OneFansOpinion's Xanga

Thank You, Mad Dog!

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:49:24 GMT

Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen thanked the fans in his blog. It's a simply gesture that summarizes Mark's great character, a rarity in the superstar world. His entry is at http://markmadsen.com/blog/CommentView.aspx?guid=fbc63570-81d1-4266-9b68-716874979f57.

Mark, thank you. Here's my reply:

Mark, you're welcome squared. As an NBA fan and Timberwolves season ticket holder, I want to acknowledge the thank you and pass it back to you. Secondly, I want to say you are welcome in Minnesota because of how much you care. Ambassador is a great way to describe you because you are a shining good example of an NBA player. When Minnesota signed you, I'm sure most fans saw an NBA champion dancer and didn't know how tirelessly you worked on and off the court. Last year, fans yelled for you when you did see action because they learned how hard you worked, they recognized your efforts.

When you come back to Minnesota, pack a hanky because you will see and hear the love you've earned and I'm sure it will be emotional. Congrats on returning to Cali, where friends & family can come see you play. You'll be missed in Minnesota because we know what the 'Wolves lost.

Congrats & best of luck! I'll keep watching your tweets. Thanks for getting KLove tweeting, you've made a star, there! Keep tweeting and see you next season!

Good Morning Ricky; Adios, Rubio? (It's Not Too Cold)

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:49:13 GMT

This morning I woke up wondering if the Timberwolves Draft Pick #5 Ricky Rubio was still a Timberwolf. I had to check the reports. Now yesterday was no normal draft day. 3 first round picks were spent on point guards. It was a strange day indeed. But was it really a normal Timberwolves draft?

Last night while tweeting at the Timberwolves Draft Party at Target Center, I couldn't help but think of how amazing it was that Minnesota had secured one of the most exciting picks available. Olympian Ricky Rubio was available at #5 when most mock drafts had him gone at #2. Wow! Lucky day!

But my joy was short-lived. One drawback of a quick mind that races constantly is that it found the next obvious thought: the history of picks. For me, it starts with Ray Allen and the Milwaukee Bucks. It continues with Timberwolf-for-a-moment Brandon Roy and overnight-swapped OJ Mayo. Could I really believe that Rubio would stay? Could I believe he could stay?

"Too Cold"

It's a stupid knock. As an NBA player, you are away for more than half your games. Is the heat of Florida any more an issue than the cold of Minnesota? If it is, have your boy pick you up in a warmed SUV and don't leave the vehicle until you are inside the garage. Isn't that what you'd do in Florida? Instead of sweating more than you do during practice in the humidity, have your boy pick you up in a cooled SUV and don't leave the vehicle until you are safely inside the cool garage. The weather is overrated.

I Owe McHale an Apology

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:40:33 GMT

I owe McHale an apology. In December, I, too, booed him, too. I was mistaken. I may boo the players he traded away but he can coach this club. Dwayne Casey was 20-20 his final year but since HcHale took over, the Wolves are actually winning games. This month, the 'Wolves fought the Lakers tonight (hey, LA is simply better) and blew out Oklahoma City (unimaginable!). The 'Wolves are playing games that you can enjoy and the 'Wolves are winning.

Sorry, Coach McHale, you did put together a good team which can win. I was wrong about you. Best of luck for the rest of the 2009 season. I'll be watching.

Timberwolves Have a Math Problem

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:04:43 GMT

From a Timberwolves London update:
>The Wolves have 16 players under contract and
>17 players with them in London. The smart money
>is against John Edwards, a 7-footer who spent part
>of the last two seasons with the Indiana Pacers and
>Atlanta Hawks, failing to make the roster.

John Edwards won't be alone. An NBA roster is 12 players with some 'injured' players on standby. I call it standby because if you check, you'll find injured players can quickly recover when a player becomes hurt or suspended. Whatever they do on the injured list, it must be amazing to have players recover so quickly. Okay, enough sarcasm. In any case, the 'Wolves will have to make some moves to dump all these bodies and contracts. I know long-term no KG saves them money but it's not yet that moment.

Buckle up. Season's coming. Maybe those extra players can hang around and fill the empty Target Center seats?

Gold Jersey Curse

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:15:19 GMT

Quick: What colors do you think of when I say the United States of America? Did you say gold? No?
Well, for some reason the US Women's Football Club had golden jerseys in this year's World Cup run. It seemed cocky when I first heard of it. I just finished watching the taped game and it seems that the golden jersey cursed the US team.
I was trying to figure out how to say it's idiotic to be bold in gold but I think this advertisement for the jersey says it best:
"Cheer on the Red, White and Blue in China 2007 - Get the USA Women's National Team Gold Soccer Jersey by Nike; The US" Women are Golden, so it's fitting that...

There you have it! Cheer on the red, white, and blue in your gold. What? I wish I knew what the US was thinking.

I think the US was being cocky. What's your theory?

AI? Sorry, KG.

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 13:25:58 GMT

At Friday night's Timberwolves/Jazz game, I heard a rumor. A good source mentioned Allen Iverson (also known as AI, the Philadelpha 76er and former MVP) wants out of Philly. The real question is does he want in Minnesota?

Maybe, maybe not. Who cares! I say that because of the offer we have to make. Look AI makes $16 million this year and $18 the next. To get him we have to jettison 16 million in salary. The rumors I read & heard involve flashy Randy Foye (wearing 4, this guy could be our future though maybe a playing time becomes a conflict with Rashad McCants when he heals from offseason surgery), the fiery Ricky Davis, and Troy Hudson.

What's KG say? He's clear, "Bring it on, I love The Answer. "We welcome A.I. with open arms. Where is Kevin McHale?"

My opinion, "Howie Mandell,... No deal!"

I love the support but I have a problem. If we dump Foye, Davis, and Hudson, who plays with those two? Our starting lineup maybe only change one player (Davis), but who's off the bench?

Starting would be KG, AI, Mike James, Mark Blount, Craig Smith. I have no problem with that. I love Craig Smith. Our bench is reduced to Trenton Hassel, Marko Jaric, Justin Reed, Mark Madsen (currently injured), and maybe Eddie Griffin if he isn't part of the deal (another rumor). Ouch!

Sorry, KG. I just don't see it.

Diving School!

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 22:43:54 GMT

Today, I ran into the funniest video. With all the diving in this year's World Cup / Weltmeistershaft, I've been theorizing that all the world's best players go to Hollywood for one week of acting school. This video proves my theory:

http://www.joga.com/VideoView.aspx?videoDocId=8287225403917253869

Instant Classic Adidas Commericials Are Online!

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 20:56:22 GMT

I've been waiting the ENTIRE World Cup / Weltmeistershaft to see the entire uncut commercial and hoping someday adidas would put them online.

Well, today my day and they are even available for download!

Start here and work your way to the great Jose +10 compaign:
http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/verticalsfootball/content/holder.asp?strCountry_adidascom=us

Check them out and share your thoughts.

KG Supports Family & Zidane

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 20:43:27 GMT

I found this article online but wonder: Is KG touring India? I'm skeptical of the story but thought I'd share anyway. It's no shock that a stand-up guy like Kevin Garnett would be quoted supporting family. In any case, here's the story:

`Zidane was wronged'
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/17/stories/2006071703921900.htm
The Hindu Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Nine-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett has said Frenchman Zinedine Zidane's head-butting episode in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Berlin was an unfortunate incident.

"Zidane was provoked with verbal attack on his family. And let me tell you family is everything. Family comes first," said Garnett. The American star was in the capital on a three-day India tour for the launch of his signature basketball shoes by adidas.

He said though verbal abuse was part of basketball, what happened with Zidane was incomprehensible under such high-pressure situations.

Garnett, on his maiden visit to India, said that though he had very little idea about Indian sport in general and basketball in particular, he hoped his visit would help create awareness about basketball.

"There is no reason for India not to progress in basketball. What needed is concerted approach and more awareness about the sport to attract audience. He said more visits by big players in India would help generating interest in basketball.

Garnett, who leaves for Agra on Monday, said he was very excited about visiting the Taj Mahal.

What Materazzi and Zidane Will Say

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 21:49:31 GMT

This is great! It's days later and neither Materazzi nor Zidane will say what was said. However, both agree one insulted the other but won't say how.

I want to write down what the Italian star said. After all, it worked very well!

I don't blame Materazzi. He's a magician and should be able to keep his trade secrets. He will deny that he called Zidane a "terrorist." Well, duh! Who wouldn't!?! Fearing reprisal, he will gladly say that he did not do that! And very intelligently, he jokes about to ensure that no one thinks he is lying.

He said, "I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is." Perfect.

Zidane won't say what he said either but he will say that Materazzi disparaged his mother and sister. Somehow, that angered Zidane. After a lifetime of football, Materazzi found the magic words to help his country and himself win a true World Championship (sorry USA but your World Titles are exactly World Titles).

Days later, we're still wondering and the story goes on. What do you think he said?