SBNation.com User Blog: YoLeo

Merry Christmas everyone!

YoLeo — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:00:03 -0000

It's officially Christmas here in the west coast, so I just felt this could be an obligatory Christmas "feel-good ~~Friday~~" thread. Hope everyone has a great day - young or old, American or not, Republican or Democrat, pro-Kevin Love or anti-Kevin Love, Pekovic fan or Pekovic fanatic, blessed with working knees or not, etc. (Filled word count limit yipee!)

Here's to you getting your "Shaq-faced basketballs" and enjoying feasting on meat!

Roy to undergo knee surgery

YoLeo — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:35:57 -0000

Roy will undergo an arthroscopy, the 7th knee surgery of his career, dating back to high school

https://twitter.com/jwquick/status/270391434467766272

This was the report and didn't see anything on here yet. Doesn't seem to be a timeline yet, but I'm assuming a few months at least. And even if he does return, if he was just a ghost of his past earlier this year, he'll be nothing more than just an urban myth after this surgury. Should we act surprised? Personally, it's one of those "Well, sounds about right. We were due for something new on the injury report..."

:(

Roy will undergo an arthroscopy, the 7th knee surgery of his career, dating back to high school

https://twitter.com/jwquick/status/270391434467766272

Derrick Williams frustrated, vents on Twitter

YoLeo — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:02:45 -0000

I'm mentally too strong for any of this. How I get here!? Back to the wall , ashy knuckles #renegade

https://twitter.com/#!/RealDwill7/status/158387402115792897

My translation of this is that he thought he wouldn't be hitting a rookie wall like this and is visibly frustrated about it. Ashy knuckles? Renegade? I dunno. He's had 3 straight poor shooting nights: 1/7 vs. Bulls, 1/4 vs. Hornets, 1/4 vs. Hawks. When does he bounce back? Should there be any concern? Thoughts?

I'm mentally too strong for any of this. How I get here!? Back to the wall , ashy knuckles #renegade

https://twitter.com/#!/RealDwill7/status/158387402115792897

Adelman considering Beas off bench

YoLeo — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:39:15 -0000

Until his injury, Beasley had started the Wolves' seven games. Adelman was asked before Monday's game at Toronto whether he has considered converting Beasley to a sixth-man role that might better suit his, uh, offensive proclivities."I've talked about that since the summer," he said, referring to internal team discussions. "Right now, we're just trying to get going in the season. That's something we've always talked about because we weren't sure how we were going to play. But it's something we're going to address. We're going to look at everything."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/136988453.html

I mean, is it a step in the right direction? Maybe RA's trying to concoct the ultimate offensively challenged starting lineup. Maybe he's going to start playing battleship with different starters. Just waiting for the fateful day he sinks Wes' submarine...

Anyway, Killer Beas off the bench, yay or nay?

To save myself an extra post, my thoughts are that it'd be a failed experiment unless we decide to upgrade Rubio and/or Barea to the starting 5. I, like many of you, are pulling for Beas to get his shit together, but I feel like the last thing we need is Beas schruting up (The Office reference anyone?) our bench chemistry/ball movement. It's possible that maybe grouping Beas in with the best of our team will help him turn things around, but I'd rather him try to fix himself with the rest of our struggling string. Not only that, I really don't think Beas' ego could take that blow when his confidence is already visibly ailing.

Until his injury, Beasley had started the Wolves' seven games. Adelman was asked before Monday's game at Toronto whether he has considered converting Beasley to a sixth-man role that might better suit his, uh, offensive proclivities."I've talked about that since the summer," he said, referring to internal team discussions. "Right now, we're just trying to get going in the season. That's something we've always talked about because we weren't sure how we were going to play. But it's something we're going to address. We're going to look at everything."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/136988453.html

Poll

Is it a good idea to bring Beasley off the bench?

Yes

158 votes

No

30 votes

188 votes | Poll has closed

Rubio announces "changes"

YoLeo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:15:22 -0000

Rubio announces "changes"

Getting a bit nervous!hope u like da changes,those of you who r attentive will find out really soon what Im talking bout #RickyRubioChanges

Noooooo, not the hair!!! Hope it's not that... love the flowing locks

Love on Clippers

YoLeo — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:26:21 -0000

Love on Clippers

"So that's what an extension with the clippers looks like..."

What does this meeeean???

Chance DeAndre lands in Minnesota

YoLeo — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:09:06 -0000

With Golden State motivated to steal center DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers, source says Houston, NO, Minnesota also in running.

http://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/145045462708269057

So we sign Hayes and DeAndre, done-zo right? But honestly, I don't think we'll really land either one, but I guess it's ok to discuss it here right? I'm sure Hayes ends up in Kings uni and DeAndre in Clips uni... but when that happens we can sit around and talk about how we never really felt they'd be a fit here anyway.

With Golden State motivated to steal center DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers, source says Houston, NO, Minnesota also in running.

http://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/145045462708269057

Hayes 50:50 between Kings & Wolves

YoLeo — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:32:27 -0000

According to Chuck Hayes' agent, The #Sacramento #Kings & #Minnesota #Timberwolves are on equal ground in attaining Hayes. #NBA #Rockets

http://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/144853415841898497

It was widely published around the media yesterday that he was expected to sign with the Kings, but rumors of this are popping up all over the place about Wolves being in the running. Would reuniting Adelman with a surprisingly productive Hayes be worth the money? Or would starting the league's most undersized front court be a bad idea? Thoughts??

According to Chuck Hayes' agent, The #Sacramento #Kings & #Minnesota #Timberwolves are on equal ground in attaining Hayes. #NBA #Rockets

http://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/144853415841898497

Poll

Sign Chuck Hayes for something close to 4 years $20 mil?

Yes

113 votes

No

54 votes

Not for that money

79 votes

246 votes | Poll has closed

Ricky Rubio Media Availability

YoLeo — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:01:00 -0000

Ricky Rubio Media Availability

Random Ricky Rubio interview by Drew Gooden

YoLeo — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:08:58 -0000

Random Ricky Rubio interview by Drew Gooden

Rubio in SF Charity Game highlights

YoLeo — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:08:44 -0000

I unfortunately didn't make it to this game (Don't get me started), but I've read only good things about Rubio's performance. Just keep in mind this was obviously a charity game w/ no real defense, but it's still nice to see this. He made 2 of the Ballislife Top 10 plays from game. Enjoy as more highlights are bound to pop-up via YouTube:

Here's another shpeel from ESPN about his performance:

Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio still managed to get his first taste of NBA-caliber competition during the lockout.

Rubio played Sunday night in the Drew Gooden Make-A-Wish Charity Game at the Cow Palace.

The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard showed off passing skills, a nice long-range shot and even some humor during the game that raised $10,000 for Gooden's favorite cause.

Rubio was on the losing side but it really didn't matter. Both teams played as if they weren't keeping score. For the record, the White team, which featured California product Leon Poweand former Warriors player Al Harrington, won 117-92.

"It's fun to play with NBA players," Rubio said. "It should make it easier when we come back to play."

Rubio, who signed with the Timberwolves in June, still has the option to return to Spain, where he became the youngest player on a roster of the Spanish ACB League at age 14 in 2005.

"I'm going to stay here for a while to see if we'll play," Rubio said. "I can always go back to Spain. So I know I will be playing basketball somewhere this season."

Rubio drilled a 3-pointer on his first attempt and executed a perfectly timed alley-oop pass with DeMar DeRozan for a backdoor slam.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7263628/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-gets-first-taste-nba-charity-game

More below! Looks like his shot isn't broken based on what people have said/seen from this game.

Here's another shpeel from ESPN about his performance:

Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio still managed to get his first taste of NBA-caliber competition during the lockout.

Rubio played Sunday night in the Drew Gooden Make-A-Wish Charity Game at the Cow Palace.

The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard showed off passing skills, a nice long-range shot and even some humor during the game that raised $10,000 for Gooden's favorite cause.

Rubio was on the losing side but it really didn't matter. Both teams played as if they weren't keeping score. For the record, the White team, which featured California product Leon Poweand former Warriors player Al Harrington, won 117-92.

"It's fun to play with NBA players," Rubio said. "It should make it easier when we come back to play."

Rubio, who signed with the Timberwolves in June, still has the option to return to Spain, where he became the youngest player on a roster of the Spanish ACB League at age 14 in 2005.

"I'm going to stay here for a while to see if we'll play," Rubio said. "I can always go back to Spain. So I know I will be playing basketball somewhere this season."

Rubio drilled a 3-pointer on his first attempt and executed a perfectly timed alley-oop pass with DeMar DeRozan for a backdoor slam.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7263628/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-gets-first-taste-nba-charity-game

More below! Looks like his shot isn't broken based on what people have said/seen from this game.

Love to Turkey or Thanksgiving w/ Love?

YoLeo — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:03:50 -0000

First via Marc Spears Twitter:

Wolves @kevinlove tells @YahooSports he will be making a decision over "the next couple of days" on whether to sign with Turkey Besiktas.

http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/137587484921040897

Then more from Woj:

As time and hope for salvaging an NBA season continue to dissipate, Turkey’s top team is engaged in serious talks with Kevin Love and Luol Deng about joining point guard Deron Williams in the Turkish Basketball League.

"I’ve been going back and forth with Deron on it," Love told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears on Friday. "I’ll be making my decision in the next couple of days."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_lockout_kevin_love_turkey_111811

Good for our golden boy? Bad? Your thoughts~

UPDATE:

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love informed Besiktas of Turkey on Sunday that he's turning down its offer to sign with the Istanbul-based club and team up with New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams."I didn't feel it was the right decision for me at this time," Love told ESPN.com.

Love, though, said playing abroad if the lockout drags on "is still very much an option" he's considering.

NTV Spor of Turkey reported Friday that Love and Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng were Besiktas' top two targets in its search for an elite forward to play alongside Williams.

According to NTV Spor, Besiktas has also courted Deng's Chicago teammate Carlos Boozer, who is reportedly ready to make the jump to reunite in Istanbul with Williams, his former Utah Jazz co-star.

But insurance payments to cover either Deng or Boozer are a big financial obstacle for Besiktas, which made well-publicized runs during the summer at Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant and also briefly employed Allen Iverson last season.

The most likely Besiktas signing, according to NTV Spor, is Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat, for whom insurance would cost roughly half as much as Deng's and a third as much as Boozer's.

Yet it remains to be seen if Besiktas can indeed fund the signing of another NBA player in the wake of budget issues that have plagued the club in recent years. Two WNBA stars (Amber Harris and Jantel Lavender) recently left Besiktas' women's team in a dispute over late payments.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_lockout_kevin_love_turkey_111811

First via Marc Spears Twitter:

Wolves @kevinlove tells @YahooSports he will be making a decision over "the next couple of days" on whether to sign with Turkey Besiktas.

http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/137587484921040897

Then more from Woj:

As time and hope for salvaging an NBA season continue to dissipate, Turkey’s top team is engaged in serious talks with Kevin Love and Luol Deng about joining point guard Deron Williams in the Turkish Basketball League.

"I’ve been going back and forth with Deron on it," Love told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears on Friday. "I’ll be making my decision in the next couple of days."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_lockout_kevin_love_turkey_111811

Good for our golden boy? Bad? Your thoughts~

UPDATE:

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love informed Besiktas of Turkey on Sunday that he's turning down its offer to sign with the Istanbul-based club and team up with New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams."I didn't feel it was the right decision for me at this time," Love told ESPN.com.

Love, though, said playing abroad if the lockout drags on "is still very much an option" he's considering.

NTV Spor of Turkey reported Friday that Love and Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng were Besiktas' top two targets in its search for an elite forward to play alongside Williams.

According to NTV Spor, Besiktas has also courted Deng's Chicago teammate Carlos Boozer, who is reportedly ready to make the jump to reunite in Istanbul with Williams, his former Utah Jazz co-star.

But insurance payments to cover either Deng or Boozer are a big financial obstacle for Besiktas, which made well-publicized runs during the summer at Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant and also briefly employed Allen Iverson last season.

The most likely Besiktas signing, according to NTV Spor, is Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat, for whom insurance would cost roughly half as much as Deng's and a third as much as Boozer's.

Yet it remains to be seen if Besiktas can indeed fund the signing of another NBA player in the wake of budget issues that have plagued the club in recent years. Two WNBA stars (Amber Harris and Jantel Lavender) recently left Besiktas' women's team in a dispute over late payments.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_lockout_kevin_love_turkey_111811

Poll

Do you think Love playing overseas in Turkey is a good idea?

Yes

37 votes

No

16 votes

Indifferent

20 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

Sam Mitchell to interview for coaching vacancy

YoLeo — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:40:25 -0000

The Wolves are down to the final two names to interview for their head-coaching job.

And, yes, Sam Mitchell is one of them.

Larry Brown, of course, is the other.

Many Wolves fans have wondered why the man who won Coach of the Year with Toronto and who played two different stints with the Timberwolves, first when he was an original Wolf and then when he was brought back in 1995 to help mentor a rookie named Kevin Garnett.

Mitchell is expected to interview Friday or Saturday, Brown next week.

Wolves boss David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor already have interviewed Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Nelson.

Former Houston coach Rick Adelman has been talked to at some depth about the job, but, unlike the aforementioned four, he didn't come to town for an in-person interview.

Mitchell and Porter are the only ones on that list who have a relationship with Taylor.

Mitchell had a 156-189 record in four-plus seasons with Toronto.

The Raptors went 47-35, won the Atlantic Division and Mitchell was voted Coach of the Year for the 2006-07 season.

His teams made the playoffs twice -- losing in the first round each time -- and he was fired early in the 2008-09 season when the Raptors started 8-9 and then went 25-40 the rest of the way under interim coach Jay Triano.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/53702862.html

Thoughts? Comments? Should we bring Sam back?

The Wolves are down to the final two names to interview for their head-coaching job.

And, yes, Sam Mitchell is one of them.

Larry Brown, of course, is the other.

Many Wolves fans have wondered why the man who won Coach of the Year with Toronto and who played two different stints with the Timberwolves, first when he was an original Wolf and then when he was brought back in 1995 to help mentor a rookie named Kevin Garnett.

Mitchell is expected to interview Friday or Saturday, Brown next week.

Wolves boss David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor already have interviewed Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Nelson.

Former Houston coach Rick Adelman has been talked to at some depth about the job, but, unlike the aforementioned four, he didn't come to town for an in-person interview.

Mitchell and Porter are the only ones on that list who have a relationship with Taylor.

Mitchell had a 156-189 record in four-plus seasons with Toronto.

The Raptors went 47-35, won the Atlantic Division and Mitchell was voted Coach of the Year for the 2006-07 season.

His teams made the playoffs twice -- losing in the first round each time -- and he was fired early in the 2008-09 season when the Raptors started 8-9 and then went 25-40 the rest of the way under interim coach Jay Triano.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/53702862.html

Thoughts? Comments? Should we bring Sam back?