Timberwolves Summer League Recap, Lynx Prepare for Chicago

Timberwolves News

The Timberwolves have been plenty busy with summer league, and there have been pros and cons to their time in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Minnesota is 1-3 after losing consecutive games to Chicago, Utah and Portland throughout the week.

Despite the losses, however, Wolves fans can be happy about several things seen over four games. Summer league win-loss records have to be taken with at least a few grains of salt, considering the rosters look entirely different than they will for the regular season. Most of these guys won't even be on the team, so it's hard to feel too disappointed if the chemistry isn't quite there. In my opinion, it doesn't have to be.

What summer league is good for, however, is to showcase the guys who will be suiting up for the regular season. This year, it's been especially great to get a look at new draft picks Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyus Jones. Jones is averaging 6.7 points and 1.3 assists per game over 22 minutes of playing time. The Minnesota native is shooting just 33 percent from the field, which is a bit low, but I'm not too concerned with the stats considering he'll be playing the backup PG role and be able to learn and develop behind Ricky Rubio.

Towns is playing incredibly well, averaging 13.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 42.4 percent. Personally, I find the most exciting aspect so far to be Towns' defensive performance. The No. 1 overall draft pick is two blocks and 5.3 defensive rebounds a game, which is hopeful for a team who ranked dead last in 2014 on that side of the floor.

One question on my mind over the past week has been who the Wolves will keep as an additional point guard. Even with Rubio and Jones, it's been alluded to that the team will want a third PG on the roster. Currently it seems that Lorenzo Brown--who joined toward the end of last season--will have a shot, and he's had a solid performance in Vegas.

The latest rumor, however, revolves around Minnesota adding a veteran PG to the roster. I'm personally a Luke Ridnour fan, and I would love to see him back in a Wolves jersey--especially because he'd come at such a low price. How can you not love the classic floating jumper de la Ridnour?

To see full summer league information for the Wolves, click here. Also, be sure to review David's posts on the week. 

Lynx News

• WNBA All-Star game: Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus were voted into the WNBA All-Star game as starters. According to Fox Sports, Moore ranked third in fan voting, bringing in 13,706 votes. Both Moore and Augustus have played in the All-Star game before; this will be Augustus' sixth time to the game but only her second time starting, whereas Moore will be a starter for the fourth time.
• Monica Wright update: On Thursday, the Lynx announced that guard Monica Wright underwent arthroscopic surgery on her knee and will be sidelined indefinitely. Wright is having difficulty overcoming the injury bug, having already missed training camp and the first five games of the 2015 season. When healthy, the guard is a major threat on offense for Minnesota.
• Preparing for Chicago Friday night: The Lynx will face Chicago tonight at the Target Center, and it promises to be an exciting game. The Sky (9-5) won the first contest against Minnesota (10-3) on July 10, and it was a high-scoring contest. The Lynx's poor free throw performance likely cost them the win, as they shot just over 62 percent from the charity stripe. Both squads are entering this evening's contest coming off wins earlier this week.
  
  

Other Basketball News

• Full rosters announced for Africa game. On Thursday, the NBA announced the full rosters for the first NBA game to be played in Africa. Team Africa will feature 10 first- and second-generation African players, including Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng. Team World will feature eight players from the rest of the world, including Chris Paul and both Gasol brothers. The game will take place on August 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Prosecutors push for alcohol monitoring. Since Denver's Ty Lawson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving for the second time this year, the Associated Press reported that Colorado prosecutors are pushing for Lawson to use an alcohol-monitoring device. Lawson's court date is set for today.
• NBA Free Agency update: Several of the big free agents have already signed new contracts (or renewed with current teams), but there are still plenty of guys who have yet to ink a deal. Perhaps most notable are Cleveland's Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith and Houston's Josh Smith. Both Thompson and Smith are expected to return to the Cavaliers, but it will be interesting to see what types of checks they can get after LeBron James and Kevin Love also re-signed with the team. Josh Smith might be more of a tough sell, considering he isn't entirely proven yet.

Lindsey's Friday Flick Recommendation

This one doesn't even need that much context. You just really should see it.

Inside Out

This film is honestly great for all ages. It might seem like more of a kid movie on the outside, but the deeper theme of emotions and needing sadness in order to experience joy? I don't think that message is in there for the six-year olds. Take the whole family, and enjoy one of Pixar's best flicks yet. Check out the trailer below, and happy weekending!