Blazerdamus Is Coming
Posted by: j_john
Check it out
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
T-Wolves in Turmoil
Posted by: j_john
I posted about the T-Wolves coaching change over on True Fan. It's weird to think of someone else on the bench with KG and company, but I've been a McHale supporter since my childhood days following the Celtics when I lived in New England. (Now the guy lives down the road from my parents in North Oaks, MN.)
I've been through much more depressing times with my team, I can handle a season of discontent.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
TRUE FAN
Posted by: j_john
It has been brought to my attention that I am not showing enough love to my Minnesota Timberwolves as they fight their way through the NBA playoffs. I guess even my parents were worried a bit as a T-Wolves T-shirt arrived in the mail today. Well everyone, I need to make you aware of the recent Urban Honking group blog True Fan.
On TF you will find sports info and general musings from myself and fellow athletic enthusiasts Steve Schroeder, Josh Berezin, Andrew Peterson, and K. Mike Merrill as well.
A recent entry includes a short movie chronicling my highs and lows during a recent Timberwolves game that ending in sweet victory over the Sacramento Kings.
A special thank you is in order to Josh and Steve for waiting to watch last night's game until after I got done with work. T-Wolves without commercials and with minimal Magic Johnson and Ernie Johnson (but plenty of Ervin Johnson) was truly a special event.
Beat LA!
From: October 28 | Comments (4) | Permalink
WWWW
Posted by: j_john
"WorldWideWebWolves"--about a week ago the official site of the T-Wolves went through a redesign, and I'm still not quite sure what I think of it. The old site was a mess of sections seemingly thrown in at random about the page. The graphics were mostly an ugly greenish color and the background was plain white, so I think the switch to a blue color scheme with consistent design on sub-pages is a good thing. However, there are "video links" which contain footage of the Wolves dance team accompanied by horrible music, possibly Toby Keith. Oh, and I'd like to find out who is designing their wallpaper section...a couple years ago it was real strong, and now it looks like someone's first time on Photoshop.
Which one do you think they let the owners' granddaughter design?
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Crash Landing
Posted by: j_john
Haven't updated for awhile due to a combination of a down InterWeb connection and not too much going on. Saturday was a bust after planning the day around watching my T-Wolves on national television--only to see them score a franchise low 26 points IN THE FIRST HALF. They were only playing the Houston Rockets too, and had just beaten New Orleans and arch-rivals San Antonio on the road...guess they were tired and wanted to get back to the frigid confines of the Target Center. I'm beginning to suspect I may curse them, having lost 2 of 3 when I tune in...if they stay in first place I'll stay out of their face.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Grizzlie-Burgers
Posted by: j_john
The StarTribune has another article of interest, this one about the Memphis Grizzlies being stuck in Portland. First it compliments the city and then it pokes fun at the inability to handle the winter storm. My favorite section:
"Several meals were taken at a nearby Burger King, with players trudging along unshoveled sidewalks. Some hooked up video consoles, others flipped channels."
I wonder if they're talking about the BK on Burnside and Broadway, 'cause I really want to know which one the stars endorse. I bet Bonzi wasn't able to hit his favorite joints while he was back in town.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Sleepy Ball
Posted by: j_john
I guess I wasn't the only one who missed the Blazers game against the T-Wolves last night. Center Dale Davis couldn't get out of his fancy West Hills residence and didn't make the trip to Minneapolis...not that it would have mattered much as the Wolves ran all over the tired Portlanders. The MPLS Star-Tribune lets 'em have it: "It was snowing when the Blazers left Oregon, raining on them early in Thursday's game." Boom!
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
TV-Wolves
Posted by: j_john
While I was in MN I made sure to catch a couple 
Timberwolves games on TV. First was the homecoming game of sorts for Latrell against his former New York Knicks. The game was pretty good, but most of the news ended up focusing on Spre's verbal abuse of his former team's owner. He played well but I had to agree with Allan Houston when he said Spre should have let his game do the talking for him.
Second on the T-Wolves schedule were the TrailBlazers. Finally coming to terms with not being able to watch the game in person I eventually realized it was probably a good thing. My Wolves played so poorly and I was left wondering if their bench could do anything but cheer on the starters. Oh well, at least they beat-up the Sonics...and Sam "Alien" Cassell was named Western Conference Player of the Week.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
TeamWolf
Posted by: j_john
I've really gone out of my way to see some live NBA this year, having hit the Rose Garden three times in less than two months. However, these times were spent watching a team I don't care that much about, even without all the legal problems. It's weird to admit it, but I have yet to watch one game of my beloved Minnesota Timberwolves.
As fate would have it, I will be returing to the land of 12,000 lakes (we're modest folk so we only promote 10,000 of em) on Dec. 22nd and coming back on the 27th, a mere ONE DAY after the Timberwolves roll into town to take on the Blazers in one of two Rose City appearances. (Thankfully, with the new NBA realignment taking effect next year I'll probably get to see the Wolves a bit more.)
So, in order to fill my T-Wolves fix, I've had to rely on box scores and recaps, heading over to the MPLS Star Tribune Web site to learn about the further delay of Wally and T-Hud's return to the court. I suppose I'm just waiting for the team to be a bit healthy, and then I can tune in and see the real Timberwolves in action. Of course, at this rate it could be the end of the season before most of them are ready. I'm going to have to acknowledge that this is my team, injury-ridden and with almost all new faces around KG. It's probably time I hit up a sports bar to see what's happening at the Target Center.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Keeping pace with the Blazers
Posted by: j_john
Neglected to post about the latest Blazers game I attended--this time it was a well-fought, OT victory over Scot Pollard and the Indiana Pacers.
Continuing my trend of seat upgrades, I watched the game from the 3-point line with my Pollard-obsessed co-worker Jenn, and the quality seats paid off as it 
was 80s night at the Rose Garden. Leg-warmers and neon colors suited the Blazers dancers quite well, and they turned in some good performances even though they stayed away from the Michael Jackson songs...
Fresh from his night in jail, Z-Bo proved weed is all you need to score lots of points, posting a season-high 34 as he led his team to another win with me in the fairly empty stands.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Oh-no, not Z-Bo!
Posted by: j_john
It was only a matter of time before 
another Blazer encountered legal troubles. Last night my favorite Blazer Zach Randolph was arrested on a variety of charges.
This one hurts a little bit more because Zach was the one responsible for punching Ruben "Rapist" Patterson in the face last spring (an action I wholeheartedly agreed with), and he had been shining in his newly appointed starter's position. Oh well, guess he's entitled to a few mistakes, and who hasn't driven down MLK stoned and without a license or insurance?
From: October 28 | Comments (1) | Permalink
Super Fans
Posted by: j_john
Josh and I hit another Blazers game last night 
--this time they faced the now Alonzo Mourning-less New Jersey Nets (whom I last saw play in their home arena about 17 years ago). The Rose Garden was noticeably lacking a lot of fans, but the ones that were there seemed to make a good amount of noise (including upper-level huge college contingent yelling, cheering and swearing). Mr. Berezin and I found some roster sheets and studied up on the potential match-ups, and were soon surprised to see 2nd year Qyntel Woods start in place of veteran Rasheed Wallace.
We had great seats this time and it was rad to get into the game in an entirely different atmosphere than can be found in the nosebleed section. There was an awesome beer-lady with a mohawk, Blaze ate a whole turkey, Z-Bo and Damon were amazing yet again, and the Blazers won! Just in case we missed anything, Josh took notes. Next week I'll be going to the Pacers game...
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
A Match Made in Heaven
Posted by: j_john
My favorite brand of shoes, adidas, signed my favorite basketball player, Kevin Garnett.
This is a great decision for adidas, aiding them in their quest to gain ground on the huge lead that Nike has built as # 1 in the athletic shoe industry, especially in basketball. So, Kevin's new deal leads this guy on ESPN.com to comment that Garnett switching from Nike to And1 and then to adidas will hurt his credibility among shoe buyers.
I don't see that situation as being a big issue with people. If the shoes look good (which they will) and they are endorsed by a legit dude (which they are), then they will sell. Lots. Adidas wisely dumped Kobe, now they have McGrady, Duncan and most importantly Garnett. I can't wait to see the custom shoes they design.
From: October 28 | Comments (0) | Permalink
