Rod Simons, Contributor
You know what time of year it is. Gone are the mild 50s and 60 degree days that enchanted our spirits this fall. Our next few months are settling in for short days, cold this and cold that. Skyways, mittens, heavy coats and lots of time inside. For me, that’s with basketball.
You can hear the chatter all around when the weather changes as it is right now. Snow predicted here and falling hard west of us. People have ditched their phones for an umbrella handle and an eye on the sky as they grab the door.
I’m walking into “our” coffee shop with my good friend, my longtime running mate, “Hoops." Hoops and I have drifted a bit this past year. What with his Golden State Warriors losing in seven games to the Kingsmen Cavs, Hoops had to take a hiatus. A break from all things ball. I’m not sure Hoops knows that the Twins lost 103 games, fired Terry Ryan and have two youngsters Moneyballin’ the boys back into World Series conversation.
Hoops wanted to hook up with me before Thanksgiving to visit and discuss the state of this Wolves team. Hoops calls them them “That” pack. You know how the team is marketed as “The Pack” and “Run with the Pack?!" Hoops can’t stop saying “That” Pack is going to get it done this season.
Hoops (and me, for sure) is no different than many basketball watchers. The Timberwolves are going to get their share of attention and already this season, despite a slow start with just four wins in 11 games, have done a little head turning. There’s been some second guessing by so-called “insiders” but this team is going to have its day and most know that.
Hoops loves to start his Wolves rants by talking about his “friend." The new coach. Hoops is still giddy over by chance meeting we had with head coach Tom Thibodeau before the Rio Olympics (in which Thibs was an assistant on the gold medal team). Hoops says, “You know, Coach is on the right path. These young guys are getting consistent minutes, (Andrew) Wiggins is breaking out and KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) is seriously one of the best players in the league. For that, I said, yes, yes and yes.
If any fan expected the Wolves to come out of the gate and do a Cavalier 9-1 to start the season, I’d shout you are nuts. The Wolves are melding and molding together with kinks that will be worked out. Those second half swoons?! They’re getting top attention and will be reversed into more dynamic finishes.
Wiggins. Wow. 47 against the Lakers at Target Center with a droppage of 25in the first half?! That’s what an All-Star does and AW will be in the marquee game this winter and not just a Saturday pre-game participant. Averaging 33-points over his past half dozen games. After pelting the Lakers, AW returned for 29-in a loss to Charlotte then exploded for 35 against the Sixers. Wiggins is scoring an average of nearly 27 a night and is among the NBA leaders in scoring. Wiggins is more refined this season and what I notice, more than anything, is that he works hard, looks for his shot and is unafraid to take it. Wiggins is blossoming before our very eyes. Hoops adding, “Seeing Wiggy do all this makes me miss (Kevin) Garnett a little less”.
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And for this Wolves team to take off, as I’m fully expecting, KAT has to co-star in the production, every night. Towns, who just turned 21, is already one of the best big men in the game. Great to be young, right?! Dang, KAT brings it every night. Emotion, fire and a determination to dominate the other team.
What I love about KAT is that he’s locked in for 48-minutes. Garnett did rub off on KAT last season because the kid practices hard and carries it to the court. Pass it on and KG did it!
KAT shot 12 of 18 against Philadelphia. His double-double included 10 rebounds and a couple of blocks. This is the KAT call sheet nearly every game. When KAT gets the ball, good things happen.
Hoops was joyous as we discussed those two. Sprinkle in a little Shabazz, a dash of Dieng and a little LaVine for good measure and the discussion is where we want it. The Wolves are enduring growing pains that come with new coaches and a new system. There are plenty of signs this team is jelling, as they should be, as the season grows. I’ll take that win over the Lakers are proof positive.
I was on the West Coast last week listening to the barrage of sports talk shows laying out a case for the Clippers and Lakers to be a Western Conference 1-2-punch. Clips I understand but the Lakers need a lot more time to become the new and improved Showtime.
My predictions just ahead but for now, keep your eyes on how this Wolves team evolves and picks it collective selves out of those third and fourth quarter funks. They’ll get there. They are “That” pack. New, improved and now with youthful “seasoning."
I’m excited winter is falling and the holidays are here. It’s time to watch a winner grow right before us. They’ll get there. Mark my words. And the party to follow will be sweet.
Playoffs?! WHAT playoffs?!:
It was just a week ago we looked over some of the season predictions laid out by NBA General Managers. So, when you examine and give a close look at the NBA, there are a handful of dominate teams and a large group of teams in waiting. Injuries will always dictate which teams reach the playoffs but
I’m confident the teams I see as “finals worthy” won’t be much different than your picks.
In the East, defending champion Cleveland still rules the roost. Just the other day, the Cavs beat Toronto in a statement game. The Raptors are surely very capable of reaching the finals and they should win the Atlantic division.
I do like Atlanta, the Celtics and I’m one of those who likes the NY Knicks. I think the Pacers could surprise teams in the East but when it comes down to it, Cleveland should give LeBron his seventh straight trip to the finals.
In the West, Golden State stands above the others…but barely. Can the Clippers do what they are doing all season long? I don’t think so but they are playing with a Beverly Hills sized-chip on their shoulder. Kinda’ like the Clips against the world, right?!
So, you have GSW and the LAC’s with OKC, perhaps Portland then San Antonio (without Tim Duncan) making a play for the playoffs. I DO believe the Wolves will, not can, but will reach the post season for the first time in more than a decade.
Last season, I saw the Warriors as the title winner and didn’t see their record setting run playing out. This June, injuries not a factor, it will be Cleveland.
Say What Rod?!
I’d love to get your feedbank and your thoughts? Even if you want to yell @ Hoops, I’ll pass along the message. You know, communication is a two-way street. So let me know what you think. I’ve always loved your notes and we’ll be engaged…ready to talk Wolves and the NBA! You can e-mail me your comments, just send it to rod@gameonTVmn.com
Wolves @ Fingertips!
As sure as you get tickets to a game, keep the Wolves @ your fingertips 24/7. The Wolves mobile app is a download every fan must have and gives you 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. Redesigned and interactive the official Timberwolves app puts you front and center to game content, scores, 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. Download the app and you can take care of tickets, enjoy exclusive content and so much more.
So all can enjoy!
Congratulations to the Wolves and Lynx for providing closed captioning @ home games. This is important and new closed captioning services will be provided and will appear on Target Center’s new scoreboard. The captions will be displayed on the northeast and southwest corners of the 360-fascia board surrounding the lower bowl. It is estimated that 20 percent of Americans have some form of hearing loss. This service now insures that the deaf and hard-of-hearing Minnesota basketball fans will have an amazing basketball experience.
“We are so glad our new scoreboard has opened up the capability to offer closed captioning for our deaf and hard-of-hearing fans,” said Ethan Casson, Timberwolves & Lynx CEO. “We hope this technology will make our games more accessible to this group and give them an enjoyable in-arena experience.” Wolves guard Zach LaVine has been very involved with the Metro Deaf school, including his donation in April that helped build a new kitchen. The money was a portion of his Slam Dunk Contest winnings. "As rabid Minnesota basketball fans, we are so proud to be providing arena captioning for the Timberwolves and Lynx,” said Jan Ballman, president and CEO of Paradigm. “The exciting new scoreboard technology in Target Center makes it possible for all to fully enjoy the in-arena game-day fan experience. We are honored to help bring communication access to the deaf and hard-of-hearing Minnesota basketball fans when playing in our house!"
SimonsSays on TV/PODcast:
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