As you all may or may not know, the NBA draft lottery is tomorrow night, May 19th.  Despite the fact that we almost always get SCREWED the Wolves have had pretty bad lottery luck in the past, I am always thoroughly excited by this spectacle.  There's nothing better than watching this on DVR (to heighten the suspense), with the promise of a delicious bottle of Hennessey as a reward, should the Wolves ever actually win the lottery.  In the spirit of the season, fellow TWolvesBlog columnist Mike "Wally World" Reynolds and I conducted an interesting exercise in anticipation of tomorrow night. 

Over at ESPN.com, Chad Ford has been publishing a NBA Lottery Mock Draft Simulator for a few years now.  It's really cool, if you didn't know.  It allows you to simulate the lottery with the click of a button, as it has all the odds and every possible scenario for the 14 lottery teams.  Chad Ford has also gone through and pegged potential players for every lottery team in every single possible draft situation.  Basically it's like running your own mini-lottery AND draft at the same time, from the comfort of your own home.

With this in mind, Wally World and I came up with the idea to run his simulation 250 times each, and take down detailed notes of our results.  Granted, this doesn't actually prove anything, but it was fun, and we wanted to get an idea for what to expect with the Wolves tomorrow night (and for the NBA draft in June.)  Continue on if you'd like to see the nuts and bolts on our 500 combined simulation results, including: how many times the Wolves "won" the lottery, which draft postion most commonly occured, the players Chad Ford has the Wolves selecting at each position, and finally, Wally World and I's own personal Top 5 draft Wish Lists!

Please click "Read More" To see all the detailed results of our scientific experimentation...

 

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Being a Timberwolves fan isn't easy. It takes an immeasurable amount of heart, determination, and, some would say, altered sanity to continue bleeding for a team that has managed to let you down year after year in the worst possible ways. When most of us signed up for our seat on the Timberwolves' bandwagon we were young, naive, and had absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  Sure, we knew the team had a lackluster history and a penchant for bad luck, but we also understood that the biggest joy in a sports fan's life comes from following your team from the depths of the valley all the way to the mountain's peak.  Still, despite that time-honored truth, if any of us knew then what we know now, we'd have run screaming in the opposite direction from the Timberwolves and settled for a far less painful existence with some front-running team like the Bulls or Lakers. If only we'd known.  If only...

Yet we Wolves fans soldier on.  Each of us carries out our sacred duty in various forms of apathy. Through trial and error we've learned to only let ourselves care so much. Despite the pain, we remain fiercely determined to see our sentence all the way to the end. None of us dares to dream of leaving the cause for another franchise.  In perhaps the most vivd example of Stockholm syndrome, we've become undyingly loyal to our tormentor. Every wound we've suffered has somehow bound us tighter to our team. Some might say that it's tribute to our collective character, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if we've simply become too damaged to lead the existence of a normal NBA fan.  Yes, being a Timberwolves fan isn't easy.

For the past four weeks I'ven spent my days working with children who have cancer.  It's been an incredibly rewarding experience and it's what I eventually want to do with my life once I've completed all my doctor training.  Throughout my rotation I met families who have had to overcome one enormous hurdle after another.  Some have lived for weeks in the hospital as we desperately tried to find a solution for their child's excruciating pain.  I've met kids who have had their bodies ravaged by leukemia and chemotherapy only to relapse and then have to undergo bone marrow transplants.  I've seen overwhelming infections leave children on the brink of death, clinging to a ventillator tube to keep them alive. I've also met survivors who battled for their lives day in and day out and somehow won the battle.  Some lost limbs during their fight, while others, years later, have managed to beat the odds and walk away seemingly unscathed. 

Working with cancer patients isn't easy . It takes an immeasurable amount of heart, determination, and, some would say, altered sanity to walk into work, stare death straight in the face, grab a front row seat to a display of the unthinkable, and then come back and do it all over again the next day.  People ask me how I do it . Sometimes I wonder that myself . How do you walk up to the hospital bed of a twelve year old girl who's liver is full of tumor, who's about to have her organs cut out and replaced with those of a stranger and make her believe that everything's going to be alright? How do you tell her to reach past the pain and keep fighting?  How do you go back day after day and try to make her feel like a normal kid?  How do you deal with the realization that you've just become friends with and invested yourself in somebody who just might be slowly dying? I don't have a good answer for those questions, but I know what's helped me make it through the hard days.  It's the fact that I have a cancer of my own.  No, it's not growing in my liver or my blood.  My tumor resides in Minnesota, and it wears black, white, green, and steel blue. 

It's not my intent to trivialize what the families I've worked with have gone through and continue to go through.  I fully realize that comings and goings of a basketball team are beyond shallow, weak, and insignificant compared to the daily fight and struggle for survival my patients have to endure.  Yet, thankfully, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the closest thing to a tumor that I've ever had to endure.  I pray it stays that way.  For me, the journey with the Timberwolves has been an eighteen year wrestling match with the word "quit".  At seemingly every turn there has been another dissapointment, another disgrace, or another heart ache to endure.  Many times I've wondered why I put myself through through this torture, when I could so easily give in and walk away.  Years ago, when those thoughts would enter my head, I would talk myself into holding on with visions of Kevin Garnett raising the Larry O'Brien trophy in front of the Target Center faithful.  Lately, though, I've begun to come to grips with the fact that my Timberwolves tumor is likely terminal. As much as it pains me to say it, I honestly don't think I will ever see the Minnesota Timberwolves win an NBA Championship.  The reality is simply that the odds are extremely thin. We're simply too dysfunctional, too small of a market, and too cursed. 

And still, I carry on.  So do my fellow fans.  Despite the seeming futility of it all, we continue to fight through the pain and move forward.  We keep going for the same reason my patients do.  We do it because we know that it really isn't futile at all.  No matter how bad it gets, no matter how much it hurts, no matter how bleak the future may seem, we refuse to quit.  Each day we hold on is a small victory, bringing with it new experience, new things to learn, and new chances to make a difference.  This Timberwolves have let me down more times than I can count, but they have also taught me more than any other basketball team ever could. They've made me a stronger person.  They've made me a better doctor.  Because of them, I've learned how to endure.

So come Tuesday night, whether the Wolves stand pat with the #5 pick, get bumped back, or finally improve their draft positioning for the first time in 20 years, I will stay the course.  I owe it to my fellow fans, my patients, my family, and myself.  Because I know that no matter what happens, the Minnesota Timberwolves will always be worth it. They've been a devastating cancer, but they've also made me well.

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Our friend Jeff over at petemarasmitch.com has put together a collaborative all-NBA scapegoat team. Lo-and-Behold, two of our very own have made the cut, Kevin McHale (executive position, contributed by yours truly), and Mike Miller (contributed by Wyn at canishoopus.com).

The All-Scapegoat Team:
C Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards
F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
F Mike Miller, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Sasha Vujacic, Los Angeles Lakers
G Roger Mason, San Antonio Spurs

Bonus! We even have
Scapegoat Coach of the Year: Vinny Del Negro, Chicago Bulls
Scapegoat Executive of the Year: Kevin McHale, Minnesota Timberwolves

This is some quality company. Check out the original article and a breakdown of each position for this prestigious group of men here:

Read on for the Wolves related snippets

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ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons has spent much of the day discussing his (sudden) candidacy for Wolves GM.  From his Twitter feed:

- Hey T-Wolves fans: I am ready to launch the "Simmons for GM" campaign if you are. Already on record as loving 'Sota.
- PS: Here's my offer to the T-Wolves. 3-year deal, first year for free as long as I can write a book about Season 1. I am dead-serious.
- Minny's attendance in 2008-09: 27th overall. Even with tons of family packs & discount deals.
- Minny's record from 2006-2009: 111-217, no playoff appearances. PS: I am inviting Britt Robson to be my assistant GM. Simmons-Robson 2009!
- Guys I would build around: Jefferson, Love, Brewer, Foye, 2009 No. 1 pick. My game plan: Emulating how Presti rebuilt the Zombie Sonics.
- T-Wolves prez Chris Wright: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Lobby him on my behalf. My question to Minny: Why not? You are irrelevant right now.
- First big Minny idea: If we get eliminated from playoffs, tix rest of the way are half-price and season ticketholders get half-price refunds
- 2nd big Minny idea: Anyone who bought season tix in 1987 and kept them since, I am taking you to dinner. Groups of eight per dinner.
- 3rd big Minny idea: I promise to trade with Chris Wallace and Mike Dunleavy as much as I possibly can. Will e-mail 'em every day with offers
- 4th big Minny idea: Any T-Wolves fan can trade in a jersey of a player no longer on the team and get 40% off their purchase of a new one.

Simmons also conducted a long interview with Michael Rand of the Star Tribune, which qualifies as required reading.

I cannot speak for the rest of the T-Wolves Blog staff.  However, I can't see how this move makes the franchise any worse, sells fewer tickets, or makes the team less watchable on TV - and in fact, I think it goes in a positive direction in all three categories.

Therefore, I'd like to offer my official endorsement of this candidacy.  Simmons in '09! Yes! We! Can! Be interesting and actually have a chance to get better, rather than treading water at the bottom of the Western Conference!

UPDATE: Now we've even got an official campaign poster.

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NBA Playoffs 2nd Round Predictions, Blogger MVP Voting, and Lakers-Rockets Preview


I've been busy on the blogging scene taking part in some collaborative stuff the past few weeks, and just wanted to take a second to post everything here in one post.  For fans of the NBA in general, here's a nice snapshot of what's going on around the league.  Make sure to check out some of these blogs, as they are really quite excellent, and the collection of NBA Bloggers that I have been participating with are second to none. 

First off, my NBA Playoffs Round 2 predictions.  Check out Don's post over at with malice....  Here's what I had to say about the 4 upcoming match-ups:

LALakers -vs- Houston Rockets

Lakers in 6.

As much as I'd like to give a breakdown here, feel free to check out the Round 2 Lakers-Rockets preview that I already did for with malice...

Denver Nuggets -vs- Dallas Mavericks

Nuggets in 7.

I don't particularly care for either team, however the Nuggets have been surprisingly fun to watch so far this post-season.  On the other hand, I do like and respect Mark Cuban.  The Mavericks have been revitalized of late, but the Nuggets are firing on all cylinders ... as well as have a deeper bench and home court advantage.  I look forward to yet another great PG battle, this time between Billups and Kidd.  While Kidd has lost a step or two, he's still a solid player and leader.  This series might come down to a few borderline calls in either direction, so I'll give it to the Nuggets since they have home court advantage.

Cleveland Cavaliers -vs- Miami/Atlanta

Cleveland in 4.

Are you kidding me?  The Cavs are playing out of their minds.  They might lose their first game of the post-season in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Maybe.

Boston Celtics -vs- Orlando Magic

Orlando in 7.

As much as I want to pick the Celtics to win this, I just can't.  The Magic have some glaring flaws of their own, but the Celtics are just too injured and too tired.  They were able to will themselves over the Baby Bulls in Game 7, but if that situation presents itself again, I'm not sure they will have as good a luck with the Magic as they did the Bulls.  The amount of extra minutes the Celtics played in the first round looked like it was taking its toll.  On top of that, presuming KG is still out, they are just thin.  Their bench players that have been healthy have been mostly awful (I'm looking at you Tony Allen, Marbury, Moore, and Scalabrine at times.)  Granted, we should not overlook the experience, leadership, and homecourt advantage that the Cletics possess... but without a healthy KG, I think their title defense ends here.


First Round Prediction Recap:

I did pretty well with my first round predictions, nailing the Lakers, Houston (only blogger to pick the Rockets!), Dallas (also the only blogger to pick the Mavs!), and missed on the Nuggets.  Apparently the Nuggets are for real.  In the East, I nailed all of them except the Hawks, as I picked the Heat to win in 7.  And really, that series was a toss-up.  It really hurt the Heat that they were dealing with multiple injuries (Moon, and JON), otherwise I think they could have taken it.


Round 2 Lakers -vs- Rockets Preview:

You probably noticed above, but I did a Round 2 Lakers-Rockets preview for Don at with Malice...  If you click the link above, it doesn't work yet, but check back in a few hours because he has it on a publishing delay.  It should be up shortly.  I think I did a pretty swell job, and it's as unbiased as I could possibly be (P.S. The Lakers are teh suxx!)

Here's the link again:  Round 2 Lakers-Rockets preview.



The Peanut Gallery's "Best of the Worst" NBA Awards‏

This was basically a fun little voting/poll exercise for us bloggers that cover teams who suck.  Make sure to check out the link, as it's a good piece.  The caveat is that players could only be selected from teams that missed the playoffs.  Here is how I responded:

Most Valuable Player - The best player from the worst of the league, must be from a non-playoff team

1.  Kevin Durant

2.  Danny Granger

3.  Devin Harris

 

 

Rookie of the Year - The best rookie of the worst teams of the L,  self explanatory, must be from a non-playoff team

1.   Russell Westbrook

2.   KLove

3.   OJ Mayo

 

 

Least Valuable Player -  A player on a non-playoff team that you call a "bum" or a "disappointment" who doesn't deserve the salary he's making, maybe you call him a "sorry excuse of $5-10 million (or whatever salary he's making)"

1.  Antoine Walker

2.  Antoine Walker

3.  Antoine Walker

 

 

Most Valuable Excuse - Your top three excuses either the GM, the players, the coach or even you, the blogger uses for why your team didn't make the playoffs

1.  I have no excuses.  The TWolves suck and our team is largely filled with backup quality players.

2.  See above.

3.  See above.



2009 Blogger MVP Rankings Final Edition

Lastly, we've got the long awaited 2009 Blogger MVP Rankings.  It's the Final Edition, hosted by Tom Ziller over at Sactown Royalty.  I don't think its any surprise that LeBron came in at #1.  However, it is slightly amazing that he led the MVP rankings in first place, the ENTIRE season.  That's pretty crazy if you ask me.  To see my votes, click "Read More" below or click HERE!

Thanks everyone and enjoy the NBA Playoffs!


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Continue Reading

Given the unmanageable amount of Timberwolves news flooding our inboxes, it was quite easy to convince myself to post a brief rundown on the Wolves' current lottery status.....an entire month early. Yes folks, the NBA Draft Lottery will not take place until May 19th.  And while 15 other teams (consisting oddly of many former Wolves players (typical)) are waiting to get thrashed by Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith and the Cleveland Cavaliers, us 'Sota fans have nothing to do but bask in speculation and uncertainty as we move towards lotto land and a new GM.

For those who can't get enough Wolves, click "read more" to learn who we, based on extremely advanced statistical evaluation, are most likely to draft in June.

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October 29^th, 2008. Wolves vs. Kings. This game, aside from the win, would prove to be a symbolic indication of how the Wolves’ twentieth season would play out. The second Ryan Gomes scored the first two points of the season, a wide open jump shot off of the left elbow, the writing was on the wall. “This year is going to be different” was the theme in Homer conversation, and the Haters were a minority for the first time in years. But which fan type prevailed this season?

With about 1 minute left in the first vs. the Kings, Kevin Love entered the game for his first ever NBA minutes. His first shot attempt came on an offensive rebound. Love had his shot swatted by Mikki Moore, only to recover it and quickly lay the ball in for his first points. The next play, Moore shoved the rookie out of the way and threw down a viscous two handed slam over the scared, would-be college sophomore. Al Jefferson was nowhere to be found on help defense.

However, Love would go on to have a great final 1/3^rd of the year, and no hater can deny it. Homers: 1, Haters: 0

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Minnesota is not in the playoffs.

This should not come as news for those who have seen the team play since around 2005.  It's been an awfully long time since the team rose above the level of "decidedly mediocre," and so for another off-season, fans have nothing to discuss except for how the team might be less embarassing next year.

Here, we examine the Timberwolves' off-season needs - from the obvious, to the bizarre.

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                                YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!


From Timberwolves.com:

The NBA today announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves won
the tiebreaker over the Memphis Grizzlies and are currently slotted
into the No. 5 selection for the 2009 NBA Draft. The final order of this
year's Draft will be determined at the NBA Draft Lottery, which will be
held on Tuesday, May 19 at the NBA Entertainment studio in Secaucus,
N.J. The 2009 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 25 at the WaMu
Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The Timberwolves and Grizzlies finished the 2008-09 regular season
with identical 24-58 records, and the Wolves moved into the fifth slot
after a random drawing was held earlier today.

Along with their first-round selection, the Timberwolves will also have
the first-round picks belonging to Miami (18th) and Boston (28th). The
Timberwolves also own the two lowest of Indiana, Miami and Philadelphia's
second-round picks, while Minnesota's own second-round pick will be conveyed
to Detroit. The order of selection in the second round cannot be determined until
after the Draft Lottery.

Below are the teams and their number of chances in 2009 NBA Draft Lottery.
The first three picks in the NBA Draft will be determined by the lottery and
the remainder of the "lottery teams" will select in positions 4 through 14
in inverse order of their consolidated standings at the end of the regular season.

TEAM	RECORD	LOTTERY CHANCES*
Sacramento	17-65	250
Washington	19-63	178
L.A. Clippers	19-63	177
Oklahoma City	23-59	119
Minnesota	24-58	76
Memphis	24-58	75
Golden State	29-53	43
New York	32-50	28
Toronto	33-49	17
Milwaukee	34-48	10
New Jersey	34-48	9
Charlotte	35-47	7
Indiana	36-46	6
Phoenix	46-36	5
		* Lottery chances are out of 1,000

I don't care what anyone says, this is huge.  Granted, our "luck" only
increases to 7.6% (from 7.5%) to win the lottery, but it means we at least
pick before Memphis despite the fact that both teams finished with the same
record.  Depending on who is in the draft, this could get us a better player
than even drafting at #6. 


Here's who I like:


1-2 TIE)  Blake Griffin & Ricky Rubio:  I think the Wolves need Rubio more,
but if we can't get him for whatever reason, I'd love the consensus best player in
the draft (Griffin.)
3)  Tyreke Evans:  An actual PG with size.  Some think he'll play SG
in the NBA, but either way, a dynamic guard at 6'6" is enticing.
4)  Demar DeRozan:  His athleticism and potential is off the charts.
Could be a Josh Smith type player when all is said and done.
5)  James Harden:  Sneaky athletic.  Reminds me of Paul Pierce.
Either way, could be a legitimate NBA two guard, which is something the Wolves
have sorely lacked.


At least we won the blind draw.  Baby steps.

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Hey everyone, it's Wolves fans our favorite time of the year again, because the NHL NBA playoffs are about to begin!  In the spirit of the season, I've done a few things with some of the various excellent NBA bloggers around the "Blogosphere" (yeah, I'm a nerd so what.)

Anyways, make sure to check out this stuff in anticipation of the games:


PLAYOFF THOUGHTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY

The always excellent Romy from Hoop Heads North got a few of us bloggers together who's teams suck diseased donkey balls were unfortunate enough to miss the playoffs this season.  Check out our collective thoughts on rivalries and vendettas, whom we think could be a surprise team of the first round, the dominance of the Cleveland Cavs, and more!

(For the record, I hate lots of teams, think the Nuggets will lose, and know the Cavs will crush their competition.)



And next, from my buddy Don over at With Malice... he's got the votes and analysis from 9 of my fellow Bloguin bloggers.  There is some really good stuff here (and sweet picture chart!)  Make sure to check them out:

Western Conference Playoff Preview

(What the heck, I was the only one to pick the Rockets and/or the Mavs?!?!  That's weak!)  Here is my analysis of the match-ups:

Los Angeles (1)  vs  Utah (8)

Lakers in 6.

-  It may appear to be somewhat of a tough match-up on paper, but the Lakers absolutely undressed Utah on Tuesday night.  Personally, I wish Utah would have ended up with the 7^th seed, because I’d like to see them advance in the playoffs.  LA is too talented for the Jazz, unfortunately.


Denver (2)  vs  New Orleans (7)

 New Orleans  in 7.

-  Denver may be the trendy pick, but I still don’t understand how they ended up with the second best record in the West.  I am still unconvinced until they are able to advance past the first round.  If Utah was in this spot, I think they would beat the Nuggets.  However, I also think New Orleans can beat the Nuggets too.  I believe it was a blessing in disguise that they dropped down to 7^th on the last day of the season!

San Antonio (3)  vs  Dallas (6) 

Dallas in 7.

-  Bummer for the Rockets, because I think they would have absolutely destroyed Dallas with ease, finally advancing past the first round.  For these two teams, it’s a toss-up.  With the current state of their rosters, I think they are the two weakest teams in the playoffs from the Western Conference.  I’ll give Dallas the nod because they’ve got Dirk, and San Antonio is missing Ginobili.  I could see this series going down to the wire either way.

Portland (4)  vs  Houston (5)

 Houston in 7.

-  The home court advantage could end up being key for the Blazers, because this will be a tough series.  However, I think Houston’s defense will be too much for them. I also give Houston the nod in the experience column.  It’s unfortunate that these two teams are playing each other, because I’d love to see both of them in the second round.

Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

And my analysis of the Eastern Conference and how the match-ups break down:

Cleveland (1)  vs  Detroit (8)

Cavs in 5.

-  Some people might be disillusioned because of Detroit’s past greatness, but that team is long gone.  LeBron might glow at some point, but he definitely won’t break a sweat this series.  This match-up is the end of an era for Piston fans.

Boston (2)  vs  Chicago (7)

Boston in 7.

-  This match-up could end up being closer than anyone thinks.  Especially since it sounds like KG will definitely miss the first round, and even possibly the entire playoffs.  I love what Derrick Rose has done with this team.

Orlando (3)  vs  Philadelphia (6) 

Orlando in 6.

-  Hedo’s injury could hurt the Magic a bit, but they are still just too good for the Sixers.  I guess anything can happen, but I just don’t think the Sixers have enough fire power… or the means to stop Dwight Howard.

 
Atlanta (4)  vs  Miami (5) 

Miami in 7.

-  I would never, ever, NEVER bet against a healthy and motivated D-Wade in the playoffs.  Throw in the fact that Atlanta struggles mightily on the road, and we’ll have quite a playoff series on our hands.  The big question is whether or not Miami’s youngsters can step up under pressure.  They won’t have to do too much with D-Wade on their site, but guys like Chalmers and Beasley will need to contribute for Miami to win.

DON'T MISS:

Lastly, TWolvesBlog is slugging it out in a brutal battle against The Nugg Doctor for Blog Header supremecy.  Make sure to check this out and vote for TWB!

Basketball Blog Header Playoffs - Round 1


UPDATE:

Go here to settle the tie-breaker!  We definitely need ALL your help!

Basketball Blog Header Playoffs - Round 1 TWB Tie-Breaker

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