The Rake: On the Ball

American Conquistadors

Britt Robson — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:51:31 -0500

People averse to redundancy will cite the USA men's basketball team's sudden accuracy from the three-point line (12-25, after shooting 29% in the previous three games) and free-throw stripe (19-24, after going 69% before) as noteworthy factors in its 37-point rout of defending World Champion Spain, 119-82, on Saturday morning. But if accuracy is what you're after, the most significant reasons for this thrashing are no different from the previous three this team has administered: Bloodhound defense that is quick, smart, relentless, opportunistic and synergistic.

Hazing The Greeks

Britt Robson — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:22:09 -0500

Yeah, I could watch this team 365 days a year.

Take the world's greatest athletes (anyone wanna debate that?) motivate them with patriotism and professional pride, give at least two of the most talented--"LeBronze" and the prematurely discounted Dwyane Wade--an extra nudge toward the need for retribution, and then settle in with your fingers on the pause and slo-mo buttons. Game on. Game over.

US Olympians Bury China in Hoops Opener

Britt Robson — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:34:17 -0500

The opening game for the USA Olympic basketball team was close early--tied even, at 29-29, nearly halfway through the second quarter--almost exclusively because the US were missing their three-pointes while their Chinese opponents were knocking them down. But nobody seriously thought this would be a ballgame, and the 101-70 tally seemed an appropriate gauge of the gap between the two squads.

The Return of the Twins Roundtable

Britt Robson — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:09:00 -0500

Those of you familiar with this site may remember the series of roundtables I held last year between myself, steadfast Twins fan, along with Rake and ex-City Pages baseball columnist Brad Zellar, and former Twin Cities Reader sports columnist (and current Minnpost media columnist) David Brauer. Zellar and Brauer are my kind of conversationalists: They're both modest about their extensive knowledge of the game and extremely good writers.

Livan's Last Start For Awhile? And The Rockets Get Artest

Britt Robson — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:03:10 -0500

Those of you who claim to have known the Twins would be playing for first place on the next-to-last night in July, please stop lying.

Wolves firm up roster; and the hot Cubs-Brewers rivalry

Britt Robson — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:15:46 -0500

Wolves Sign Telfair and Gomes

Both of these deals are far better news than the earlier locking up of Craig Smith for two years. Although the Wolves now have 15 guys under contract for the coming year, Telfair is the only one who could accurately be described as a point guard. Randy Foye is a "combo" guard, more Brandon Roy than Jose Calderon. Nobody will ever accuse Bassy of being able to play any other position.

Pitching Coach Rick Anderson on the Kids in the Twins Rotation

Britt Robson — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:44:07 -0500

_{Jeff Roberson/AP}

Recent Hoops News

Britt Robson — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:41:51 -0500

Timberwolves Resign Craig Smith

For Die-Hards Only: Vegas In Mid-July

Britt Robson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:52:24 -0500

_{Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images}

The best way to sucker me into watching something like the Wolves-Mavs Summer League tilt in Vegas last night is to give me another deadline upon which to procrastinate. That was the situation, and thus here are my thumbnail takes on a meaningless game that may still have a tea leaf or two worth parsing over.

Biggest disappointment: The shot selection and accuracy of Corey Brewer.

A Minor, But Smart, Move By The Wolves

Britt Robson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:07:17 -0500

Calvin Booth (center) - StewMac/flickr.com

Breaking Down The Blockbuster Trade With Memphis

Britt Robson — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:28:32 -0500

Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images

Extra Extra--Wolves Trade Mayo To Memphis for Love in 8-player Deal

Britt Robson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:39:25 -0500

*****Check bottom of text for live blogging updates

Last update of McHale-Stack-Hoiberg press conference at 1:45 a.m.****

NBA Draft Q&A with Hoiberg

Britt Robson — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:04:04 -0500