Posted June 24, 2011    

•Derrick Williams

•Ricky Rubio

•Rev. Paul Youngdahl

•Seimone Augustus

•Cal Clutterbuck

Beasley on Spot after Wolves Draft Williams 

Derrick Williams should help Michael Beasley move closer toward reaching his potential as an NBA player, according to Tony Ronzone, the Timberwolves assistant general manager. 

The Wolves used the No. 2 pick in the first round of last night’s NBA draft to select Williams, a sophomore forward from the University of Arizona.  He’s expected to put pressure on Beasley to retain his starting small forward position for the Timberwolves. 

“No question.  Competition is great,” Ronzone told Sports Headliners earlier in the week. “We’ll see. We’re in a good spot there.” 

Beasley, in his first year with the Wolves last season, played a career high 32.3 minutes per game.  He averaged 19.2 points and made 45 percent of his shots.  He was occasionally brilliant offensively and almost consistently inconsistent in his performance.  “He’s one of the best offensive scorers in the NBA when he’s tuned in,” Ronzone said. 

The 22-year-old Beasley was the second pick by Miami in the first round of the 2008 draft.  His reputation for inconsistency is stamped on his resume but Ronzone believes the young forward’s experience last season will help him play better. 

If not, Williams could have Beasley’s job and play the opposite forward to Kevin Love.  Williams averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, and was the Pac-10 Player of the Year.  He was the consensus second best player available in the draft after Duke point guard Kyrie Irving, selected No. 1 by Cleveland.    

 

Wolves' Young Roster Teases with Talent 

The 20-year-old Williams gives the Wolves a promising roster now that includes Love, 22, and 20-year-old point guard Ricky Rubio, 23-year-old shooting guard Wes Johnson, and 26-year-old Darko Milicic.  Even before the draft Ronzone was intrigued about the team’s future.  

“We are gonna get better,” he said.  “We are gonna win more games.  You can see the talent we got on the floor.  We’re excited for the future.” 

Love led the NBA in rebounding last year at 15.2 per game.  He also averaged a career high 20.2 points and is easily the most advanced of the team’s players. 

Rubio’s arrival on the roster after being drafted in 2009 has teammates excited.  Reserve forward Anthony Randolph, 21, told Ronzone he has never played with a point guard who will get him the ball.  If the Wolves win games, Ronzone doesn’t even care if Rubio scores.  “Jason Kidd (Dallas point guard) said his goal one day was to get a triple double without scoring,”  Ronzone said. 

Ronzone believes Johnson’s talent is “off the charts.”  He was inconsistent during his rookie season and often played without intensity.  But Ronzone said it’s typical for NBA players to make a lot of improvement from their first to second years and expects that progression for Johnson who is so athletic and basketball skilled he could be among the league’s better players offensively and defensively. 

Milicic started the most games of his much criticized NBA career last season, his first full year with the Wolves, averaging a modest 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.  His overall consistency and intensity was an issue and Ronzone admits this is a “big year” for the 7-foot center who has not only size but exceptional skills including shot blocking and passing.   

Ronzone predicts this next season will be one for both Milicic and the Wolves to make evaluations. “See how committed he is,” Ronzone said. “How bad he wants it. I feel he will do it.  I believe in him.” 

Milicic, Love and Rubio could form one of the better passing trios seen in the NBA in a long time.  The prospect of that had Ronzone enthused.  “(If) we guard, we can score with anybody in the league.  We did that this year.  We just couldn’t finish games.”

 

Worth Noting    

Ricky Rubio’s 14-year-old sister Laia is moving here with her parents from Spain and she is a talented point guard.  “Some high school team is going to be excited when they get her on the roster,” Ronzone said. “She can play.”    

There will be two services today (noon and 3 p.m.) at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church for Rev. Paul Youngdahl who passed away unexpectedly on Monday.  Rev. Youngdahl was a friend and someone I had the highest admiration for.  He was a passionate sports fan and his church for many years hosted a famous spring sports banquet.  

Condolences to the Youngdahl family and also to former Gophers' basketball coach Bill Fitch whose wife Joni Nelson died in Texas on Monday.  

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has set a July 21 date for hearing the University of Minnesota’s appeal in the Jimmy Williams case.  A jury previously ruled in Williams’ favor regarding the lawsuit involving Gophers' basketball coach Tubby Smith and the University.  

The Twins, with a record of 32-41, will have to be 62-27 in their remaining 89 games to equal last year’s Central Division title record of 94-68. 

Gophers’ football coach Jerry Kill meets with the media Tuesday to show the latest renovations to the weight room and outdoor practice fields. 

The Gophers Goal Line Club is sponsoring a golf tournament and dinner at the Alexandria Golf Club on Monday.  Gophers’ assistant head coach Bill Miller and former U quarterback Rickey Foggie are among those who will attend.  For more information visit www.goallineclub.com, or contact Dave Vagle at 320-762-2154. 

The 2011 Gophers “M” Club Hall of Fame inductees will be Nicole Branagh (volleyball, 1997-2000), Mike Crowley (hockey, 1994-1997), Ben Hamilton (football, 1997-2000), Mike Hebert (volleyball coach, 1996-2010), Joe Pollack (baseball, 1963-1965) and Robb Quinlan (baseball, 1996-1999), along with legends Garth Lappin (wrestling, 1934-1937), Urban Odson (football, 1939-1941), Vicki Swanson (volleyball, 1976/softball, 1977-1978) and John Whitaker (wrestling, 1935-1937).  The official induction will be on September 22 at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on campus.

In celebration of its 15^th season, the WNBA has selected 30 nominees for fan voting to determine the top 15 players of all time.  Lynx players Seimone Augustus and Taj McWilliams-Franklin are among the 30, along with ex-Lynx player Katie Smith. Fans can vote at www.wnba.com.

The Wild’s Cal Clutterbuck took to twitter on Wednesday using the name @roadtourclutter.  He announced he would only tweet for one day, but still had over 500 followers in his first four hours.

 

 
  Seimone Augustus

 Cal Clutterbuck