SB Nation User Blog: wyn

In This Club: Timberwolves Edition

wyn — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:48:39 -0000

Yup. Really slow week. Next year, we'll be better prepared for the month of August. But, I offer you these links as an apology. Consider them a continuation of the most popular post in Hoopus history.

I don't know if any of you go there, but I'd never heard of Cream Night Club in Minneapolis until today. Apparently it's part of Spin? Regardless, it appears that a good number of Minnesota professional athletes frequent said venue. They also happen to get their picutres taken there. I give you: Selections from the Celebrity Gallery.

Class act, Bryant McKinnie

Catch a beat runnin' like Randy Moss

I love party, see you in LA

My favorite, by far:

And, just to wrap the whole thing up: something completely different:

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?

Wolves Link Dump

wyn — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:14:05 -0000

TrueHoop has an interview with former Timberwolves great guy Loren Woods on playing overseas instead of the NBA. (By the way, the graphic theme ties in here: Minnesota Busts)

Al Jefferson's been getting a good amount of ink (digital, at least) with regard to the 2012 Olympics in London. I certainly think Al is and will be at that level of skill in the American talent pool, but what about his game? Would a beast in the post be a big factor in International competition? Dwight Howard and Carlos Boozer made contributions (Dwight even started every game), but the bulk of the minutes at 5 seemed to go to Chris Bosh, who's an I/O big man. What do you think? How would Al's game translate to the International game?

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Mike Miller and Kevin Love are getting some Olympic talk as well.

The Bleacher Report has more Wolves content: a season prediction (via T-Wolves Blog). Warning: Contains some hate for Big Al and K-Love and proper grammar. Resist the urge to flame the writer.

T-Wolves Blog has another edition of College Wolf's (COLLEGE!) Mailbag for your perusal. Hoopus community members Roundhouse and Pants make appearances!

The Dog Days of Summer

wyn — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:10:46 -0000

via www.answersincreation.org

As you all well know, with the Olympics now over the NBA has very little going on until training camp starts next month. But, we'll all just have to make due together.

If you're interested in a rundown of offseason moves by team, be sure to check out 4-letter.com's tracking page.

The Bleacher Report has blessed the blogosphere with a list of the Top 10 Worst Trades in Sports History. Coming in at #7 is trading KG to Boston:

The Timberwolves decided to trade the franchise to Boston. The 7-for-1 deal constituted the largest number of players traded for a single player in NBA history. Who were the other players involved? No one in the same ballpark as Garnett.

We could talk about KG being voted the Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-08, being named to eleven All-Star teams and being named to eight All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams.

All we really need to talk about is the results. KG helped to bring the championship back to the greatest franchise in NBA history – and they did it by dominating the hated Lakers. Minnesota, meanwhile, was staggering to a record of 22-60. Nuff said!

ScoutingtheNBA.com has calculated wins predictions for the Timberwolves for 08/09:

2008 Projection for 2008/9 season: 34.1 / 30.32 - If the Injury bug bites out 90pct or 80pct of top 10 players.

Best Case Scenario: 37.9 - If the team(s) new Rookie Kevin Love and Mike Miller can live up to early expectations of success. The Wolves could win about 37/38games (76.99)

Lastly, SB Nation is doing a new player tournament (sorta-kinda-mostly in response to the Floor Burn Tournament) on who's the most worthless player in the NBA. Suggestions?

Celtics Sign Darius Miles

wyn — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:25:54 -0000

Celtics Sign Darius Miles

WOW

Wolves Local TV Schedule Released

wyn — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:10:57 -0000

I know that you all have season tickets and will be attending all the homes games (Wim and AusWolf, get your frequent flyer packages up to date), but in case you Twin Citians are in the hospital and the doctor refuses to roll you to the Target Center, Timberwolves.com has posted the local broadcast schedule:

The Wolves' local television schedule begins with the season opener on Oct. 29 vs. the Sacramento Kings at Target Center on KSTC-TV, Ch. 45 starting at 7 p.m. The FSN North schedule tips off on Sunday, Nov. 2 with Minnesota's first road game of the year at Oklahoma City (6 p.m.). FSN North also will air Wolves Live before and after every telecast, as well as Wolves Weekly, a half-hour weekly show featuring news items and stories about Timberwolves players and coaches.

And if you like listening to the radio broadcast while watching the game on TV (really, whose dad or grandfather didn't do that?) don't forget that games will be broadcast on KFAN this year.

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.

Predictions Open Thread

wyn — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:34:35 -0000

via www.popandpolitics.com

While Hoopus slows down a bit (in congruence with NBA news), Wim has suggested a predictions discussion, which I wholeheartedly support. Feel free to add your own questions, but here are a couple to get us started:

How many wins will the Wolves get this year?
How will the Northwest Divsion standings look at the end of the season?
How will Kevin Love finish in Rookie of the Year standings? (don't forget that Oden's in the running)
Will Al Jefferson finally make the All-Star team?
How many points per game for Foye and McCants? Assists per game for Foye and Telfair?
What will the starting line-up look like by mid-season? End of the season?
Who won't be on the team at the end of the season?
What will the Western Conference playoff seeding be?

So go nuts. And remember, whether you're wrong or right, the Internet will remind you come next June.

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

wyn — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:20:08 -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 -