An Important Season for Rashad McCants

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23187.shtml

Round Two Results

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/battle_of_the_bloggers_2_analysis_070831.html

Who Will Return to the Lynx? One Man's Take

Now that the Minnesota Lynx season has completed and Lynx fans must watch eight other teams fight for the WNBA crown, it seems prudent to attempt to determine which players will return next season. The “evaluation season,” as head coach Don Zierden dubbed the 2007 season, has helped some players stake a claim to a spot on the team in the future, while some players may have played their final games for the Lynx.

More...

http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.php?&story=9867&page=65&category=57

The Case for Starting Corey Brewer

Although the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston helped to balance out the Timberwolves roster somewhat, there is still a traffic jam at the shooting guard and small forward positions. As of today—and I say that in the hopes of roster moves to come—Minnesota’s roster includes Ricky Davis, Rashad McCants, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Trenton Hassell, Marko Jaric and the number seven pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Corey Brewer.

More...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23136.shtml

Week One Results/Week Two Responses

Link below to see how all of the bloggers placed in the first round, as well as read the responses to question number two!

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/battle_of_the_bloggers_no_2_070823.html

Seimone Augustus Interview: Part Two

Photos courtesy of Sophia Hantzes

In the second installment of Downtown Journal’s exclusive interview with Lynx star Seimone Augustus, Stephen Litel asks Augustus about her rookie teammates, Vanessa Hayden, Lynx fans and--most important--whether or not she has hope for the future…

More…
http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.php?&story=9799&page=65&category=57

Eddie Griffin: A Few Words

In late June 2006, I wrote an article in this same space askingTimberwolves owner Glen Taylor to do the right thing and get troubledforward Eddie Griffin off the team. Although it did not occur when I hadhoped, I eventually did get my wish, as we all know. It was after Irealized that Mr. Taylor would keep Griffin for awhile longer, I made aconscious effort to talk with him more then I had and attempt to get toknow him.

More...
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23091.shtml

More pics with Seimone

I would just like to publicly thank Sophia Hantzes, who took the photos of our interview, as well as Sunday at the final game of the season. For those not familiar with Sophia's work, she snaps Lynx photos for SPMSportsPage.com and does fantastic work.

Seimone Augustus Interview: Part One

Photos courtesy of Sophia Hantzes.

In only her second WNBA season, last year’s Rookie of the Year Seimone Augustus continues to put up numbers rarely seen in WNBA history. The problem is that her team has now finished with a 10-24 record in each of those seasons, missing out on playoff berths.

More…

http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.php?&story=9786&page=65&category=57

Talking New Timberwolves

In an attempt to get to know the new Timberwolves players better acquired in the Kevin Garnett trade, Basketball News' own Stephen Litel—who covers the Timberwolves—and Jessica Camerato—who covers the Celtics—discuss the new arrivals to the Twin Cities.

More...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23084.shtml

Battle of the Bloggers--Round One

QUESTION:WILL AL JEFFERSON BECOME AN NBA ALL-STAR THIS SEASON IN HIS FIRST YEAR WITH THE TIMBERWOLVES? WHY OR WHY NOT?

For the answers, as well as where you can vote, click below...

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/battle_of_the_bloggers_no_1_070817.html

A Night Full of History. A Rookie Continues to Develop.

Tonight was a rare treat for those in attendance as the Minnesota Lynx faced off against the Detroit Shock. In this one night fans were able to witness Svetlana Abrosimova become only the 51st player in WNBA history to score 2,000 points in a career, Seimone Augustus break her own team record from last season for points in a single season for the Lynx and former Lynx hero, Katie Smith, score her 6,000 point combining both her ABL and WNBA careers.

We were also able to witness a very rare feat…little “Tuff Duff” Megan Duffy go for a jump-ball in front of the Lynx bench.

Yet, on a night full of career moments, another player continued her development and put on quite a show. Rookie Noelle Quinn, of whom I have been very critical throughout the season, played another solid game in replacement of the injured real rookie of the year, Lindsey Harding.

Quinn, who finished the game six points, seven rebounds and eight assists, has grown exponentially throughout the year and I must acknowledge her growth. Although I would personally like to see her shoot the ball more, she has done a more then admirable job at finding her teammates with beautiful passes--most notably Seimone Augustus and Svetlana Abrosimova.

“I was a little disappointed at halftime,” told me after the game at his press conference. “Four and three is not what we’re looking at from you and what I mean by that is four assists and three turnovers.”

Zierden continued with “Since she’s taken over the starting job, someone informed me today that she is 23 assists away from being the all-time single season assist person and that’s with just taking over (for Harding) and that’s pretty special.”

“Now I look and see that she was four and zero in the second half. When you’ve got a rookie point guard going against Detroit and they still had Nolan in there, they still had Powell in there and Latta played a good game…when you’re going against that and have eight and three, I’ll take that from her. The bonus tonight? She knocked down a couple threes early.”

In the locker room after the game, Quinn--like the rest of her teammates--was in a rather good mood following a rare win. Checking in with the rookie for the last time this season, Quinn reflected on the season and spoke on what she would like to improve for next year.

SL: Recently, you have seemed to be much more comfortable out there on the court. Is that just due to the increased playing time you have been receiving since Lindsey Harding’s injury?

NQ: Yeah, definitely. Just getting more experience helps a lot because now I know how to do things like who likes to get the ball where and what their strengths are. It’s helping my confidence.

SL: When the games are over and I look at the box score, I’m always surprised by how much you fill the stat sheet in points, rebounds and assists. Is that something you take pride in--going about your business on the court quietly and surprising people?

NQ: I take pride in that a lot. I like to pass the ball, so just being surrounded by great shooters and great post players in Nicole Ohlde, it’s great to know that I don’t have to score a lot. I can just help them score the ball.

SL: You have been more vocal out on the court lately. Are you becoming a leader on this team?

NQ: Yeah, I am. That’s one thing that I’ve really been working on, being more vocal. Having the ball all the time, I have to speak up. By nature, I’m a quiet person, but it is vital that I step up and vocalize so my team knows what we are doing.

SL: How hard is that for you?

NQ: It’s tough, but my coaches have always asked me to speak up. That’s one thing that I am continually working on as a person as well. Just being there and being assertive.

SL: What area of your game do you want to work on the most in the off-season?

NQ: More ball-handling and shooting, of course. I don’t want to be in a position where people aren’t going to play me because I don’t shoot, so I’m working on being more consistent with that. And, of course, I can always work on my ball-handling more.

SL: So, are Seimone, Lindsey and yourself going to be the three-headed monster on the Lynx for years to come?

NQ: Yeah, we’ve talked about that. With the experience I’ve gained these past thirteen games, Lindsey’s natural abilities and Seimone is great, so the future is very bright. I’m very excited to see what we all can do together.

SL: Now with only one game left, what is the biggest lesson you have learned from your rookie season?

NQ: Being patient. This is a new level of basketball and sometimes as a person and as a player you want things to come to you right away. It won’t come as easily as it did in high school or in college like it did before, so just being patient and knowing that my time will come. Having that faith in God and being grounded with all this is very important.

---

The woman whose spot Quinn has taken for the remainder of the season, Lindsey Harding, also spoke highly of her teammate’s progress this year. “She’s done a great job for us. She’s a great listener. I’m always in her ear and she’s always asking me questions and trying to figure it out...she's been great."

It is because of the dedication to growth this year that Noelle Quinn has come to epitomize the Minnesota Lynx 2007 season. By fighting through the hard times and continuing to learn, gain experience and confidence, Quinn has set the table for both herself and her team to have a better season in 2008.

Battle of the Bloggers-Timberwolves.com

Hi everyone,

I am taking place in the Battle of the Bloggers at Timberwolves.com. Although I will not openly "campaign" for you to vote, I did want to make everyone aware of the contest. I will post up the links to Timberwolves.com when the articles are up, so you can be sure to vote.

I would like to publicly thank Mike Trudell for the idea. I think this will be quite a lot of fun.

I would also like to wish my competitors the best of luck as well.

Here's the link to the Battle of the Bloggers preview piece...

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/coming_soon_battle_of_the_bloggers_070815.html

Hoopsworld: Veterans Want Out, Let Them Go

Recently, Timberwolves players Marko Jaric and newly acquired Juwan Howard let it be known they are not happy with the youth movement in Minnesota.

Howard, who was traded for Mike James earlier this summer, has asked to be traded before ever even suiting up for Minnesota since he believed that he would be given the opportunity to play with Kevin Garnett. With Garnett now in Boston the situation has changed for Howard.

Marko Jaric, one of the few remaining veterans on the team, stated he wants to be on a team which is fighting for a championship.” He continued with “if that is not in Minnesota, it must be somewhere else.”

More...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23031.shtml

Rookie Kathrin Ress Reflects on the Season

The Minnesota Lynx have lost another important member of their team for the remainder of the season. Thankfully, the loss of Kathrin Ress is not under the same circumstances as when the team lost fellow rookie Lindsey Harding, but the absence of Ress may be just as much of a blow. Ress has returned to Italy to begin practicing with her Italian National team to prepare to qualify for an Olympic berth for her country.

More...

http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.php?&story=9678&page=65&category=57

Who Cares About the Press Conference?

With the bridge collapse here in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves holding an off-season press conference to introduce new players seems trivial.

Glen Taylor, Kevin McHale, Chris Wright and Ted Johnson came out and gathered all of the media members to decide together what we should do. The press conference was cancelled and nobody had a problem with it, as all of our prayers are with the victims and workers.

Feeling odd about even divulging this info now, the press conference will be rescheduled, but will not be until next week some time.

Announcement

Effective yesterday, I will be re-joining the staff of Basketball News Services at Hoopsworld.com. I am very excited for this move, as it will allow me to continue to do what I love…cover the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Certainly, with recent events, this team may very well be at the lowest point in franchise history, but to appreciate the good times, you must go through the bad times. Just ask Boston Red Sox fans.

What my re-joining Hoopsworld.com means for Minnesota Basketball and Minnesota Basketball Talk is yet to be determined, but I will certainly keep you updated as I know more.

I will continue to write my column for the Downtown Journal as well, so keep reading and we'll talk soon.