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Wolves May Pursue Two
No. 1 Picks
Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners recently
there’s a possibility his franchise will acquire another team’s No. 1
pick for the 2007 NBA draft in June. The Timberwolves already own a No.
1 pick and their position in the draft will be determined by the NBA
lottery on May 22.
The
beleaguered Wolves had a 32-50 record last season, the team’s worst
since 1996. The club needs changes to slow fan apathy and contend for
the playoffs next season and beyond.
“We’re leaving all options open,” Taylor said. While there may be just
a few teams willing to sell a No. 1 pick, the Wolves’ owner said a trade
could also bring an extra first round choice to his team. A team might
be persuaded to part with its No. 1 pick for $3 million to $5 million.
Not having to pay $8 million or so to a No. 1 draft choice represents a
nice savings, too.
With
about two-thirds of the roster having players that are either guards or
small forwards, Taylor admitted he wants to acquire “fairly tall
players,” adding such draftees need physical strength, too. The idea is
to find rebounding and defensive help for the Wolves’ primary physical
players, 7-foot-1 Kevin Garnett and 6-foot-7
Craig Smith.
Fred Hoiberg, the Wolves assistant general manager, is impressed
with the quality of potential players in the draft, including college
underclassmen. Those players need to remain eligible for the draft,
rather than opt to return to school, to make the 2007 draft class as
good later as it looks now. “It’s a very deep draft both domestic and
international,” Hoiberg said.
Taylor said he will be more involved than in the past regarding draft
and trade decisions this off-season. As much as he wants to improve his
team, the Wolves “won’t change, just to change.”
Taylor said he doesn’t have the final figure but the franchise's
financial loss for last season will be “substantial,” in the range of
“$10 million to $15 million.” He’s budgeting for a loss next season,
too. |
Glen Taylor said he doesn’t have the final
figure but the franchise's financial loss for last season will be
“substantial,” in the range of “$10 million to $15 million.”
Glen Taylor
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Getting to ‘First Base’ with Joe Mauer
It’s
not breaking news but Twins catcher Joe Mauer
is going to be a great “catch” for a young woman. The 24-year-old
hometowner with the good looks and long sideburns was featured as one of
America’s Most Eligible Bachelors on the “Extra” TV show last Friday.
His
nature is shy and modest but Mauer admitted on the show that “fans have
come to the park” asking for marriage. No deals yet but he’s an
unbiased scout who likes blondes and brunettes, and might even go for
someone who doesn’t like baseball.
“Extra” listed his specs including 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, “dimpled smile,
baby blues” and “super cute.” Throw in his $4 million salary and four
houses and this guy becomes an easy sell.
Values? “Extra” reported that Mauer has a “humble heart” and wants to
be married. “I think I’ll be a great husband,” he told viewers. “I am
pretty easy going. I am a big family guy. Family comes first for me.”
Mauer
applicants can go to www.extratv.com and “pen” their thoughts as to why
they rate a date with the local hero. Although you might hit a “home
run,” there’s no guarantee you’ll get to “first base.”
His
parents, Jake and Teresa, told Sports Headliners on Sunday
that their son doesn’t have a steady girl friend.
Mauer, who signed a $33 million contract earlier this year, recently
informed his parents they can retire from their jobs. Jake and Teresa
said they are targeting late summer or fall to begin retirement.
Mauer’s focus now is on recovering from a strained left quad muscle that
has him unable to play for at least two weeks. He’s among the American
League batting leaders hitting .353.
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Joe Mauer
Mauer, who signed a $33 million contract
earlier this year, recently informed his parents they can retire from
their jobs.
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Worth Noting
Joe Mauer’s grandfather, Jake, Sr., has macular
degeneration but he’s participating in an experimental program at the
University of Minnesota and his sight is improving. Grandpa is back
for another year at Canterbury Park selling his tip sheet.
Collector card authority Dave Mona reports the following sports
trading cards are the most popular nationally: Daisuke Matsuzaka,
Sidney Crosby, Alex Rodriguez, JaMarcus Russell and
Adrian Peterson.
Matsuzaka, the Red Sox pitcher, was the first choice in a Sports
Illustrated players poll to win American League Rookie of the Year
honors. The Twins’ Matt Garza, currently in AAA with Rochester,
was the fourth choice (one percent of the vote).
The
Gopher football team will play four of its seven home games at night,
including three of its four Big Ten Conference home games. Those games
are Bowling Green, September 1; Purdue, September 22; Ohio State,
September 29 and Illinois, November 3. The Purdue game starts at 8
p.m., the others at 7 p.m.
KARE
11 meteorologist Belinda Jensen, who is
expecting a baby in late July, remains interested in tennis and
participates in weekly drills.
FSN
North hockey analyst Kevin Gorg predicts Buffalo will defeat
Anaheim in seven games to win the Stanley Cup.
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John M. Williams, DDS
Cosmetic & Family Dental Care
612-521-7611 |
