Minnesota Sentinel Online Pre-Season Update

Minnesota Sentinel - Sports B4

August 2007

NBA Finals ‘08

Minnesota TimberWolves(2) vs. Chicago Bulls(1)

Los Angles Lakers(1) vs. Chicago Bulls(1)

San Antonio Spurs(3) vs. Chicago Bulls(1)

Is any of the above possible? This is the season that Michael Jordan is set to makes his 4th debut on the hardwood, but it seems that his NBA Championship may be out of reach now, as we have the best talent to ever grace the court in the Western Conference this year. The Eastern Conference, is subpar this year, with only the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers looking to be contenders this year. Of course one could argue that the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards looked good last year, however I heavily doubt that they could even win two games against a Western Conference Champion. Sure, I am biased, if I can make one prediction, the New York Knicks certainly aren’t going into the post season. Now, quickly back to topic-

The Minnesota T’Wolves certainly came up big over the summer, scoring #1 draft pick in the lottery, picking up Dario Delgado*, from Kansas. This young man, standing at 6′11, is KG all over again. Now we can talk about Delgado all day, how he is the possible R.O.Y. (Rookie of the Year) and how he could decimate 1/2 of the leagues best defenders in the post, but we won’t. Instead we’re going to talk about Eddie Chase, T’Wolves owner, entering the running for Associated Press’ Executive of the Year due to his recent trades pick-ups. Working with Head Coach Randy Whittman, here’s what Chase came up with this summer:

- Trading PG Randy Foye for Chicago’s Sophomore Sixth Man SG Cedric Batista

- Giving up their #1 Draft Pick and Ryan Gomes for Dallas PG Jason Terry

- Giving up their #2 Draft Pick along with Marco Jaric for Houston SF Tracy McGrady

I’m guessing that a majority of our readers who just read the above can’t believe what they just read. Possibly rereading the last sentence a minimum of 5 times. Yes, T-Mac. How is this even possible, when all the Rockets get is Jaric and a draft pick? The answer is fairly simple: locker room discontent.

Both Yao and Alston have voiced their discontent with McGrady, feeling that he doesn’t care about the team. Now Alston isn’t exactly the Rockets catalyst of offense, but he is important. Maybe a little more important than McGrady though, because in last years playoffs**, McGrady couldn’t get the Rockets past the 1st round against the Utah Jazz failing to even win a game until a injured Rafer Alston returned. Yao, who’s importance to the team doesn’t even have to be explained, recently voiced to head coach Rick Adelman that he felt McGrady didn’t show remorse after they were expelled from the playoffs 4-2. Reportedly, Yao saw McGrady laughing on the phone outside the locker room.

Regardless, T-Mac is a welcome addition to the T’Wolves. This is the Wolves’ starting lineup as of now:

PG Jason Terry

SG Cedric Batista

SF Tracy McGrady

PF Al Jefferson

C Dario Delgado

While the line-up for the San Antonio Spurs hasn’t changed, they are still a contender, along with the Los Angles Lakers who haven’t made any changes besides all-star center Pau Gasol. (see article #245 for more on the Gasol trade)

Nothing much to report in the Eastern Conference, besides the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics who are becoming powerhouses. Although it’s getting kind of dull to see the Pistons dominating up until the E.C. Finals where they’ve began a tradition of either shaving points or just not giving a []. Their domination is completely understandable looking at their starting 5, and their top notch bench. Rodney Stuckey is becoming quite the sixth man, along with Amir Johnson. These two are the future of the Pistons so be on the lookout.

Jordan’s Chicago Bulls aren’t going to have it easy this year. It’s going to be a real battle just getting into the post-season some say. However I believe that the Bulls will finish at a solid 4th seed. Unfortunately age isn’t the only factor working against Jordan, as the league is looking better than before. He’ll have to step it up, not just as a leader, but as a teacher as well. He’s even had a change of position as you’ll see below, moving from the two to the one.

Chicago’s lineup:

PG Michael Jordan

SG Larry Hughes [interesting choice to keep Ben Gordon on the bench ]

SF Loul Deng

PF Tyus Thomas or Drew Gooden (Undetermined)

C Joakim Noah

The Boston Celtics of course, coming off a series of big trades, Robert Epstein and David Epstein are giving Chase a run for his money concerning the Executive of the Year Award. The beautiful lineup for Boston:

PG Rajan Rondo

SG Ray Allen

SF Paul “The Truth” Pierce

PF Kevin Garnett

C Kendrick Perkins

(For more on the details (the who, what, and when) of the trades involved see previous article #242)

In a rather quickened conclusion due to deadline timing, This is the year where the NBA’s most successful slogan should really shine:

NBA: Where Amazing Happens

- Paul Lester

Journalist’s Note:

Sadly this will be my last article until December 11th, 2007 because of family affairs and ill placed vacation time. When we pick back up, we’ll be in the first quarter of the 07-08 season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be squaring off against the Chicago Bulls.

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* Delgado and Batista are both NBA 2K8 created players, meaning he does not to the (author’s knowledge) exist.

** Last years playoffs is actually this years playoffs. It’s just a form of a time paradox I guess. Not sure if that’s the correct term or not though.

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