It was recently reported that the NBA and its players union are nearing a new collective bargaining agreement that would avert a players’ strike or an owners’ lockout. But Arvesta Kelly doesn’t see it resolving his long-standing battle with the league. “I wait[ed] 30-some years to receive my pension,” says Kelly, a longtime St. […]
Timberwolves/NBA
A space for local and national sports news, with emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans.
Posted inSports
Timberwolves players weigh in on protesting police violence
Since NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s non-standing statement during the playing of the national anthem in late August, more talk seems to have been centered on what he did rather than why he did it. Dave Zirin, who writes for The Nation and his own Edge of Sports blog, succinctly wrote last week, “Kaepernick is on […]
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Same old news on Timberwolves’ diversity hiring
The National Basketball Association again gets high marks for racial hiring, according to the latest Racial and Gender Report Card (RGRC) by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES). “The NBA remains the industry leader among men’s sports for racial hiring practices,” states TIDES Director Richard Lapchick of his latest RGRC released July […]
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The rise of the D-League
This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. We wholeheartedly in 2001 endorsed the idea for an NBA-sponsored minor league. Then-NBA commissioner David Stern boldly predicted that it would become “a true minor league farm system” for his league. The […]
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Timberwolves select Kris Dunn
Despite much speculation that the Chicago Bulls and the Timberwolves were working on a multi-player Draft Day deal, Timberwolves President and Coach Tom Thibodeau and General Manager Scott Layden did not bite on anything Boston or Chicago proposed. And most of the time that’s the best thing to do — nothing. It’s been a long […]
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2016 NBA Draft preview
I’m a recovering NBA draft follower and have been for at least a decade now, maybe more. This reporter, who started watching the league when it was only shown on Sunday afternoons on ABC in the 60s, went cold sober I believe in 2005 after a new CBA provision that allows draft prospects to be […]
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LeBron James delivers championship for Cleveland!
OAKLAND, CA — It’s been 52 years, but the so-called curse on the city of Cleveland is finally over. In one of the greatest seventh games in NBA history, the chosen one, LeBron James, delivered on his promise to bring a championship to Cleveland after making the famous decision years ago to leave that city […]
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Cavaliers dominate in Oakland, but still down 3-2
OAKLAND, CA — With Cleveland trailing them 3-1 in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors Monday night on their home court failed to clinch their second-straight NBA Championship. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had a lot to do with it. They combined for 82 points, both scoring 41 each in Cleveland’s 112-97 win in Oakland. Draymond […]
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2016 NBA Finals preview
Golden State will be making its second consecutive Finals appearance in as many tries when they face Cleveland Thursday in a rematch of last year’s championship series. The Warriors won a NBA record 73 games in the regular season, and became only the 10th team in league history to win a conference series from a […]
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
Before the finals: Tom Thibodeau’s Timberwolves vision
Golden State vs. Cleveland in the NBA Finals — I can’t wait. There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as being on the inside watching two great, gifted teams loaded with talented players that worked into a position in the NBA Finals’ best of seven seeking NBA glory. Kevin Love, once the face of the Timberwolves, was […]
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Creating opportunities for coaches of color
The headline writers for the local Minneapolis daily newspaper — well known in our community for its culturally conditioned coverage, especially in sports — were recently in rare form: The headlines “In Good Hands” and “We finally got it right” were placed above photos of White faces along with one columnist’s thesis that they provide […]
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NBA final four: Warriors, Thunder, Cavaliers and Raptors
It is actually harder to the miss the playoffs in the NBA than it is to reach them. With 30 teams, 16 teams make the post season and 14 qualify for the NBA Lottery.
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NBA playoffs: Two Black coaches take center stage for Raptors vs. Caviliers series
This year’s Eastern Conference winners will ensure that the 2016 NBA Finals will have a Black head coach on the sidelines. Black coaches oftentimes aren’t given enough credit, especially during game telecasts of their leadership ability on and off the court.
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2016 NBA playoff preview
The 2016 NBA Playoffs starts this weekend with first round games in each conference.
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Rachel Banham picked No. 4 by Connecticut
After being picked fourth overall by Connecticut in Thursday’s WNBA draft, Rachel Banham says she is almost talked out.
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Always rooting for Black coaches
Taylor must’ve used a synchronized clock Wednesday, because it wasn’t an hour after Minnesota’s historic scoring night — a 144-point winning effort — before he canned interim coach Sam Mitchell.
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Crowds packed the house to see Curry and Warriors make history
With 90 minutes before tip-off, fans poured into the arena on Monday evening to get a glimpse of history like it was Sgt. Pepper’s Ragtime Band.
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
Warriors’ historic march on point!
So far, the Golden State Warriors have snatched the NBA spotlight. They have established a standard that this league has not seen since 1995-96.
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Timberwolves should consider trading Chris Wright
Two and a half years ago when the late Flip Saunders, the Timberwolves’ all-time winningest coach, returned as team part owner and head coach, he said the first thing he was going to do was lead the culture change of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Posted inSports, Timberwolves/NBA
Raptors’ Coach Casey: “A lot of basketball left to play”
Toronto is currently leading the Atlantic division and in second place in the Eastern Conference. Some say that the Raptors and Cleveland have separated themselves from the rest of the conference, but Coach Dwane Casey warns that such talk is premature.