Archive for July, 2009

Jul30th

Report: Rubio To F.C. Barcelona?

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

For FIVE years?
Reportedly the buyout is only $1 Million Euro after the 2nd year, so it will be easy for the Wolves to get him here then, but according to this article he will be making a significantly larger amount after the 2nd year, enticing him to stay in Europe, and not make the jump to the NBA.
This is not looking good for the Wolves, and hopefully things change before the end of today… but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Here’s the translation:

Ricky Blond already a decision has made: wants to continue its career in the Regal FC Barcelona. The [...]

Jul30th

Wolves Update 7/30

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: None Yet

Two Major Stories today in Wolves World… which are the same stories that have been ongoing the past month.
1. Rubio’s Status Update
2. Coaching Update
First off is Ricky Rubio. There have been numerous reports about offers being made from Euro teams (mainly Real Madrid), but Jordi Villacampa, DKV’s President has said that the Wolves are positive that Rubio will play for them this season. This is someone that you would think would be in the know… since he is in the negotiations that have been going on everyday since the draft (and before as well).
Also about Rubio is that he has [...]

Jul27th

Etan Thomas to OKC Wilkins, Atkins in Return

AUTHOR: Luke Jensen | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: None Yet

Recently acquired reserve center Etan Thomas and two future second round draft picks have been traded to Oklahoma City for Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins. If this was a straight-up trade of the 3 players, it might make sense roster-wise to bring in Wilkins and Atkins for balance, but as it is, especially after trading away Madsen and Smith and adding two second rounders to this deal, this deal screams “precursor.”
We HAD a glut at the PF/C rotation, but especially after trading away Craig Smith and Mark Madsen, Etan Thomas would have been a useful rotation man for us. Our [...]

Jul25th

Josh Smith POSTERIZES KLove

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: None Yet

Well, not exactly, but its as posterized as LeBron got, so it must be newsworthy. I just don’t see how a guy coming over half a second late for help defense is considered getting dunked on. All it looks like to me is JSmith took out his man with a one on one move, and Love happened to be the closest guy to him so he rotated over. This is exactly what any good teammate should do. Its not like Smith jumped over him Vince Carter style, or even dunked over him while he was set looking to block the [...]

Jul24th

Madsen’s Farewell

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

This is one of the few times I will simply quote the entire article, as Mark is the epitome of class.
Thank you Minnesota
I wanted to take a minute to tell the fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves a heart felt thank you for all of the support and enthusiasm for the team over the past few years. Even though the past couple of years had been tough from a wins and losses perspective, when I will think of my time in Minneapolis, I will always think about that 2004 team that almost made it to the NBA Finals. At that time, [...]

Jul23rd

Kahn Works Buyout Clause, Rubio Announcement Soon

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: None Yet

David Kahn has put his magical  lawyer powers to use, and found loopholes in the NBA’s player buyout clause. Its been wide known that Kahn was heading to Spain this week to try to figure out Rubio’s buyout and assist in anyway possible. Little did any of us know how much he could help. Apparently, Kahn brought with him $4 Million in endorsement deals from local companies.
This means that Rubios reported $8 million buyout, which has been reportedly been offered at a much lower buyout by DKV, would be dwindled to something Ricky could pay off in one season with [...]

Jul21st

Q Headed To ‘Sota

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

Quentin Richardsen has been traded yet again. Hope he gets frequent flier miles. For the third time this summer, Q is moving in the NBA. We moved the Rhino, SeaBass, and the Mad Dawgg for Q this time, which means we got rid of 3 decently valuable assets for one expiring, yet more valuable piece.
Im one of the guys on the bus that Rhino and Bassy could have gotten us more in return than Q, but in all reality it doesn’t make much difference. Both were players that were going to get less playing time next season than they deserve. [...]

Jul20th

Flynn Receives Rookie of the Month Honors

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: None Yet

Jonny Flynn received rookie of the month honors tonight before our final summer league game. The team was so thrilled that they started Ben Woodside in his place. In celebration, Flynn did a windmill dunk to end the loss to the Mighty Chicago Bulls.
Although Flynn did get the rookie of the month award, surprisingly Blake Griffin took the Summer League MVP. We captured a shot of Flynn, who was noticeably upset,  when he heard the news:
…Or, maybe that was from something else.
Surprisingly, Corey Brewer lead the way for us tonight with 20 points. Flynn was mostly a distributor, but was [...]

Jul16th

Summer League Game 2: More Analysis

AUTHOR: Luke Jensen | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

While we wait for Game 3 on Friday, I figured I would follow Matt’s thoughts on Game 2 with thoughts of my own. You guys know how this works:
Wayne Ellington: Started Game 2 with an awful stretch including an ugly airball followed by a wide open 3 point brick, biting terribly on a pump fake and leaving his feet to make attempt a pass that was cut off. That didn’t last. The questionable defense did (including leaving his feet defensively on a pump fake several more times), but his offense caught fire. Once he got a couple easy ones, including [...]

Jul14th

Summer League Game 2: Wolves vs. D-League All Stars

AUTHOR: Matthew P.C. Holmquist | IN: Timberwolves | COMMENTS: 2 Comments

Going into Summer League, I had 3 things I wanted shown by the team.
1. Wanted to know Corey Brewer was healthy enough to practice basketball again
2. Wanted to know Flynn could create for others as well as himself
3. Wanted to know if Ellington can shoot the ball like I’ve heard he can
After the first game, we found out Brewer was in fact ready to start working on his game again by creating some game. However, Flynn looked like he had some great passes, but also had some pretty bad ones (7 assists to 7 TO), and Ellington looked lost on [...]