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Simons Says | Wolves Are On The Right Track

 

 

This is a season in which a Wolves basketball fan has to look to find the positives.  We’ve spent a few blogs discussing this.

We’ve talked at length about the upside that #1 draft choice Andrew Wiggins offers Minnesota.  But for as rough as it is for Wolves fans this season, just opening up a national sports page or radio show will fully offer the woes of other hoopaholics struggling for sunshine.

The latest comes from Los Angeles. The Lakers are having their own season to forget.  Yep, one of sports proudest franchises is very down on its luck and it got even worse with the new that Kobe Bryant has a torn rotator cuff. Ugh.

I’ve always appreciated his great game but I’ve never been a Kobe fan or much of a Laker fan for that matter.  I have buddies who bleed the Laker colors. Whatever the case, these are very dark days for the team-formerly-known as the LakeShow.

Kobe got the news as he was just pondering his 17th consecutive All Star berth. Kobe was 4th in all balloting and his remarkable streak of starting nods is second only to Hall of Famer and former Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

For as much as Wolves fans and those who incessantly gnaw and chew and split venom on the Wolves, the Kobe news is much worse. Toss me a name on that Laker team you can build around?!  Just one big one. Tough to do, eh?

The Wolves can start that conversation with Wiggins and objectively argue the future and it’s bright for Minnesota. The Lakers got news in the past 48 hours that puts them in company with the NY Knicks and even the Philadelphia 76ers.

Bleak. Fans in disbelief. Future very cloudy. And to make matters worse for the Lakers is that those nasty neighbors, the team who used to own the Pacific Division cellar; they now are beast of the Left Coast.

The Clippers make the calls in LA now and it does appear, for the near distant future as well. Already, the Western Conference Power standings have been rocked.  The Clippers are not even the best of the bunch.  Golden State (soon coming to Target Center for their run and roll LIVE show) is considered the best team in the league right now (at least by record).  In the West, Memphis is a monster, Portland is consistent and if they can weather LaMarcus Aldridge’s injuries, they’ll be heard from. Houston, Dallas, the defending NBA Champion Spurs and Phoenix with OKC will have something to say. Check those ranking systems and it has Minnesota near the bottom but sharing space with hallmark teams like the NY Knicks and Lakers.

Again, I hear the complaints but insist it could be worse.  And if you have all those title banners flying and your roster doesn’t have a Wiggins on it to build a future, it makes a snowy, cold winter more bearable that one watching the Lakers.

Now, mail.  And thanks for an active e-mail week.

Bennett from St. Paul wrote me with this observation. “You need to explain to me how a young athletic team like the Wolves can be complaining about being “tired” as they play a game and that’s all they do. thanks and keep up the good work. I love GameON.

Bennett thanks for the note.  Hey, they do more than play during the week.  They practice, have a ridiculous travel schedule that would make a seasoned business man wince and the physical toll is nearly indescribable. Being a pro athlete, in ANY sport, is not easy and good for the players to make it look like it. Go easy.  This is a tough job and they earn their money (most of the players do J).Good question and I hear this one a lot. Trust me.  It ain’t easy.  And thanks for watching. Next.

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Joanne heard me on the radio and caught one of my positive rants. She writes, “I heard you mention that Nikola Pekovic is back. True?”

Yes and I was very excited to see him on the court against the Mavericks the other night. Granted, Pek didn’t lead the Wolves to a win nor did he lead the team in scoring. But it was clear, in the first quarter, having Pek on the court changed the dynamic of the team. If Pek, Kevin Martin and Ricky Rubio were playing at the same time, this season would look differently. No question in my mind. But for now, we have Pek back and K-Mart to return soon from his injury.

And the last note may be the timeliest.  Cleveland is coming to town with King James and a guy we used to love. What’ll give?!  Cindy in Maple Grove writes “I got my hands on Cavs-Wolves tickets and I’m excited to see Kevin Love back.  Please tell me fans aren’t going to boo him the whole time. Love your show.  Thanks”

Great note and perhaps, THE most curious element of Kevin Love’s return to Target Center with the Cavs. For sure, fans aren’t going to give #0 a “pass”.  He’ll get roughed up a bit but how much, I’m not sure. Love did good things when he was here but created most of the drama that dogged him during his run. He seems to be that kind of cat. I hope he does well but lose when the day is done.

Reporting to you next week from Arizona and the Super Bowl for GameON! TV. Until then, keep your Game ON! and do not be a “casual” fan. Stay on board. Keep the faith!  See you on TV!

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. 

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@go963MN.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 GO96.3 FM. Rod keeps you inside the team with This Is Twins Territory & the signature Prep Playbook which can also be found @ www.go963MN.com.

We talk Wolves.  Every day.  High’s & lows.  We’re there because we’re fans, just like you! Keep your GameON!  See you soon!