This past week I met with a friend of mine who is an NBA insider for a rousing game of ping pong. This person is so well connected within the NBA that if anything is going on behind the scenes, he knows about. He offered some insight into what is going on inside the Timberwolves organization as well as some of the other teams around the NBA. Remember, you heard it here first.
On The Wolves
- My source tells me that many people in the front office who are still around from the McHale regime don't like Kahn very much. They believe that he is in over his head and will never be able to live up to the greatness and genius with which McHale ran the team. Also, my source tells me that one person in the wolves FO specifically told him that if McHale's icefishing house collapsed into the lake that he would jump into the hole in the ice after McHale, not to save him, but "to be with him". *nods head in agreement*
- It is nearly a unanimous opinion among those in the wolves FO that Big Alco and Love cannot effectively play together. There are many theories being thrown around as to why this is, but the most widely accepted one at this point is that they can't play together because they are both "too good" to share the post. My source also tells me that either Al or Love will "definitely" be traded sometime before 2013. *I just had a seizure*
- My source has learned through someone in K. Love's inner circle that he prefers boxers over briefs and that his favorite tv show is Inuyasha. *I have to go... ummmm....return some videotapes, I'll be back in 15 minutes*
- Most people within the wolves organization think that Ryan Hollins was a disappointment last year. They believe he showed almost no promise, but are not giving up and have come up with a well formulated plan to speed up his development. Love is going to work with Hollins on how to play below the rim, as many think the reason Hollins struggled is because he is too athletic. Al is going to work on defensive fundamentals with him and even though Oleksiy Pecherov is a free agent, he has agreed to work with Hollins on some of the finer points of passing. *my level of trust that the team knows what they are doing just raised ten-fold*
- My source tells me that Jonny Flynn secretly hopes that Ricky Rubio never comes to the NBA. *gasp*
- The wolves are exploring the possibility of a deal with the Warriors to swap draft picks and to get Anthony Randolph in the process. The exact details of the potential trade are not yet known, but my source says that the Warriors are insisting that the rights to Loukas Mavrokefalidis be included in the trade. So far the wolves have balked at this request. *Anthony Randolph & Wes Johnson 4co-mvp in 2011! believe it*
- Some of the players have given Glen Taylor the nickname "Skeletor" and call him that when he's not around. Also, Glen Taylor smells like a moldy basement and people don't like to hug him because you can't get the smell out of your clothes no matter how many times you wash them. *makes sense*
On The NBA
- Through connections within the Bulls and Hornets organizations, my source has learned that Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau will be the next head coach of the Bulls and that Blazers assistant Monty Williams will coach the Hornets. *remember, you heard it here first*
- My source says that the Wizards are going to shock the world by selecting John Wall with the 1st pick in the draft. * the nba: where unexpected happens!*
- The 76ers have made the #2 available for trade as long as the team will take on Elton Brand as well. My source tells me that supposedly many people around the league think that all-star Elton Brand is overpaid and do not want take on his contract. *#2 pick AND an all star. i just pissed my pants*
- My source tells me that Shaq is old and fat *noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo*
- Coincidentally, my source is also very close to Lebron. He tells me that Lebron has narrowed down his list of potential teams to 29. The team that he has ruled out is the Timberwolves. When my source asked Lebron why he had taken the timberwolves out of consideration, Lebron said nothing in reply and had a blank stare on his face. *eh, you can't win them all. maybe we can sign Harrison Barnes when he is a free agent in 2016*
- My source has learned that Shaddy McCants has been voted off of his recreational league basketball team by his fellow teammates. In 4 games, he never passed the ball once and his team lost every game. My source talked to a person close to Shaddy who says that he is encouraged by his rec league scoring average of 48 points per game and is confident he can make an NBA comeback. Supposedly he has even hired JaMarcus Russell to help him learn to how to pass the ball better. *scoring. dedication. heart. i hope we can get this guy*
Well, that about does it folks. This is a recap of most of what the source and myself talked about. Obviously he told me some other things, but they are so shocking that your simpleton minds couldn't even comprehend the magnitude of importance of that information. Also, we here at TWB are not trying to spread rumors or be the guys who are always quoting "unnamed sources", it's just that we know that fans love insider information such as this and it comes from a very, very, reliable source. I ask that you please do not repost any of this on any other website. Remember, you heard it here first and please stop by TWB in the future for more exclusive NBA inside information.
Not much going on around your beloved Wolves these days, except mostly baseless draft and/or trade speculation. With that said, we'll try to bring all the Wolves news here to our loyal readers, especially anything breaking (ha.) And for any of you that somehow didn't know... the Lakers and Celtics are facing off (again) in the NBA Finals starting this Thursday night. The Celtics and Lakers have combined for 32 out of the 63 total NBA championships. That is sick and absurd. Anyways, I'll take the Celtics in 6. They've got the better team, despite the fact that the Lakers have the best player. Git it!!!
* Look for Timberwolves GM David Kahn to be active trying to trade up from the fourth pick to the second pick for a chance to take Turner. Don't be surprised if either Al Jefferson or Kevin Love is traded by draft night.
* If the Wolves stay at No. 4 and don't move either up or down, they'll likely choose from between Johnson, Cousins or possibly Wake Forest small forward Al-Farouq Aminu.
- Looks like he covered all the bases while saying nothing. We might trade up. We might not. We might trade Al or Love. We might stay at #4 and draft someone crappy. Thanks for nothing Bob.
More NBA News and Draft Speculation
From Ron Tillery at the Memphis Commerical Appeal:
Minnesota GM David Kahn is actively trying to trade up from the fourth pick to the second pick for a chance to take Ohio State's Evan Turner. Also, don't be surprised if either Al Jefferson or Kevin Love is traded by draft night.
- So he knows for sure that the Wolves are trying to trade up for the #2 pick? And that Love or Al could very well be traded? Or, perhaps he has the same "sources" as Mr. Finnan?
The Timberwolves learned the hard way last season what happens to NBA teams who rotate players who are below average in speed, leaping ability, and lateral quickness out on the wings.
They go 15-67.
Ryan Gomes and Damien Wilkins are both solid professionals and smart, veteran players. They both can offer solid contributions to a team, both tangible and intangible. But if they're your two small forwards, today's NBA is literally going to run past you.
Potential Future Wolves?
- Yes, it's pretty clear that the Wolves desperately need some win help. I think there a few more options than Mr. Louwagie listed in his article, but not bad.
When a team has lottery pick in the NBA Draft, the teams are looking to find that franchise player. An athlete that has the ability, personality, potential and hype to become the face of the team and fill the arena.
Once outside the lottery and late into the first round and second rounds, teams start to take chances on players. While the first round is filled with potential, the second if filled with young international players, seasoned college players, and players that do one thing really well that makes them valuable.
You now why teams don’t use a lottery pick on a one dimensional players? Hasheem Thabeet.
Teams that use a high draft pick on a player who has shown very limited skills out-side that one specific skill, are typically disappointed.
If the Wolves keep their fourth pick and draft Wesley Johnson, and are able to land Luke Babbitt at sixteen, they will need to address the post with the twenty-third pick. And lucky, there are plenty of players who will be available at No. 23 that have the size and ability the Wolves need. Having three first round picks, the Wolves may be more willing to take a chance on a player with potential and “upside”.
- If we draft Wesley Johnson, Luke Babitt, and one of these defensive guys that he lists in his article, if THAT is the extent of our draft in the biggest off-season in this team's history... you might as well move this team to Vegas or Seattle right now. That draft/off-season would doom us to a decade of 15-20 win seasons.
Please click "Read More" for News from Around the NBA, a ROY arrest, and Finals Preview...
It's Memorial Day and NO ONE in the media is talking about the Wolves. (Strange, I know.) I tried finding stuff to piece together for daily news, but there's just nothing worth posting. The lone "interesting" piece I was able to hunt down mentioned that the Wolves may try to move up in the draft, without giving any specifics as to how they might do that. That riveting piece of journalism aside, the Wolves news-o-phere was a total black hole today.
However, just because everyone else decides to be boring today and barbeque or jump in the pool instead of covering the Wolves, your loyal troup here at TWB aren't going to leave you hanging. Today, we're announcing the launch of our Reader Draft Board! Each day we'll be posting a poll that allows our readers to make a draft pick. We'll start with the Wizards, who are unfairly and lamely picking #1. Then each day we'll move through the first round until you, the readers, have assembled your collective draft board.
The poll only contains the most likely candidates for a given draft position, and won't contain any players that have already been "drafted". However, to keep things fair, if you don't agree with any of the given choices you can always write-in your vote. (Serious draft candidates only. Votes for Baked Man KG fan will be ignored.)
So let's vote! With the 1st pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select...
It's Memorial Day and NO ONE in the media is talking about the Wolves. (Strange, I know.) I tried finding articles to piece together for the Daily News, but there's just nothing worth posting. The lone "interesting" piece I was able to hunt down mentioned that the Wolves may try to move up in the draft, without giving any specifics as to how they might do that. That riveting piece of journalism aside, the Wolves news-o-phere was a total black hole today.
However, just because everyone else decides to be boring today and barbeque or jump in the pool instead of covering the Wolves, your loyal troup here at TWB aren't going to leave you hanging. Today, we're announcing the launch of our Reader Draft Board! Each day we'll be posting a poll that allows our readers to make a draft pick. We'll start with the Wizards, who are unfairly and lamely picking #1. Then each day we'll move through the first round until you, the readers, have assembled your collective draft board.
The poll only contains the most likely candidates for a given draft position, and won't contain any players that have already been "drafted". However, to keep things fair, if you don't agree with any of the given choices you can always write-in your vote. (Serious draft candidates only. Votes for Baked Man KG fan will be ignored.)
So let's vote! With the 1st pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select...
Who's idea was this anyway? Do they think people will find it clever? Not sure how anyone is excited about falling in the lottery (again), down to having the fourth pick when we had the second worst record in the NBA. I think it's more insulting than anything. There aren't better ways to advertise the re-re-re-re-re-re-re-rebuilding of this team? Please just make some moves of significance this off-season... that's all fans are asking for (well, and a team that doesn't completely suck.)
(Skyway-level poster found directly outside Target Center)
Follow the link in our forums here. Also do feel free to register with us and comment on that and other topics. Any interview between Barriero and Kahn is good, but this one was surprisingly short. It's encouraging to hear Kahn does not appear against absorbing a bad contract in order to really move ahead in terms of personnel. While I may not agree with that at its extreme, this is quite encouraging to hear as a fan.
Need some new Draft Material?
Check out this well written blog, NBA Draft Blog, which breaks down several players and abilities in detail. They discuss a lot of "non-high profile" guys which is great for those of us who don't follow the NCAA religiously.
Rumor: Rudy Fernandez and the #22 for the #16?
A linkless, speculative forum post at RealGM met with surprisingly negative responses. Post-worthy still. I have read a few comments at a few other Wolves-sites-that-shall-not-be-named clamoring for a Fernandez/Batum for the 4th pick deal as a great trade for us. I personally would have a spontaneous bowel movement if that happened. As for the trade above, a decent move I'd say. I worry though becuase Rudy seems unhappy in the NBA and I don't want to miss out on a guy like Paul George, who might have more upside than Rudy. Either way, Fernandez here doesn't exactly hurt our chances of getting Rubio over here...someday....
A recap of today's workouts, including the all-but-perfect future Wolf Luke Harangody
Question: How did the workout go today? Harangody: "It was a great workout, it was a good group of guys. Very intense and physical, just what you would expect from one of these. I've been through this process before so I'm used to it by now."
Question: We heard you took a little dive into the seats today... Harangody: "Yeah (laughs), it gets physical in here and people are trying to get a job so anything goes now...I'm going to be that energy guy, come into these workouts and just do the dirty work and hopefully do the same thing next year."
Question: Do you feel like you have to change your game a bit for the NBA? Harangody: "Yeah, I'm not going to be the same player that I was in college, there's going to be a lot of things I have to change up, catching on the perimeter and facing up, things like that."
Question: How is your three-point shooting now? Harangody: "I'm trying to step out a little bit more, shooting the NBA-three more as the weeks go by and just be more comfortable shooting out there."
I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be opposed to drafting him in the 2nd round if available. Primarily to replace Cardinal as the chief source of comic relief on the roster. However, the guy can flat out shoot and score. I see him as a Ryan Anderson type role-player in the future. Also an interview with Scottie Reynolds (no relation).
Star Tribune Writeup on Charles Garcia/Wolves Updates
That he feels overlooked is understandable. How many times did Seattle University, where Garcia averaged 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, appear on national TV? How many games did the Redhawks win in the NCAA tournament? How big of a ripple did his 41-point eruption against Wofford create?
Exactly. Zero
Also within:
Kahn and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis left Wednesday night for Europe, where they will watch guard Ricky Rubio and center Nikola Pekovic play twice apiece next week. They also will visit free agent Darko Milicic, who has said he hopes to re-sign with the Wolves next season.
Ford's Latest Mock has 76ers taking Favors at 2.
Ford continues to shift things around just to get people talking, which should come as no surprise.
Analysis: While GM Ernie Grunfeld continues to maintain that the Wizards haven't made any decisions and plan to bring in both Wall and Turner to work out, a Wizards source at the NBA draft combine acknowledged to me privately that the team will take Wall barring any unforeseen complications with his physical.
While a backcourt of Wall and Gilbert Arenas does raise some questions, it should be fine. Arenas has always been more of a 2-guard anyway, and Wall's star quality makes him the obvious choice for the Wizards to build around.
Here are the prospects that worked out earlier today at the Target Center:
Group #5
Ryan Thompson, G, Rider
Elijah Millsap, G, UAB
Matt Bouldin, G, Gonzaga
Lazar Hayward, F, Marquette
Charles Garcia, F, Seattle
Trevor Booker, F, Clemson
Group #6
Jerome Randle, G, California
Scottie Reynolds, G, Villanova
Landry Fields, G/F, Stanford
Tim Ohlbrecht, F, Germany
Luc Louves, F, France
Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame
Yeah I'm not getting excited over these prospects either...except for Luke Harangody!! I hope we take him with the 4th pick The 7th and final group will workout tomorrow morning and features these prospects:
There's a surprisingly large amount of quality info to be found on the TWolves Draft Central 2010 site. Interviews, sound bites, articles, workout recaps... everything you could want can be found HERE.
TUESDAY PROSPECT WORKOUTS AT TARGET CENTER:
Morning Session:
Manny Harris, G, Michigan Sylven Landesberg, G, Virginia Lance Stephenson, G, Cincinnati Stanley Robinson, F, Connecticut Ryan Richards, F, England Jarvis Varnado, F, Mississippi Afternoon Session:
Andy Rautins, G, Syracuse Denis Clemente, G, Kansas State Tommy Mason-Griffin, G, Oklahoma Donald Sloan, G, Texas A&M Craig Brackins, F, Iowa State Latavious Williams, F, Tulsa 66ers (NBDL)
- Lots of quality names here, more so than Monday's workouts at least. I'm intrigued by Stephenson, Robinson, and Varnado, among others.
TWolves Looking at Wesley Johnson with the #4 Pick
(Timberwolves General Manager David) Kahn and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis have identified an athletic small forward/shooting guard as a key offseason priority for the club, and Johnson, a first-team All-American last season, appears to fill that role. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale called Johnson the best small forward in the draft.
"Johnson would be a solid pick for Minnesota," (ESPN college basketball analyst Dick) Vitale said. "He's got the athleticism, quickness and explosiveness you want in a player at his position."
- Gahhhhh, this scares me. Drafting Wes Johnson at #4 just screams for another 15-18 win season. As stated here on TWB a billion times already this off-season, the Wolves absolutely must hit a huge home run, nay, a grand slam this off-season and draft. Taking Johnson with only a few other moves screams medocricy and that Taylor is just looking at the bottom line. The Wolves have lost a lot of money the past few years, but the only way to change that is to win. This won't get it done. Nevermind the fact that Brewer + Johnson on the perimeter together would be a disaster. Neither can create their own shot, or even dribble very well. This would make me cry.
Coach Rambis "Important Partner" in Shaping Wolves Roster
When Kurt Rambis became the Timberwolves coach last August, president of basketball operations David Kahn had completed most of the moves that left only five players from the 2008-09 roster.
The timing is much better now for Rambis, who is following through on comments he made during the NBA regular season that he wants to be more involved in the team's offseason plans.
"I will be very active ... extremely active," Rambis said Monday after the first session of workouts this week at Target Center for players available in the June 24 NBA draft. "I understood there were a lot of business decisions made last year. This year we'll be making personnel decisions, and that's a huge difference."
Rambis traveled with Kahn to Chicago last week for the NBA's predraft camp. Rambis and Kahn are leaving town again Wednesday for an eight-day trip to Europe to scout point guard Ricky Rubio in the Spanish League playoffs and 6-foot-11 center-forward Nikola Pekovic in the Greek League playoffs.
- Please tell me this doesn't mean we'll draft another Jonny-Flynn-to-Run-the-Triangle type pick. Or Wes Johnson.
We all knew when David Kahn took over as President of the Minnesota Timberwolves a little more than a year ago that the rebuilding process for the franchise would mean more losses than wins in the short term.
Kahn implicitly admitted that a ton of losses were on the horizon when he stated that he would need at least 17 months to transform the Timberwolves. No one panicked in Wolves Nation as no one believed that a few minor changes would turn Minnesota into a title contender.
The plan from the outside appeared to be relatively simple.
- Nothing is simple with this organization. If we don't hit it huge this off-season and draft, it will set the Wolves back another half-decade at least. Sorry, but it's true.
The Timberwolves are hosting workouts this week for about 40 draft-eligible college players. Just about everybody who's anybody at the NBA executive and coaching level is attending these workouts. Guys such as Larry Bird (Indiana Pacers president), Pat Riley (Miami Heat president) and Flip Saunders (Washington Wizards coach) were in attendance Monday along with, of course, Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn. I talked to Kahn about what he plans to do with the NBA draft's fourth overall pick, which the Wolves acquired in last week's lottery.
BS: How many scenarios have you run through your mind?
DK: Thousands.
BS: Is there a likely scenario?
DK: No, not yet. And it takes two. You can't do things in a vacuum.
BS: Is your phone ringing off the hook with offers for the fourth pick?
DK: No. Just a lot of conversation. It started last week. It will only pick up and intensify as we move closer (to the draft).
- Follow the link for the rest of the interview. If you dare.
There once was no decision to make: College basketball players spent four years in school, used up their eligibility, and if they were good enough, turned pro. But that era is so far in the past, NBA basketball might have evolved into one of the few professions in the world in which a diploma is frequently regarded not as an accomplishment, but as a red flag.
To NBA scouts, getting a B.S. sometimes just means you're halfway to B-U-S-T.
"It can be a hindrance, if there is a perception that their development stopped at some point," Timberwolves president David Kahn said Monday as he oversaw workouts for a dozen NBA hopefuls at Target Center. "It can be a good thing or a bad thing."
For the rest of the Daily NBA News, please click "Read More" to continue...
I give last night's Lost finale two thumbs up. I haven't checked in with Mike and Roundhouse, the other two Lost junkies on the TWB staff, (CW is so lame...) to hear their thoughts, but overall, I felt that the finale wrapped up the show nicely and reminded us all of the fact that we've been treated to six seasons of a television masterpiece. Some people are probably disappointed that we didnt' get more "answers". My personal take is that even though I don't know all the details, I know enough to understand the overall story of the show, and after six years of waiting, no answer that the writers could give me would've lived up to the hype anyway. I think it's actually better to have things left somewhat open-ended vs. having a discrete answer that I thought was lame.
Anyway, here's your Wolves news. Overall, there's not much to report this morning other than some mild, and probably baseless, draft speculation.
Kahn and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis have identified an athletic small forward/shooting guard as a key offseason priority for the club, and Johnson, a first-team All-American last season, appears to fill that role. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale called Johnson the best small forward in the draft.
"Johnson would be a solid pick for Minnesota," Vitale said. "He's got the athleticism, quickness and explosiveness you want in a player at his position."
An interesting decision faces the Wolves if they stay at No. 4 and New Jersey passes on Cousins, regarded as the best big man in the draft. The question remains whether the 6-foot-11, 292-pound Cousins is a true center or power forward. Vitale and fellow ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas believe Cousins, who left Kentucky after his freshman year, can play center in the NBA.
"He's not a super athlete, but he's got good footwork and he can command a double team," Bilas said of Cousins. "He's got long arms, and he's a load under the basket. He'll bring a team's rebound percentage up."
Yup, the Wolves LOST the lottery, and now we're debating between Wes Johnson and the next Derrick Coleman. Awesome. Las Vegas Lobos, here we come!
Monday morning's tentative list of participating players include South Florida guard Dominque Jones, Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawai, Mississippi guard Terrico White, Nevada guard Amon Johnson, Xavier guard Jordan Crawford and Oklahoma forward Tiny Gallon.
The afternoon session is expected to include West Virginia forward Devin Ebanks, Kansas guard Sherron Collins, New Mexico guard Darington Hobson, Tulsa center Jerome Jordan, UTEP forward Derrick Caracter and Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez.
Sorry, but I've LOST any and all excitment about this list of prospects.
One trade rumor that briefly circulated here involved the Sixers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves want Turner and would give the Sixers their No. 4 and No. 16 picks in exchange for the second pick.
"I won't comment on our trade talks or to the teams that we are talking to or to do our business in the newspaper," Stefanski said of the rumor. "What I will tell the fans is that we will listen to anything. But obviously, that will have to be a strong deal to give up the second pick in the draft."
Don't give up, Wolves fans. All hope isn't LOST.
So that's your daily Wolves news, but more importantly, what did you all think of the Lost finale? Obviously we could speculate for days about the draft (and we will), but a day after the biggest television finale of our lifetimes, let's take a break and discuss the show in the comments. Needless to say, if you haven't watched it yet, there will likely be some spoilers...
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The 7th and final group will workout tomorrow morning and features these prospects:
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The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 