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Simons Says Blog: Watch Out, Thad Is Coming

There’s nothing like the start of a season.  From the time I was a little kid who hung on every radio broadcast of the Seattle Super Sonics, from school to broadcast journalist working here and there. Whether it’s basketball or baseball, football to hockey, that anticipation and hope for a memorable season run has always been part of the blood in my body and always started at the opener.

I’ve been awaiting the Wolves reboot for months. From the angst that closed last season, the turbulent and busy off season that showcased a retiring head coach, roster shuffling, a blockbuster player trade and then a training camp of getting to know there new faces.

For a real fan, a person who buys tickets and team wear and “stuff” (had to get that in after the World Series LOL), getting the Wolves back on the court and then seeing with their own eyes what this team will look like has provided anxiousness. Getting everyone back together and enjoying it was one of the big questions.

You know that I believe fans invest in their teams. I will tell you, after watching two games in two nights, I don’t think the Wolves disappointed. Beating Memphis @ their Fed Ex home court was asking a bunch and as it turned out, the Wolves took ‘em to the wire.  Bring the boys home and YES, a very nice effort and another home opening win for Coach Flip. Saunders is an amazing 10 for 10 in home openers but more telling is how Coach is using his line-up and even more deeply, what a great trade the Love dealing appears to be.

Forget Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett for a moment.  They are pups. Their day is coming. Perhaps soon. The steal of our off season moves might prove to be the man with more skin the game than everyone on the court. Thaddeus Young.

“Thad” is making Coach Flip look smarter than the rest about now. Young (we’ll call him –TY- for now, k?!) scored 26 points against the Griz in the season opener then, against the Pistons in the home opener, dropped 19 to lead 5 Wolves veterans who scored in double figures.

It goes far beyond points. This is an NBA player who WANTS to be in Minnesota. TY is excited to be related to Crunch, he’s OK with a polar vortex now and then and he sees the land of 10,000 Lakes as his basketball rebirth.

Rewind all those weeks back to the final few days of the State Fair.  It was then I met TY prior to his introduction @ the Great Minnesota Get-together with Zack LaVine, Wiggins and Bennett. We sat down for a solid one on one interview for my TV show GameON! TY made it clear. This is the place he had to be.

Thad is a talented and passionate basketball player.  TY is also thoughtful and determined. In the course of our discussion, TY explained the “why” in wanting to come to Minnesota. Thad believes in Coach Flip.  TY sees a fair shake here.  Thad knows he’s got game most players do not.  Thad has a silky smooth left handed shot that works in the paint or downtown behind the 3-point-line. He’s big. Thad has done too much losing in his lengthy NBA career.  Too much.

It’s here upper Midwest where Thad sees that all changing. “Finally, after all the players who came in and left, one after the other in Philly, I get out of that and here where I’m one of the building blocks” Thad explained. “That’s all I’ve wanted. I never got it with the Sixers. Lots of great players but they were here and then gone. Give me some stability and players too, give me that and I’ll give back, big time”.

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As this season starts, the naysayers will have plenty of opportunities to bag on this team. The Wolves will have some nights, nights of WOW and nights of UGH. It’s gonna’ happen.  But watching these cats against the Pistons made me smile. Sharp passing. A seemingly more confident Ricky Rubio. A mix of talented veterans and youth that, when they find their right gear, will be explosive and successful. Athleticism and running. Mo, Pek, C-Brewer and Kmart, I like the start!

So, when you come to the party on game nights with your patience packed with your gloves and winter coat, keep an eye out for #33. He’s a good dude! You gotta’ cheer for a talented player who wants to be part of your place, right?! I see Thad as a centerpiece on this team of plenty.

So with two down, I’m watching the game over on my trusty VHS machine and glad it was the distraction I chose.  Over LeBron’s return and “love”fest in Cleveland, over the red hot Wild hosting San Jose, over planning for the Vikings-Redskins game and the pre-game protest and over the day after celebration of baseball’s World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.

You didn’t get it when you came in but rather when you left Target Center or turned off your TV after the Detroit win. Hope was handed out for the season marathon that’s just begun.  That’s all you can ask.  Let’s get after it!

Let’s look for each other at the home opener and compare notes! It’s always good to have this time with you each and every week! Enjoy the return of the Wolves in stunning HDTC (High Def @ Target Center) and do as I do, keep that glass half full & your GameON!

Tune in for Twolves!

Timberwolves games will be on radio for the 2014-15 NBA season and all 82 regular season games can be heard on News Radio 830 WCCO-AM, while La Mera Buena 107.5 and La Neta 95.9 will carry 15 games.  

This is the Wolves’ fourth season on their flagship station, News Radio 830 WCCO-AM. Alan Horton returns for his eighth season as the Wolves play-by-play announcer. Horton will team up with studio host John Focke to produce 30-minute pre- and post-game shows that will be featured on-air and streamed online at www.wcco.com for every game.

SimonsSays on TV/PODcast:

GameON! and Rod Simons are winners of a 2014 Emmy award for show host! It’s exciting news as GameON! starts its new season and continues to showcase the Timberwolves like no other broadcast show in the region. GameON! is powered by Budweiser and is broadcast in High Definition and can be found on ITunes, on demand via our new GameON! App (free and available for Apple/Android) and online @ www.gameontvmn.com.  There is always a Wolves update on my TV show, GameON! Don’t miss an episode of the Emmy winning GameON! @ 10am this Sunday morning on FOX’s My29 and throughout the weekend regionally on MidCo Sports Net.

GameON! offers in-depth interviews with the top players, great food, sports newsmakers and we get you inside your favorite teams (including the Wolves).  We’d love for you to “like” us on Facebook @ GameOnTvMN. Drop me a note, Rod@KTWIN.com  

GameON! is also seen in North & South Dakota and Western Minnesota on MidCo SportsNet several times a weekend. We reserve the right to use your e-mails here in SimonsSays @ Timberwolves.com. You can now get SimonsSays in new PODcast form with insight/input from fans just like you and exclusive player interviews! Keep an eye out for SimonsSays PODcast @ Timberwolves.com each and every week.

And last but not least, please catch Rod throughout the day on 96.3 KTWIN-FM. Rod keeps you inside the team with This Is Twins Territory & the signature Prep Playbook which can also be found @ www.KTWIN.com.

We talk Wolves.  Every day.  High’s & lows.  We’re there because we are fans, just like you! Keep your GameON!  See you soon!