Here, There, and Everywhere

London -

We've had quite the few days searching for the lost Timberwolves. We've looked at the Tower of London:

at Camden Market, interrogating the locals:

even at taverns, where young comics dressed up in horrible movie costumes--in this case Stallone's Judge Dredd--were working in their upper room for free.

add to that the before-mentioned Speakers Corner at Hyde Park, and we've nibbled around the edges, following every lead, turning over every cobblestone. We've searched here and there but not quite everywhere.

Nada.

I'm beginning to think these players don't want to be found. In a city as diverse as London Town, they could blend in anywhere. Hope is giving away to resignation, that the players we have now might well be the ones we have for the rest of the season. Just think, the rest of the NBA, locked in a battle with the Thunder, Wizards, and Clippers among others, battling for the worst record in the league, to gain yet another high draft choice, with Coach McHale, Jim Stack and Rob Babcock all waiting to make another scintillating pick in the hopes of rebuilding the franchise...

Okay, okay, I'll keep looking!

Helter Skelter Ramblings

Telfair?

London, England -

I thought I had two possible Timberwolves sightings near the Tower of London on Saturday, but I couldn't get close enough to verify any of my suspicions. One was jogging by the River Thames at a fast pace, in a blue uniform, resembling a Euroleague or soccer player with the number "2" on his back, the other a standing guard near the Crown Jewels . We are headed to Hyde Park today, in hopes of gathering more information.

The Brits are very educated about the goings on in America, sometimes even more than we Americans are. I've heard jokes about Sarah Palin and Watergate, and a general relief regarding the transition that will occur in January. Like many of the liberals in America, they quite can't understand the whole Rick Warren invocation thing, but are so happy that Bush is leaving, they are more than willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt.

As I mentioned in my last post, only the tip of the economic iceberg is believed to be melting down here. Folks are starting to outright lose jobs, getting pay cuts, or taking days off without pay to save their companies. There are so many tourists here however, that everything seems normal. Harrod's is bustling, there are hoards of people in shops and restaurants, and the nightlife here is impressive. And, even in 40 degree weather, people will sit outside to drink, smoke and eat. Mass transit in this town is simply remarkable.

Meanwhile, it looks as if the replacements lost again to the Rockets, 109-102. Fake Al tried his best with 34 points and 13 rebounds, but in the end, it looks like the Wolves lack of perimeter defense did them in. And, Mike Miller gets his ankle dinged again. Much like our economy, all the years of poor decisions, lax oversight, and arrogant behavior have caught up with this franchise. Even with the "genius" of McHale coaching, this team is totally exposed, hope is being decimated with each loss. That reality makes me more determined to find our real players and bring them home. Our fans, our state deserve much better than what we're getting now...

Nowhere, Man

London, England -

The first day here in London has gone by without major incident, and no progress to report on the status of the missing Timberwolves. We were simply trying to get heat in our rented flat upon our arrival, and considering the effects of black mold exposure during our 10 day investigation.

The UK economy sucks--a major funiture manufacturer just announced the closure of all their stores and the loss of 1400 jobs--but there is a stoicism in the Brits that I've met, and a bustling, energized community ready to celebrate Christmas. They've seen bad times before, and are dealing with it.

Only a few folks here have heard about the Timberwolves plight; they know about the NBA, and how bad the team is, and that KG got traded away. In fact, other people didn't know KG ever played for the Wolves; only remembering he's playing for the "fake" Boston. Apparently, original 13 colony humor is prevalent in the UK. That and room temperature ale.

My daughter has quite an investigative itinerary planned in search of the boys, so I"m hopeful we can come up with something. Meanwhile the currently plummeting replacement club plays back in Minnesota against the Rockets. Houston's on the end of a back to back, having decisively beaten Sacramento (who pummeled us) last night, 107-96. Yao Ming ought to take our small ball front court and rip it to shreds, not to mention Tracy McGrady getting any shot he wants against our porous perimeter defense.

The Wolves are going nowhere, man.