Thursday, November 19 2009
These days, there's purple everywhere and it's even apparent at Timberwolves practices and games. In the practice facility, the blue, black and white Wolves workout jerseys are certainly not the giveaway. It's the crowd or the lack of a media crowd that is the bulls-eye. You see, with the Minnesota Vikings tearing up the NFC North with 8 wins in their first nine games, there is little time given to the slumping-out-of-the gate T'Wolves. The players do their workouts and conduct small if not intimate interview sessions with those few asking the questions.
In the arena on game nights, you'll find the best of the Vikings catching their professional mates. Fresh off his near record setting 200-yard performance against the Detroit Lions, NFC Offensive player of the week Sidney Rice loves the Wolves. All Pro Adrian Peterson, big Bryant McKinnie and Brett Favre favorite target (and the King of the 1 yard touchdown pass) Visanthe Shaincoe love the games and also spotted catching games are standout middle linebacker EJ Henderson and wide receiver Bernard Berrian. Wolves players don't miss the fact that these Vikings enjoy their games and show up at Target Center. The young Wolves also want the purple to see that they can win a few too. In just as convincing fashion as the Vikings have been doing it.
I'm asked all the time, do these guys (the Wolves) care if they win or lose?! My reaction is, "you gotta be kidding me". YES, they care!! Geez. But I will say that they have perspective on it and much of the credit for that goes to head coach Kurt Rambis. So, losing this early in the season is bugging the the home team but it doesn't show, at least outwardly. You KNOW it's killing 'em inside. They are young, talented and unfortunately making adjustments, learning to play with so many new teammates. They are still understaffed, especially in the front court where being short handed means fewer rebounds, more points allowed and in the Wolves case, a few too many losses. This isn't the woeful Philadelphia 76ers of the mid 70's. These guys will be just fine. And one more thing, before you bag too heavily on these guys, try their size-16's on for size for just a few seconds. Yes, losing bites. Think about it. Just like you and I go crazy when we make mistakes at work, it pains these professionals too.So, as the Wolves wind thru the week off the media radar right now (even on an off-day for the Vikings), their lack of interviews or TV one on one's doesn't bother the players. This team is rested, resiliant and eager to put together a full 48 minutes that helps them snap that losing streak. At thier spirited workout, it's also nice to see team leader Al Jefferson back with the boys, a smiling assistant Coach Bill Laimbeer holding court with several players and a pack of players going overtime with extra shooting drills.
Now, everyone like's mail and there was plenty for me to read this past week. A few took issue with me defending the Wolves. Thanks for taking the time to write. I'll spend a few paragraph's recounting the positives and give this quick high-5 to some of the readers of SimonsSays. They also have some interesting thoughts of their own:
From Lezlie, a longtime fan. She says, I just read your Nov. 12 article on Timberwolves.com, and I wanted to say thank you. It's so nice to read something positive about our struggling team. I'm a die hard T-Wolves fan, and it's tough to read all the nasty "journalism" regarding our guys. There are positives to be found beyond the win-loss record if someone bothers to look for them.
And how 'bout this Wolves fan who's following the team from down under in Australia via Timberwolves.com:
Azza writes:...I know a lot of people have written off the Wolves and sure, it looks like another year we'll struggle - but what did they expect with a virtually new side, a new coach and new people behind the scenes? There's an old saying which says "Pride must bear pain" and that's what the young Wolves are doing - they're bearing the pain of losing to get pride in themselves in the long run. I've been following the Wolves since inception day, and although we've had less than stellar success, I'll follow them for as long as that Timberwolf logo stays on the court - be it at Minnesota, or otherwise. I'm also excited about Nathan Jawai - I've always taken a keen interest in fellow Aussies that play the game - from Longley, to Gaze, to Heal, now Bogut and now Jawai. He has deserved the minutes he's played - if I could send a message to him - keep fighting, keep helping your teammates around you and work on the Big D and we'll be back!
Thanks for taking the time to read and, knowing how busy we all are these days, thanks too for spending a few minutes responding with your thoughts. I just know as our days get colder here, as the holiday light's begin to shine at night and as the snow soon flies, let's hope some of that purple wave rubs off a bit. The Wolves will get this thing turned around. I'm thinking a 40-year old free agent out there might just be the ticket.
And by the way, this is suppose to be interactive so any thoughts, please drop me a note.
If you like good shows on TV, it’s time to catch SPORTS FINAL before you call it a night. Sports Final is now at 10pm on Sunday night’s and it’s moved to a new home on the CW/Twin Cities-23. Sports Final will bring you inside your favorite teams, including the T’Wolves, with exclusive interviews, team notes and as always, offering you the best guests and a full interactive website. I’m back with longtime colleague “Coach” Dean Dalton and we couldn’t be more excited about the Vikings strong showing this season and all the possibilities surrounding the Wolves in this new NBA season. Sports Final is just moved and launches on the CW-Twin Cities-23 Sunday November 8th at 10pm! We hope you tune in and let us know what you think.
