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Timberwolves News
It's been an interesting week for Timberwolves news, as far as the offseason goes.
Yesterday, Minnesota signed a one-year deal with veteran forward Tayshaun Prince. The 35-year-old has moved around recently, after spending the majority of his career with Detroit. The Wolves will now have three players 35 years or older: Prince, Kevin Garnett and Andre Miller. Last season, Prince averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
It will be interesting to see if the leadership goes the way the front office is seemingly hoping it will. It seems like a fairly pointless signing in my book, although I suppose there is something to be said for Saunders having coached Prince in Detroit. However, I'm not sure how I feel about having three older players on the roster... seems a bit overkill.
On Wednesday, the Wolves announced that head coach Flip Saunders has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphona, a cancer that doctors say is more easily treatable than other forms. Saunders said he is receiving chemotherapy for the cancer and does not expect the disease to interfere with his coaching duties or involvement with the team. Several players expressed their support for the coach via Twitter:
#StayStrong Coach. We are gonna win this battle. #FuckCancer https://t.co/GwSJZee8f0
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) August 12, 2015
Coach Saunders, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are a family and we have your back! Stay strong!
— andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) August 12, 2015
Nothing but love and support to Coach Saunders. We are in this fight together. Can't wait to get back to Minny!
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) August 12, 2015
Prayers up to Coach Saunders! With his fight, I know he'll be back healthy in no time!
— Lorenzo Brown (@Zo_Brown) August 11, 2015
Prayers go out to Coach Saunders and the family he will be back on the court in no time! #wolvesunited
— shabazz muhammad (@ShabazzMuhammad) August 11, 2015
Lynx News
The Minnesota Lynx are on their way to another postseason. With a come-from-behind win Tuesday evening, the Lynx clinched a spot in the 2015 WNBA Playoffs. All-Star Maya Moore once again led all scoring with 32 points, recording 24 of those in the second half alone.
In that same game, veteran guard Lindsay Whalen dished out nine assists and became just the third player in WNBA history to hit the 2,000-assist mark.
Other Basketball News
- 2015-2016 Schedule released. On Wednesday, the NBA released its full schedule for the upcoming season. Several games promise to draw a huge viewership, including an intriguing double-header on Nov. 11. The first game will feature DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers playing against Dallas; following will be LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs facing Aldridge's former team in Portland. And if you're wondering, SB Nation put together the 10 best games of 2015-2016.
- Players' pre-game routines. It's not necessarily news, but Bleacher Report put together a fun compilation of NBA players' best pre-game routines. Of course, Kevin Garnett's powder ritual made the list. View the video here.
Lindsey's Friday Flick Recommendation
Since I'm excited to see Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation this evening with a good friend of mine, I'm sort of on a Tom Cruise kick. My friend and I decided that, even though we sort of find Cruise to be way too out there in "real" life, we can't really find a movie of his we don't like. So, on that note, my recommendation for the week is this:
Oblivion
Cruise once again doesn't disappoint in this 2013 film. Portrayed in a post-apocalyptic setting, he plays a military individual who is assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources. However, he soon comes to question his overall mission and identity. With plenty of action along with plot twists and turns, Oblivion kept me engaged the whole time.
Check out the trailer below, and happy weekending!