Conner's Blog

I know most of my readers could care less about the Timberwolves, I have traffic stats that back this up.  On the other hand I know my readers are awesome, so I”m asking for your help.  Our lowly basketball franchise may be irrelevant and not much fun, but we have a savior in our midsts.  Bill Simmons, aka “The Sports Guy” on ESPN, has offered to take over General Management duties.

Now I know the chances of this happening are pretty much nill, but if I can get the weight of the Minneapolis bloggers association behind it, at least I’ll feel like I accomplished something.  Many of you may be wondering why the heck we would want this.  So here are my reasons.

• The team would become relevant again nationally.  Maybe not competitively but we would have more press coverage than we would know what to do with.
• He is willing to work for free the first year.
• He is one of the only NBA writers I respect, and he’s pretty good at it.
• The team can only get better.
• He’s on Twitter, and is actually fun to follow.

All I’m asking for is an email to Chris Wright wright@timberwolves.com, or a quick bit of linkage on Twitter or your blog.  He couldn’t get the Bucks to even interview him, and I know we can do better than the Milwaukee fans.

What is the deal Minnesota, our sports teams have been taken over by aliens.  At least that’s the only explanation I can come up with for the moves that have happened in 3 of the big 4 sports franchises.  I’ve lived here for 2 years and nothing close to this has happened in that time. Maybe the front offices forgot to pay their heating bills, froze, and are just now thawing out.

The Timberwolves

The Wolves might not have made big headlines, but they made a move I wanted them to make before the season began.  They traded away Rashad McCants and another dead weight contract.  They didn’t get much back, though I think Sheldon Williams could turn into a solid contributer.  McCants will always put up numbers if he gets minutes, but his teams will never be winners.  I liked this move and consider it addition by subtraction.

The Vikings

Ok, this deal hasn’t officially been completed yet, but it looks like the Vikings are going to get Sage Rosenfels for a 4th round pick.  This is a move that I really like.  Not that the team is perfect, but a big part of the issues last year was because of inferior QB play.  Gus Ferotte won some games, but he lost just as many.  Tarvaris has occasional shown flashes of brilliance, but he definitely isn’t the answer for the leader of the football team.  Getting a solid young quarterback who can grow alongside A.P. is huge.  They don’t need to pay him top money for his position, which means they may be able to upgrade one of the offensive line positions.

The Twins

This is the move that I liked the most.  Signing a player like Crede to a good contract is exciting.  I was ok with them giving him a guaranteed 7 million for the year, but the Twins stuck to their guns and came back with a much better deal that won’t hurt them nearly as much if his isn’t healthy.  Having a solid power hitter in both corners of the infield will be great, and his defense fits right in with the Twins program.  Really the best thing about this deal is seeing the Twins front office defrost itself and actually make a move that might pay off.  It’s been too many years since they did anything more than sign aging stars and trade away our best talent.  Hopefully this move works and they continue to try and improve my favorite team.

The Wild

I’m just appalled by this team.  Something has to happen, and hopefully seeing the other three teams make a move will force them to take action.  They need a new head coach and probably a new GM.  It doesn’t require a high hockey IQ to see something needs to change.  For a team that hasn’t had to worry about selling out a game since they came into existence, they haven’t done much to repay the loyalty of their fans.

It’s been a while since I last wrote about the Timberwolves.  After firing their head coach and placing Kevin McHale in that role I tried to continue following them.  I watched the first 5-6 games and then pretty much stopped watching or paying attention as they were losing games at a ridiculous pace.  Well apparently things are starting to change, since Christmas the Wolves have lost one game, and currently hold a five game winning streak.

You could definitly accuse me of being a fair weather fan in this case.  I couldn’t stick with the team through another awful season, and I honestly did want to see McHale fail.  It’s good to see some life in the team again.  Randy Foye is playing like I knew he could, he’s playing with confidence and slowly developing into a leader on the team.  Since I havn’t watched any games I am relying on recaps and box scores to piece together the reasons for this winning streak.  Here are some observations I made.

• Kevin Love hasn’t been scorer, but he is a rebounding machine.  He has grabbed 10+ rebounds in most of the wins.
• Randy Foye was moved to the 2-guard spot and he is thriving.  He consistently leads the team in scoring, and contributes a few assists, rebounds, and steals.
• Al Jefferson’s stats have not changed, other than he is no longer leading the team in scoring every night.
• Rashad McCants has been benched.  Other than 7 minutes in a blow out win against Oklahoma City he has barely played during the winning streak.
• One of the teams biggest weaknesses hasn’t contributed to the wins.  The team is still shooting under 40% on three-point shots most nights, yet they have been winning.

McHale didn’t follow all of my advice, but he did stop playing McCants, and I consider that a win.  Since I”m back on the bandwagon with the other 25 remaining Wolves fans you will probably see a few  Wolves related posts once again

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I am putting your team on probation.  I considered resigning from your fan base, but I’m unwilling to take such a drastic step without giving you a chance to fix things.  This probationary period will last for six months. At the end of that period, your progress will be reviewed and appropriate action taken.

I hope that by putting you on probation you will work to remedy this situation so I do not need to take further action. At the beginning of the season, I had hoped that this step would not be necessary.  I fully support the Mayo for Love trade, and believe it was the right move. Getting rid of Marko Jaric and obtaining Mike Miller makes giving up a dynamic scorer like Mayo worth it, especially since Love appears to be a solid contributor.  Unfortunately, that appears to be the only positive step taken during the off-season.

The following is a list of some of the grievances I have with your organization.

1. Your continued employment of Kevin McHale.  This is grievance number one and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.  Since he has been GM of the Timberwolves, a comedy of errors as persisted that has led to very little success for the Wolves, and a championship for the Boston Celtics.  Some of the errors include the secret deal with Joe Smith and trading Roy for Foye.  I acknowledge your attempt to remedy this situation by moving McHale to head coach, but keeping him employed with the team any longer will be grounds for my possible resignation as a fan.
2. Player motivation – This came to the forefront last night after the team lost to the Sacramento Kings on the day they fired their head coach.  The Kings are not a good team, and after changing coaches, they should have been vulnerable.  Instead, our team once again failed to play an entire game.
3. Wasting Kevin Garnett’s prime – Your failure to provide Kevin Garnett with what was needed to win over the course of his career in Minnesota is a breach of contract with all fans.  Anyone who followed the team during Garnett’s career could have told you he could not win a championship on his own.  You needed to sign or draft someone who possessed a killer instinct that could score down the stretch.  You nearly figured it out in 03-04 when you signed Sprewell and Cassell, but the team failed to capitalize.  Though I had to support trading Garnett to the Celtics, the move was only necessary because you failed to provide Garnett with support.  This move might have been avoided with a little foresight.
4. Scouting Ineptitude – Over the course of your 20 seasons, this team has made bad personnel decisions after bad personnel decision.  These decision include the following: Trading Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury, trading Brandon Roy for Randy Foye, trading Marbury for Terrell Brandon, losing five draft picks for Joe Smith, numerous draft busts recently headlined by Rashad McCants.  I understand that you cannot be perfect when making deals and signing players, but in 20 seasons you need to get it right more than a handful of times.
5. Player training – I know that the players are responsible for improving in the off season, but the team has a responsibility to provide them with support and direction.  It is apparent to me that this is lacking.  This year’s example is Al Jefferson and his lack of improvement on defense.  His defense last year was such a liability that at times I wished he would sit on the bench regardless of how great a scorer he is.  We heard reports all summer that he would improve, but nothing on the court supports this.  This is just one of many cases of the lack of development from Wolves players, and is something that must be addressed.

During this six-month period, I will continue to follow the team, but I will also be scouting other teams, looking for one that is more worthy of my support.  I am hopeful that you will show signs of progress and allow me to continue my role with the team.  I will be sending bi-monthly reports on your progress, and hope you considers my suggestions.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  If you have any questions or wish to contact me for any reason, please do so by email, at conner[AT]connermccall[DOT]com

Sincerely

Conner McCall

The Timberwolves fired their head coach this morning.  This was a move that I hoped for since three weeks into the season.  Wittman never really seemed to figure out his team.  Whether they can compete at a high level is really hard to determine, but in my opinion, they are talented and should be able to at least look competitive against teams like the Clippers.

Another positive step in this move is that McHale has lost his General Manager position. Unfortunately, I don’t have many details regarding who will fill in for McHale or if the move to replace him as President was permanent or not.  Taylor sent out a letter to season ticket holders, but that didn’t contain many details.  My hope is that Fred Hoiberg takes over as GM.  He seems genuine to me and the type of guy who will admit when he makes a mistake, unlike McHale who just kept preaching patience to the fan base that ran out of patience five years ago.  I am frustrated with the fact that McHale is still with the team.  I honestly think this is a cop out by Taylor who seems to be putting personal feelings above the teams good.

That McHale turns things around as coach is a long shot.  He did take over in 04-05 and led them to a 19-12 final record, but if last season and the beginning of this season have been any indication, we can’t predict anything from the final 20 or so games.

Here is my advice to McHale (not that McHale takes advice, but he I can hope)

1. Quick playing music chairs with the linup – Choose a starting five and stick with them, teams need to gel, and this only happens with a set rotation.
2. Stop playing McCants and either trade him or let him go in free agency.  McCants is not going to be a contributer on a winning team, he’s a fun player to watch if you don’t like passing or defense.
3. Make Al Jefferson the center of attention 90% of the time.  This means he should play 38 minutes a game, and touch the ball nearly every time down the court.
4. After you accomplish #3 make him pass the ball out of the double and triple teams.
5. If a player isn’t willing to play defense for you, you bench him.  This is a priority above number 3 and if Jefferson continues playing lackdaisical D he shouldn’t be a starter anymore.
6. Quit – Honestly it would be better for everyone.

It’s been a while since I posted anything.  I took the entire Thanksgiving weekend off of participating in social media of any sort, including my blog.  I posted approximatly 3 Twitter updates all weekend.  It was a nice break, but now I’m back.  Here are the latest thoughts and links from the world at large.

• If you ever wondered how not to write an about us for your website, check out the CIA’s HR page for details.
• Alexis posted this wonderful looking recipe for Corn and Chayote Soup.  I may make it this week and let you know the results.
• Ana Marie Cox posts a letter she received and her response.  I do hold out some hope for future generations.
• Via Kottke.  Photography is for Jerkoffs funny but definitely not safe for work.
• I believe I’ve mentioned Margaret and Helen before, but as long as the two of them continue to write I’ll keep linking.  Margaret’s last post is great, but her Thanksgiving letter to her family deserves a gold star.  Here is an actual thought; this is why the Internet is great, where else can a couple of wise old ladies be heard by thousands of people, we all need to get our grandparents a blog.
• In case you wondered, the Timberwolves do have a playbook and it supposedly contains 75 plays.  I’m not sure if this includes out of bounds plays or not but either way this is further proof Randy Whittman is insane.
• I went out to moto-i on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  It was a great experience, really good food and the sake is as good as advertised.  The atmosphere was more bar like than expected but I still give it my recommendation.
• Finally, a zoo in Japan discovered something any 15 year old who lives on a farm would know.  You can’t mate two polar bears of the same sex.  It’s just not possible.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  Remember to avoid the stores at all costs for the next three weeks, and if you are traveling for the holidays be safe.

Last night is the kind of night I expected out of this years Timberwolves.  I didn’t get to watch the game, in fact I completely forgot about it until I got into my car and the game was on the Fan.  I listened to about 3/4 of the third quarter and the first few minutes of the fourth before I headed into the Orchestra (which was wonderful).

Randy Foye showed something last night, the question is can he keep it up.  Fourteen assists is impressive, and if he can give us half of that most nights I think most fans would be happy.  According to sources his teammates and coaches told him to be more aggressive.  This is exactly what he needed to do, he has the talent, he just was playing in fear of making mistakes.

A few other observations from the box score.

• Kevin Love has been regressing, he had 4 rebounds and 2 points against the Pistons.  Hopefully he can pick it up, but if we win I’m okay with him taking his time.
• Al Jefferson only scored 19, he has been a little off as of late, but I think the team performs better when he isn’t the focal point in the offense.  He is good enough to get 20 without touching the ball every possession.
• Craig Smith has really come on strong.  He scored 16 last night and had 9 rebounds.  I’m okay with him and Love being the 6 and 7th men.
• Jason Collins started and looked terrible.  While I was listening to the game he picked up two fouls in less than 10 minutes.  He didn’t score and had 1 rebound and 1 assist.  We need more from our starting center.
• Rashad McCants was injured and didn’t play.  This is a good thing and needs to continue.  McHale needs to trade him soon, he provides nothing of value other than the ability to jack up 10-12 shots in 5 minutes.

It is good to see the Wolves win a few games.  Last night’s game was their most impressive of the year.  The Pistons are contenders in the East and last nights game should have been a game that helped them get on track since the Iverson trade.  Instead the Wolves blew them out and held onto the lead.

Last year the Wolves got on track in the last month of the season and played .500 ball.  If they play .500 for the rest of the year, this season will have gone from a complete dissapointment to a success.  Of course I still think Randy Wittman is not the best man for the head coaching job, but as long as he keeps the job I’ll support him when he wins.

• Do you hate being asked questions that require a 3 second Google search.  Send them to letmegooglethatforyou.com and your problem is solved.
  
• Remember when Forbes Magazine used to be smart, it has become a camouflaged version of People.  Then again I guess it’s things like the Hottest Tots that sells magazines these days.
  
• I normally don’t approve of fans booing their team, but the Thunder as a whole deserve it.  Maybe not the players but the owners for sure.  In fact I propose that the Thunder get booed at all games regardless of where they take place.
• Fun photo of the day, check out the Star Tribunes front page.  Does this inspire confidence in the recount? The guy in the stocking cap is a nice guy I’m sure, but really??
• Michelle Bachmann did not need to do anything else to prove she is insane, but that didn’t stop her.  Can someone please tell her that an urban legend generally doesn’t have video tape to prove they are real.
  
• My blog recommendation for the week is one I discovered but forgot about.  Margaret and Helen have a lot of wisdom and aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. Thank to RosaPena and and nukirk for reminding me.
  
• Three new MN based blogs for your reading pleasure
• • Desaraev is interesting if you like reading about internet marketing.
  • Because Emily Says So is great, really I’m not kidding, read her.
  • Finally The Forest of Things looks like it was interesting, Jeff appears to be busy with other writing engagements.  Of course you can follow him on Twitter.
• Did you see the Timberwolves won last night.  They avoided the fate of the 2003-2004 Magic who went 1-19 after winning their first game(check the last item).
• This song was played on Tuesday morning on the Current.  When the first song of the day is titled Zydeco Taco you know things are looking up.
• If you didn’t like my chili recipe, here is a vegetarian recipe that looks tasty.  Also the story preceding the recipe is kind of cute.  (Yes, I’m a guy and I will use the word cute)
• For those on Twitter, if you haven’t see this, check it out.

I’m giving up, Randy Wittman is not going to be a successful head coach.  I wanted to give him a chance, he came into an impossible situation, but after a 1-6 start, I am convinced he cannot produce a winning team.

Now don’t get me wrong this team shouldn’t be 6-1 but they should at least be 5-2 or 4-3.  The only loss that is excusable on a talent level is the loss to the Mavericks.  We can blame all the other losses on a poor start or an inability to finish games. We need to point a finger, unfortunately for Wittman it is pointed at him. Last night’s game made this clear to me.  Al Jefferson was shut out during the fourth quarter and the overtime.  Don Nelson came up with a strategy that kept the ball out of Jefferson’s hands.  It is up to the head coach to figure out how to adjust to the other team’s adjustments and Wittman appears unable to do this.

Another example from last night’s game is the fact that the Wolves tried to play an up-tempo game.  I knew from the moment they started trying to run the court things would go badly.  Golden State was the master of running up and down on teams last year, and even without Baron Davis, they are still good at it.  The Wolves are not masters of the up-tempo style but they do have one of the best low post scorers in the game.  Anyone with an ounce of common sense would have slowed the game down and pounded the ball into Al Jefferson.  Instead, the Wolves ran up and down the court, ended the first quarter tied and racked up seven fouls.  I actually went to bed at that point knowing they were going to lose.

I’m not sure who the Wolves should hire, maybe Fred Hoiberg would like to take the reins.  We need a coach who is a teacher with a defense first mindset.  The Wolves have plenty of offensive talent, where they are lacking is the defensive end.  The team has regressed defensively and we can safely say Randy Wittman is not the answer there.  We also need a coach who can make adjustments during games.  Tony Parker’s night and last night are both perfect examples that Wittman is unable to make those adjustments.  We need a new coach, and while we are at it let get a new GM.

I’ve seen a lot of people panicking over O.J. Mayo’s game last night.  Suddenly Kevin Love is a nobody and Kevin McHale made another trading mistake.  Can we all please calm down?

First let’s look at the situation.  The Sun’s are not a good defensive team.  In the last few weeks they have given up 23 points to Ramone Sessions.  23 points to Ben Gordon,  and 23 points to both Danny Granger and T.J Ford.   None of these players other than possibly the exception of Ben Gordon are high scoring players.  If Mayo had scored 33 points against the Celtics I could see a legitimate reason for worry, but I think I could score a point or two against the Suns.

Second, last nights box score looks good, but if you compare season stats Love actually looks better.  Mayo is averaging over 39 minutes per game.  During those 39 minutes he is averaging 21 points, 1.4 steals, 5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.9 turnovers, and shooting 45 percent from the floor.  Kevin Love is playing about half as much as Mayo, at around 25 minutes per game.  Also, he came off the bench for the first five games.  Love is averaging 10.2 points,  1 block, 1.5 assists, 1.2 turnovers, 6.7 rebounds, and and shooting 43 percent from the floor.  Here is a quick table for comparison.

As you can see Love is barely being outscored by Mayo, his rebound total is much better, and his assist to turnover ratio of 1.2 is  better than Mayo’s at .83.

Now I’m sure someone somewhere will say that if Jefferson just had Mayo alongside him, the Wolves would be on their way to a championship.  Just remember that we already have a guard who can score 30 points per game in Rashad McCants, and I know I don’t want to see him on the floor for 39 minutes per game.

So let’s all just take a deep breath and remember there is a lot more to basketball than just putting the ball through the hoop.