The 2009-2010 NBA Seson tips off tonight. In Minnesota the Timberwolves are beginning over again for the (? insert number) time. The Woodmutts have a new GM, David Kahn, head coach, Kurt Rambis, and 8-9 new palyers.
Back from last season are Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Brian Cardinal, Kevin Love and Corey Brewer. Brewer and Jefferson missed major portions of last season with knee injuries. Kevin Love will miss about 2 months with a broken hand/wrist. Rambis plans to start rookie Jonny Flynn at point guard.
Rambis comes highly regarded as a long time assistant to Laker Coach Phil Jackson. Rambis hired Bill Laimbeer as one of his assistants. Given all the new faces and youth of this team, Rambis and his staff will have an opportunity to do some teaching.
In my opinion, this team may well struggle to match last seasons record. Unfortunately, all the new faces are not enough renew my interest the Woodmutts or NBA. The Goon-Boys, Rambis and Laimbeer were among least liked players when they player. I quit being a Woodmutt fan when owner Glenn Taylor decided to cheat several years ago.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Rough Start For The Wild.
The 2009/2010 version of the Minnesota Wild are off to a rough start. There are a couple of valid reason; A brutal early road schedule; Injuries; and slow adjustment to Todd Richards system.
To date, the Wild have played two home games, both ugly wins, and seven road games (all Losses). Injuries to Bouchard, Sekora, Havlat, and Clutterbuck have caused to offense to sputter. Defensive lapses have resulted in easy goal for the opponent.
Naming Miko Koivu as permanent captain is one of the few pluses this season. Koivu has earned the honor and will lead by example.
To date, the Wild have played two home games, both ugly wins, and seven road games (all Losses). Injuries to Bouchard, Sekora, Havlat, and Clutterbuck have caused to offense to sputter. Defensive lapses have resulted in easy goal for the opponent.
Naming Miko Koivu as permanent captain is one of the few pluses this season. Koivu has earned the honor and will lead by example.
Viking Evaluation
This weekend, the Purple Pride will play perhaps their toughest team of the season. Pittsburgh certainly should bring out the best in the Purple Pride. The addition of Brett Favre has given Minnesota everything they had hoped for; leadership. Favre's presence has brought out the best in many of his teammates; most notably,the young receivers. If Favre remains injury free, he may well win another league MVP award.
I wonder if the media who reported the alleged schism between Favre and his new teammates still believe that nonsense.
I wonder if the media who reported the alleged schism between Favre and his new teammates still believe that nonsense.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Unbelievable Weekend
What a weekend in Minnesota! The Twins win their last 4 regular season games to force a one game playoff with the Detroit Tigers. Then, the Twins defeat the Tigers in extra innings to win the AL Central division and an opportunity to play the Yankees in the ALCS. The Purple Pride defeat conference rival Green Bay with Brett Favre at QB. The Minnesota Wild come back from 3-0 deficit after two periods and defeat the Anaheim Duck to give Todd Richards his win as an NHL head coach
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Brett Farve?? Schism??? What's The Big Deal?
So, Brett Farve signed to play with the Minnesota Purple Pride. What's the big deal? A schism??? If there is truly a schism, then there are members of the Minnesota Purple Pride who are not team players! Team members who are not team players is nothing new to the Purple Pride.
Brett Farve was signed to play QB and lead the offense; an offense that should produce wins. The job of every member of the Minnesota Purple Pride to do their job and be a team member/player. The Minnesota Purple Pride has enough talent to go all the way if they play as a team. Brett Farve can lead by example; he has been there and done that.
I am not a huge Brett Farve fan, but acknowledge that is one of the all time great QB's in the history of pro football. Farve's record speaks for itself. He could (should?) be one of the missing pieces of the puzzle that could bring a Super Championship for the Minnesota Purple Pride.
Brett Farve's experience brings an important intangible that would be missing with Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. Now, two games into the season, Brett Favre has provided leadership and stability to the QB position; something that was missing last year with T-Jack at QB.
Brett Farve was signed to play QB and lead the offense; an offense that should produce wins. The job of every member of the Minnesota Purple Pride to do their job and be a team member/player. The Minnesota Purple Pride has enough talent to go all the way if they play as a team. Brett Farve can lead by example; he has been there and done that.
I am not a huge Brett Farve fan, but acknowledge that is one of the all time great QB's in the history of pro football. Farve's record speaks for itself. He could (should?) be one of the missing pieces of the puzzle that could bring a Super Championship for the Minnesota Purple Pride.
Brett Farve's experience brings an important intangible that would be missing with Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. Now, two games into the season, Brett Favre has provided leadership and stability to the QB position; something that was missing last year with T-Jack at QB.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Good Bye, Jacques
Given the name of my blog, it should be obvious that I am a BIG fan of the Minnesota Wild. The Minnesota Wild will be a new team. Gone are the original ownership, front office, coaches and super-star player. It seems that everything that attracted me to the Minnesota Wild will be missing.
I am a big fan of Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough. I know many hockey fans did not like defensive style hockey that Jacques Lemaire teaches, but it was that style hockey that made the Wild a competitive team during its beginnings. The lack of a powerful offense was what kept the Wild from being a contender. Also gone is Marian Gaborik, a talented, but often injured offensive star.
The "New" Wild team should be interesting with all the new faces. New faces include GM Chuck Fletcher, Coach Todd Richards and players Martin Havlat, Petr Sykora, Greg Zanon and Shane Hnidy. The addition Havlat and Sykora to go with Mikko Koivu, Owen Nolen, Andrew Brunette and Pierre-Marc Bouchardshould provide more and much needed scoring to replace for Marian Gaborik. If some of the younger players like Benoit Pouliot, James Sheppard, Colton Gillies and Petr Kalus contribute, this "New" Wild team could be a post-season contender.
I am a big fan of Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough. I know many hockey fans did not like defensive style hockey that Jacques Lemaire teaches, but it was that style hockey that made the Wild a competitive team during its beginnings. The lack of a powerful offense was what kept the Wild from being a contender. Also gone is Marian Gaborik, a talented, but often injured offensive star.
The "New" Wild team should be interesting with all the new faces. New faces include GM Chuck Fletcher, Coach Todd Richards and players Martin Havlat, Petr Sykora, Greg Zanon and Shane Hnidy. The addition Havlat and Sykora to go with Mikko Koivu, Owen Nolen, Andrew Brunette and Pierre-Marc Bouchardshould provide more and much needed scoring to replace for Marian Gaborik. If some of the younger players like Benoit Pouliot, James Sheppard, Colton Gillies and Petr Kalus contribute, this "New" Wild team could be a post-season contender.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
New Baseball Hall Of Fame Members
Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were elected to baseball's hall of fame. Henderson, who is baseball's career leader in runs scored and stolen bases, was voted into the hall of fame on his first ballot. The enshrinement of Rickey Henderson was a no-brainer.
Jim Rice was a feared hitter for many years. But, Rice was somewhat of a liability on defense. While Jim Rice certainly deserves strong considerations, there are a couple of other players who put up equally good offesnsive numbers and played much better defense. Andre Dawson was every bit Rice's equal offensively and a much better defensive player. Dale Murphy, a back-to-back MVP winner also deserves strong consideration. However, Murphy's career was somewhat shorter than Rice and Dawson.
There are also four pitchers who might deserve to get into the hall of fame ahead of Jim Rice. Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Tommy John all had distinguished careers. Jack Morris was the most dominant player at his position over the same time as Jim Rice.
Jim Rice was a feared hitter for many years. But, Rice was somewhat of a liability on defense. While Jim Rice certainly deserves strong considerations, there are a couple of other players who put up equally good offesnsive numbers and played much better defense. Andre Dawson was every bit Rice's equal offensively and a much better defensive player. Dale Murphy, a back-to-back MVP winner also deserves strong consideration. However, Murphy's career was somewhat shorter than Rice and Dawson.
There are also four pitchers who might deserve to get into the hall of fame ahead of Jim Rice. Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Tommy John all had distinguished careers. Jack Morris was the most dominant player at his position over the same time as Jim Rice.
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