michael beasley Archives

The ‘David Kahn’ Era

July 26, 2012 By paulmbanks 1 Comment

When Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor named David Kahn the president of basketball operations, he expected to have a playoff-contending team by now. Instead, in his four years on the job he has made more trades than times Dwight Howard has changed his mind about being traded, drafted more point guards than an apartment complex could support, and traded away more draft picks than Jarrod Saltalamacchia has letters in his last name. And now, the T’wolves are in another transition of which I am about to get to. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2012, Anthony Randolph, Arizona, basketball, Brandon Roy, dante cunningham, David Kahn, DeMarcus Cousins, derrick williams, draft picks, dwight howard, Glen Taylor, J.J. Barea, Jonny Flynn, kevin garnett, Kevin Love, Martell Webster, michael beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, nba players, Oregon, PAC-10, Ricky Rubio, Robbie Hummel, sportsbank, Stephen Curry, thesportsbank, thesportsbank.net, UCLA, Washington, Wesley Johnson

Minnesota Timberwolves “luck” might be turning around?

April 24, 2012 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

I know the last few years have been down-right dreadful for fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Our last few draft picks (Wes Johnson and Derrick Williams) haven’t panned-out, so far or yet. But, Ricky Rubio brought a spark this season before his ACL injury. He lit-up Target Center with his maestro passing skills and non-matador-esque defensive ability that most of his teammates (Michael Beasley) have shown the past few years. He might just be the beginning of a Minnesota-turnaround, though.

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NBA Trade Deadline: Possible suitors for the Timberwolves’ Michael Beasley

March 3, 2012 By Bill Burke Leave a Comment

Plenty of names will be floated around in the next week-plus as the NBA trade deadline approaches on March 15th. Over the next week, I am going to take a look at which players are likely to be dealt and what teams might be interested in acquiring said player. Michael Beasley‘s name has been on the trade block since the Minnesota Timberwolves used the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft on Derrick Williams. With the T-Wolves signing Kevin Love to a max deal extension, it’s almost certain Beasley will be traded since he doesn’t seem to be part of Minnesota’s long-term plan.
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Michael Beasley’s Struggles Continue

February 26, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

What is wrong with Michael Beasley?

The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to struggle– while falling short of already low expectations– much of that can be attributed to the recent lackluster play of forward Michael Beasley.

The once rejuvenated Beasley started the year making the league forget about his struggles dealing with the pressures of being the second pick in the 2008 NBA draft.

But as of late his play resembles the Beasley that wore a Miami Heat jersey the last two seasons.

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T’Wolves’ Rambis is Here to Stay

January 12, 2011 By paulmbanks 3 Comments

When Minnesota Timberwolves’ General Manager David Kahn announced the hiring of head coach Kurt Rambis on August 8, 2009 it was generally well received by fans of the Timberwolves.

As a player Rambis won four championships while playing with the Lakers (1982, 85, 87, and 88), and another two championships while he was an assistant coach with the team (2002 and 2009).

His credentials were there. But the problem was that Rambis had essentially never dealt with losing, and this team was far from being a playoff contender at the time of his hiring.

During his tenure as Wolves coach, the team has seen Michael Beasley and Kevin Love grow into star players in the NBA. But the losses continue to pile up. Making many Timberwolves faithful question weather Rambis is the answer as coach of this up-and-coming team. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2009-10 Minnesota Timberwolves, 2010-11 Minnesota Timberwolves, 2011-12 coach of the year, Darko Milicic, David Kahn, David Kahn Darko Milicic, David Kahn Kevin Love, FSNorth, Greg Popovich, Greg Popovich praises Timberwolves, Greg Popovich says Timberwolves are winners, Kahn Love, Kevin Love, Kevin Love superstar, kurt rambis, michael beasley, Minnesota, Minnesota Timberwolves, Rambis big in Love's growth, Rambis Love, Rambis Love Milicic, Rambis Milicic, t'wolves, T'Wolves are close, timberwolves, Timberwolves continue to battle, Timberwolves continue to grow, Timberwolves continue to play well, Timberwolves fans, Timberwolves playing better than their record, Timberwolves ready to contend, Timberwolves wins are close, Wolves, Wolves continue to grow, Wolves playoff contender, Wolves young team

Webster’s Return Has Enhanced the Play of Young Wolves Squad

December 29, 2010 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Many fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves scratched their heads when the Wolves made the June 24^th draft day trade of sending forward Ryan Gomes and the rights to Luke Babbitt to Portland in exchange for wing Martell Webster.

In his five seasons in Portland, Webster averaged just over 8 points per game, and an injury plagued 2008-09 campaign allowed Webster to only play in five minutes that season.

Webster had a very solid preseason in which he averaged 12.3 points in 26.7 minutes per game. Although comparing preseason stats with regular season success would be like comparing Degrassi to One Tree Hill, his preseason numbers did show the possibility of Webster being a consistent contributor to this young Timberwolves team. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: David Kahn, David Kahn Genius, David Kahn trades, Jonny Flynn, Kevin Love, Kevin Love wing man, key bench players, Key Timberwolves Players, Love wing man, Luke Babbitt, Martell, Martell Timberwolves, Martell Webster, Martell Webster 2010-11 season, Martell Webster Kevin Love, Martell Webster Michael Beasley, Martell Webster Minnesota Timberwolves, Martell Webster sparking Timberwolves, Martell Webster Wes Johnson, michael beasley, Michael Beasley wing man, Minnesota, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Timberwolves big three, NBA, rebuilding Timberwolves, Ryan Gomes, spark off of bench, spreading the floor, t'wolves, timberwolves, Timberwolves growth, Trades, Webster, Webster Timberwolves, wes johnson, Wesley Johnson, Wolves, young Timberwolves

Timberwolves’ Kevin Love Rapidly Rising to Stardom

December 8, 2010 By paulmbanks 1 Comment

I “fearlessly predicted” back in October that Kevin Love would average 18 points and 13 rebounds. Oh how that has proven to be an understatement.

On the year Kevin Love is averaging 20 points per game, and 15.3 rebounds per game. Far higher than the “fearless” numbers that I predicted back in October.

On November 12 myself and a group of my friends headed to the Target Center to catch a Friday night Minnesota Timberwolves game. We went to the arena to celebrate a buddy of mine’s 24^th birthday, but we left being a part of NBA History.

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5 Immediate Lineup Changes for the Timberwolves:

November 4, 2010 By paulmbanks 6 Comments

Last week I wrote 5 bold predictions for the 2010-11 Minnesota Timberwolves. After a pitiful 1-4 start, those bold predictions make less sense than trading for a diva wide receiver, then dumping him four weeks later.

Truth be told I honestly didn’t foresee such a bad start out of this team.

The trouble in paradise that ensued between head coach Kurt Rambis and star play Kevin Love following the opening night loss to a Tyreke Evens less Sacramento Kings team. To the 74 point combined back-to-back losses at the hands of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. Bright spots have been few and far between.

The positives are that it’s only five games into the season, so there is plenty of time to right the ship. Or at least move this ship into a calmer part of the storm.

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Filed Under: The Bank Tagged With: Corey Brewer, Darko Milicic, David Kahn, Johnny Flynn, Kevin Love, kurt rambis, Lineup Changes, michael beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves

Michael Beasley Acquisition Key to Timberwolves Season

October 14, 2010 By paulmbanks 2 Comments

As a result of the added salary implications associated with the signing of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and the re-signing of Dwyane Wade; the Miami Heat needed to dump salary, and fast. Seemingly minutes after LeBron uttered those words “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach” the Minnesota Timberwolves swooped in and made a deal that many didn’t believe was true, mainly, because it made sense.

The Wolves traded a 2011 2^nd round draft pick to Miami, and in return received forward Michael Beasley who’s welcome had been worn out once LeBron and his talents reached South Beach. Although most associate Beasley as a locker room cancer, due to his track record of once attending a rehabilitation clinic in Texas, but a player like Beasley may be just what the doctor ordered for the Timberwolves’ franchise, and more importantly for Beasley.

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