"If they are going for better draft position, then they are going the right direction. If the are trying to make it to the playoffs, it hasn't been showing in the way they've been playing. Their home record this year is atrocious. I see no silver lining."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild) and Thursday (Twins), and Friday (Timberwolves). Content of off-season teams released as news breaks.

The Wild stumble with the season on the line, making their playoff hopes more and more dim with each game. As usual, Wild analysts Jeff Hartfiel  and Peter Ripka answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

With increasingly less time left to change course, the Wild still haven't looked very inspired over the last week. They lost to the Avalanche, Hurricanes, and Predators, while somehow getting a win in Washington.

Was there any silver lining to their losses?
Jeff: It is hard to see a silver lining in any of those three losses. They do "a no call no show" in the Hurricanes game than have two losses to teams inside the division. Where is there silver lining any of them?

At the most important part of the season, especially for the Wild, zero points and ont point isn't going to cut it. They are getting passed by Dallas, Colorado, and Arizona. Even the Blackhawks and Oilers are at there heals. If they are going for better draft position, then they are going the right direction. If the are trying to make it to the playoffs, it hasn't been showing in the way they've been playing. Their home record this year is holy cow-level atrocious.

I see no silver lining.

Peter: They finally looked like they cared during the Nashville game, but they couldn't find a way to score. Seems the be the Wild's story throughout their existence. 

What went right in Washington? Is there any way to carry over how they played against them?
Jeff: In the  Washington game, the Wild did what they've done all year: play great game against a top tier team. They played the same way against Toronto and Tampa Bay earlier. Every one on the team came to play, from offense to defense to the goaltender.

The problem is that can't bring that into the next game. Being inconsistent is the only thing they have been consistent with all year.

Peter: They buried their chances. It is hard to understand why this team is so streaky with finishing, but again, that's been a Wild thing since their inception.

We've talked a lot this year about the Wild "not showing up." Was the Hurricanes game the biggest example of that this year?
Jeff: That is a perfect example of the Wild "not showing up," and in one of the most important games of the year. The Wild just don't seem to want it bad enough this year, and it shows game to game and week to week.

Peter: It wasn't so much not showing up as it was giving up once they got down. 

The Wild have always played their best hockey when their backs are against the wall. Do you think they have it in them this year to go on a run and squeak into the playoffs?
Jeff: I have no trust of or belief in this team. They haven't shown enough. They have no will to win, no urgency. Hopefully the learn from this season and come back stronger next year.

Peter: I am becoming more and more discouraged about them figuring it out here at the end. They haven't given us much hope to think that they will. It wouldn't surprise me if they found a way, but they have a mighty big hill to climb now. I'd expect this team to be playing golf in the middle of April. 

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently a Wild and Twins analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Jeff Hartfiel is a Minnesota sports analyst specializing in the Wild and Vikings. He's been a part of Rambling On since 2018.

"Instead of cashing in some expiring contracts (Tolliver, Gibson, Rose) for second round picks from actual playoff-bound teams looking to add depth, they did nothing. For a team with some serious salary cap issues going forward, they displayed a serious carelessness in terms of asset management, which calls into question their ability to honestly assess themselves and their needs for the future. "

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild) and Thursday (Twins). Monthly content on off-season pro teams released as news breaks. Our 2018-2019 Wolves and Vikings archive can be found below.

With the season all but over, our Wolves expert Beartrap McManus gives a thorough post-mortem on the team. Highs, lows, disappointments, unexpected highlights, trade deadline non-moves, Towns, Wiggins, the coaching search, hopeful off-season moves, and more.

Thanks for your support!

Are you disappointed with how this Timberwolves season has shaken out? Did you expect things to go this way? How disappointed are you that they didn't make the playoffs?
It’s been a disappointing season in ways I never could’ve predicted at the end of last season.

At that time, I felt a return to the playoffs was anything but guaranteed, given the nature of how they squeaked in last season (and that their competition in the West was likely to only get better). I had hopes for the team improving with some roster and coaching continuity that it hadn’t had in years, and that retaining Jimmy Butler was a possibility.

That all went out the door by the end of September. Since then, all this season has basically done is disappoint.

There’s little need to re-litigate the Butler scenario, as both he and Thibs are gone, but there’s plenty to be disappointed about since.

It was really disheartening to see the Wolves hold the line at the trade deadline with a team that was highly unlikely to be in the running for a playoff spot (mathematical elimination aside, the writing was already on the wall in huge red lettering by that point). Instead of cashing in some expiring contracts (Tolliver, Gibson, Rose) for second round picks from actual playoff-bound teams looking to add depth, they did nothing. For a team with some serious salary cap issues going forward, they displayed a serious carelessness in terms of asset management, which calls into question their ability to honestly assess themselves and their needs for the future. 

What player or players pleasantly surprised you? What players do you think underachieved (other than the most obvious choice, Andrew Wiggins)?
I’m not sure how much of a surprise it actually has been, but it’s been wonderful to see KAT start to actually approach his full potential this season. He’s been incredible, and one of the few steadily burning bright spots of this season. 

Thibs, for all his myriad faults, at least drafted well this past off-season. I really like the two high energy, low usage wings he picked up last summer in Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop. Both have been more than pleasant surprises.

As for underachieving, I didn’t like watching Jeff Teague play much at all this year. He’s had a rough go of things with injuries this season, but even when healthy he often dribbled too much, played horrible defense (something that’s never been a strength of his), and regularly dribbled into bad shots after passing up open 3-point attempts. I’m not sure that anyone could look at the season he had this year and be glad to welcome him to their team for the $19 million player option he’ll likely exercise for next season.

What are the positives and negatives of Wiggins' game? Will he ever reach his potential?
I’m not sure what else there’s left to say about Wiggins. He’s had as much of a chance to succeed in terms of minutes and usage as just about any other player in the league since the time he entered, and it’s become painfully clear that he’ll never live up to his max contract and will likely be a salary cap burden even making half as much. 

He’s been a low-efficiency volume scorer that seemingly refuses to take steps towards improving in that area. His shot selection remains dismal, as he’s continued to favor long-twos and mid-range jumpers (neither of which he’s particularly good at) over strong drives to the basket and three-point shots. His defensive and rebounding efforts are similarly disappointing, as he’s often looked unengaged and still hasn’t figured out how to box out, even with the game on the line. 

Wiggins has had his opportunities. At this point, it’s pretty apparent who he is. Maybe another coach can get something out of him, perhaps by practicing holding him accountable in terms of his playing time. His friend Ryan Saunders has shown he’s not that guy. I’m really not sure what they can do with him at this point. It’s sad, really.  

What are your top choices for the Timberwolves coach?
David Kahn. He demonstrated a great aptitude for learning on the job when he was hired as Wolves President of Basketball Operations in 2009 despite not having any relevant experience or qualifications for the job. That didn’t stop Glen Taylor then and nor should it stop him now. 

What do you hope the Wolves do this off-season player-wise? What do you think they'll do?
I don’t have any specifics, but the Wolves are heading into yet another off-season with a need for three-point shooting. Locking down Cam Reynolds was a step in the right direction. 

They’ll also need to figure out their point guard situation going forward. Even if Teague exercises his player option, he’s only under contract for one more year. They’ll also need to make a decision on Tyus and his future with the franchise as well. 

Lastly, they’ll need to find some bigs. I doubt Taj Gibson will re-sign, and that’ll be a significant hole to fill. I’d also like to see them add a physical, defensive-minded backup center to play behind Towns to help with some of the larger opposing centers he’s struggled with.

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"The defense is still a mess without Dumba. Spurgeon just recently passed Dumba for goals for a defenseman on this team, so that tells you something. Koivu's absence can be seen in the faceoff circle still. This team can't seem to win the key draws that he was often able to."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild), Thursday (Twins), and Friday (Timberwolves). Content of off-season teams released as news breaks.

A pathetic homestand, the continuing impact of the loss of Dumba and Koivu, how the new guys are faring, and more in this edition. Wild analysts Peter Ripka and Jeff Hartfiel  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

The Wild went 1-3-1 on their recent homestand. What the hell is wrong with the team at home this year? Do you think they can bounce back on their upcoming road trip?
Peter: It is hard to place why the team  has struggled at home this year and play decent on the road. Like the old cliche says, sometimes it's easier to win on the road because you play a simpler game. I don't buy this line though. If it works in one situation, why wouldn't you do that same thing in the other? 

It wouldn't surprise me if they go on a run on this road trip. All season they've been going on a nice run on the road when everything looks completely diseased to suck everyone back in.

Jeff: I am out of reasons why this Wild team can't perform, especially at home. It is sad. It looks like no one wants to play and no one wants to lead.

As for the road trip, the Wild do play better on the road. But considering how they've looked all year, my optimism is for the most part gone. If they end up sneaking into the playoffs, is it really worth it? They haven't shown us anything this year that warrants them being deserving of a playoff spot.

What was the worst loss of the homestand?
Peter: The Dallas game was the worst. They didn't play well, had no energy and no sense of urgency. It's especially surprisingly since at the time they had a chance to move within a point of the first Wild Card spot. Instead, they laid an egg, an awfully rotten, smelly egg.

Jeff: Dallas game has to be the worst loss of the four. The offense, defense, and special teams all looked awful. It seems to be a common thread with this team all year, which is why they are in the position they are in. Some of it attributed to not having Koivu and Dumba in the line up, but I believe the issue goes further with this team and it shows every game. 

Who are the biggest offenders on the Wild's recent skid?
Peter: It is hard to pinpoint one person. I will eliminate goaltending as a culprit. The offense has been stale, they didn't have a 5-on-5 goal in two games, generating chances but not finishing. The defense has been leaky and have hung the goalies out to dry way too often with bad turnovers or bad reads.

Jeff: It is hard to find the biggest offenders to be honest, because the whole team just looks bad.

If I have to pick just one, I would go with the whole offense. It has been the Wild's problem for years. They can't score. They haven't given up a bunch of goals, so you can't blame the defense.  The Wild have given up less goals than Washington, and look at where they are in the standings. Seems kind of cut and dry to me. The Wild don't score, that is the biggest problem, and it has plagued them for years.

What do you think the future holds for Bruce Budreau?
Peter: Based solely on some of the moves the front office has made this season, I suspect he is safe. That being said, a new GM may want his own guy here. My gut tells me he is safe for another season.

Jeff: The future of Bruce Budreau unfortunately does not look good. I can definitely see him on his way out this season, due to no fault of his in.

This is by far the worse season he has had as a coach. It sucks to see because I am a really big fan of Bruce, and he seems to be a really big fan of Minnesota.  If he doesn't retire, he will find a job easily.

On a side note, here's my bold prediction for off season: Tim Army becomes new head coach of the Wild and he brings in Adam Oates as an assistant who handles special teams.

A month or two in, what do you think the impact of Koivu and Dumba being out has had on this team?
Peter: They are as significant as I first suspected. The defense is still a mess without Dumba. Spurgeon just recently passed Dumba for goals for a defenseman on this team, so that tells you something. Koivu's absence can be seen in the faceoff circle still. This team can't seem to win the key draws that he was often able to.

Jeff: The impact of both Dumba and Koivu being out of the lineup is big for this team, as I have written all year. The Wild are missing Koivu's faceoffs, as well as his two-way game. He is one of the best two-way forwards in the game, so it is a significant hit to this team.

As for Dumba, you are missing his shot from the point, both 5-on-5 and on the power play (which hasn't been the same since he got injured). Dumba is a guy other teams have to watch for and game plan around, so his being out of the lineup is a slightly bigger deal than Koivu. But as I stated, I think the problems with this team go further than both those guys not being in lineup.

How are the new Wild acquisitions doing?
Peter: Aberg and Rask have been disappointments. They'll have a good game and then the next they will be a turnover machine. Fiala has shown flashes of his skill but makes some "interesting" decisions in the defensive zone.

Jeff: Donato easily has been the best acquisition Fenton made. He is all over the ice and he SHOOTS the puck. I love his game and am looking forward to see what else he can bring, especially with a full season under his belt with the Wild.

Fiala has been a hit-or-miss of late. He makes some bad passes that hurt the Wild. But he has some nice hands and a very good shot.

Hunt has fallen off some recently, but I still like his game. He has a good shot from the point. If he had a different linemate along side him, it might be a different story.

As for Aberg, Rask and Bitetto, I am not the least bit impressed with any of them. They haven't made this team any better and seem to take plays off like their head isn't in the game. Not a good combination.


What percentage chance do you think there is that the Wild make the playoffs at this point?
Peter: Right now, considering how the home stand went and how other teams around then have been trending, I'd give them about a 20% chance. They need more consistency.

Jeff: With their play of late, I give them a 20% chance of making the playoffs. That might be a bit generous though. There is no heart, no sense of urgency, no leadership, lack of scoring, no consistency, and poor execution. 
​
Maybe this is what they needed. It's obviously what they deserve with the way they played all year. 

​Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently a Wild and Twins analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Jeff Hartfiel is a Minnesota sports analyst specializing in the Wild and Vikings. He's been a part of Rambling On since 2018.

"The Wolves have some serious soul-searching to do this coming offseason. They need to focus on surrounding Towns with the best team, coaches, and front office possible to ensure they’re not in the same position as the Pelicans are with Anthony Davis in a few years."

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild), Thursday (Twins), and Friday (Timberwolves). Monthly content on off-season pro teams released as news breaks.

The current dire state of the Wolves, what they should do in the future, the good/bad/ugly, and more in this edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

Since we last left our heroes, the Wolves have gone 2-2, beating the Wizards and Knicks and losing to the Nuggets and Jazz.

Pretty much sums up the mediocrity of the current season. Is there anything to say about this team that hasn't already been said?
The Wolves have some serious soul-searching to do this coming offseason. They need to focus on surrounding Towns with the best team, coaches, and front office possible to ensure they’re not in the same position as the Pelicans are with Anthony Davis in a few years. 

There should be a comprehensive search for the best possible GM available and they should be allowed to choose a head coach (Ryan Saunders hasn’t done enough to convince me that it should be him, though he deserves consideration).

Knowing Glen Taylor, I doubt any of this will happen.

The next couple years will be crucial in determining the team’s long term future. I’m really worried they’ll waste them and their shot at retaining KAT beyond his current contract. They’re already handicapped by Wiggins’ contract, so good decision making by the front office will be vital going forward. 

Were any of the four games particularly surprising, for good or ill?
No, not really. They beat a couple bad teams and lost handily to the good ones. It was nice to see them win the second game of a back-to-back at least. 

What players/aspects of the recent Wolves play would you categorize as good, bad, and ugly?
Good: Towns. He’s put up MVP level numbers since the All-Star break and had even mostly managed to stay out of foul trouble until that Utah game.

Bad: the defense. This could have also been filed under “ugly.”

Ugly: Josh Okogie’s shooting. Love his hustle, but he needs to be much more judicious with his shot selection until he improves his accuracy.

What do you think of the current play of the Notorious KBD?
It’s been promising. He’s displayed a solid all-around skillset and some great decision making. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him get more of Wiggins’ minutes to really see what they’ve got in him as the season winds down. 

What do you think of the multi-year deal given to Cam Reynolds?
It’s a great move. In a small sample size, he’s shown himself to be an above average 3 pt. shooter and a capable defender. Locking down role players for cheap is something good teams do. He’s the type of player the Wolves will need to seek out going forward with Wiggins’ contract neutering their cap space.

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

​​by Peter Ripka
 
Rambling On Wild analyst Peter Ripka provides a thought-provoking look into how different point systems would impact the NHL standings. He ends with his thoughts on how to fix the overtime/shootout problem.

At this time of year, everyone always seems to be complaining about the NHL point system.

Currently, there's a two-point system for regulation games and then a three-point game for any that go into to overtime or a shootout.

This had me intrigued, so I looked at the standings as the stand on March sixth. Keep in mind that this is slightly different than the current standings.
 
First, we will look at how each teams points look with the current system, awarding two points for a win in regulation/overtime/shootout, and one point for an overtime/shootout loss.
 
Division leaders are highlighted in yellow and wild card teams are highlighted in green. Also keep in mind that these are not the official NHL standings, which account for the tie breakers as set by the NHL guidelines. I focus on teams that have an equal amount of points. The only tie breaker used is the amount of games played.

​Now let's look at the points in a system where a regulation win earns three points, an overtime/shootout win earns two, and an overtime/shootout loss earns one.

​Finally, take a look what the standings would look like if two points were awarded for a win of any kind and a loss of any kind receives nothing.

In the three-point system, if we ignore the inflated point totals, the only change within the top eight teams from each division is Toronto and Boston swap the two and three seeds from the Atlantic Division. The biggest change is that in the system that gets rid of the “pity point” for losing in overtime/shootouts, the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins both fall out of the Wild Card spots that they current posses.
 
The tightness of the standings changes slightly from the current system to the two-only system. With the spread getting smaller in the West and nominally bigger in the East, the biggest change we see is in the three-point system, with both Conferences being separated by a significant amount of total points than the were before. To put it into perspective of regulation wins that separate the top from the bottom, the East saw a 10.5 win separation increase and the West saw a five win separation increase.
 
In retrospect, I was actually surprised by the results of this exercise. I expected the three-point system would make the standings tight. In fact, it actually made the standings more separated.

Taking this crude data into consideration, fans that complain about the current point system or when three-point games happen don’t really have much to data to base these claims on.

Ultimately, this is what the NHL should do to make their point system better.
 
The biggest thing that I believe the NHL needs to address in its system is how the determine a winner.

Do away with the shootout, it has become a mockery of the game.

The three-on-three overtime, even though many traditionalist argue against it, is a much better way to determine the outcome of a game. Play continues overtime at three-on-three until a team wins.

If you don’t want run into the possibility of a game running a long time, you can simple play one five or ten minute overtime period at and if no winner is determines the game is a tie and both teams only receive one point and no “bonus” point is awarded for the overtime win. 

There are a lot of arguments on all sides, but I believe this would be exciting, keep the integrity of the game, and be the most fair.

​Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently a Wild and Twins analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

"If they fall back into old habits, all of this will have been for nothing. But if this all continues, the Wild could be peaking at the right time and very possibly go into the playoffs a really hot team."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild), every other Thursday (Twins), and Friday (Timberwolves). Content of off-season teams released as news breaks.

The new-look Wild, an impressive victory against the Flames, and two points against the Predators in this edition. Wild analysts Peter Ripka and Jeff Hartfiel  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

Just when you thought they were down and out, the Wild are finally starting to come along and surge. What is going right for the team right now?
Peter:​ They are playing smart defensively and their goaltending has been solid for the most part. They are a much faster and aggressive team thanks to the infusion of young players.

Jeff: In the Wild's last three games you've seen a different team on the ice for many reasons.

Staal is playing with a sense of relief now that he has a new contract and it shows. Zucker is for is playing with a chip on his shoulder after finding out he almost got traded. It has spurred him to start putting the pick in back of net again, which is nice to see. Ek has been able to find his game as of late and has done it on a consistent basis. Then you have the new guys, Donato, Hunt, and Fiala, who are also making a difference. They came to Minnesota and were given a chance that they weren't given with previous team.

It's beginning to look like a perfect storm. The team has a newfound confidence, more appreciation, and have a happier locker room. The whole team seems to be on same page. The hope is that it stays that way and they don't become complacent. 

In their last regulation victory, the Wild beat the Flames 4-2. Your thoughts?
Peter: The Flames are considered to be one of the best teams in the West, so it was a very big win for the club. The biggest takeaway from the game was when the Flames tried to get the Wild off their game by some agitating and the young players didn't bite.

Jeff: Everyone did there jobs in the Calgary game. They also made less mental mistakes.

The defense and goaltending showed up impressively, holding one of the hottest teams in the NHL to two goals. Most teams playing the Flames the past month haven't had that sort of production, as they have averaged almost five goals a game.

The top pairing of Suter and Spurgeon continued to play there game. Brodin, Hunt, and Pateryn stepped up as well. Lately Dubby has been seeing the puck a lot better, not letting soft goals in as frequently as before or at all, and it continued in this game.

The offense was also on their game, and it wassn't just one guy doing all the heavy lifting. They are all working together. Donato has been a big part of it. He is shooting from every place on the ice from every angle, and it has been contagious for everyone else on the team.

Of their two shootout losses to the Predators, which impressed you more and why?
Peter: The game in Nashville was more impressive from a team perspective. They never gave in and kept fighting back against the best team in the division. Both games were huge points that they earned.

Jeff: I didn't see a difference in the two games against Nashville. It would have been nice to get a win, but the Wild fought hard in both games. In the past when they got down they seemed to just lay down and take it, but in the Nashville games they didn't do that. They are playing hungry.

The Wild are so bad in shootouts, it's the only type of game I don't trust that they can win.  In all, it's a bad thing that we lost two games to a division team. But it was good that they got a couple of points.

How well are the new-look Wild jelling? What will they have to do to keep the momentum going?
Peter: The kids they got are fitting in very well. They have the "show em what I got" mentality. They need to maintain their aggressiveness and assertiveness to continue to grow and produce. ​

Jeff: The moves that were made have lit a fire under the Wild. Staal and Zucker are finally clicking more, Donato clicks with whatever line he is put on, Fiala has shown he has some moves, and Hunt has been coming into his own, helping fill the void left by Dumba's absence.

As of right now, everything and everyone seems to be coming together and making it work. The big issue is: can they sustain it?

To keep this going they have to stay hungry. They can't let falling behind get them down, they have to come back and fight be resilient. If they fall back into old habits, all of this will have been for nothing.

But if this all continues, the Wild could be peaking at the right time and very possibly go into the playoffs a really hot team. I'm looking forward to watching. 

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently a Wild and Twins analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Jeff Hartfiel is a Minnesota sports analyst specializing in the Wild and Vikings. He's been a part of Rambling On since 2018.

"KAT is crazy good and so fun to watch right now. He put up what would be great for anyone full game numbers in the first quarter alone against the Pacers. Let’s hope the Wolves get their act together this off-season and start to put an actual team around him so the types of performances he’s been having aren’t continually wasted."

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Wild), every other Thursday (Twins), and Friday (Timberwolves). Monthly content on off-season pro teams released as news breaks.

Decent victories bad losses, amazing KAT, terrrible Wiggins, and more in this edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

Since the All-Star break, the Wolves have gone 2-3. So, typical Wolves mediocrity. Of the 112-105 victory over the Kings and the 115-104 win over the Knicks, which was more impressive?
The Kings game, easily. Beating the Knicks in 2019 isn’t much of an accomplishment, even without your best two players. The Kings are 9th in the West and a potential rival for that final playoff spot if you haven’t given up hope of the Wolves making the playoffs yet. 

Of their 140-123 loss to the Bucks, 131-123 loss to the Hawks, and 122-115 loss to the Pacers, which was the best effort by the team? The worst?
I was at a wedding on Saturday and missed the Bucks game, so I’ll say that one was the best, because they’re the best team of the three and I can’t imagine it being any more frustrating than the other two. The Atlanta loss was the worst, featuring absolutely terrible defense all game and that horrendous final play in regulation that ended with a real ugly Rose floater. At least the Pacers game featured KAT going off for 23 points and 7 boards in the first quarter and finishing with an impressive 42 and 17.

Speaking of the worst, what the hell is wrong with Andrew Wiggins?
I don’t know but neither does Ryan Saunders, apparently. Maybe he just needs another trip down to Mankato for some of Mrs. Taylor’s lasagna and a speech about work ethic from Glen?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, how good is KAT right now? 
KAT is crazy good and so fun to watch right now. He put up what would be great for anyone full game numbers in the first quarter against the Pacers! Let’s hope the Wolves get their act together this off-season and start to put an actual team around him so the types of performances he’s been having aren’t continually wasted.

Will the return of RoCo have much of an impact?
Yes, but probably not enough of one to turn things around for the team, unfortunately. He’ll improve their defense and his three-point shooting is something any team needs, but he’s still not the level of player this team needs to really take them to the next level (i.e. what Wiggins was supposed to be). 

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.