Canis Hoopus: FanShots

An Early Mock Draft via Hoops Hype

Peter W — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:25:08 -0000

An Early Mock Draft via Hoops Hype

With the 3rd pick in the 2009 draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select...Demar DeRozan, a 6-6 Freshman SG from USC. Hmm...if we pick third again in next year's draft, I think it would be a significant letdown. Randy Wittman probably will be fired, and McHale will say it was someone else's fault.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are seeking energetic, can-do interns to aid the manager of Interactive...

wyn — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:33:15 -0000

The Minnesota Timberwolves are seeking energetic, can-do interns to aid the manager of Interactive Services and the senior vice president of marketing and communications with implementing the interactive media strategies and objectives for the Minnesota Timberwolves in social networking environments. This position will assist with updating official Minnesota Timberwolves online social networking sites, as well as monitoring external online social activities (blogs, forums, message boards, etc). Additionally, interns will provide daily reports on the "buzz" surrounding the Timberwolves to management.

Looks like the Wolves want an intern to deal with the Internet and provide "Daily Buzz" activity reports. Hat tip to True Hoop

Frankly, I think the Wolves would do better to invest in professional help with their Internet ventures if they want to get more involved with social networking. Maybe they have people like that, but the clunky, busy and inconsistent interface of their website says to me that they don't.

Matthew Yglesias is a top-of-the-line political blogger and is covering the RNC here in the Twin...

wyn — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:53:46 -0000

Matthew Yglesias is a top-of-the-line political blogger and is covering the RNC here in the Twin Cities. He's also a huge basketball fan. He also called our return for KG "spare parts." I now question his knowledge on hoops.

Has anyone seen other new ads around the Cities? Feel free to send photos/hatemail to canishoopus[at]gmail[dot]com

13. Randy Foye 6’4" Age: 24 He’s going to be good. As he continues to rehab from knee surgery, he ...

wyn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:25:17 -0000

13. Randy Foye 6’4" Age: 24

He’s going to be good. As he continues to rehab from knee surgery, he can only get better. He’s even starting to make Kevin McHale look good (not easy) by playing at around the same level as the man he was traded for—Brandon Roy.

Looking at guys like Tony Allen and Amare Stoudamire come back from serious knee injurious breeds confidence in the way modern medicine is able to deal with these problems.

A couple more years and maybe he and Shaun Livingston will be breaking down the doors of the top echelon of my list.

The Bleacher Report put's Foye at 13 in the Top 25 list of point guards to build around. I appreciate the compliment, but it might be a bit high.

Hardwood Paroxysm: The 2008-2009 NBA Blogger Table of Elements

wyn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:38:51 -0000

Hardwood Paroxysm: The 2008-2009 NBA Blogger Table of Elements

Canis Hoopus is 78 on the table, woo-hoo! By the way, if you don't read Hardwood Paroxysm, you're truly missing out. They have a great combination of humor and general NBA news and analysis. Definitely worth your read.

HoopsWorld 2009 Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

wyn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:32:52 -0000

HoopsWorld 2009 Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

Individual player predictions on ESPN

Wim (Belgium) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:16:57 -0000

Individual player predictions on ESPN

No love for Ricky No D on biggest negative impact it seems. They aren't paying attention.

Minnesota has a different look this season -- and they got new uniforms, too. By acquiring...

wyn — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:43:09 -0000

Minnesota has a different look this season -- and they got new uniforms, too. By acquiring sharpshooter Mike Miller and rookie big man Kevin Love for draftee O.J. Mayo, the Wolves have put some nice new pieces around Al Jefferson. But the improvement will be incremental at best.

ESPN's Summer Forecast has the Wolves 13th in the West. Hat tip to Hardwood Paroxysm

8) Al Jefferson—Minnesota Timberwolves Jefferson’s undersized, and is a center only on the Tim...

wyn — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:22:53 -0000

8) Al Jefferson—Minnesota Timberwolves

Jefferson’s undersized, and is a center only on the Timberwolves, but the man is powerful near the basket and is a threat for 20-plus points against any defender.

His defense improved last year, but is still a problem, as is passing, and stretching his offensive game out beyond ten feet.

Still, A.J. has developed into a reliable rebounder and post scorer on a team with absolutely no other offense. He’s the last guy on the list capable of someday being a good team’s centerpiece.

Not sure how I missed it, but Erick Blasco at the Bleacher Report names Al among the Top 30 NBA Centers. I don't have a huge problem with many of the 7 guys ahead of Al, but I don't really see how Andrew Bynum beats out Al. What's your list look like?

Another interview: Gomes

Wim (Belgium) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:47:49 -0000

Another interview: Gomes

Another interview with one of the players. This time: Gomes.

I'm always happy to hear this guy, he seems such a bright minded guy. Not just saying what he should say but really telling what he thinks. Love the guy

When you’re the reigning world champions, you can afford to take some chances. That’s what the Cel...

Stop-n-Pop — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:01:15 -0000

When you’re the reigning world champions, you can afford to take some chances.

That’s what the Celtics [team stats] did by signing free agent forward Darius Miles yesterday. Miles, a 6-foot-9 forward, hasn’t played in the NBA for two years due to microfracture surgery on his right knee.

Terms of the deal were not announced.

"Darius has been in twice for workouts with us and has impressed us with his progress, health and attitude," Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "Darius will have the next couple of months to prove to myself and coach (Doc) Rivers that he can help us win."

From the Boston Herald. Danny Ainge scratches Kevin McHale's back for a change by jacking up Portland's salary cap.

Celtics Sign Darius Miles

wyn — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:25:54 -0000

Celtics Sign Darius Miles

WOW

So, What IS Going on with Shaun Livingston? - Clips Nation

wyn — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:35:24 -0000

So, What IS Going on with Shaun Livingston? - Clips Nation

With all of our talk about the Wolves looking at Livingston, I figured you might be interested in what fellow SB Nation bloggers have to say.

Looking for some K-Love gear? Look no further than The Blowtorch

wyn — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:20:06 -0000

Looking for some K-Love gear? Look no further than The Blowtorch

Minnesota Timberwolves Let's be real honest here: no one expects a dang thing from the...

wyn — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:40:55 -0000

Minnesota Timberwolves

Let's be real honest here: no one expects a dang thing from the Timberwolves in 2008-09. Every expert you poll will place them fighting for fourth place in the Northwest Division with the Oklahoma City TBAs, trailing the Denver Nuggets and far behind the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. Still, this team could surprise with a lot of young talent. Guard Rashad McCants was a scoring machine in college, but hasn't been healthy yet in the NBA for an extended period of time. When he has been healthy he has put in the points. Forward Mike Miller is one of the best shooters in the league and should top 20 points a game on this team. Guard Randy Foye, although a bit of a tweener guard, can score on anyone and is once again healthy after last season's knee injury.

And oh yes, Al Jefferson should be an All-Star threat this season at power forward, a bona fide 20-point, 10-rebound machine. Understandably there are concerns about post defense with Jefferson in the middle and rookie power forward Kevin Love by his side, but both of those players will keep the glass lean and hustle every second they are on the floor. Points are not going to be a problem for the Wolves. Even if everything goes right they probably won't be a playoff contender, but 35 wins isn't outside the realm of possibility.

The Most Upside... Team Edition -

Starting today and continuing for two weeks, the Timberwolves will have nine of their top players...

wyn — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:50:05 -0000

Starting today and continuing for two weeks, the Timberwolves will have nine of their top players -- including Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, Kevin Love, Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, Corey Brewer, Chris Richard and Mike Miller -- working out every day at Target Center. They will be around until Labor Day, take 10 days off, then resume workouts out until training camp opens.

The Wolves would like to invite former Michigan State guard Drew Neitzel, who was on their summer league team, to camp, but he signed a contract with the Artland Dragons in Germany.

A decision hasn't been made whether to sign free agent Kirk Snyder, but with Miller here, coach Randy Wittman said Snyder is not likely to sign.

Torrid Kubel is back in his slugging form

Sam Cassell wishes to express that he has giant testicles through the art of pantomime

wyn — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:44:25 -0000

Sam Cassell wishes to express that he has giant testicles through the art of pantomime

Pretty amazing blog post from this Spring.

The preseason schedule is out. Here it is: Oct. 6 at Milwaukee Oct. 8 vs. Oklahoma City at...

wyn — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:15:01 -0000

The preseason schedule is out. Here it is:

Oct. 6 at Milwaukee

Oct. 8 vs. Oklahoma City at Billings, MT

Oct. 10 at Denver

Oct. 14 at Chicago

Oct. 16 at Toronto

Oct. 19 vs. Denver at Bismarck, N.D.

Oct. 22 vs. Chicago at Target Center

Oct. 23 vs. Milwaukee at Target Center

On the Wolves " Blog Archive " Billings, Bismarck, here they come!

WoW: Is Minnesota the Worst Franchise in the History of the League?

jianfu — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:56:23 -0000

WoW: Is Minnesota the Worst Franchise in the History of the League?

An interesting approach to an interesting question. But it's not all negative. He rather likes the Wolves' core of Al, Miller, and Love.

4 women sue Taylor Corp. unit over firings; firm seeks dismissal - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

wyn — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:32:02 -0000

4 women sue Taylor Corp. unit over firings; firm seeks dismissal - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

Whoa... Didn't know this was going on over at 'ole Taylor Corp.