Mike Miller's "Game"

Alright, so I read an article today on how one columnist was blown away at how incredible Mike Miller is at 3s. Reading what he wrote after that made me feel exactly the same way.

"In talking to Miller, I learned a few interesting things:

1) He made 36-straight threes to conclude Monday's workout. That's decent.
2) The former Sixth Man and Rookie of the Year (you forgot about those awards - be honest) goes at game speed throughout his workout, and he shoots more than just stand-still jumpers. Try step backs, curls, bumps, one-dribble pull ups and more (game situation shooting, basically).
3) For his warm up, Miller must make 10 shots from seven spots on the floor, and can't miss more than four shots (or he starts over).
4) He is the opposite of happy if he has to go back to a spot. He's like Ted Thompson after Favre said he wanted to un-retire.
5) There aren't many NBA players, let alone normal people, who could get through Miller's workout due to how many consecutive shots he has to make.
6) One of Miller's hardest drills is this: A three-point make is +1 and a miss -1, and he has to get to 50. So he could make 49 in a row, miss one and he'd need two straight makes to finish. Miss five, make five and you're at zero. Try that sometime with NBA threes ... Or you could dunk on Dwight Howard, out-swim Michael Phelps, beat Rafael Nadal on clay or broker a permanent peace deal between Israel and Palestine."

That is ridiculous... a +/- game with NBA threes??? I guess when you are great at something you should blow people away, and he has definitely done that to me here...

Well. Im off to the gym to see how close I can get to 50 (or -50, whichever comes first).

Wolves Offseason

Coming into the 2008 Offseason, it seemed that the Timberwolves were going to be quiet. Making their draft count as the only upgrade in a year that had quite a few marquee free agents moving seemed to be our fate.

However, McHale, Hoiberd and Co. have made the time off quite interesting. They started with the infamous draft day deal of O.J. Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine "shimmyshake" Walker, Greg Buckner for K-Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins.

This deal on the surface seemed horrible to most Wolves fans, as we all got caught up in the pre-draft Mayo hype. However, after my nerves calmed down, and I was able to look at this trade through and through, there are nothing but positives that come from it.

First off, it's not a swap of Mayo for Love. It was the switching of a young 2 guard for a young 4/5 along with a sharpshooting 3 . Along with that, not only did the Wolves get a servicable center in Collins, but got rid of some horrendous contracts in Walker and Jaric (however, Jarics fiance will be sorely missed).

Love exceeded expectations in summer league, and was able to show his modeling abilities all in the short time he has been with the team.

The other big trade was the one we did with Philly.
"The Sixers sent swingman Rodney Carney, veteran center Calvin Booth, a protected first-round draft pick and cash to Minnesota for a conditional second-round draft pick. The Timberwolves used a $2.8 million trade exception gained from a trade last December with Miami to make the finances match.

The first-rounder is one Philadelphia acquired in a trade with Utah for shooter Kyle Korver last season. The Wolves will get it if the Jazz pick lower than 22nd in 2009, 17th in 2010, 15th in 2011, 16th in 2012 or 16th in 2013."

So basically since our second round pick is conditional to the point that they have .00001% chance of getting it, we have gotten a young slasher in carney and a 1st round pick for nothing! What a deal!(not to mention the sixers ended up sending money to cover both the contracts as well!)

The other deals we have done are resigning Telfair, Gomes, and Smith. All have 2 years guaranteed, which was important, since we want to head into the 2010 offseason with maximum flexibility to do whatever it is we want at that time. Basically, we kept the guys we needed to to keep our team competitive until we make our move to become a top team.

I like the way this team is headed!