Here and gone. The holiday season will soon be finished. A favorite player has been dispatched. Yep. You thought by clicking to this page you’d ponder hoops and basketball issues and we will do that. But as we turn the page to 2015, we’ll do with a nod to Santa too.
OK. The Christmas break gave the NBA a TV marquee for fans and overall, it appears it went well. Beyond the holiday well wishes, my e-mails over the past 24-hours were hoops centric and laid it on thick and heavy (like my G’ma’s bacon wrapped green beans) about those special 5-Christmas day games. So, please allow me to share these with you.
Did Christmas seem odd with all that hoops and without football? It did to this reader: Damon in Osseo writes: “I think the NBA had competition overkill on Christmas. I missed football. We can live without the Knicks and Wizards and the Spurs are boring. Why not the Wolves for once?
Damon, I can’t say that I missed football because of the hectic nature of the day and the games that were on were more just checking in and using for background. I believe that the NBA slate of 5-games that spanned nearly the entire day was just right. What I didn’t know (until seeing your note) is that the Wolves are one of three teams to never play on Christmas. They are Minnesota, the Grizzlies (from Vancouver to Memphis) and the Charlotte Hornets. WHY aren’t the Wolves players on Christmas? It boils down to the best teams get that nod. Rebuilding teams, not so much. Damon thanks for chiming in.
Since we last visited, my favorite Wolves player, Corey Brewer, was traded to Houston. More than a handful of fans are mourning his departure. Allison from Bloomington, “Why did they have to trade the one player who plays hard night in and out, who is great with fans and who wants to be here”? I don’t get it and that’s what I hate about pro sports. You start to like a player and then they trade him. I’m done”.
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Allison thanks for your passionate note. I get it and understand completely. Corey Brewer was a great dude, delightful to be around and couldn’t be a better person. Believe it or not, I hear this from fans more than any other comment. THAT is the business side of basketball and frankly, you answered your question as well. Brewer was the only Wolves veteran with any trade value so the Wolves moved him. Let’s face it, with all the injuries and changes, the Wolves moved from a playoff-competitive team to rebuild in a short window and before the all-star break. It’s time to develop the young guns. That’s frustrating and heartbreaking for many fans but it was cool to see the Wolves move Brewer to a playoff contending team. And don’t give up. The payoff when the Wolves become playoff ready will be worth it.
Jim in Edina took issue with my “All I Want for Christmas” blog. Seems he’s got some Scrooge in him. You be the judge:
Rod, I enjoy reading your work and have watched you on TV for years. I just gotta’ tell you that it’s time for you to switch sports. Become a bigger hockey fan because your basketball fixation will never payoff here. You write, “All I want for Christmas is a playoff run…. Just a season of more highs than lows, winning streaks of 4 and 5, perhaps a loss then another run of 6 to 8 games and so on and so forth”?! NEVER going to happen. You have a better chance of winning a sleigh ride with Rudolph than a Wolves playoff run. Keep dreaming my friend and I’ll keep reading”.
Ouch. I take NO offense and I can see that Jim has my best interests at heart. But I’m intensely loyal and believe that the right pieces are coming together. Loyalty sometimes trumps brains. I’m sticking.
And finally, fashion gets a foothold. Barry in Maple Grove. “I’d love your thoughts on the Christmas uniforms. I hated them. WHY does the NBA need to fiddle with that? More marketing money? That’s how I spell UGLY.
I didn’t care for them either. Its marketing and it just didn’t look right. Teams already have a variety of uniforms and even players have their favorites. That’s the one place sponsors and the NBA hasn’t even begun to mess with. Just watch. It’s coming and fans will have a getting-use-to-curve with which to deal.
I’m hoping your Christmas was joyful and relaxing. And remember, don’t be a “casual” fan. Stay on board. Keep the faith and keep your GameON! Happy holidays to you all! More to come!
What’s on your mind?!
If you are a serious Timberwolves fan (and even casuals are allowed), drop me a note with your thoughts. In fact, the best note before the end of the holiday season gets tickets to a game, on me! We’ll talk Wolves tip-off to the final buzzer. Write me at rod@gameONtvMN.com.
Wolves @ Fingertips!
This is cool! The Wolves have launched a new mobile app that gives fans instant access to exclusive Wolves content and live game coverage. Fans can download the free app on iOS and Android devices by visiting Timberwolves.com/mobile.
The official Timberwolves app offers fans the ability to follow live game content including the score, stats, shot charts and related social media conversations via the Game Tracker. The app also allows fans to seamlessly check the team’s schedule, roster and conference standings. Fans on the go can stay engaged and updated with the team by accessing Wolves articles, photo galleries and original videos through the app. New features including ticket sales integrations, fan experience modules, exclusive membership content and more will be added to the app in the near future. The app is another step the Wolves have taken to accommodate the continued growth of mobile web use. Last season, the Wolves launched their re-designed website that is optimized for mobile viewing.
Nice work Thad-A-Claus!
Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young brought his Young for Youth Foundation’s annual Thad-A-Claus initiative to the Twin Cities this holiday season. Young along with the Young for Youth Foundation, the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and SPIRE Credit Union delivered 300 donated toys to deserving children at three locations in Minneapolis. The Thad-A-Claus caravan stops include a children’s hospital and a youth homeless shelter.
Tune in for Twolves!
Timberwolves games will be on radio for the 2014-15 NBA season and all 82 regular season games can be heard on News Radio 830 WCCO-AM, while La Mera Buena 107.5 and La Neta 95.9 will carry 15 games.
This is the Wolves’ fourth season on their flagship station, News Radio 830 WCCO-AM. Alan Horton returns for his eighth season as the Wolves play-by-play announcer. Horton will team up with studio host John Focke to produce 30-minute pre- and post-game shows that will be featured on-air and streamed online at www.wcco.com for every game.
SimonsSays on TV/PODcast:
GameON! and Rod Simons are winners of a 2014 Emmy award for show host! It’s exciting news as GameON! starts its new season and continues to showcase the Timberwolves like no other broadcast show in the region. GameON! is powered by Budweiser and is broadcast in High Definition and can be found on ITunes, on demand via our new GameON! App (free and available for Apple/Android) and online @ www.gameontvmn.com. There is always a Wolves update on my TV show, GameON! Don’t miss an episode of the Emmy winning GameON! @ 10am this Sunday morning on FOX’s My29 and throughout the weekend regionally on MidCo Sports Net.
GameON! offers in-depth interviews with the top players, great food, sports newsmakers and we get you inside your favorite teams (including the Wolves). We’d love for you to “like” us on Facebook @ GameOnTvMN. Drop me a note, Rod@KTWIN.com
GameON! is also seen in North & South Dakota and Western Minnesota on MidCo SportsNet several times a weekend. We reserve the right to use your e-mails here in SimonsSays @ Timberwolves.com. You can now get SimonsSays in new PODcast form with insight/input from fans just like you and exclusive player interviews! Keep an eye out for SimonsSays PODcast @ Timberwolves.com each and every week.
And last but not least, please catch Rod throughout the day on 96.3 KTWIN-FM. Rod keeps you inside the team with This Is Twins Territory & the signature Prep Playbook which can also be found @ www.KTWIN.com.
We talk Wolves. Every day. High’s & lows. We’re there because we are fans, just like you! Keep your GameON! See you soon!