The Broken Bunch

Written by Ryan Boser, with assists from Joey Cavalier and Jason Rossow

Once upon a time, Ricky Rubio refused to come to Minnesota because the state was “too cold.” As I pen this article on a 70 degree day in early March, it’s become painfully clear that “too cursed” would have been a better descriptor.

Rubio’s first 41 NBA games not only represented hope for a moribund franchise, but also offered a reprieve to tortured Minnesota sports fans. His fresh face and magical talent momentarily distracted us from our fallen stars and gut-wrenching losses.

Now that a torn ACL has ended Rubio’s sensational rookie campaign, the reprieve is over—feel free to return to your regularly scheduled suffering.

Minnesota’s current string of catastrophic injuries has crippled each of the state’s five major sports teams, but the origin of the curse remains a mystery.

What did we do to deserve your wrath, almighty sports gods?

Gangelgate? When the NCAA neuralyzed the 1997 Final Four season I thought we were square.

The illegitimate Joe Smith dealings? Stripping a bad NBA team of five first round draft picks is the rough equivalent of eternal damnation, which already felt like a bit of an overreaction considering it was Joe freaking Smith.

Selling the North Stars was a self-imposed punishment, and getting in bed with the arch-nemesis earned us a Sexually Texted Disaster—no further sanctions were necessary.

At least the Twins have played by the rules. Sure, promoting Bill Smith to GM could be considered a crime against baseball, but didn’t you have (artificially) bigger fish to fry?

Clearly, I’m being satirical. I don’t believe in curses. Injuries are a part of sports, and no team is immune. However, what’s happening in Minnesota has blurred the line between bad luck and superstition. Between coincidence and conspiracy.

These haven’t been run-of-the-mill DL stints for replacement-level players, but instead debilitating injuries to the players who matter most.

We would have offered up Drew Butera as a sacrificial lamb, almighty sports gods. We’d have given you Tyrell Johnson if we could have found him, and you can keep the Metrodome. Hell, we’ll give you Darko right now. But please, for the love of all things holy, lift the bounty on our stars.

The following list outlines career-changing injuries to game-changing Minnesota athletes over the past two years. Enough is enough.


THE TWINS

Justin Morneau (concussions) – Since taking a fluke knee to the head on July 7, 2010, the 2006 MVP and four-time All-Star has been in a haze. Morneau has subsequently missed 177-of-246 games, due primarily to concussion symptoms. He’s recently acknowledged that he may be one setback away from retirement.

Joe Mauer (unknown) – Considering that he’s the face of Minnesota sports, it’s only fitting that Mauer’s 2011 season was cloaked in mystery. In addition to known knee and neck issues, the 2009 MVP missed 80 games due to cryptic ailments that ranged from a viral infection, to pneumonia to the infamous “bilateral leg weakness.” The organization’s veiled communications led to rampant speculation. While rumors of Lyme Disease and AIDS have been squashed, other theories continue to linger among skeptical fans despite Mauer’s relatively clean bill of health.

Denard Span (general fogginess) – Justin Morneau isn’t the only Twin who spent 2011 dazed and confused. Leadoff man Denard Span missed 92 games, battling dizzying symptoms related to concussions and Vestibular Neuritis. He’s already experiencing neck soreness in Spring Training, and the cumulative nature of concussions has cast a dark cloud over his future.

Kyle Gibson (Tommy John surgery) – As if raping the current lineup wasn’t enough, the sports gods decided to pillage the team’s future rotation as well. Top prospect and 2009 first-round pick Kyle Gibson was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery last September, and considering the post-surgery results of Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek, Twins fans have every right to worry.


THE VIKINGS

Adrian Peterson (torn ACL and MCL) – If we had one mulligan, we’d use it on Peterson, who tore both his ACL and MCL on December 24, 2011. The notion that he’ll be ready for Week 1 is delusional—with what we know about this injury, he’s unlikely to be back to full strength before the 2013 season. Considering that he turns 27 this month, and that his success is predicated on violent cuts and jarring collisions, the safe money is that his best days are behind him.

Antoine Winfield (broken clavicle) – Last year Antoine Winfield broke his clavicle in a 45-7 loss to the Packers, and managed to play just five games in his 12th NFL season. While he’s expected to be fully recovered by Week 1, it’s a dicey injury for a soon-to-be 35-year old who has built his career on lowering the shoulder.


THE WILD

Mikko Koivu (shoulder) – Wild captain Mikko Koivu has now missed 24 games with two different shoulder injuries, and may eventually be shut down for the season.

Guillaume Latendresse and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussions) – What a headache. Dating back to last season, both Wild forwards have missed significant action with recurring concussions. There’s a very realistic chance that each of their careers will be cut severely short.

Niklas Backstrom (groin) – Considering the carnage, a four-week groin injury to the team’s top goaltender feels like a Swedish massage.


THE TIMBERWOLVES

Ricky Rubio (torn ACL) – This was the most heartbreaking of all the injuries, as our dazzling 21-year old Spaniard was leading the Wolves’ playoff charge. These injuries aren’t what they used to be, and Rubio has a fair chance of returning to full strength by the beginning of next season. However, there are never any guarantees with torn ACLs.


THE GOPHERS

Trevor Mbakwe (torn ACL) – Leading scorer and rebounder Trevor Mbakwe’s ACL tear essentially condemned the Gophers to the NIT. In a cruel twist of fate, the team’s senior captain and emotional leader had his reconstructive surgery on the same day as Adrian Peterson. There remains a small chance that the 23-year old will return for a sixth season.


THE DEPARTED

E.J. Henderson (fractured femur) – In Week 13 of the bittersweet 2009 season, friendly fire (Jamarca Sanford) sent middle linebacker E.J. Henderson’s left leg flopping in all the wrong directions. Through investigative internetting, it appears that this injury (December 6, 2009) marks the inception of the curse. The rapidly declining 31-year old is unlikely to return to Minnesota. While he enjoyed a resurgent 2010 season, the metal rod in his leg will ultimately shave time off his career by hindering his speed and agility.

Sidney Rice (hip) and Cedric Griffin (torn ACL) – The 2009 NFC Title Game was the beginning of the end for promising youngsters Sidney Rice and Cedric Griffin. What is that, Gregg, about $2,000? Asshole.

Joe Nathan (Tommy John surgery) – The Twins’ lofty 2010 goals took a major blow when All-Star closer Joe Nathan tore his ulnar collateral ligament in Spring Training. To add insult to injury, the team would eventually trade Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps to shore up the bullpen (thanks again, Bill). Nathan returned and pitched poorly in 2011. He’s now a Texas Ranger.

Eric Decker (Lisfranc injury) – A lisfranc injury cut the superstar receiver’s Gopher career short, and caused his NFL draft stock to slip. After a nondescript rookie season in Denver, Decker scored nine touchdowns in 2011. Fortunately, he was able to leave the curse behind him when he left Minnsota—a suspected ACL tear this January was later downgraded to an MCL sprain.

Ranking Free Agent Targets

Searching for optimism on the heels of a 3-13 season isn’t easy, but I come bearing good news.

It can’t get any worse.

I’m of the belief that the team has finally bottomed out. In fact, I’m sure of it. The day was December 24, 2011. The team lost Adrian Peterson and the invaluable draft rights to Robert Griffin III in one afternoon, and I subsequently drank a gallon of spiked eggnog in under an hour.

While my downward spiral continues, the Vikings appear poised to begin the long journey back to playoff relevance, armed with the No. 3 pick in April’s draft and a middle class budget.

Click here to read the rest of the story at Bleacher Report.

The Ponder Parallel

When it was all said and done, Christian Ponder’s rookie campaign left us with more questions than answers. There were promising moments that seemingly justified the Vikings’ bold decision to select him No. 12 in the 2011 NFL draft, essentially anointing him the future of the franchise. Conversely, there were far too many instances where Ponder made Tarvaris Jackson look poised, accurate and durable. At this point, all we know is that it will be Ponder—not Joe Webb, Peyton Manning or Robert Griffin III—under center for Minnesota when the 2012 season kicks off.

Click here to read the rest of the story at Bleacher Report.

The "Pek"ing Order

By Joey Cavalier

Timberwolves fans have a lot to be excited about. The passing ninja that is Ricky Rubio, the development of Kevin Love, and an improved team defense have the fan base in a state of positivity and hope. But perhaps the most underrated storyline to this season has been the emergence of the Montenegrin center, Nikola Pekovic.

If there was such thing as a “NBA Bar Fight Draft,” Pekovic would be a lock as a top 3 pick. The European is listed at 6’11, 290 lbs. He’s got wicked ink, he looks like a hammerhead shark, runs like a duck, and plays like a bull. In his second season, “Pek” is emerging as a viable option at a position that has troubled the Wolves for nearly a decade. The Wolves haven’t had a capable center since the days of Rasho Nesterovic; and he wasn’t exactly greatness at the center position.

The Timberwolves drafted Pekovic in 2008 with the 31^st overall selection. He was widely considered a top ten pick at the time, but his contract situation caused him to slide into the second round. Pek finally made his debut with the Wolves last season, averaging 5.5 PTS, and 3 REB in 13.6 minutes per game. In limited playing time, Pekovic flashed potential, but didn’t play well enough to be viewed as a legitimate option at the center position.

Now, in his second season, Pekovic is flashing his talents nightly, and beginning to show the league why he was considered a top ten talent. In the Wolves’ last seven games, he has averaged 14.1 PTS, 9.3 REB (5.4 of those being offensive rebounds), and 26.35 minutes per game. During this stretch he has shot 63% from the field, and 73% from the free throw line. Pekovic has been solid, and is showing that he is capable of playing alongside of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love in the starting lineup.

Pekovic has been a major factor in the Timberwolves ascent to .500. It is clearer than ever that Darko Milicic is not the long-term answer for this team at center. Given his size and skill-set, Pekovic has a chance to step up and play a crucial role on this team.

Let’s take a look at the things Pekovic does well:

Offensive Glass- Pekovic has been a beast on the offensive glass. In the last seven games, he has averaged 5.4 ORB per game! Over the course of the season, he is averaging 3.3 ORB (and that’s with only playing an average of 18.9 minutes per game), while Darko is only averaging a meager 1.5 ORB per game in a similar amount of playing time. In his strength, Pekovic establishes position near the rim, and understands where he needs to be when Wes Johnson is clanking his shots off of the back of the rim.

Offensive Efficiency- Pekovic has been very efficient offensively. He is shooting 61% from the field on the season. Also, he is bullying his way to the free-throw line, and is shooting 73% from the stripe. But the thing that is most impressive about Pek, is his ability to play with his back to the hoop. He is great in the low post, he knows where he is on the court, and knows the right move to make to get to the basket for an easy shot. He attacks the rim (unlike Darko) and provides the nasty scoring that this team needs. Unlike Pekovic, Darko is not very efficient offensively. He is currently shooting 43% from the field, and 45% from the free throw line. He has a habit of getting lost on the floor and heaving up a series of bad shots. Darko doesn’t possess the quality of offense or the consistency that this team needs from the center position.

Running the Floor- When Pek runs up and down the floor, one cannot help but laugh at how painfully awkward he looks. However, he runs the floor very well. He may look like he has webbed feet, yet he is displaying above average speed, and the type of hustle needed to get to the other end of the court. Also, his quickness and hustle has allowed him to excel in the Wolves’ pick-and-roll offense. Darko is certainly athletic enough to run the floor well, but his lack of motivation is clear, and in turn his quickness and hustle suffers.

Toughness- Ever since the Kevin Garnett era, the Wolves frontcourt has been about as soft as a bag of cotton balls. Pek contributes a gritty, physical style of play. Sometimes it gets him into foul trouble, but overall, that is what you ask for out of your center. Defensively, he is able to hold his own. He doesn’t block a lot of shots, but he is strong enough to keep players out of the paint and is quick enough to defend players away from the basket. In contrast, Darko is not a very “tough” player. He can block shots, but he lets way too many players waltz into the paint for easy buckets. And overall, Darko does not have the attitude of toughness that Pekovic possesses.

Pekovic could have a very bright future in this league. Obviously, he will never be in the same category as Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum. But if he continues to improve, he will be a force to be reckoned with. It is time for the Timberwolves to move on from Darko (aka “Manna from Heaven”) Milicic and give Pek the starting job. He definitely has the skill-set and the upside to prosper as a starting center in this league.