Kevin Love notched his 50th double-double of the season last night, a stat no one else in the NBA can come close to claiming. IF you look at more than just scoring, you might be tempted to say that Love is the best player in the NBA. And I wouldn't disagree with you.
The scoring and rebounding show he put on in February demonstrated a skill not shown in the NBA since Moses Malone over 15 years ago. AND the Wolves are winning.
Last night the Wolves got out a huge lead early and played well enough in the second half to hold on for the win. That's six out seven. Continued play like this will get them into the playoffs this season.
And it's not just Love contributing, though the season high 19 rebounds looked good. The Wolves also had an NBA season high 64 free throw attempts last night and they made 52 of them. Martin added 22 points and 16 of them were on free throws.
The difference in the Wolves this year over past seasons is simple. They are finding ways to beat average teams rather than losing to them late. The big early leads certainly contribute to that strategy.
Go Wolves!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Clear Mask Wins
LeBron scored 61 points last night including his first eight 3-point attempts. The new mask is clearly working for him. The Heat have also won 8 straight. LeBron is now playing like he wants to PROVE he is the best in the league again rather than just saying he is.
That's a good thing. A few more games like this and I might start to believe him.
That's a good thing. A few more games like this and I might start to believe him.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Twins
The Twins lost yesterday in an exhibition game to The Rays. New starter, Ricky Nolasco, may have pitched two scoreless innings, but that's only because the hard hits he gave up were right at somebody. He didn't look good in his first outing; the batters just hit in the right spot for the Twins benefit.
The bright spot? Oswaldo Arcia, a left-hander, hit a homerun off a Ray's left-hander. Last year Oswaldo couldn't hit left-handers at all. We're all hoping this wasn't a fluke.
The bright spot? Oswaldo Arcia, a left-hander, hit a homerun off a Ray's left-hander. Last year Oswaldo couldn't hit left-handers at all. We're all hoping this wasn't a fluke.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Updates
I reported very early yesterday morning that Miguel Sano's elbow was ripe for Tommy John surgery. A few hours later the official results were in. He will go under the knife sometime next week. IF the surgery had been done right away, when they suspected the problem months ago, he could have played half this season. Now he will miss the whole year.
It seems strange. The strategy is always rest and rehab. And then they have surgery several months later after that doesn't work. It's time that a better strategy be developed.
LeBron wore a clear mask last night. He took it off often because it wasn't as comfortable. He also scored a lot less points. Maybe the right mask does make a difference. He didn't make too much of a fuss, but did mention he thought the black mask was much better.
It seems strange. The strategy is always rest and rehab. And then they have surgery several months later after that doesn't work. It's time that a better strategy be developed.
LeBron wore a clear mask last night. He took it off often because it wasn't as comfortable. He also scored a lot less points. Maybe the right mask does make a difference. He didn't make too much of a fuss, but did mention he thought the black mask was much better.
Watching Sports
I actually watched a lot of Minnesota sports live yesterday. I saw over half of the Twins spring training game and the first half of the Wolves game last night as well.
Both were very entertaining.
Observations? Kennys Vargas is big, but not fat. I was fearing a Prince Fielder look, but instead got a normal looking big guy instead. I saw him take a simple swing yesterday while lining a single to right. His wrist speed is amazing. They said Gardy is going to give him lots of playing time at DH to see what he can do. I'm looking forward to it.
Chris Parmalee, who hit a big three-run homer, on the other hand, looks fat. Maybe it's just his uniform, but that boy seems to have put on substantial weight since the last time I saw him. The casually observing wife noticed it too, and pointed it out to me.
Of course, if he hits three-run homers with great regularity, no one will care.
The Wolves had Martin and Pekovic back in the line-up last night and the Wolves didn't skip a beat. If anything. Kevin Love got to rest more as Pekovic and Love split the rebounds and scoring duties. Martin was red hot at the beginning. Everybody was red hot at the beginning.
The best news is that the Wolves won another road game and are at last back to the .500 mark. They haven't been over it in months.
Sports is always fun when you win. In Minnesota we need to do that more often.
Both were very entertaining.
Observations? Kennys Vargas is big, but not fat. I was fearing a Prince Fielder look, but instead got a normal looking big guy instead. I saw him take a simple swing yesterday while lining a single to right. His wrist speed is amazing. They said Gardy is going to give him lots of playing time at DH to see what he can do. I'm looking forward to it.
Chris Parmalee, who hit a big three-run homer, on the other hand, looks fat. Maybe it's just his uniform, but that boy seems to have put on substantial weight since the last time I saw him. The casually observing wife noticed it too, and pointed it out to me.
Of course, if he hits three-run homers with great regularity, no one will care.
The Wolves had Martin and Pekovic back in the line-up last night and the Wolves didn't skip a beat. If anything. Kevin Love got to rest more as Pekovic and Love split the rebounds and scoring duties. Martin was red hot at the beginning. Everybody was red hot at the beginning.
The best news is that the Wolves won another road game and are at last back to the .500 mark. They haven't been over it in months.
Sports is always fun when you win. In Minnesota we need to do that more often.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Sano Out?
Miguel Sano is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. The Twins were going to use his power at the plate and his glove at third base in the very near future, possibly as early as THIS season. As I mentioned a few months back, it was possible that he would need Tommy John surgery for his sore elbow. The Twins elected to rest him for the winter instead.
Something "popped" yesterday when he threw one of his first throws of the spring. No word yet on how serious it is, but let's face it, pops are never good. He's going to be re-examined by Dr. James Andrews (the premiere sports surgeon and rehab guy in the world) soon, and both he and the Twins will figure out what's next shortly after that.
Most likely? TJ surgery. And a missed season of baseball. At least for position players the recovery time is faster because he isn't required to throw 100 pitches a game upon his return.
I like what Francisco Liriano did a few seasons ago when he was in the same boat. He elected for the surgery right away rather than wait through another rest and rehab session. He knew the elbow was bad and had it taken care of so he could get back out there.
I think Sano must be thinking the same thing at this point. Waiting MIGHT help, but eventually he will need the surgery. If he does it now, his major league career will start off sooner and better. And he won't have to worry about his elbow any more.
The longer he waits, the worse waiting will become.
Something "popped" yesterday when he threw one of his first throws of the spring. No word yet on how serious it is, but let's face it, pops are never good. He's going to be re-examined by Dr. James Andrews (the premiere sports surgeon and rehab guy in the world) soon, and both he and the Twins will figure out what's next shortly after that.
Most likely? TJ surgery. And a missed season of baseball. At least for position players the recovery time is faster because he isn't required to throw 100 pitches a game upon his return.
I like what Francisco Liriano did a few seasons ago when he was in the same boat. He elected for the surgery right away rather than wait through another rest and rehab session. He knew the elbow was bad and had it taken care of so he could get back out there.
I think Sano must be thinking the same thing at this point. Waiting MIGHT help, but eventually he will need the surgery. If he does it now, his major league career will start off sooner and better. And he won't have to worry about his elbow any more.
The longer he waits, the worse waiting will become.
The Man In the Iron Mask Part II
The league has asked (told) LeBron to switch to a clear mask to protect his broken nose, because that it what they allow in cases like this.
Lebron likes the fit, feel, and weight of the carbon fiber one and is appealing the decision. Fans across the country are showing their support by buying T-shirts of LeBron IN the mask.
My own opinion? IF it's a better mask, have ALL players wear it. That way, it will no longer be cool, and LeBron will be just like everyone else. IF LeBron is wearing it just to BE cool, he should switch to a clear one.
My guess is that the discussion is just beginning. Those clear masks look incredibly hot and uncomfortable, and LeBron's mask IS a better fit. And you don't look like such a dork while wearing it.
The black mask makes you look like Zorro, or the Lone Ranger as it covers the top of your face. Neither is cool. Somehow, LeBron makes it work even without bat ears.
I would wear the black one if it were me.
Besides, even if LeBron wears a clear one, you can bet that somehow he will personalize it so people are talking about again the next day.
I'll see if there is an update tomorrow.
Enquiring minds want to know. AND this is way better than talking about NASCAR.
Lebron likes the fit, feel, and weight of the carbon fiber one and is appealing the decision. Fans across the country are showing their support by buying T-shirts of LeBron IN the mask.
My own opinion? IF it's a better mask, have ALL players wear it. That way, it will no longer be cool, and LeBron will be just like everyone else. IF LeBron is wearing it just to BE cool, he should switch to a clear one.
My guess is that the discussion is just beginning. Those clear masks look incredibly hot and uncomfortable, and LeBron's mask IS a better fit. And you don't look like such a dork while wearing it.
The black mask makes you look like Zorro, or the Lone Ranger as it covers the top of your face. Neither is cool. Somehow, LeBron makes it work even without bat ears.
I would wear the black one if it were me.
Besides, even if LeBron wears a clear one, you can bet that somehow he will personalize it so people are talking about again the next day.
I'll see if there is an update tomorrow.
Enquiring minds want to know. AND this is way better than talking about NASCAR.
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