Brian Murphy/Pioneer Press on tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery:
The Wolves (22-60) finished with the third-worst
record in the league in 2007-08, behind Miami and Seattle. Among
non-playoff teams, they have a 13.8 percent chance to win the No. 1
overall pick, 14.24 percent chance to draft second and even greater
probability to select third (14.54 percent).
record in the league in 2007-08, behind Miami and Seattle. Among
non-playoff teams, they have a 13.8 percent chance to win the No. 1
overall pick, 14.24 percent chance to draft second and even greater
probability to select third (14.54 percent).
Also from Murphy:
Generally speaking, Hoiberg said Monday, "There is a
clear-cut top two, but this draft is important for us even if we’re not
picking in the top two. There are several more players who could come in and make an immediate impact and be starters on some teams."
clear-cut top two, but this draft is important for us even if we’re not
picking in the top two. There are several more players who could come in and make an immediate impact and be starters on some teams."
The worst-case scenario for the Wolves, a team
conditioned to lottery misfortune, would have them slide to No. 6.
Their greatest chance is to be slotted fifth (29.05).
conditioned to lottery misfortune, would have them slide to No. 6.
Their greatest chance is to be slotted fifth (29.05).
Given that this summer’s draft offers Memphis freshman guard Derrick
Rose and Kansas State freshman forward Michael Beasley as the two big
prizes, long-suffering Wolves fans probably assume their team will pick
third, or worse.
Rose and Kansas State freshman forward Michael Beasley as the two big
prizes, long-suffering Wolves fans probably assume their team will pick
third, or worse.
Never once have the Wolves beaten the odds. Six of 11 times, they have
dropped anywhere from one to three selections lower than their
regular-season finish. Of course, except for each lottery’s first two
teams chosen, every team has a better chance of moving down a slot or
more than moving up.
dropped anywhere from one to three selections lower than their
regular-season finish. Of course, except for each lottery’s first two
teams chosen, every team has a better chance of moving down a slot or
more than moving up.
From the AP:
On top of sending Hoiberg out east for the annual crap shoot, he will
be bringing with him a stuffed Teddy bear dressed in Wolves garb that
will shoulder the hopes of a rebuilding team.
Over the last two seasons, Hoiberg has befriended 12-year-old Matthew
Gamber, a basketball fanatic who brings the bear with him into every
surgical procedure he has. And he has a lot.
"I hope it really gives them good luck," said Gamber, a Brooklyn Park native.
Hoiberg represented the Wolves there three years ago when he was a
player and brought home the 14th overall selection when his team had a
miniscule chance of landing the NBA draft’s first pick. Little more
than a month later, Hoiberg underwent open-heart surgery to correct a
life-threatening condition.
Minnesota is still building, and should probably take the best
available player and subsequently figure out how he fits in. Of course,
the caveat here is that Jefferson’s status as untouchable franchise
foundation means the newest Wolf must fit in well with Big Al’s game.
Still, the good news is, the furthest our favorite team can fall is No.
6, and there are definitely six players available that can help in
myriad ways.
available player and subsequently figure out how he fits in. Of course,
the caveat here is that Jefferson’s status as untouchable franchise
foundation means the newest Wolf must fit in well with Big Al’s game.
Still, the good news is, the furthest our favorite team can fall is No.
6, and there are definitely six players available that can help in
myriad ways.
From the Star Tribune:
The Wolves have two connections to O.J. Mayo, right, USC’s freshman
star who allegedly accepted thousands of dollars of gifts and cash from
a sports agency representative when he was in high school and college:
The head of that agency, Bill Duffy, was Wolves boss Kevin McHale’s
college roommate. Mayo’s college coach, Tim Floyd, coached Hoiberg at
Iowa State.
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