Last night, I didn't get the "opportunity" to watch the game against the Heat, but reading Robson's Three Pointer this morning, he now is convinced the Wolves are tanking the season, and protecting the draft choice. To date, they haven't yet enlisted the three point services of Mark Madsen, mostly because they have the slothful services of Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, and Mike James. Who needs to blatantly throw games when they have those three?
Reading across many message boards, we can see the blame being directed heavily against those three, and of course the Iron Ranger. But as has been mentioned previously, there's blame to be delivered throughout the organization and players, KG included. Again, he's at the point in his career where he's not able to carry the team on his back, ala Shaq without Wade. When you're making roughly a third of the available salary cap in a small market, you must be able to affect your team more than via quality stats. You must be the unquestioned leader. We've seen the spin from Club Timberwolves that KG is indeed that type of leader, but with this organization, there's an inverse truth to spin ratio; the more they spin, the less true it probably is.
What's also pretty clear at this point is that the Iverson trade wouldn't have worked either. Denver has not flourished with the addition of AI. Supporters of the trade might argue that KG is a different type of player than Carmelo Anthony, which is true. But the reason we're in a major hole is simply because of toughness, mental and front court. With KG and AI's salary, there would be no room to add the toughness they need to win a championship, and both of them aren't the type of leaders who demand results. With scant salary available, unless Taylor wants to go way beyond the cap, there would need to be some overachieving on the part of the players surrounding KG and AI. Who's going to inspire that? Not those two. KG has learned to look drained and spent at the end of every fourth quarter and season. Whether he is or not is anyone's guess. But it sure makes people sorry for him, at 20 million dollars a year.
So, as we close out the season, the Wolves are left a few pieces for next year, and the need to creatively tank a number of their games. Questions abound regarding point guard, our front court, leadership and toughness, KG's future and the tenure of the Iron Ranger. I'd trade it all for a winning basketball team, but I have to admit this is pretty interesting, in a dysfunctional sort of way.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Seattle Slew
An awful game, don't you think? From what I've read so far this morning, the piling on has begun. In the end, it's like an Amos Lee lyric: "baby, I've seen it all before, don't want to be your friend anymore". The evening started out so innocently; our TV spin doctors AGAIN try and tell us how good Ricky Davis is, how we don't understand the inner workings of the team. How many times do we have to be told we're not insiders, and by implication, our opinions aren't as informed as theirs? With results like this, what difference does it really make?
I'm not sure why I focus so much on the broadcasting team. I guess outside of the players themselves, they are the most visible, communicative face of the franchise. Of the other broadcasters in the NBA, they seem most tightly attuned to a single "message" coming from the front office, which again is one of the worst in the league. And, their justifications for their opinions is not on-the-court play, it's that you, the average fan, are not one of them and haven't played the game, therefore you must be mistaken.
Talking about subtle differences between playoff and championship teams may need an insider's acumen, but the Wolves are reflective of the state of modern broadcasting and marketing today: they don't trust their audience. Just buy the tickets, dammit, leave the decisions to us. I've participated on enough message boards to know a lot of fans opinions are flotsam. We as a species tend to think emotionally, and it's always easier to expect more out of the millionaire athlete. But fans aren't stupid either, and they know crap when they see it. And in the Wolves case, crap is what we're looking at.
It's time to blow up the team, entirely, from the front office right down to the broadcasting crew. Trade KG, get what draft choices you can, and build some buzz once again. Cater to the knowledgeable fan; bring back summer league games here, actually WORK with the community you're trying to market. That's how you build loyalty in the face of disastrous seasons like the last three.
Otherwise...it's the Adventures of the Iron Ranger, coming soon to a Podcast near you!
I'm not sure why I focus so much on the broadcasting team. I guess outside of the players themselves, they are the most visible, communicative face of the franchise. Of the other broadcasters in the NBA, they seem most tightly attuned to a single "message" coming from the front office, which again is one of the worst in the league. And, their justifications for their opinions is not on-the-court play, it's that you, the average fan, are not one of them and haven't played the game, therefore you must be mistaken.
Talking about subtle differences between playoff and championship teams may need an insider's acumen, but the Wolves are reflective of the state of modern broadcasting and marketing today: they don't trust their audience. Just buy the tickets, dammit, leave the decisions to us. I've participated on enough message boards to know a lot of fans opinions are flotsam. We as a species tend to think emotionally, and it's always easier to expect more out of the millionaire athlete. But fans aren't stupid either, and they know crap when they see it. And in the Wolves case, crap is what we're looking at.
It's time to blow up the team, entirely, from the front office right down to the broadcasting crew. Trade KG, get what draft choices you can, and build some buzz once again. Cater to the knowledgeable fan; bring back summer league games here, actually WORK with the community you're trying to market. That's how you build loyalty in the face of disastrous seasons like the last three.
Otherwise...it's the Adventures of the Iron Ranger, coming soon to a Podcast near you!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Follow the Leader
Hey, KG actually hit a shot at the end of the game! One of those much discussed fade away shots, no less. At last count, I believe that's two for the season, with the overtime game against Philly earlier in the season being the other. Good for him.
KG is one of those interesting characters--great player, seemingly decent person, but mediocre leader. In the last couple of days we heard from him how draining it is to be a leader on this club. Leading the club to 30-39 record, no doubt it's a little tough. I think the rank and file of us with middle class values would tend to say: "you're the star dude, and you make around a 1/3 of the available cap salary on the team, you should suck it up and step up". That logic has its merits. Remember however, all things are not equal any more. The rich caste in this country have their own logic and perspective. Remember, it's that bastion of capitalism--Forbes--who developed criteria that established the Iron Ranger as the top notch exec in all sports. Us middle class goofs, left buying tickets to these games, are shaking our heads. How can this possibly be?
You can't make someone be who they're not. Conversely, if a player in a small market can't consistently hit a big shot at the end of the game, or be a positive influence in the locker room, may be they should ask for a little less money, and whine less about the lack of resources. When teams lose, the fault usually lies in multiple areas, just not everyone else. Right now, it looks like the leaders on the club are the ones doing the fingerpointing and refusing to be held accountable for this poor season, and everyone else is following suit.
KG is one of those interesting characters--great player, seemingly decent person, but mediocre leader. In the last couple of days we heard from him how draining it is to be a leader on this club. Leading the club to 30-39 record, no doubt it's a little tough. I think the rank and file of us with middle class values would tend to say: "you're the star dude, and you make around a 1/3 of the available cap salary on the team, you should suck it up and step up". That logic has its merits. Remember however, all things are not equal any more. The rich caste in this country have their own logic and perspective. Remember, it's that bastion of capitalism--Forbes--who developed criteria that established the Iron Ranger as the top notch exec in all sports. Us middle class goofs, left buying tickets to these games, are shaking our heads. How can this possibly be?
You can't make someone be who they're not. Conversely, if a player in a small market can't consistently hit a big shot at the end of the game, or be a positive influence in the locker room, may be they should ask for a little less money, and whine less about the lack of resources. When teams lose, the fault usually lies in multiple areas, just not everyone else. Right now, it looks like the leaders on the club are the ones doing the fingerpointing and refusing to be held accountable for this poor season, and everyone else is following suit.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The dream dies...
Cinderella is no more. The Marist ladies lost to Tennessee in a game where--truth be told--it was no contest. The Red Foxes didn't have an answer for the Lady Vols defense, and did not hit the shots when they had open looks. They would have had to play nearly a perfect game to beat Tennessee, but I thought they would do slightly better than they did, because they are such as well coached team. But overwhelming talent and size won out in the end. With only their superb point guard, Alisa Kresge and three other bench players graduating this year, it could well be that this group could be back next year for another run. They will have to find people who can hit open looks to free up their inside play however, to advance to the next level.
Still, it was a marvelous run, a story that deserves recognition nationwide. This is what heart and coaching can achieve, whether the college game is or isn't superior to the pro game. I prefer the pro game over college, but when you witness stories like these, it's easy to switch the channel and cheer for the underdog.
Still, it was a marvelous run, a story that deserves recognition nationwide. This is what heart and coaching can achieve, whether the college game is or isn't superior to the pro game. I prefer the pro game over college, but when you witness stories like these, it's easy to switch the channel and cheer for the underdog.
State of the Timberwolves
I'm a Timberwolves fan. No matter how negative or mediocre the club is, it's been fun to follow the team and cheer for their accomplishments and howl over their misfortunes. Needless to say, there's been a lot more howling than cheering these days. Many of us thought when Kevin McHale--aka The Iron Ranger--took over from Jack McCloskey--aka The Vacationer--our ship would finally be righted. And for quite awhile, we enjoyed success; though not consistently one of the elite teams in the NBA, we won enough in the regular season to curry interest, only to be dashed repeatedly in the playoffs.
This was due to one single move:the drafting of Kevin Garnett. Loyal Minnesotans could say the hiring of Flip Saunders as the coach also added "zazz", but really, I don't think Flip could have won without Kevin, and in his prime, I think Kevin could have won without Flip.
How things have changed!
As with many sports organizations, the Timberwolves are a bloated, arrogant and underperforming bunch, from the front office, the players, right to the broadcasting crew. They lack the ability to honestly self-assess, which every successful organization needs, and to understand the changing dynamics of the market they operate in. To wit:
This morning the NY Post announced the Knicks had signed Randolph Morris out of Kentucky, who by entering last years NBA draft but not hiring an agent, was awarded free agent status by the league. Morris by all accounts is not a franchise changing player, but considering the woeful state of the Wolves front court outside of KG and possibly the undersized Craig Smith, they could have at least TRIED to be in the mix for a potentially decent front court role player, at a relatively low cost. Who was reported to be the other suitor for Morris? The Raptors.
What have we gotten instead of real players and effort? "The Blueprint for the Future". Simply put, a lot of spin and mirrors. It would have taken hustle and some cash to show Minnesota sports fans this club is truly interested in improving the club, especially when the on court product is so poor, and this year's first round draft pick is so tenuous. What we get instead are empty, unfufilled promises.
Here's the bottom line: No "blueprint" will be successful unless you have a mentally tough, physical front court who can primarily defend and score at least a little in the low post. Mark Blount--once dubbed the "second best center in the Western Conference" by broadcasting spin artist Jim Petersen earlier this season--has now reverted back to the mediocre and lazy player he was for the Celtics. Yes, he has a sweet stroke from 18 feet, but when that fails him, what's left? Nothing. Even Petersen can't sell the notion anymore that Blount alone is worth the first rounder they owe the Celtics. Hopefully Petersen will never get an opportunity to run a team, based on his early and mid season advocacy of the Blounster.
Herein lies the core problem of the team: having played the game. How many times have we heard Petersen tell his listeners that he played the game, therefore his opinion was superior? How many reports have we heard about McHale blaming coaching and players for his lack of roster building acumen? Sure, he had a nice run when he took over for the Flipper a couple of years back, but even then they quit on him when the needed to win (re:Atlanta). It's the hubris all former players face when they become front office executives or broadcasters: once you step off the court, everything changes. The same qualities that made you one of the top 350 or so players in the entire world won't necessarily make you a top notch executive. It's not just about you anymore. Micheal Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Kevin McHale, and Larry Bird have not taken the NBA world by storm after they've left the hardwood. They've had some measure of success, but certainly not to the level of their playing days. There are other dynamics that make for a successful team building executive, like respecting the opinions of people less accomplished than yours, understanding the personality type of this generation's ball player, or knowing the value of resources (e.g. draft choices) available to you as a team is built. These are all examples of dynamics outside of simply lacing up sneakers and playing the game.
The state of the Timberwolves is that there are too many people who are arrogantly in love with their opinions, and cannot simply see the results for what they are. They've never been total failures before, so in this case, it must be some else's fault. Much like our current administration in Washington, they surround themselves with people who are seemingly "yes" oriented, who will not "tell it like it is". Then, they are incredulous when the fan base doesn't buy the spin they are offering. They are out of touch with their own failure, and refuse to acknowledge it. Until that changes--either by front office shake-up, a possible 12 step program, or a Greg Oden like acquisition--I don't see much changing for the club.
This was due to one single move:the drafting of Kevin Garnett. Loyal Minnesotans could say the hiring of Flip Saunders as the coach also added "zazz", but really, I don't think Flip could have won without Kevin, and in his prime, I think Kevin could have won without Flip.
How things have changed!
As with many sports organizations, the Timberwolves are a bloated, arrogant and underperforming bunch, from the front office, the players, right to the broadcasting crew. They lack the ability to honestly self-assess, which every successful organization needs, and to understand the changing dynamics of the market they operate in. To wit:
This morning the NY Post announced the Knicks had signed Randolph Morris out of Kentucky, who by entering last years NBA draft but not hiring an agent, was awarded free agent status by the league. Morris by all accounts is not a franchise changing player, but considering the woeful state of the Wolves front court outside of KG and possibly the undersized Craig Smith, they could have at least TRIED to be in the mix for a potentially decent front court role player, at a relatively low cost. Who was reported to be the other suitor for Morris? The Raptors.
What have we gotten instead of real players and effort? "The Blueprint for the Future". Simply put, a lot of spin and mirrors. It would have taken hustle and some cash to show Minnesota sports fans this club is truly interested in improving the club, especially when the on court product is so poor, and this year's first round draft pick is so tenuous. What we get instead are empty, unfufilled promises.
Here's the bottom line: No "blueprint" will be successful unless you have a mentally tough, physical front court who can primarily defend and score at least a little in the low post. Mark Blount--once dubbed the "second best center in the Western Conference" by broadcasting spin artist Jim Petersen earlier this season--has now reverted back to the mediocre and lazy player he was for the Celtics. Yes, he has a sweet stroke from 18 feet, but when that fails him, what's left? Nothing. Even Petersen can't sell the notion anymore that Blount alone is worth the first rounder they owe the Celtics. Hopefully Petersen will never get an opportunity to run a team, based on his early and mid season advocacy of the Blounster.
Herein lies the core problem of the team: having played the game. How many times have we heard Petersen tell his listeners that he played the game, therefore his opinion was superior? How many reports have we heard about McHale blaming coaching and players for his lack of roster building acumen? Sure, he had a nice run when he took over for the Flipper a couple of years back, but even then they quit on him when the needed to win (re:Atlanta). It's the hubris all former players face when they become front office executives or broadcasters: once you step off the court, everything changes. The same qualities that made you one of the top 350 or so players in the entire world won't necessarily make you a top notch executive. It's not just about you anymore. Micheal Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Kevin McHale, and Larry Bird have not taken the NBA world by storm after they've left the hardwood. They've had some measure of success, but certainly not to the level of their playing days. There are other dynamics that make for a successful team building executive, like respecting the opinions of people less accomplished than yours, understanding the personality type of this generation's ball player, or knowing the value of resources (e.g. draft choices) available to you as a team is built. These are all examples of dynamics outside of simply lacing up sneakers and playing the game.
The state of the Timberwolves is that there are too many people who are arrogantly in love with their opinions, and cannot simply see the results for what they are. They've never been total failures before, so in this case, it must be some else's fault. Much like our current administration in Washington, they surround themselves with people who are seemingly "yes" oriented, who will not "tell it like it is". Then, they are incredulous when the fan base doesn't buy the spin they are offering. They are out of touch with their own failure, and refuse to acknowledge it. Until that changes--either by front office shake-up, a possible 12 step program, or a Greg Oden like acquisition--I don't see much changing for the club.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tubby to the Rescue!!!
Tubby-mania has begun. The reaction from the press, fans, and even the people we had brunch with this morning has all been enthusiastic.
There are lessons to be learned here, given the case of our former football coach, Glen Mason. Before Mase was hired, I heard much of the Minnesota sports talk nation say they would have been satisfied with 6-5, 7-4 records, with an occasional bowl appearance. Well, cupcake schedules or not, the man did just that. I wasn't a big Mason fan, nor did I think he was a great coach, but the bar was set pretty firmly at that level. As he started to win a bit more, of course then the bar was raised. Being that Mason was arrogant, his attempts to manage expectations--especially with his new contract--became impossible. And that my friends, is where we have to be careful.
I think Tubby is a great hire, but it's going to take awhile to get back to being one of the five or six teams that qualify for the NCAA tournament every year. And, if we do just that, will we then be satisfied, or will we ask for more? Will we raise the bar beyond the ability to succeed? As has been pointed out many times in the last few days, Minneapolis/St. Paul is not Lexington. It will take some time to build up the program that hasn't been very successful for nearly 10 years, give or take a few tourney appearances. It's fine to want to win championships, but let's make sure we don't ask Mr. Smith to walk on water.
Having said that...Go Gophers!
There are lessons to be learned here, given the case of our former football coach, Glen Mason. Before Mase was hired, I heard much of the Minnesota sports talk nation say they would have been satisfied with 6-5, 7-4 records, with an occasional bowl appearance. Well, cupcake schedules or not, the man did just that. I wasn't a big Mason fan, nor did I think he was a great coach, but the bar was set pretty firmly at that level. As he started to win a bit more, of course then the bar was raised. Being that Mason was arrogant, his attempts to manage expectations--especially with his new contract--became impossible. And that my friends, is where we have to be careful.
I think Tubby is a great hire, but it's going to take awhile to get back to being one of the five or six teams that qualify for the NCAA tournament every year. And, if we do just that, will we then be satisfied, or will we ask for more? Will we raise the bar beyond the ability to succeed? As has been pointed out many times in the last few days, Minneapolis/St. Paul is not Lexington. It will take some time to build up the program that hasn't been very successful for nearly 10 years, give or take a few tourney appearances. It's fine to want to win championships, but let's make sure we don't ask Mr. Smith to walk on water.
Having said that...Go Gophers!
Another Sports Blog !?!
While I've thought of blogs as rather self-indulgent, I thought I would give this a try.
Why?
Having occasionally posted on Britt Robson's "Three Pointer" (City Pages, Rake Magazine), I found the exercise to be fun and engaging. Jousting with the other posters--and Britt--was a great way to suffer though another mediocre Timberwolves season. However last week, I entered a post comparing the Wolves to some of the lower seeded college teams, especially one situation where Marist has reached the Sweet 16 in the women's tourney.
That never reached the light of day.
While he has every right to nix my submission, suddenly it took all the fun out of responding creatively to his initial post. It seemed rather cranky and petty to me, and while I enjoy his perspective and posts on the Wolves--other than his worship of one Kevin Garnett--it didn't seem to be worth it to spend the time wondering which subject is worthy for posting and which one isn't. He's not Arianna Huffington for Jim Pete's sake! A little consistency and humility would be nice.
So, I'm trying this out with zero expectations. I won't--as Stephen Litel tried to do--speak for the entire nation of Timberwolves fans in open letters to underperforming Timberwolves players. I'll talk mainly about the Wolves, but when something catches my eye--like the Marist story, where my daughter goes to college--I'll talk about it. And, if others happen to read and want to respond, the more the merrier.
I don't have the time to respond to every game, so a couple of times a week, or as stories inspire, I'll be "posting up".
Hoop Springs Eternal!
Why?
Having occasionally posted on Britt Robson's "Three Pointer" (City Pages, Rake Magazine), I found the exercise to be fun and engaging. Jousting with the other posters--and Britt--was a great way to suffer though another mediocre Timberwolves season. However last week, I entered a post comparing the Wolves to some of the lower seeded college teams, especially one situation where Marist has reached the Sweet 16 in the women's tourney.
That never reached the light of day.
While he has every right to nix my submission, suddenly it took all the fun out of responding creatively to his initial post. It seemed rather cranky and petty to me, and while I enjoy his perspective and posts on the Wolves--other than his worship of one Kevin Garnett--it didn't seem to be worth it to spend the time wondering which subject is worthy for posting and which one isn't. He's not Arianna Huffington for Jim Pete's sake! A little consistency and humility would be nice.
So, I'm trying this out with zero expectations. I won't--as Stephen Litel tried to do--speak for the entire nation of Timberwolves fans in open letters to underperforming Timberwolves players. I'll talk mainly about the Wolves, but when something catches my eye--like the Marist story, where my daughter goes to college--I'll talk about it. And, if others happen to read and want to respond, the more the merrier.
I don't have the time to respond to every game, so a couple of times a week, or as stories inspire, I'll be "posting up".
Hoop Springs Eternal!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
