajosa? That would create some serious mismatch problems. Oh yeah, but I guess it’s FIBA law that power forwards do not exist, only centers, wings, and point guards. Sheesh, I don’t get it.
by Rascal Flatts on Sep 5, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
For sure
I do like Garbajosa though too. But having an addiitional 7 footer out there who can hit shots and is very athletic compared to Gasol’s inside/slow paced game would be a giant mismatch against every team, including ours.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 5, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Good post
Good to have you back, and enjoy the new kitchen.
I agree 100% with your assessment of the team. And I agree 200% with your assessment of Kahn.
It’s amazing how clamping his lips shut has improved his reputation. I think there is a plan, it is well executed, and this season will be fun, successful in the win column (I’m guessing 30-35 wins) and profitable for Taylor.
Now all Kahn has to do is keep silent and let Rambis & his coaches handle the press. Then maybe the press will begin to recognize what has been accomplished.
I look forward to articles coming out in about December that talk about how Kahn was not so stupid after all. But they will spin it somehow.
I can't imagine Kahn staying silent throughout the season...
I see it as more of a cycle…
Enforced Silence of Kahn = Improved reputation
Improved Reputation = Re-inflation of Kahn’s Ego
Re-inflation of Kahn’s Ego = Kahn Talking
Kahn Talking = Kahn Saying Stupid Things
Kahn Saying Stupid Things = Enforced Silence of Kahn
Lather, Rinse, Repeat
Talking myself into DeMarcus Cousins since 5/18/10
unfortunately...
….i think we’ll hear from him a lot if and when rubio actually makes it here….or, if they finally luck out in the lotto and get barnes or jones.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
As much as we lay into Kahn, this is one of those catch-22 situations.
The guy came into his position after Kevin Mac had spent a few seasons running in all-out bunker mode, and he tried to be more open with the media. We liked it, at first. He was doing what the fanbase wanted. Think about the reaction to his first couple of pressers.
This reminds me a little of Sprewell’s contract negotiations. People always talk about how we hate agents, how they’re ruining sports. Well, Latrell tried to do a contract without one, which is why he was the one looking like an idiot over his clumsy attempts at taking the usual stances. Years later everyone remembers the posturing. Agents are supposed to be the ones taking that heat. Meanwhile he didn’t have an agent to tell him what was market value and when to accede to accepting the latest offer, either.
Spree did what people always say they want, and got crucified. Kahn’s getting some backlash because he talked too much to a fanbase that said it wanted that. (Okay, and because he seems to have been actually drunk with ego in that 1500 interview.)
I wonder what Kahn’s next letter to the fans will be like.
"As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way." RWE
by feral on Sep 5, 2010 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I've been defending Kahn's plan for about a year now
and I think it is coming to fruition, or at least it is now fair to judge. Love is definitely a player, but Rambis has to use him correctly, which will probably be easier after trading Jefferson. Rubio isn’t a star yet, but if the 2010 draft was today and Rubio was available, he would be the 1st or 2nd pick.
The current team may not be the finished product (including Rubio next year), but they have about eight pieces to the final product. That said, the missing piece is a dynamic/star wing player (unless Beasley or Johnson become that player), which is the final piece and may be difficult to acquire, though they have enough parts and cap space to try to swing a deal.
Bottom line, the upside of this team is higher than at any time since even KG’s last couple years. Kahn deserves at least some of the credit for that, although Love was McHale’s guy. If Beasley can play the wing and reach his potential, this is a 50 win team two summers from now!
I think an athletic/long/tall 4/5 like Gasol/Lopez/Amare/Favors is the final piece
and is even more difficult to acquire. I think one of Johnson/Beasley will break out and become the 1b option on a championship team while the athletic 4/5 is the 1a option, with Rubio setting everything up.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 5, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
For shizzle
Unbelieveable player, the only knock on him is that he lacks a killer instinct, Shawn Kemp clone.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 6, 2010 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Sleeper pick this year...
John Henson, he’s been beefing up, has skill, needs a ton of strength still though, I think he turns out to be a Joakim Noah clone, good shot blocker, high BBIQ, can start the break off the dribble, good passing, ugly shot.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 6, 2010 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah yes
It’s never too early to get started on scouting out a potential Timberwolf lottery pick!
by Rascal Flatts on Sep 7, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I have been thoroughly unimpressed and underwhelmed
by Ricky Rubio. Against slower supposedly inferior talent he has come up inadequate. He has stayed in Europe for this time as he even knows he is over his head int he NBA.
He needs at least another year or two overseas and he better work on his jumper or he will be nothing more than a backup point guard in the NBA.
by Skeptic Con Urquel on Sep 4, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions
Inadequate
In what sense?
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."
don't feed the troll
we will all regret it.
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Sep 4, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know as much about basketball as you guys...
But the prime of a PGs career is between 26-31 years old and they usually keep improving until they reach prime. If Rubio improves at a normal rate he’ll be a cornerstone for a decade. I highly doubt the owner or head or marketing regret the draft pick. The fact is Rubio playing 2-3 years in Spain on there dime is the best thing that could happen to our team because we can stink for a few years and draft talent.
by fanslaststand on Sep 4, 2010 8:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
The fact that his game is IQ/Craftiness/skill based and isn't predicated around athleticism
will mean his prime will last much longer, ala Nash.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 5, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Glad you're back...
S&P.
And really, really glad Kahn was muzzled.
Look here junior, don't you be so happy.
And for Heaven's sake, don't you be so sad.
thanks, and yeah..
…that fine was the best thing that happened to the club all summer.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
Watch T'Wolves Draft-Pick Nemanja Belica, Serbia #8 Here:
Croatia vs Serbia
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
Why hasn't he gotten more playing time?
by running with Twolves (and scissors) on Sep 5, 2010 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Bjelica didn't get to much playing time because of coach Ivkovic strategy ...
… for this particular game (and whole tournament) and also he doesn’t playing very well this whole tournament.
In Serbian team, Ivkovic always selects 5 players on PF/C positions, and 7 players on PG/SG/SF positions. Bjelica is in the 2nd group.
In the first group we have 2 centers (Krstic, Perovic), 2 stretch forwards (Velickovic, Savanovic) and Macvan (PF/C with 3-point shot). This group of players has no big oscillation during tournament and is playing well. Even if Ivkovic has idea to use Bjelica on PF position (and he doesn’t) there is no need for this and Velickovic is clearly better player currently than Bjelica.
In the second 7-player group, there is one pure PG (Teodosic; has injured several fingers on his shooting hand), one PG forced to play SG because of the injuries in Serbian team (Rasic), one PG with bad shot (but very high basketball IQ and nice assists) that is too slow to guard opposing PG (Tepic), 2 defensive SG specialists (Markovic, Paunic), and 2 very talented SFs – Bjelica and Keselj. Keselj is in better shape on this tournament than Bjelica (plus he is playing next season for coach Ivkovic team in Greece, and Bjelica refuse to go there, instead he went to Spain).
If opposing teams are playing majority of time with 3 guards (like Croatia yesterday, or like Spain with Ricky, Navarro, and Rudy) that means less minutes for Bjelica who is little slow to guard player like Rudy.
Against Croatia, Serbian team played with 3 guards for 18 minutes (almost half of the game) , the remaining 22 minutes have been split 14 minutes Keselj, 8 minutes Bjelica.
Against Argentina, Serbian team played with 3 guards for 17 minutes (almost half of the game) , the remaining 23 minutes have been split 9 minutes Keselj, 14 minutes Bjelica.
You could expect similar pattern against Spain in quarter-final. Expect Bjelica to play 10-15 minutes. He is splitting 20-25 minutes with Keselj and Keselj is playing better whole tournament.
Actually that’s funny how Bjelica played perfect role in Serbian team on European Championship last year (after playing minor role even in his team Red Star), and this year he is lost (after being major player for Red Star). In Ivkovic strategy he is strictly role-player. This year he lose the edge (Red Star was playing their offense whole year through him – could be that he isn’t used to play small role anymore).
by andromeda on Sep 6, 2010 1:43 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Thanks, andromeda.
Very cool to have a poster with a look at Bjelica over time.
“A little slow” to guard Rudy Fernandez doesn’t surprise me too much. ;-)
Thx andromeda
Great stuff.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Sep 6, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Link
http://espn.go.com/espn3/index#
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
I'm sorry that there were times this off-season when I wanted to trade Love
for guys like Mayo and Anthony Randolph. Probably just post-lottery frustration. I think Love is going to be huge this year and I’m not talking his waistline. All-Star numbers and you can book that. Beasley and Johnson will have to duke it out for wingman supremacy, because I can’t envision Wes as the future SG of our team. We will have to address that position in the 2011 draft, likely Alec Burks or best case Harrison Barnes.
Still not counting on Rubio being a lock for 2011, but I’m hopeful.
and tagline...
No one is getting Rubio's rights unless they pry them from our cold dead fingers.
by TheEvilProfessor on Sep 6, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Harrison Barnes
is a SF, like Granger. He’s not quick enough to be a SG. Burks on the other hand….. I think his team will have to break out in order for him to get the exposure he needs to cement his place in the Lottery. I’m not real on high on him, see some of Portland’s pick Elliott Williams in him, 1st Rounder, yes, high lottery pick… IDK, not yet.
by NorthernLights666 on Sep 6, 2010 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions
LOVE is TEAM USA Secret Weapon
SECRET WEAPON? — Some wonder why big man Kevin Love is not playing more for Team USA. After all, he’s averaging 7.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 10.4 minutes while shooting 59.3 percent.
It has been suggested Love is being saved to be unleashed on foes in the knockout round. He doesn’t mind that characterization.
“I’m the secret weapon,’’ he said.
Love doesn’t mind that he is tied with center Tyson Chandler for having played the least minutes on the team. He said Team’s USA’s three big men — starting center Lamar Odom, Chander and Love — all provide different looks and who plays might be tailored to what the Americans need.
“Tyson goes in and block shots and rebounds and gets putbacks and alley-oops,‘’ Love said. "There’s another look for Lamar. He’s unorthodox and left-handed. Wherever I fit in, I just want to win the gold medal.’’
Like Odom, Love can go inside and out, although Love is the better outside shooter. Though both are 6-foot-10, Love doesn’t have the length of Odom. But Love has been a better rebounder in the Worlds than his teammate, averaging 5.2 in 19.6 minutes.
USA 121 Angola 66
Love 8 pts and 6 boards 2-4 on fg and 3-3 on FT and 1-1 on 3pt attempts.
Good post, but...
…it’s hard to respect a write who uses the term douche. It has become so overused and is not that creative to begin with. I enjoy your writing for the most part, and am glad you have returned.
It was a bit over the top
Definitely not one of my more graceful moments. It should have been fleshed out to put it in the context of what local media clearly think of the guy in terms of their coverage. I know a lot of folks feel talked down to by the guy and perhaps “patronizing” was the route I should have taken. Live and learn, I suppose.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
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