Stay with us all night as we bring you the 2011 NBA Draft updates.  Updated every minute!!!

ROUND ONE

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Clippers)

-Kyrie Irving, G, Duke

#2 Minnesota Timberwolves

-Derrick Williams, F, Arizona

#3 Utah Jazz (via New Jersey Nets)

-Enes Kanter, C, Turkey/Kentucky

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers

-Tristan Thompson, F, Texas

#5 Toronto Raptors

-Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania

#6 Washington Wizards

-Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic

#7 Sacramento Kings (traded to Charlotte Bobcats)

-Bismack Biyombo, F-C, Congo

#8 Detroit Pistons

-Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky

#9 Charlotte Bobcats

-Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut

#10 Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Sacramento)

-Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU

#11 Golden State Warriors

-Klay Thompson, G, Washington State

#12 Utah Jazz

-Alec Burks, G, Colorado

#13 Phoenix Suns

-Markieff Morris, F, Kansas

#14 Houston Rockets

-Marcus Morris, F, Kansas

#15 Indiana Pacers

-Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State

#16 Philadelphia 76ers

-Nikola Vucevic, F, USC

#17 New York Knicks

-Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech

#18 Washington Wizards (via Atlanta Hawks)

-Chris Singleton, F, Florida State

#19 Charlotte Bobcats (via New Orleans Hornets) (traded to Milwaukee)

-Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee

#20 Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies) (traded to Houston Rockets)

-Donatas Motiejunas, F, Lithuania

#21 Portland Trailblazers

-Nolan Smith, G, Duke

#22 Denver Nuggets

-Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead  State

#23 Houston Rockets (via Orlando Magic) (traded to Minnesota, then moved to Chicago)

-Nikola Mirotic, F, Spain

#24 Oklahoma City Thunder

-Reggie Jackson, G, Boston College

#25 Boston Celtics (traded to New Jersey Nets)

-Marshon Brooks, G, Providence

#26 Dallas Mavericks

-Jordan Hamilton, F, Texas

#27 New Jersey Nets (via Los Angeles Lakers) (traded to Boston)

-JaJuan Johnson, F ,Purdue

#28 Chicago Bulls (via Miami Heat) (traded to Minnesota) (then to Miami)

-Norris Cole, G, Cleveland State

#29 San Antonio Spurs

-Cory Joseph, G, Texas

#30 Chicago Bulls

-Jimmy Butler, F, Marquette

ROUND TWO

#31 Miami Heat (via Minnesota Timberwolves) (traded back to Minnesota) (then traded to New Jersey for cash)

-Bojan Bogdanovic, G, Croatia

#32 Cleveland Cavaliers

-Justin Harper, F, Richmond

#33 Detroit Pistons (via Toronto Raptors)

-Kyle Singler, F, Duke

#34 Washington Wizards

-Shelvin Mack, G, Butler

#35 Sacramento Kings

-Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA

#36 New Jersey Nets

-Jordan Williams, F, Maryland

#37 Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit Pistons)

-Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia

#38 Houston Rockets (via Los Angeles Clippers)

-Chandler Parsons, F, Florida

#39 Charlotte Bobcats

-Jeremy Tyler, C, San Diego/Japan

#40 Milwaukee Bucks

-Jon Leuer, F , Wisconsin

#41 Los Angeles Lakers (from Golden State via New Jersey Nets)

-Darius Morris, G , Michigan

#42 Indiana Pacers (traded to San Antonio Spurs)

-Davis Bertans, F , Latvia 

#43 Chicago Bulls (via Utah Jazz) (traded to Minnesota)

-Malcolm Lee, G , UCLA

#44 Golden State Warriors (from Phoenix via Chicago Bulls)

-Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra

#45 New Orleans Hornets (sold to New York for $750K)

-Josh Harrelson, C, Kentucky

#46 Los Angeles Lakers (from New York Knicks)

-Andrew Goudelock, F, College of Charleston

#47 Los Angeles Clippers (from Houston Rockets)

-Travis Leslie, G, Georgia 

#48 Atlanta Hawks

-Keith Benson, C, Oakland

#49 Memphis Grizzlies

-Josh Selby, G, Kansas

#50 Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Hornets)

-Lavoy Allen, F, Temple University

#51 Portland Trailblazers

-John Diebler, G, Ohio State

#52 Detroit Pistons

-Vernon Macklin, F, Florida

#53 Orlando Magic

-DeAndre Liggins, G, Kentucky

#54 Cleveland Cavaliers (from Oklahoma City via Miami Heat)

-Milan Macvan, F, Serbia

#55 Boston Celtics

-E’Twaun Moore, G, Purdue

#56  Los Angeles Lakers

-Chukwudiebere Maduabum, F, Bakersfield (NBDL)

#57 Dallas Mavericks (traded to Portland) (then traded to Minnesota)

-Tanguy Ngombo, F, Qatar

#58 Los Angeles Lakers (from Miami Heat)

-Ater Majok, F, Sudan

#59 San Antonio Spurs

-Adam Hanga, G, Hungary

#60 Sacramento Kings (from Chicago Bulls via Milwaukee Bucks)

-Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love may have beaten out a Northwest Division counterpart, in LaMarcus Aldridge for the All-Star game, but LA has edged him out as a member of the All-NBA Team(s).  

There was of course a lot of controversy after Commissioner David Stern chose the Wolves’ Kevin Love over LaMarcus Aldridge for Yao Ming’s All-Star injury replacement.  A lot of people were upset, the argument being: LA is actually playing for and practically carrying a winning team, whereas Kevin Love had incredible numbers playing for, what would eventually be: the worst team in the NBA (record-wise).  Zach Randolph was also looked over as he was putting up his usual and impressive 20-10 numbers for the Memphis Grizzlies (who, if you’re watching the Playoffs are doing simply: AMAZING, lead by?…Z-BO!).  

Aldridge & Randolph have exacted their revenge, though I highly doubt that either one sees it that way, they’re just playing the game in search of a ring.  

Both LA & Z-Bo are members of the 3rd All-NBA Team.  The teams stack up as follows…

FIRST TEAM: Derrick Rose (CHI), Kobe Bryant (LAL), LeBron James (MIA), Kevin Durant (OKC), Dwight Howard (ORL)

SECOND TEAM: Russell Westbrook (OKC), Dwayne Wade (MIA), Dirk Nowitzki (DAL), Amar’e Stoudemire (NYK), Pau Gasol (LAL)

THIRD TEAM: Chris Paul (NOH), Manu Ginobli (SAS), LaMarcus Aldridge (POR), Zach Randolph (MEM), Al Horford (ATL)

That’s all for now.  Stay up to date will all your Minnesota Timberwolves news from around the League right here all summer long!  Until then, thanks for reading and as always GO WOLVES!

This year’s Most Improved Player of the Year Award was announced earlier today from the Target Center.  He made history as he became the first Timberwolves player, ever, to win the MIP.

Love averaged 20.2ppg this season and led the League with 15.2rpg as well as earned his first All-Star appearance as an injury replacement selected by Commissioner David Stern for Yao Ming.

New Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau had this to say, “The year that he’s had has been unbelievable.  When you average 20 and 15 in this league, that says a lot.  It says a lot about how he’s improved from year to year.  He’s a guy that plays hard all the time and will continue to improve from year to year.”

The Wolves big man won the MIP with 66 first place votes and 400 of 580 points possible.  Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge was second with 11 first place votes and 157 total.

For the previous two seasons, he was behind Big Al Jefferson on the depth chart and was subsequently a 6th man.  The Wolves sent off Jefferson to Utah last summer, which moved Love into the starting spot, with starter minutes and he delivered.

His 53-consecutive double-doubles set a new NBA record since the ABA/NBA merger 30+ years ago, back with Moses Malone.

When asked about the future, Love had this to say, “I think I can make another big leap.  There’s always stuff to work on.  The great players and even the good players in the League always add a couple things to their game.  I intend on adding more than a couple if I can so I’m going to work my butt off to take another big leap.”

Needless to say, he needs to improve on his defensive presence.  His low post defending and face up game on offense need to improve, if he wants to “take another big leap.”

Offseason workout partner Derrick Rose had this to say, “The way he works, you should see how hard he goes.  When we work out we don’t do (any) big-man drills.  It’s all guard stuff with me and Russ (Russell Westbrook).  It’s amazing how hard he works out.”

There’s no doubt that if Love wants to take a big leap the Timberwolves need to drastically improve from this 17-win season.

I will post a link to the video of the announcement shortly.  Until then, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier tonight, 104-89.  It was for the second time THIS WEEK.  (UPDATE: Friday April 8th, 11:10p.m.)

UPDATE: Both Kevin Love and Darko Milicic will travel with the Wolves on this 2-game road trip, however both are listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s game in Denver, furthermore neither player practiced today.  Kevin Love said after sitting out practice, that if he doesn’t play tomorrow night, then he’ll most likely shut it down for the season.  (UPDATE: Friday April 8th 2011, 2:11p.m.)

Saturday night the Minnesota Timberwolves will square off at the Pepsi Center with their division rivals the playoff-bound Denver Nuggets.  This will be the first-time the Wolves will get a chance to play the new-look Denver Nuggets since that blockbuster Carmelo Anthony deal.

The Timberwolves are currently skidding on a 12-game losing streak and are the NBAs worst team as the Cavaliers sit a 0.5 above them.  Wolves: 17-62, Cavaliers: 17-61.  The Timberwolves continue to face the NBAs elite teams and without K-Love, it makes it all the harder to compete.  After the Nuggets game, they have two more: @Phoenix on April 11th and their last game, back at the Target Center vs. the Houston Rockets on April 13th.  The Cavaliers on the other hand will face the Bulls, the Bucks and finish out the season against two beatable teams: the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons.  If the Wolves maintain the worst record in the NBA, they’ll have the best mathematical chance at the #1 pick (25% chance).

The Nuggets on the other hand are playoff-bound as they currently hold the 5th seed in the bracket and will be looking to add to their win total as they currently sit at 48-30.  As of right now, by the current standings, the Nuggets will be facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

The Timberwolves are coming off a loss Wednesday night to the Phoenix Suns as they were defeated 108-98 at the Target Center.  They were without All-Star Kevin Love, still dealing with a groin injury.  Also, Darko Milicic had originally injured his ankle in the game against Miami, but re-injured it 10 minutes into the game Wednesday night, no word yet on whether he’ll be able to play.

The Nuggets are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, in what could be a preview to their playoff matchup.  Tipoff for that one is set for 7pmCT.

The key players for Minnesota will be: Michael Beasley-with Kevin Love, most likely out he’ll need to continue his solid play, but he’s also got to remember to get his teammates involved, to often he tries to put them on his back and doesn’t trust his team, one of the many problems for these Young Wolves this season.  Wesley Johnson-we know he’s got it in him to be a solid offensive contributor, but since his 29-point eruption against the Lakers, he’s faded and isn’t helping them out at all on the scoreboard.  THE BENCH-they’ve been solid lately, headlined by Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph, these guys are good enough to combine for 50pts a game off the pine.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they are all well into the double-digits by the end of the night.

The key players for Denver will be: Wilson Chandler: Chandler has been one of my favorite players this season, he’s really improved his game and is a threat on both ends, he is their sixth man, but he’ll see plenty of time against the Wolves’ forwards.  DEN’s PGs Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton: These are two young and quite talented point guards that split time as the floor general, Ridnour and Flynn need to step up their game to deal with these two.  Nene-with Darko possibly out, Pekovic will be matched up against Nene, in what should be a very physical and fun matchup to watch, Nene’s a beast on the block and is tops in field goal percentage in the NBA.

Tipoff is set for 8:30pmCT from the Pepsi Center Saturday night.  A full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  Until then, thanks for reading, enjoy the game and GO WOLVES!

Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph reserve forwards for the Minnesota Timberwolves have made the most of Kevin Love’s absence.  With Kevin Love out for 6 of the Wolves last 8 games, reserve forwards Anthony Randolph and Tolliver have stepped up to fill the void left on the boards and on the offensive end.

Anthony Randolph has started 3 of those 6 games Kevin Love has missed.  The first against the Dallas Mavericks, the next against the Dallas Mavericks and the last against the Boston Celtics.  In those first two games Randolph shined bright.  Against Dallas he dumped in 31 points (a new career-high) and added 11 rebounds.  Against Oklahoma City he contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds.  Then came the Boston game and with it some intense defensive prowess by that group of talented veterans.  They knew what Randolph did in the previous two games and they made it a point to stop him at every opportunity.  The Celts held Randolph to just 17 minutes as he got into foul trouble and he had just 3 points and 4 boards on the night.  Since then, he’s returned to the bench as a sixth man and the past two games, he’s been a big contributor.  Randolph went off for 20 points and 10 boards in 30 minutes in a narrow loss to the Nets.  Then the next night (yesterday) against Phoenix he scored 19 off the bench in 28 minutes.

Anthony Tolliver hasn’t let this opportunity go by the wayside either.  In those 6 games Love has recently missed the past few weeks.  Tolliver has stepped up, mostly in a reserve role for the T’Wolves.  He really stepped up in that game against the Celtics when Randolph had to sit with foul trouble.  Against Boston, Tolliver played 36 minutes and contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds.  The next night against Chicago Tolliver was once again a big contributor off the bench.  In 24 minutes he added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.  Against the Grizzlies he added 12 points and the following game against New Jersey he played 30 minutes and had 14 points and 5 boards.  Then came last night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, which marked Anthony Tolliver’s first start of the season for the Timberwolves and his 30th start of his career (last year he started 29 of 44 games he played for the Warriors).  In 39 minutes against Phoenix he had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.  Kurt Rambis said he needed someone to match up with Channing Frye and someone with a lot of mobility: Tolliver.

Both of these Anthony’s are somewhat of NBA journeymen in their short NBA careers.  Tolliver is only 25 years old and the Timberwolves mark his 4th NBA team in 3 years.  From ‘08-‘09 he played a small role for the Spurs (just 19 games) in ‘09-‘10 he played 44 games for the Warriors and 2 for the Portland Trailblazers, as well as spending some time in the NBA D-League.  Randolph is just 21 years old and is playing for his third NBA team since being selected 14th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.  After two seasons and 96 games with the Golden State Warriors, Randolph was traded this summer to the New York Knicks along with Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf for forward David Lee.  He quickly fell out of favor with Mike D’Antoni and was “banished” to the bench, playing minimally and in just 17 games.  Then, he came to the Timberwolves along with Eddy Curry (later waived and is currently in talks with the Heat to sign for the playoffs) in that blockbuster Carmelo Anthony deal, that sent reserve center Kosta Koufos to the Nuggets and Corey Brewer to the Knicks (later waived and signed by Dallas).  Since then he’s played in 20 games, starting 3.  Most people think, he’s got great potential and could/should be the Wolves starting center next season (in place of Darko Milicic).  A small sidenote, both of these players (Randolph & Tolliver) know each and have played with each other: last year with the Golden State Warriors!

Needless to say, both of these talented and young individuals have proven themselves to be valuable assets to the Wolves and should only get better!

With Love, who they say will most likely be held out the last 3 games (whether it’s for lottery sakes or not), I’d expect Tolliver and Randolph continue to split minutes and make the most of the opportunity.

The T’Wolves are back in action Saturday night versus the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, tipoff is set for 8:30pmCT and you can expect a full-gameday preview to be found on this site before then.  Until then, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves were facing the second best team in the NBA (record-wise) and there was no doubt that the Bulls were the better team.  It marked Kevin Love’s return from a three-game absence while he nursed a sore groin, but he was limited to 27 minutes of play.  

Derrick Rose led a first quarter charge for the Bulls, scoring 13 points and dishing 5 assists as they jumped out to an early 11-point lead after one (30-19).

The Wolves never lead, the entire game through, as the Bulls got off to a hot start and never seemed to die down, stretching the lead to 26 at one point.

By the third quarter, the game was well beyond reach, as the Bulls blew out the Timberwolves, the final being 108-91.

The Bulls were lead by Carlos Boozer who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists.  Derrick Rose added 23 and dished out 10 assists in just three quarters and a total of 31 minutes.  

The Timberwolves were lead by Kevin Love with 16 points and 9 rebounds in 27 minutes.  Off the bench Anthony Randolph added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in just 19 minutes.  Beasley added 12 and Ridnour 11.  Wesley Johnson had another awful night, he went 0-for-6 from the field and in 16 minutes didn’t score.

Even with Love back in the lineup, the T’Wolves were hammered on the boards, out-rebounded by a wide margin: +16 (34-50).  The Bulls hot shooting and glass cleanup, lead them to the W as they shot just under 51% from the field as a team.  The T’Wolves, just 41%.  

The Bulls played unselfishly and it showed, of course it helps when you’re lead by a point guard like Derrick Rose, the Bulls assisted 31 times on 41 field goals, whereas the Wolves just 12 on 35 field goals.

The Timberwolves were without reserve center Nikola Pekovic for the second-consecutive game, after his hip injury in the game against the Thunder.

The Timberwolves are back in action Friday night at the Target Center, when they’ll face the Miami Heat for the second and last time this season.  This was actually a game I had tickets for, but had to sell them because I couldn’t go, DAMNIT! :/  Tipoff is set for 7pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found on this site before then.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

According to a report from the Pioneer Press, it appears as though, they’ve received word from Rubio’s family that he will indeed join the Wolves for next season, that is, if there’s a season.

The FC Barcelona point, has been reluctant to join the Wolves in Minnesota, stating that he would rather play for a team on the East Coast like, say, the New York Knicks, that way he can be closer to his family.

If Rubio does indeed decide to join the T’Wolves, that will be an issue, once again, at the point guard.  The Wolves signed 29-year-old Luke Ridnour to a 4-year contract last summer.  They also have the proceeding pick from the ‘09 Draft to Rubio-Jonny Flynn and lastly, seldom-used Sebastian Telfair.  The Timberwolves were active at the NBA Trade Deadline, trying to move Jonny Flynn, however they couldn’t find any takers or any suitable offers.  I’d expect Telfair to leave through free agency this year and Jonny Flynn be moved elsewhere, possibly bringing in another wing player.

Kevin Love has said in the past, that he met Rubio this summer while Love was representing Team USA, since then, Love texts Ricky once every couple of months, just to check in and try to convince him to come to Minnesota, so they can get this thing going!

With word of this coming earlier today, fans are already dreaming of a starting lineup featuring something like this, next year: PG: Rubio, SG: Johnson, SF: Beasley, PF: Love and C: Randolph.  And that is even before the Wolves get their high lottery pick in the ‘11 Draft, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kahn decided to shift a few other pieces around this offseason.

The Timberwolves will face the Chicago Bulls tomorrow at the Target Center.  Tipoff is set for 7pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found on a previous post, a full-gameday recap can be found following the final horn.  As always, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be facing another playoff-bound team (the #1 seed in the East): the Chicago Bulls.

The Timberwolves are coming off a Sunday night loss to the Boston Celtics at the Target Center.  The full gameday preview can be found in a previous post on this site.  The Timberwolves were able to overcome an early 25-point lead, they were able to tie it up in the fourth quarter, but eventually lost by just 3 points dropping their seventh straight game.

The Chicago Bulls are coming off a 97-85 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.  The 76ers couldn’t stop Derrick Rose, who scored 31, but it didn’t matter.  After the game Derrick Rose was clearly frustrated and a reporter stated, “I’d hate to be the Timberwolves Wednesday night!”

The Timberwolves have been without All-Star Kevin Love for the past three games.  There’s no word yet on whether he’ll be able to go against the Bulls Wednesday night.  In his absence Anthony Randolph has filled in for Love in the post.  Randolph started those first two games (against Dallas and Oklahoma City) he had games of 31-11 and 24-15.  Then came the Boston Celtics game in which he got in early foul trouble and the Celtics gameplan was clear: to muscle him on the inside and don’t let him have any good looks and get him frustrated early.  Randolph ended with just 3 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes of play.  Chances are, Kevin Love will return Wednesday night vs. the Bulls.

The key players for the Timberwolves will be Michael Beasley: who’s coming off a 28-10 game vs. the Celtics, anytime Beasley has a 25-30 point night, there’s a good chance the Timberwolves could get a W.  Kevin Love: if he’s able to return, his rebounding and offensive production will be welcomed back.  Darko Milicic: In Love’s absence Darko has been more active on the offensive end and on the boards, if Love returns he probably won’t be as productive.  Anthony Randolph: If Love isn’t able to go, I’d expect Randolph to get the start again and make the most of the opportunity and turn things around from his 3-point outing on Sunday night.  Wesley Johnson: Wes has struggled to score or do much production on either end of the floor.  In the past 4 games he’s scored just 28 points combined, compared to the 29-point outing vs. the Lakers on March 18th.

The key players for the Bulls will be Derrick Rose: he’s the likely MVP of the 2010-11 season and has orchestrated one of the best defensive and offensive teams in the League, against a weaker backcourt of Ridnour, Flynn and Johnson, Rose should be in for a big game.  Luol Deng: he’s been a great offensive player for the Bulls, against a weak(er) defensive player like Beasley, Deng should have a good offensive output.  Carlos Boozer: a solid player on both ends, should give the Wolves frontcourt quite a bit of trouble.  Joakim Noah: Noah is a great defensive player and I’d expect him to see some time against Love and Randolph in the low-post.  

Tipoff is set for 7pmCT on Wednesday at the Target Center.  A full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  As always thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!