Age is a funny thing. I've been told before that I am wise beyond my years. Others might observe my willingness to listen and an ability to carry conversation and mistakenly attribute that as actual wisdom. Yet as each year passes and I inch closer to 30 (yikes..), it seems the older I become, the less it is that I actually know. Consider your existence. Our lives can be as simple or as complicated as we set out to make them. For every friend that chooses to stay close to home, there is another friend who is seemingly hopping from one continent to the next every month of the year. The beauty of humanity is that, for the most part, we have the freedom to make with our lives what we please. In my case, living in Chicago affords me with countless opportunities - I reside in a living, breathing, beautiful city full of excitement and year-round activity. On the other hand, part of me longs for a slower existence - one removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life, where I might be able to enjoy the great outdoors and its many splendors. You truly can't have everything, which is why I shift my focus to living one day at a time. Is there really any other way? If you know me well, you know that I attended a Spanish immersion school from grades 1-6. For my many experiences during those years, one memory in particular sticks with me to this day. My music teacher was a stern, stubby lady by the name of Señora Dorado. Most of her classes consisted of playing 'hot cross buns' and other age-old staples on our recorders. Truthfully, her class was never my favorite hour of the day. Adams Spanish Immersion was one of several public schools that had partnered with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on their music education curriculum. At this time, and from 1994-1999, famed reggae/jazz artist Bobby McFerrin was serving as the creative chair of our local city orchestra. So, naturally, his smash hit 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' found it's way into our classroom. While reggae coursed through the classroom, there seemed to be a noticeable change in Señora Dorado taking place. She had lost a considerable amount of weight and softened her demeanor quite a bit. Some time later, our worst suspicions had been confirmed - Sra. Dorado had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. As a child, you're not supposed to be thinking about mortality. In fact, it's a topic that people of all ages struggle with. But as we filed into class every day, it had become clear that her health was deteriorating. I listened to 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' so often that year, I could have probably recited it backwards and forwards. Not long after, she took a leave of absence. We would never see Señora Dorado again. The significance of this memory dawned on me years later - Bobby McFerrin's song had essentially become my teacher's rallying cry. Señora Dorado spent some of her last months teaching her students a message we should all take to heart - don't sweat the small stuff. As a child, there is no way that song could have meant as much to me as it did to her during that time. Family, friends, and loved ones. They are worth fighting to protect and hold on to. I am as guilty as anyone else for occasionally losing sight of what truly matters. Create lasting memories, build relationships, be thankful, and celebrate when celebrations are called for. Heed this advice and you'll find happiness and fulfillment. Realize that there is only so much that you can control in your life. Appreciate the journey and stop to smell the flowers every once in a while. Lastly, follow the words of Mr. McFerrin: Don't worry, be happy! Until next time, Ted
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We talking 'bout practice?! I'd like to think this blog reflects upon my personality; which is to say, unassuming and fairly laid back by nature. So when my blog comes up in conversation with friends and family, I tend to do a bit of a double take. "Wait, people actually read this stuff?" At the conclusion of each post, I make a point to welcome all feedback, and I really do mean it. After all, this blog exists not for the purpose of self promotion, but rather as a means of practicing my writing. As the years have passed, I have discovered that I particularly enjoy expressing myself through the written word. Truth be told, I sometimes feel as though I lack the obsessive focus and dedication that separates the good from the great. In becoming more self-aware and gaining a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, all I can really do is work to improve every single day. How's this for a paradox? In making an effort to write more, I seem to be running into writer's block every step along the way. For all the words posted on this site, very seldom do I take the opportunity to develop my voice as a writer. Sports has always been my safety blanket. If you know me at all, you know that I could talk sports all day if given the opportunity. I am passionate about sports, but it's time to expand my repertoire. No more swimming with floaties - I'm jumping into the deep end. In deviating 'off course' to write about myself and other non-sports related topics, I am effectively leaving my comfort zone. Don't worry, getting 'uncomfortable' doesn't mean I'll be sharing ridiculous and embarrassing stories from my youth (rest assured, there are plenty.) I set out to improve myself in 2016, and with my 26th birthday exactly one week away, I realize there is still plenty of room for me to grow as a person and as a writer. Are we truly ever done growing? I suppose that is a much larger question for another day. All I know is that I'm not yet where I want or need to be. Not even close for that matter. So please, keep the words of encouragement and constructive criticism coming. Despite what NBA legend Allen Iverson might think, practice is actually very important. Practice even supposedly makes perfect. My goal is not to be perfect, it's to be better than I was yesterday. And that, my friends, is what I am using this blog to do. Cheers, Ted Hello again and happy Monday! Today, I'll be recapping an epic seven game series between the Warriors and Cavaliers as well as looking forward to the upcoming NBA Draft. Let's get down to it. 1. History is made Down but not out, few outside the city limits of Cleveland gave the Cavaliers much of a shot to rally for three consecutive victories against the mighty Golden State Warriors. Yet three games and exactly 144 minutes later, championship dreams had become reality for this resilient group of Cavaliers who defied the odds in becoming the first team in NBA history to successfully come back from a 3-1 series deficit. In denying Golden State its shot at back to back rings and a legitimate claim to the 'best team ever' title, LeBron James and the Cavaliers made some history of their own. A year after falling short in his promise to deliver a championship to "The 'Land", James raised his game to a championship level and made good on his goal of bringing the city of Cleveland it's first professional sports title since 1954. LeBron was named the unanimous Finals MVP following Game 7, and it's not hard to see why - averaging 29.7 PPG / 11.3 APG / 8.9 RPG for the series (while shooting 53.5% from the field) helped cement The King's place amongst basketball's all-time greats. Also worth noting that in winning his third Finals MVP, LeBron joined some elite company (Jordan, Duncan, O'Neal, and Magic Johnson) as one of only five players to win the award three or more times. With timely plays on both side of the ball, James validated his status as the all around best player on the planet. Of course, credit is due to the entire Cavs team. As in Games 1-6, Kyrie Irving was magnificent and his three with less than a minute left in Game 7 proved to be the knockout blow. Tristan Thompson, JR Smith, Kevin Love, and Richard Jefferson all did their part as the supporting cast to James and Irving. Head Coach Tyronn Lue deserves considerable recognition, as he inherited a difficult job and helped his team realize its championship potential. Cleveland will now get to enjoy its seat atop the throne as the Warriors head into the off-season wondering where it all went wrong. Highly entertaining and fiercely competitive throughout, the 2016 NBA Finals will go down in basketball lore as one of the best series in NBA history. 2. The Agony of Defeat Stephen Curry and the rest of the Golden State Warriors likely have some sleepless nights ahead as they think on how they managed to let this series slip away. With a 73-9 regular season record on their résumé, this year's Warriors let it be known that their goal was to win a second consecutive championship. Having come up short of accomplishing that feat, these Warriors cannot objectively be considered as being superior to the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson displayed moments of greatness, but it was clear that Curry was off his game when it counted most. The reigning 2x NBA MVP, Curry really took his lumps from Kyrie Irving as he was outplayed and out-shined by the man they call "Uncle Drew." As a whole, the Warriors ball movement and team dynamic went stagnant and allowed the Cavs to slow the game down to a pace of play more in their favor. Losing Andrew Bogut to injury essentially forced the Warriors to play small ball and one could point to his absence as the beginning of the end. Golden State wasn't able to match the energy and intensity brought forth by Cleveland and it was evident heading into Game 7 that not only was momentum going the way of the Cavs, but that the pressure of living up to lofty expectations had shifted squarely onto their shoulders as well. There is no doubt whatsoever that this loss will linger with Golden State for a while. Things aren't too bleak, however. Assuming they retain free agent to be Harrison Barnes, the core of the Warriors roster will return next season with a hunger and championship focus necessary to reclaim the throne. 3. What comes next Here are a few things we should all expect to see in the coming days and weeks. I'll attempt to save you from several hours of ESPN's First Take and other talk shows by offering my take on the hot button topics. - Is LeBron the MVP of this series and the best overall player since MJ? (Yes and yes, in my opinion.) - Is Steph Curry overrated/did he choke? (No and no.) - Will the Cavs trade Kevin Love? (Possible, but unlikely.) - Will the Bulls trade Jimmy Butler? (No, but they will part with D-Rose.) - Will Durant sign with the Warriors/Spurs? (No, I see him re-signing with OKC on a short term deal.) - Who is the favorite to win it all next year? (Golden State ought to be and Vegas agrees..) My 2016 NBA Mock Draft At the risk of looking foolish, here are my predictions for the Top 10 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. 1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, SF/PF, LSU Analysis: While you could make the case for Ingram as well, LSU's Ben Simmons projects to have the higher upside between the two. For the languishing 76ers, Simmons is a big step towards relevancy. 2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke Analysis: Not many expected the Lakers to end up with the 2nd overall pick, and they're hoping that this trip to the lottery is their last for a while. Duke's Brandon Ingram fills an obvious need on the wings and will help address the void left by the legendary Kobe Bryant. 3. Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, SF, Cal Anaylsis: The 3rd pick is where the draft gets interesting. With three first round picks at their disposal, many expect the Celtics to be heavily engaged in trade talks leading up to their selection. Short of landing an All-Star caliber player such as Jimmy Butler, I don't expect the Celtics to package their picks in a draft night deal. 4. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia Analysis: The first international player selected, Bender has tons of potential and offers a tantalizing combination of length & athleticism. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky Analysis: The Wolves need outside shooting in a bad way. With Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn, and Buddy Hield still on the board, they will have their choice of some quality guards. I predict they select Murray to provide a scoring punch off the bench in the 6th man role. 6. New Orleans Pelicans: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence Analysis: Dunn projects to be the best player available and slots in nicely to the Pelicans backcourt. 7. Denver Nuggets: Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette Analysis: With Jurkic and Jokic already holding down the frontcourt, the Nuggets will select Ellenson to help space the floor for a Denver team that is not afraid to shoot. 8. Sacramento Kings: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma Analysis: Buddy Hield's fall only extends to the 8th overall pick. At 22, Hield is the oldest player selected thus far, and he figures to be one of the more polished and NBA ready prospects from the get go. 9. Toronto Raptors: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington Analysis: A player who has seen his draft stock on the rise, Chriss is an athletic forward who will help bolster a Raptors team looking to take another step in the right direction. 10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah Analysis: Greg Monroe fits better as a PF, and Poeltl is the top true center available in the draft class. Poeltl helps add size and grit to a promising young Bucks team. Well folks, that's all I have for today. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback! Thanks for reading my blog and come back for more content in the near future.
- Ted Wayne Gretzky is famously quoted as saying "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Now, I don't know about you, but I find that statement to be fairly open to interpretation. Are some risks worth taking? Absolutely. On the other hand, it would not be the best idea to make a habit of risky and irrational behavior. Personally, I think the true wisdom of Gretzky's words lies somewhere in the middle. While I'm no daredevil, I did once jump out of a perfectly good airplane at 14,000 feet, so I guess I'm not totally risk-averse either. With my 26th birthday less than three months away, I find myself on a new, yet not altogether unfamiliar, path. Today, I'll share some of the lessons I've learned following my own leap of faith. The proverbial fresh start, whether born out of choice or necessity, always seems to come with a few challenges of its own. In my case, I decided to resign from my position in logistics to pursue something better. Of course, the world doesn't operate in absolutes, so how do I go about defining what it is that 'better' means exactly? Good question. With my newfound free time (we'll call it a hiatus) I've been able to do a little soul searching. In collecting my thoughts and reflecting on the last few years of my life, I'm reminded of a quote from Steve Jobs: "... You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." My journey, in a manner of speaking, is connecting the dots and making sense of it all. In this case, the how is even more important than the when or the where. I am becoming more mindful of the following lessons each and every day: 1. Balance is an essential part of success. Not only as it relates to work vs. home, but literally across all aspects of life. Achieving balance requires serious commitment, focus, and a thorough understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. In becoming a more well rounded and conscientious individual, I must first find my balance. 2. Weigh every opportunity. Though it's usually a good idea to be opportunistic, be aware that not all opportunities are created equally. Be deliberate and confident in your decision making, but only after you can be certain that your priorities, expectations, and instincts are all aligned. Recognize the good from the bad and act accordingly. 3. Attitude above all. Put simply, keep your poise. All the hard work in the world will be for naught if it you can't learn to set aside your frustrations. There's a lot more to being successful than just being a hard worker - that's a tired cliché in itself. Instead, focus on long term goals/needs and develop the skills and mindset that will position you as a unique asset in any team. Making a leap of faith isn't for the faint of heart. Most people, myself included, rarely stray outside their comfort zone. As I stepped out of the workplace and into the unknown, I realized that this was something that I had to do. In the spirit of Gretzky's words, I am taking this shot and I am going to make it count. For the first time in a while, I find myself in uncharted territory. I wouldn't have it any other way. "Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." Have your own words of wisdom or perspective you'd like to share? Please do! I hope you enjoyed this post and I welcome your feedback as always. Until next time! - Ted Two steps forward, two steps back? Assessing the current state of Minnesota pro sports (Part 2 of 2)5/4/2016 Welcome back loyal readers! Assuming of course there is more than one of you out there (Hi Mom.) Jokes aside, today I will be bringing you the conclusion to my two part series reviewing the ‘state’ of Minnesota pro sports. Whereas my last column focused on two franchises on the rise in the Timberwolves and Vikings, this time around I will be featuring my thoughts on the Minnesota Wild and Twins. Forecasting the future for these teams is a bit more challenging in that both teams find themselves at a bit of a crossroads. Sit back, relax, and allow me to explain. As always, I welcome your feedback! Same old story? Coming off their fourth straight playoff appearance, the Minnesota Wild has served as somewhat of a bastion of hope in an otherwise dreary sports landscape the past few years. Yet in spite of their recent success, the Wild find themselves back at square one after another swift departure from the postseason. From afar, the Wild has definitely proven to be consistent - just good enough to clinch a lower seed in the playoffs, and never good enough to knock off one of the established Western Conference powerhouses. This past season seemed to follow an all too familiar pattern: high hopes and a fast start, a midseason slump and precipitous drop in the standings, and pretty much everything in between. Head Coach Mike Yeo was axed in February amidst an eight game losing streak and a stretch of 19 games in which the team only secured 10 points (3-12-4). In stepped John Torchetti as interim coach, and he rallied the squad into the postseason with a 17-15-1 record the rest of the way. To be sure, Torchetti deserves his fair share of credit after inheriting a dispirited (and often-times disinterested) bunch and helping the team back to the playoffs. Once there, the Wild showed some grit in taking the top-seeded Dallas Stars to 6 games without the help of their best player, Zach Parise. What comes next is anyone’s guess, but I’ll take a stab at it. There seem to be four logical candidates for the coaching vacancy: Torchetti, Bruce Boudreau, Randy Carlyle, and dark-horse Phil Housley. Boudreau and Carlyle were recently deposed from their coaching positions in Anaheim and Toronto, respectively. Either candidate would bring a winning pedigree and sense of legitimacy to a franchise that has targeted assistants and lesser-established names with its last coaching hires (Todd Richards, Mike Yeo, etc.) No search would be complete without the inclusion of a token Minnesotan, and Phil Housley is a name that has been thrown around in the past. Last but not least is Torchetti, who should be considered based on the team’s solid, albeit unspectacular, play down the stretch. For my money, I’d like the Wild to make a splash hire and name Bruce Boudreau as their next head coach. Boudreau has proven to be a capable coach in leading the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks to varying degrees of success. With a lifetime record of 409-192-80, a .659 win percentage is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Critics will point to the fact that he has yet to win a Stanley Cup, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more accomplished head coach on the market. GM Todd Fletcher has already reached out to the likes of Boudreau and Carlyle, and will continue his internal review of John Torchetti. For what it’s worth, I think the Wild need to think big in their coaching search in order to take the next step. Barring a trade or two, the Wild roster would seem to be mostly intact going into the 2016-17 season. It’s fair to say the Wild is more or less stuck with the players they have. Bloated contracts belonging to Koivu, Vanek, and Pominville will take up a collective $18,850,000 in cap space next season, leaving the team with only (a projected) $2 million with which to operate. Outside of the underperforming veterans listed above, Fletcher and Wild management have to be concerned with the lack of production from the team’s younger crop of talent. Despite the occasional flash from Charlie Coyle, Nino Neiderreiter, and Erik Haula, the group as a whole has seemingly leveled off in their development. Wild fans know that their team is capable of competing at the highest level, but the consistency just hasn’t been there. While the Wild possess a solid bunch of defensemen and a better than average netminder in Devan Dubnyk, the team clearly lacks a scoring punch. I would love to see the Wild sign an established player such as Ryan Kesler or David Backes, but they likely won’t have the capital to make such a move. Though a new coaching staff might be able to coax improved production and eliminate the peaks and valleys of years past, it’s clear the Wild are at a crossroads. The future prospects of this team are as murky as the tap water in Flint, Michigan. With its core essentially locked in place for next year, Wild management are banking on the odds that this group can finally put it all together. I can’t yet buy into the message of hope that Fletcher and co. will inevitably be selling as the 2016-17 season approaches. Too many things need to break right for the Wild to actually contend for the Cup and, in my opinion, a rebuild seems inevitable. Of course, I'd be delighted if the Wild ultimately prove my (mildly) pessimistic outlook to be incorrect. Unfortunately, I just can't see that happening. To quote Charles Barkley, “I may be wrong, but I doubt it.” The struggle is real In compiling an 83-79 record in 2015, the Minnesota Twins not only finished second in the AL Central, but also went on to surprise a great many pundits with their play. A combination of timely hitting, quality pitching, and the emergence of young star Miguel Sanó nearly propelled the Twins to the final wild card spot in the American League. After four consecutive 90 loss seasons, the Twins were finally on their way to becoming a viable threat in the AL once again, right? Well… let's just say appearances can sometimes be deceiving. The experts in Vegas set the over/under on the 2016-17 Twins at 77.5 wins heading into the season. Certainly, a modest regression was expected from a team that caught a good number of breaks a year ago. As I type this article on May 4th, the Twins are dead last in the American League with a record of 8-19. Regression to the norm has reared its ugly head in a major way. Statistics from the first month and change of the regular season are rather telling: Batting: Batting Average: .242 (18th) Average w/ RISP: .229 (20th) RBI: 92 (25th) Runs: 95 (25th) Strikeouts: 243 (4th) OPS: .643 (20th) Pitching: ERA: 4.06 (18th) Strikeouts: 218 (14th) Quality Starts: 10 (22nd) Opponents Batting Average: .261 (22nd) The numbers listed above reveal a lineup that is striking out a ton and struggling to produce runs, especially in key situations. The pitching staff has been average to below average, which is to say nothing of the bullpen and its poor performance to date. While the Twins have shown some signs of life, early results are not encouraging and point towards this club being a decidedly mediocre bunch. In years past, Twins faithful could look at their farm system and picture the better days to come. The problem with playing the prospect game, however, is that you’re essentially going all in on a group of raw, developing players. Though Sanó demonstrated some prolific power in 2015, the remaining top prospects have yet to live up to the considerable hype. Byron Buxton, considered a ‘can’t miss prospect’ is falling well short of the Mike Trout comparable and was sent down to AAA Rochester after amassing a .156 batting average to start the season. Highly regarded in his own right, fellow outfielder Max Kepler was also demoted to the minors for additional seasoning. Top pitching prospect Jose Berrios has delivered mixed results in the early going, while the jury is still out on hard throwing RHP Alex Meyer. Though a majority of the players being discussed are still in their early 20's, you would hope to start seeing more than just sporadic glimpses of the potentially star-caliber talent working its way through the system. Other young arms (Tyler Jay, Kohl Stewart) and promising position players (Nick Gordon, etc.) figure to be 1-2 years away from their MLB debuts. So how much longer can fans remain patient? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. With the current roster resembling a hodgepodge of corner infield depth and other mismatched talent, it seems best to temper expectations altogether. The Twins have already made their bed in rebuilding this team with a bevy of young talent. In order to accelerate a turnaround, GM Terry Ryan would have to either trade away a few prized prospects or spend some considerable change in free agency. Any Twins fan can tell you both of those scenarios are, at best, highly unlikely to occur. All signs point to 2016 being another frustrating year for baseball in downtown Minneapolis. Luckily, a good on the field product is not necessary to enjoy the game day experience at Target Field. Grab a hot dog and a beer while you soak up the lovely weather. Oh and don’t forget the brown paper bag, either. That will just about do it for my column. If you've made it this far, I definitely appreciate your support and value any feedback you may have. Are my takes brilliant or idiotic? Let me know! In the meantime, stay posted for new columns and other updates to come in the near future! - Ted Two steps forward, two steps back? Assessing the current state of Minnesota pro sports (Part 1 of 2)4/25/2016 "Hope springs eternal." Or something like that. With the return of warm weather comes an overload of all things sports related. Baseball launches its opening act of 2016 while the NBA and NHL seasons kick into overdrive with their respective postseason finales. Meanwhile, the NFL laughs at the notion that there would ever truly be such a thing as an 'offseason' in our football crazed society. If you've followed my blog or read past entries, you'll find it is no secret than I am a diehard fan of Minnesota sports teams. How are things going with my favorite teams, you ask? Well, I suppose that depends on the day. What follows is part one of a two part series. Today I'll be focusing on the positive side of the equation - which is to say, the two teams I see as heading in the right direction. Without further ado, I present my first ever "state of the (MN Pro Sports) state" article. Renewed hope For the first time in a long time, "I'm sorry" doesn't figure to be the appropriate response when somebody discloses they are a fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a twelve year absence from the NBA playoffs (the longest current streak in the league), the Timberwolves have suddenly transformed from damaged goods to a hot commodity. Throughout the course of their existence, events surrounding this franchise have ranged from bizarre to tragic, but rarely has there been much reason to celebrate. That might all be changing in 2016. Fresh off yet another losing season, I think it's fair to summarize the Timberwolves' season as a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Team spirits took a collective blow early on with the passing of head coach Flip Saunders a mere three days before the season was set to tip off. Following the loss of their coach, the Wolves played with passion and started out of the gates at 8-8, which was no small feat considering the team had only managed 16 victories in all of 2014-15. Then, of course, came the decline: a 6-28 record from late November-early February. Here we go again, right? Wrong. The young Pups made impressive strides under the leadership of Sam Mitchell after the all-star break, finishing with a 12-16 record down the stretch. More impressively, they averaged 106.2 points per game in the second half of the season, with some quality wins (BOS, @OKC, @WAS, @GS, @POR) along the way. The cherry on top for Wolves fans came on the final night of the regular season. Not only was the result on the court pleasant (a 144-109 home drubbing of the Pelicans), but the news from off the court was far better. Interim coach Sam Mitchell was being relieved of his duties and Wolves owner Glen Taylor was enlisting an outside firm to lead the search for the next head coach, who would also double as the president of basketball operations. Exactly one week after axing Mitchell, the Wolves announced the hiring of none other than the big fish himself, Tom Thibodeau. Considered the best available candidate on the market and a top 5 coach in the league by most, Taylor's power grab of 'Thibs' (5 years, $40 million) cannot be understated. This was the biggest move made by Wolves management in over a decade as the franchise formally and unequivocally signaled its commitment to winning. Have the downtrodden Wolves suddenly turned a corner? It sure seems that way. Though the Wolves possess a bevy of young, talented players, what comes next is just as important. With Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns looking every bit the part of future NBA All-Stars, a fitting comparison might be that of the 2009-10 Oklahoma City Thunder, who jumped to a 50-32 record following four consecutive years of cellar dwelling. While a prediction of 45-50 wins next year is within reason, that sort of leap would seem to be the best case scenario. Either way, the Wolves (and their fans) can't confidently expect a big boost in the win column without the team making a few roster moves first. In addition to it's exciting core of Rubio, Lavine, Wiggins, Dieng, Towns (none of whom are older than 26), the Wolves will presumably add another top 5 draft pick and a free agent or two to the mix. A veteran wing player such as Nicolas Batum or Jared Dudley would seem to be a realistic target in free agency as Thibodeau and new Wolves GM Scott Layden identify players that fit well within the scheme and long term plans of the team. It's not certain what position(s) management will make a priority, but they have the cap space and trade assets to make a splash, should they choose to do so. I'm not sure what the future has in store for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but for now, the arrow is pointing straight up. Keep your eyes on the rise, indeed. This team could be poised for some pretty big things. Elevated expectations Another team seemingly on the right path is the Minnesota Vikings. Coming off an 11-5 season in which they exceeded the expectations of many in the national media, the Vikings will be looking to raise their game to the next level in 2016-17. While defending the NFC North crown is never an easy feat, the Vikings are positioned to once again give the hated Green Bay Packers a run for their money. Pressure can either make or break a team, and we'll see how comfortable this team truly can be under the national spotlight. With a brand new, $1.2 billion stadium opening up in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, all eyes will turn to head coach Mike Zimmer and his talented young team to see if they can take a crucial next step. Stay tuned for my season preview column to come in the next few months, but it's clear that the NFL anticipates some intrigue from the Vikings, with a total of six games currently scheduled to take place in front of a national audience. Heading into the 2016 NFL season, it's clear the Vikings won't be able to use the element of surprise to their advantage. Teams around the league have taken notice of the Vikings and their apparent rise. Coach Mike Zimmer has been as advertised when it comes to his overall mastery of defensive strategy and managing personnel on that side of the ball. Fans would certainly be happy with another top 5 finish in defensive points allowed and that expectation is not farfetched. It's also reasonable to predict another strong season from Adrian Peterson, one year after he joined elite company (Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, to name a few..) in winning his third rushing title. That's not to say there aren't significant questions marks, however. As with any contender, the Vikings will need high level play from the quarterback position. Management and fans alike remain hopeful that Teddy Bridgewater can continue his development and evolve from a game manager into one of the league's elite signal callers. While the Vikings offense isn't predicated on a prolific passing game, Teddy's progression would allow for a much wider margin of error. The Vikings were 4-2 in games decided by 7 points or less in 2015, and it's not unrealistic to expect a few of those games to go the other direction next year without marked improvement from the offense. Of course, the fate of the Vikings season does not lie solely on the shoulders of Teddy, and GM Rick Spielman moved quickly in Free Agency to address various needs across the offensive line. LG Alex Boone was the prized signing this offseason, and he will immediately plug in as the team's best guard since Steve Hutchinson in his heyday. The addition of RT Andre Smith allows the team some patience with the rehab of Phil Loadholt, who is attempting to return from a torn Achilles tendon. Those two moves provides the Vikings with some much needed depth, and more importantly, some quality competition. It will be the survival of the fittest on the line this training camp (yes, I realize the irony of that sentence in describing 300+ lb men..) and that should in theory afford Teddy Bridgewater with some additional time and space in which to operate. Wide receiver is another part of the equation when it comes to boosting a Vikings offense that finished second to last in passing yards per game a year ago. It's widely believed that Spielman will make receiver a priority position in this Thursday's NFL draft, but only time will tell if the team has done enough to address an area of critical importance (and key need) where production was sorely lacking in 2015. You'll notice a couple things, of course. 1) I haven't mentioned the Vikings defense as a potential weakness, and 2) they still project as a team on the rise in the spirit of this article. Point being, although there is ample room for improvement on the offensive side of the ball, I am not overly concerned with the construction and outlook for the 2016-17 Vikings. No team is without it's faults, and Purple Kool-Aid be damned, I still have very high hopes for this group of players heading into the season. Will the Vikings break my heart once again this year? Quite possibly. Will I have fun watching them punish opposing teams with their smash-mouth brand of football? Absolutely. Lastly, are they a team on the rise with some very real potential? You bet(cha.) I hope you enjoyed this column! Any commentary, good or bad, is always appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled for the the final part of this series where I will turn my focus to two teams whose respective outlooks are a little less rosy in the Wild and Twins. Come back soon and be good to each other in the meantime! - Ted What is inspiration and where can I find it? If you're anything like me, that is probably a question you've asked yourself a few times recently. To be sure, inspiration is not something that is easily found; certainly not as (most of us) go about the course of our daily lives. But is it healthy to ignore the bigger picture? More over, at what point do we decide to make a change?
With that in mind, I am making an effort to create my own happiness. Now, that sentiment probably seems incredibly cliché, but that's what I am setting out to do. One of the more important lessons I've learned in the last few years is that decisiveness is a vastly underrated trait. I am certainly guilty of letting my indecisiveness get the better of me. If I'm going to be wrong, I might as well commit to my decisions and let the cards fall where they may. Very few things are guaranteed in life - least of which happiness and success. It is my belief, however, that one must truly fail in order to achieve any level of success. Where am I going with this? Well, at the ripe age of 25, maybe now is the time for me to start taking those chances. No, I don't exactly know what that means and what "those chances" might look like, but I can't wait to find out. Over the weekend, my girlfriend and I watched "Jim" - an HBO documentary about conflict journalist, James Foley. In December of 2011, James was a featured speaker at Marquette University, which just so happens to be his alma mater as well. His speech that evening recounted his experience covering the Libyan Revolution some seven months prior, in which he was captured and held as a prisoner for 44 days. If you're so inclined, you can watch his speech in its entirety online (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-f7q3zhGTM). Though his own tribulations had drawn the headlines, James had only ever intended to tell the story of the Libyan people and their tremendous suffering in the midst of a brutally violent uprising. Few journalists and even fewer civilians would have dared risking their lives to share these stories with the world, but James knew his work could make a difference. Fresh off his close call in Libya, James Foley returned to the Middle East to cover the Syrian Civil War in 2012. As the conflict escalated and grew more volatile, James attempted to flee to neighboring Turkey with two of his colleagues. While en route to the Turkish border, James and his group were kidnapped by a group of armed men. After spending nearly two years in captivity, James was executed at the hands of the radical terrorist group ISIL (otherwise referred to as ISIS). He would never again return home to his family. To this day, the war in Syria rages on with no clear end in sight. Hundreds of thousands have been killed with millions more displaced as refugees. Surely, the death of James Foley was but one of the countless tragedies caused as a result of this massive conflict. In death, however, James provides inspiration to many, myself included. His motivation to serve as a conflict journalist had nothing to do with being sensible. It had everything to do with telling a story. Ultimately, James recognized that he needed to bring the atrocities of war to light, even if that meant putting his own life on the line by doing so. James Foley and his steadfast dedication serve as a rather extreme example, but I think you might know where I'm going with all of this. Time is one of life's most precious resources - why waste it? In seeking out the people and ideas that inspire me, I realize a new purpose for living. At present, the conclusion I've reached is this: inspiration creates purpose and purpose creates happiness. Although we cannot enjoy the 'good' in life without experiencing a fair amount of 'bad', there is really no use in kidding ourselves. After all, who knows me better than me? Hmm.. I think I'm on to something here. ![]() A quick Google search will show you that the name January is derived from 'Janus', the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. In the same vein, most of us here in the Midwest spend this brutally cold month indoors, planning out the year that is to come while also positioning ourselves to make the most of any opportunity that may present itself later on. Of course, January takes on a whole new meaning if you are a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. I don't need to delve fully into a long and painful past, but it (almost) goes without saying that the month of January has been especially unkind to the Vikings and their followers through the years. In my 25 years on this Earth, I know to expect three unfortunate certainties: death, taxes, and Vikings heartbreak. At face value, that last sentence may seem a bit blown out of proportion. That is, unless you are a Vikings fan and watched helplessly as your team found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Again. Just one week after a thrilling road win over the hated Green Bay Packers, the stage was set for a showdown between the formidable Seattle Seahawks and the newly crowned NFC North champs. Considered one of the league's hottest teams, the Seahawks were coming off a thorough beat down of the NFC West champion (and #2 seed) Arizona Cardinals. Not only that, but the back-to-back conference champs had come in to TCF Bank Stadium only a month or so earlier and handed the Vikings their worst loss of the season. Needless to say, I was feeling a bit skittish heading into today's action. Could you blame me? The talk of this week was the weather, as it so often is this time of year in Minnesota. The visiting Seahawks were treated to frigid game conditions, with the temperature hovering around -6 degrees at kickoff. In a matchup between two of the NFL's top defensive teams, this figured to be a low-scoring and hard fought game. It's no secret that the Vikings had to follow a tight script in order to come away with a victory over the favored Seahawks; run the ball, make key plays on defense, and win the turnover battle. Fast forward three quarters, where just about everything had gone as well as could be expected. The Vikings had not only seized momentum, but had also expanded their lead to 9-0 heading into the final 15 minutes of action. What followed was a fourth quarter that Vikings fans will want to forget as soon as humanly possible. With their first possession, Russell Wilson marched the Seahawks 80 yards down the field, capping the first touchdown drive of the day with a 3 yard pass to Doug Baldwin. Gut Punch #1. On the ensuing Vikings drive, Adrian Peterson fumbled the ball away, giving Seattle prime field position as the soldout crowd fell silent. Gut punch #2. Seven plays and twelve yards later, Steven Hauschka's 46 yard boot gave the Seahawks a 10-9 edge. Considering how dominant both defenses were on the day, this one point deficit seemed much more significant than it would appear on the box score. Some five-plus minutes and four punts later, the Vikings regained possession with just under two minutes remaining. Showing some impressive poise, Teddy Bridgewater led the offense on a six play, 52 yard drive to bring up fourth and 1 from inside the Seahawks 10 yard line. A perfect 3-3 on the day, Blair Walsh trotted out to attempt a 27 yard chip-shot field goal, which would all but guarantee a dramatic win with only 26 seconds remaining. You can probably guess what comes next: a perfect snap, an imperfect hold, and an ugly shank of a kick. Wide left from 27 yards out. More heartbreak for the Vikings and the 50,000+ odd faithful at TCF Bank Stadium. Unbelievable? Hardly. It's time to pick up the pieces yet again. Although I'll need some time to recover from another tough loss, this year has a distinctly different feel to it. Unlike 1998, 2001, or 2009, this is not an end of an era or the end of the road for this group of players. As the fifth youngest team in the league (on average), and with developing stars on both sides of the ball, I have every reason to believe that coach Mike Zimmer can take this loss and use it is a building block for next year and beyond. Faith isn't something that comes easily to Minnesota sports fans, but it's the message that I'm choosing to preach today. Most wouldn't have predicted an 11-5 season with a division title to boot, and I already look forward to this team taking the next steps in the years to come. Fear not, Vikings faithful. Better days are ahead. I love Christmas, but for more than just the obvious reasons. Sure, it's one of the few times each year that I am able to spend time with family and re-connect with old friends. And heck, who doesn't love the feeling of giving and receiving gifts from loved ones in the name of the holiday spirit? Beyond all that, however, I find myself becoming increasingly introspective and self-aware this time of year. I attribute that shift in mindset to the fact that, well, life is assuredly more complicated than it used to be. Allow me to explain where my head is at these days..
For one, I think the average reader might very well notice that two years and change have passed since my last entry. Since my last post, quite a few things have changed in my personal and professional life. I now live in Chicago and work in the business of third-party Logistics. Why logistics, you ask? Well, let's just say that I needed a job and, as they say, beggars can't be choosers. I really can't complain, though; my job pays the bills and has given me some much needed perspective on things. One thing my current position hasn't provided, however, is a sense of fulfillment. I have long considered writing as not only a release of sorts, but also one of my greatest strengths. There's something to be said for being allowed to express one's self creatively and openly, for all (or none) to see. It's a feeling that I have been missing for a long time now, it seems. It's a feeling that I wish to reclaim in the coming year. After all, you can't jam a square peg into a round hole and expect a perfect fit. I'm sure you've noticed this blog post has had nothing to do with sports. I felt it important to write this piece to declare that I'm going back to the basics. You might see the occasional personal or 'life' related topic, but I'll try and keep the subject matter relatively light. To be sure, sports are still very much an interest of mine. There will be plenty of sports-related chatter in upcoming blogs, so don't feel as though I've abandoned my roots entirely. My self-imposed hiatus is over. I'm not writing for publicity, nor am I writing for notoriety (although I wouldn't necessarily mind either of those things). I am writing for myself, as a means of re-discovering a forgotten passion that fell by the wayside after I graduated from Marquette. No more time for delays or procrastination. Now is the time for action. I can't even tell you how good it feels just to type those words. As always, your feedback and commentary is appreciated. I look forward to some big things in 2016, and I can't wait to find out where my work ethic and creative abilities take me. Stick around in the weeks and months to come as I churn out more of these blog posts. All the best, Ted Hey all,
I am pleased to announce that I recently have started blogging for Minnesota Sports News Now - MinnesotaSNN for short. This is an up and coming website featuring insight on all things Minnesota sports. I am lucky to have joined the site as a featured writer and part-time contributor. One of the main benefits of moving my blog is the additional views and exposure I will receive. I will be sure to maintain my blog here and personal website as often as is possible! You can find my work at (www.minnesotasnn.com) for the time being! And here is a link to my first blog re: The 2013 MLB Draft (http://www.minnesotasnn.com/prospect-galore-analyzing-the-twins-options-in-the-2013-mlb-draft/2739/) I really appreciate your loyal readership! Continue to keep an eye on this site as I will make sure it stays up to date. Thanks, Ted |
AuthorHey, I'm Ted Sorensen and this is my sports & personal blog. Leave some comments and let me know what you think! Archives
June 2016
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