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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are still in the midst of a coaching search and the rumors have died down recently as their search has come to a standstill while they wait to interview former Bobcats head coach: Larry Brown sometime this coming week as well as a few more candidates later on. Kahn has been adamant they'll have a decision on a coaching hire by early August (Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune is guessing the second week).
Rick Adelman has been viewed--since the beginning as the Timberwolves dream candidate. Adelman is being coined as the savoir with a successful system that would play directly into the TWolves big men: Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Anthony Randolph etc. There's no doubt that Adelman comes with the highest price tag, likely to ask for $4M-$6M. Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated had this to say: "I'd been hearing for months that Adelman was Kahn's dream candidate...Adelman will come with the heftiest price tag. If Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor doesn't want to pay it (or if Adelman simply doesn't want the job. my educated guess is that (Bernie) Bickerstaff would be hired." My educated guess--if Adelman doesn't get the job--would have to be former Atlanta Hawks head coach: Mike Woodson, his defensive mindset and overall knowledge of the game would be a welcome addition. I guess we'll find out sometime in the following weeks. That's all for now. Thanks for reading and remember to visit daily for all your TWolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES!
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The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired big man Anthony Randolph, just before the trade deadline in a deal that sent Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Corey Brewer & Renaldo Balkman to the New York Knicks--Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos and multiple draft picks to Denver--Anthony Randolph & Eddy Curry to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony Randolph was buried at the end of the Knicks bench, leading up to that trade. In New York he played just 17 games, in which he averaged just 7.5mpg (mostly 'garbage time'), 2.3rpg & 2.1ppg. Just before the deadline he found a new home in Minnesota, for the remainder of the season, Randolph played 23 games (starting 3), averaged 20.1mpg, 5.2rpg & 11.7ppg. Anthony Randolph has struggled in the past starting his career in Golden State under Don Nelson, before of course moving to New York in the David Lee trade last summer. Like Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph could revive his career in Minnesota, but then comes the question...what will be Randolph's role come 2011-2012. Randolph is a very versatile player who can play the small forward, power forward & center positions which makes him the perfect sixth man utility player, but will that be his role. The Minnesota Timberwolves now have a slew of forwards and big men: Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Martell Webster, Lazar Hayward, Tanguy Ngombo (not likely playing in MIN in '11-'12), Kevin Love, Anthony Tolliver, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic & Brad Miller). A report stated that Anthony Randolph had gained around 15-20 pounds so far this summer (which would take his 225lb. frame to 240-45, 6'11" free agent center: Nene weighs in at 250 pounds). As such, Randolph could be the starting center next season. The Minnesota Timberwolves want to run a fast-break offense next season with all the quick versatile players on the roster. A starting lineup of Rubio, Johnson, Beasley, Love & Randolph could very well be our TWolves starters. Otherwise the Timberwolves will be starting Darko Milicic or Brad Miller down low--not exactly attractive options. If Randolph isn't the starting center next season, he would likely be just a role player as rookie Derrick Williams is the likely sixth man behind Michael Beasley at the 3 while also taking time behind Love at the 4. There is certainly a logjam in the 3 & 4 positions for Minnesota--I wouldn't be surprised if the Wolves make a move or two once the lockout concludes. Of course, a lot hinges on who will be the head coach in Minnesota next season. That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check daily for all your Timberwolves news, information and updates all year round (lockout or not). GO WOLVES! The coaching search is ongoing and the Timberwolves have come to a halt in interviews with potential candidates. The Timberwolves have taken interviews with Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Rick Adelman, Bernie Bickerstaff & Don Nelson. Larry Brown will interview next week and the word is a few more candidates will "throw there hats in the ring", with a selection coming the second week of August.
In a recent report by Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, Zgoda states that it'll all come down to the money, if the TWolves want a great coach. Owner Glen Taylor has stated from the beginning that money is no object when it comes to the new coach. Zgoda reports that the $3M range will get them a coach like Don Nelson. The $2M range will get the Wolves: Mike Woodson, Terry Porter or Bernie Bickerstaff (& J.B.). The Timberwolves best option will run them $4-5M--Rick Adelman. Adelman is basically being looked as a savior for the TWolves. With his system that focuses on big men who can pass and shoot (ie: Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Anthony Randolph). If Owner Glen Taylor is really willing to shell out the cash, Adelman could very well be courtside to all the Timberwolves games come next season. The best scenarios will have the TWolves snagging: Don Nelson, Rick Adelman or Mike Woodson. Thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all your up-to-date TWolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES! This story is also featured under the coach search tab of this site--where you can find all the news about the ongoing interviews. In a recent story from ESPN Magazine, Chris Palmer ranked the NBA's top power forwards in the NBA. K-Love was on the list, but the big question is...Is last year's Most Improved Player of the Year deserving as one of the top-5 power forwards in the NBA?
First off, let's take a look at Palmer's top-5. #1--Blake Griffin, last year's rookie of the year is already considered the NBA's top power forward? Are you serious? Sure, Blake Griffin is going to be an incredible power forward and he already is one of the top 4's in the League. There are plenty of others deserving of the top spot. #2--Dirk Nowitzki, how could you watch Dirk in the playoffs just a few mere months ago and not give him the #1 spot? Dirk is the greatest power forward in the NBA, right now!! Will that change in the next couple years? Definitely! #3--Amar'e Stoudemire, I don't see how someone who is incapable of playing defense is still plopped #3 on the list. I'd say Amar'e is #5 at best! #4--Kevin Love, I won't lie, I really like Kevin Love, he's got a great all-around game, I hope he'll develop a better back-to-the-basket game and of course--low-post defense, but at only 22, he's far from his prime and he's going to be a special player in this League for years to come (hopefully in Minnesota). #5--Pau Gasol, the Lakers big man is a solid player--an offensive and defensive threat. In October & November of 2010 he was a beast, he'd be rated #1 at that time--the man was killing it, I could see him being a bit higher, but following his lackluster playoff performance and his knack for disappearing at times and not exerting himself, #5 makes sense. So, there you have it, the top-5 NBA power forwards in the NBA today...I'd have to disagree, let's take a look at our top-5! #1--Dirk Nowitzki: he's the best power forward in the NBA today, that'll change in the coming years, but after those 2011 NBA playoffs, I don't see how it could even be an argument. #2--LaMarcus Aldridge: How can you forget about LA and the incredible year he had in 10-11? He carried the injury-plagued Blazers to a #6 seed in the playoffs--lost to the eventual NBA champion--Mavericks in the first round. Aldridge was snubbed in the All-Star vote and then K-Love was picked over him to replace the injured Yao Ming. LA hasn't garnered much respect, but here's mine! #3--Pau Gasol: He's a little inconsistent and a little soft under the basket, but when he's on, he's unstoppable, Pau Gasol is one of the best in the League and, like Dirk--that'll change in the coming years (with the emergence of Griffin, Love, LA etc.). #4--Zach Randolph: Randolph, like LA got the snub in the all-star votes in 10-11, after making his first appearance in 09-10. He is the hear and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies and was the key cog in their defeating the Spurs and of course taking the young Thunder to the limit, before being ousted in 7-games in the Conference Semis! Randolph is only 29 and is clearly in the prime of his career! #5--Blake Griffin: I debated whether I thought Griffin or Amar'e should be #5, but inevitably Amar'e's lackluster defense is a big negative. What can be said about Griff though...he's the future of the NBA power forward and in the coming years he'll be the best of the best...if he can stay healthy! His reckless playing style is fun to watch and all, but let's hope he's taking better care of his body going forward, or it could be another Clipper career destroyed by injury. So, there it is. Yeah, I realize I don't have Kevin Love on my list, but I really don't think he's quite there yet. To me, you have to be solid on both sides of the ball and until I see Love making the improvements on his defensive game, he'll be merely an honorable mention to these other guys. Same goes for Amar'e, but if he's not committed to playing defense at this stage in his career, he'll never be! I also realize a lot of you will think LA is way to high, but I got a chance to see him pick apart the TWolves game after game last season (I realize the TWolves defense is atrocious), but his size, quickness, athleticism, jump shot, defense & shot release are just incredible! Furthermore, I strongly believe that if Al Horford would/could play the 4, he'd be one of the best in the League. KG & Tim Duncan would have made the list 3 years ago, but Old Father Time is catching up quick (the same will happen soon enough to Dirk & Pau)!! Chris Bosh would be on the list if he wasn't in the shadows of the Big 2, he'd be one of the tops if he was still playing in Toronto however. Serge Ibaka's stock is rising fast and the guy is a defensive dynamo, he'll be moving up the list very soon as well. #1--Dirk Nowitzki #2--LaMarcus Aldridge #3--Pau Gasol #4--Zach Randolph #5--Blake Griffin #6--Kevin Love #7--Amar'e Stoudemire #8--Kevin Garnett #9--Chris Bosh #10--Tim Duncan & Serge Ibaka Back to Kevin Love though. Like I said, if he can improve his back-to-the-basket game and more importantly his low-post D, he could easily shoot to the top of the list in the coming years. At 22, he could be scary good! But (brace yourselves Wolves fans), if the TWolves can't win more than 30 games next season, I'd expect him to opt in for one more year (2012-13), so that in the summer of 2013 he can become and unrestricted free agent and bolt (my stomach churns just thinking about it). That's all for now, thanks for reading, you can check out the article by Chris Palmer at espn.com/nba And remember to check back daily for all your up-to-date TWolves news, information & updates all year round! GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in the midst of an NBA head coach search (look under coach search tab for a full list of candidates). David Kahn & Glen Taylor have, so far, interviewed: Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Rick Adelman, Don Nelson & Larry Brown.
The TWolves have yet to make a decision and have recently turned to their "franchise player"--Kevin Love to ask for his input on the coaching search. Other teams such as the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Lakers didn't/don't consult their key players: Dwight Howard/Kobe Bryant for their input on moves. "I have definitely been asked by David Kahn what I thought about the situation, and I gave my two cents," says Love. "I told them I think we need a coach to help us grow and win in tough situations and learn how to win. A guy who is going to be able to work with young guys and go through the growing pains to help us become a better team." Kevin Love has said in other interviews that the most intriguing candidate to him is former Houston Rockets coach: Rick Adelman. With his system that emphasizes on big men in the high post who can shoot and pass--something Love excels at. Adelman is also reportedly a big fan of K-Love. Love is eligible to sign an extension once the lockout is over and the power forward thinks this is a way that Kahn can show how much the team wants to keep him long-term, instead of leaving when he becomes a free agent. "Yeah, they're probably doing that to make sure it doesn't happen, but for me, it's flattering," Love said. "I feel like I have a good vibe for basketball and know the game and know the difference facets of the game." Hopefully the Timberwolves can find a great new head coach to help form and meld this young core and hopefully keep it together for years to come. That's all for now. Thanks for reading and remember to check WeeblyWolves daily for all the TWolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves star player and NBA-leading rebounder: Kevin Love is keeping busy during the NBA Lockout.
With the gyms locked, Love will be heading to the beaches--BEACH VOLLEYBALL! Love plans to play in next month's Manhattan Beach Open on the professional volleyball tour. "I thought it was a great idea, a way for me to be out in the sun, be active and have fun during the lockout. It's sport, it's active, it's a way to stay in shape, so I thought it was a home run," Love explained. As of right now, he doesn't have a partner and hasn't played much lately, besides working out Tuesday in a court that was set up in Times Square. Love says he hopes to survive at least the first day of the three-day event, that's being held August 26-28. "More than anything, I'm just going to be having fun with it, playing as much as I can up to that point and just working on my craft. Love got this opportunity when he was approached by representatives of Jose Cuervo which is the tour sponsor. "I'm not necessarily expecting to win, but I'm expecting to go out there and compete." Love said he has respect for the pros he'll be competing against and he acknowledged they may attempt to target him as a weak link, but said he's "hoping to surprise them." He's not terribly concerned with getting injured, but inevitably he'd much rather be returning to the basketball court. Coming off an incredible season--an all-star nod--and the MIP (Most Improved Player Award)--Love has said he's hoping another solid season could land him on the U.S. Olympic team next summer. As far as getting injured: "That's the elephant in the room right now, but at the same time it's like with basketball. If you go out there and play hard most of the time, you're not going to get hurt. If you're loafing and not going 100%, then you're more likely to suffer." We'll see if the NBA's Most Improved Player of 2010-11 is as good on the beach as he is on the court... Thanks for reading and stay tuned all year round for your up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates. GO WOLVES! Ricky Rubio was finally signed to a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he still may not get a chance to play in the 2011-12 season. With the NBA Lockout in full-bloom, like the rest of the NBA players--Ricky Rubio is currently unemployed.
Rubio may be unemployed, but if he'd like, there are plenty of teams in overseas that would love to utilize his services. One such team: Regal FC Barcelona. Barcelona was of course Ricky's team before he negotiate a buyout and signed a contact with the Timberwolves earlier this summer. When asked about returning to Barcelona during the extended lockout Rubio replied: "I haven't thought about that, but Barcelona would be a good option. It has been my last club, I was very happy there and they treated me well." Reserve Center Nikola Pekovic who joined the Timberwolves last season--playing behind Darko Milicic. In 65 games, he started 11, playing 13.6mpg, scored 5.5ppg, shooting 52% and grabbed 3rpg. Nikola hasn't ruled out the idea of returning to Partizan Belgrade during the lockout. The only other TWolves player that has discussed going overseas to play is rookie Derrick Williams. Williams shares the same agent as Kobe Bryant and as such he could be a part of the exhibition games Kobe has been trying to organize. Of course if Kobe signs with the Turkish team--the same Deron Williams signed with, that may not happen. That's all for now, thanks for reading and stay tuned. Check daily in the coach search tab and the quotes tab under the news section for the daily updates!! Thanks Again & GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in the midst of a coaching search to replace Kurt Rambis who as fired after two seasons and a 32-132 record.
The TWolves have contacted/interviewed the following candidates: Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Don Nelson, Rick Adelman, Larry Brown & Bernie Bickerstaff. You can check under the coach search tab for a look at the candidates as well as a story on who the Wolves missed out on (Kevin McHale, Mark Jackson, Mike Brown, Dwayne Casey & Lawrence Frank). So let's take a quick look at who could still be contacted... JEFF VAN GUNDY The former New York Knicks and former Houston Rockets coach and current NBA analyst could certainly be a target for the Wolves this offseason. Van Gundy has expressed interest in returning to coaching in an interview with Bill Simmons in 2009. He’s got a 748-430 overall record in his career. JERRY SLOAN Recently retired he was practically forced out by star point guard: Deron Williams (who was later traded to New Jersey). There are conflicting reports, but Williams certainly clashed with the legendary Sloan and a great coach like him can only take so much from his cocky star guard. Sloan is a longshot--but it would certainly be worth a shot, though I'm skeptical that he'd want to come to a rebuilder like Minnesota. KELVIN SAMPSON He recently accepted a lead assistant job with Kevin McHale down with the Houston Rockets. Though a report says it won't become official until the lockout ends, which means the TWolves could target him. Sampson of course was a name that came up early in the coaching search--before Rambis was officially fired. It'd be a longshot, considering he's in line to be in Houston next season, but there's a shot. PATRICK EWING Ewing has been adamant that he'd like a shot at a head coaching gig after a number of years in Orlando under Jeff Van Gundy--while helping develop the NBA's most dominant center (no question...now that Shaq's retired): Dwight Howard. Ewing would be able to develop big men: Kevin Love, Michael Beasley & Derrick Williams even further and may be able to get a little more out of Darko Milicic. MIKE BUDENHOLZER Budenholzer is currently the lead assistant to Gregg Poppovich in San Antonio. As such Budenholzer is the obvious successor to Gregg, whenever he finally decides to retire as such it's unlikely he'd leave San Antonio for 'browner pastures'. However, there's always a chance and anyone whose worked under a legend like Poppovich would be a worthy candidate. RICK PITINO The Louisville head coach has coached in the NBA before with both the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. In 412 total games as an NBA head coach he's accumulated a 192-220 record (a .466 winning percentage). Pitino is currently the head coach for the collegiate team: Louisville. He's a longshot, but I doubt he's worth a shot. MIKE KRZYZEWSKI Mike has been adamant he doesn't care to make the jump to the NBA. He didn't even want to talk with the Los Angeles Lakers when they were replacing Phil Jackson. This is the LONGEST shot of them all. Mike's overall collegiate record of 900-284 is simply astounding. This is without a doubt--NOT A CHANCE. SAM MITCHELL This is the fans choice for the Timberwolves head coaching vacancy. Mitchell played for the Timberwolves from 1995-2002. His #42 is worn currently by Kevin Love another legend in TWolves player history. Mitchell was the head coach of the Toronto Raptors from 2005-2009 where in 345 games he accumulated a 156-189 record (a .452 winning percentage)--still superior to Rambis' .195 winning percentage after two years. He was also the 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Year. "Bring Sam I Am Home" (what fans are saying). OTHER NOTABLES: MIKE DUNLEAVY, JIM O'BRIEN, REGGIE THEUS, BILL LAIMBEER, EDDIE JORDAN, KEITH SMART Do you have any other potential candidates, well leave a comment or start a forum about it under the forums tab above. That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check our site daily for all your TWolves news and info all year round. GO WOLVES! David Kahn & Glen Taylor had a busy weekend-on Saturday they interviewed Rick Adelman & on Sunday another coaching great: Don Nelson. The head coaching search continues as next on the docket is former Charlotte Bobcats head coach: Larry Brown. It's likely Brown won't be the last candidate the Timberwolves interview as it's been reported there'll be one or two others. It's currently unknown as to when the TWolves are going to get a chance to interview Brown, because of a recent death in his family. The Timberwolves have also interviewed Terry Porter, Mike Woodson & Bernie Bickerstaff. Larry Brown--along with Nelson, Adelman & Bickerstaff are all over the age of 65. A clear indication that the Timberwolves are looking for an experienced coach with a solid track record. Don Nelson is of course the NBA's winningest coach in NBA history with 1,335 and of course Brown sits at #6 with 1,098 wins. David Kahn has been adamant he's looking for a coach with a 'fast-break' style. This of course is something that Brown isn't known for--like someone--say...Nelson? Larry Brown has also been known to want to 'blow up' a roster when coming to a new team--making numerous trades and being quite impatient with young players. Larry Brown was fired last season by the Charlotte Bobcats--through just 28 games into the season. It was originally reported as a mutual decision, Brown later refuted saying it was not a mutual decision and he was in fact--FIRED. He was later replaced by the current Bobcats coach: Paul Silas. David Kahn has a history with Brown, when he was the head coach at UCLA and Kahn was a student-newspaper-reporter there. As such, David Kahn considers Larry Brown to be one of his mentors. Stay tuned and check the coach search tab for updates on the Timberwolves head coaching search as candidates and updates are added almost daily. That's all for now, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES! The entire NBA is currently in the midst of a lockout, one that no one is really certain how long it’ll last. Everyone seems to have an opinion on when the lockout may end, but the reality that the end isn’t even in sight at this time.
Some players/owners/analysts figure the NBA lockout to last the entire 2011-12 season (Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor is one of the owners that believes the lockout will last all season), while others are projecting possibly less than half of the season being lost. Time will tell, but the simple fact is—basketball fans will be waiting quite some time. We’ve looked at what some of the Timberwolves players, coaches & front office personnel are doing to keep themselves busy during the lockout, but when a new deal is finally reached—all teams in the NBA will be busy: negotiating contracts, extensions, completing coaching staffs, raiding free agency etc. Let’s take a look at what SHOULD be the TWolves plan(s) on the other end of this lockout…
That's all for now!! Stay tuned to mnwolves.weebly.com for all your Minnesota Timberwolves news, information & updates all year round! Also stay tuned for your Timberwolves coaching search--highlighted and updated daily under both the blog & news tab. Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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