In addition to the coverage from traditional forms of media such as the Star Tribune, KFAN or Kare11 here in Minnesota, there are a multitude of basketball minds commenting on the Timberwolves on a daily basis through the Internet community. After scouring the Web to identify the state's most-frequented blogs, we enlisting the top bloggers to discuss Wolves-related issues right here on www.timberwolves.com.

As such, we introduce you to "The Battle of the Bloggers" prior to the posting of the first round of debate this coming Friday, August 17. Like Maverick in Top Gun, we know you want to figure out who the best is.

Here's how it works:

We'll offer a question for the bloggers to answer, and post their responses prior to commenting on the respective answers (sort of like the American Idol panel does after a performance, but not as harsh as Simon or as cheesy as Paula). All readers can vote for whom they think argued the best on an attached poll. We will track the votes for one week, and then bestow scores (seven for the winner, one for the loser) to the participants before introducing a new topic for that next week.

Whatever blogger has the highest score at the end of a to-be-determined period will be declared Minnesota's top basketball-blogging mind. Prizes will also be determined later on, depending on how much the bloggers rip the organization. Just kidding.

Anyways, are you with us? Good.

Here are the participants and their respective blogs:
1) Kate Doan: mnsportsfans.com
2) Stephen Litel: minnesotabasketball.blogspot.com; hoopsworld.com
3) Anthony Hall: mvn.com
4) Derek Hanson: twolvesblog.com
5) Dave Kelsey: twolvesblog.com
6) Alex Halsted: minnesotasportszone.com
7) Sonia Grover: iheartkg.com

So those are the players. The first question we've given the bloggers to stir over is:

QUESTION 1:
Will Al Jefferson become an NBA All-Star this season in his first year with the Timberwolves? Why or why not?

Check back with us on Friday to see what Kate, Stephen, Anthony, Derek, Dave, Alex and Sonia had to say. After reading our comments about THEIR comments, go ahead and vote for your favorite answer on the poll.

Let the battle begin!