He of the glass jaw who's name shall not be mentioned...

[Monster]

I do wonder if there is not a clear person communicating these injuries to the media. Sam has no interest in that and to be honest I am totally fine with that. Arnie seems like a guy that is unconventional and therefore likely isn't interested in putting a timeline on certain things. Notice we have nearly no updates on Pek although there probably isn't much to know. Like Q said it leaves people to wonder. Maybe the Wolves are handling these injuries masterfully but it seems like more of the bungling of the last decade because of the lack of clear communication. Asking the AP guy on Twitter some of this info might be a good idea. He seems to know what he is talking about.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Monster, interestingly enough AP guy Jon K just talked very frankly about the Rubio situation on Barreiro's show. AP guy is usually very diplomatic, but he was uncharacteristically critical of how the Wolves have handled this situation. Putting Rubio on the "probable" list two games and describing his hamstring as "mild" really misled the fan base and did a big disservice to Ricky. I'm a little embarrassed that I jumped on the "Ricky is a pussy" bandwagon and took some shots at his courage. The Durant situation has remarkable parallels to Ricky's, but it seems OkC is handling it better.

By the way, Jon K was particularly critical of Sam Mitchell's role in this. While Flip generally seemed to enjoy his back and forth with the media, Sam seems to view them as the enemy. Jon criticized Mitchell for seeming irritated when asked questions about Ricky, rather than giving an answer that would both protect Ricky and give the fans more information. I like Sam as a coach, but I agree with AP guy on this...Sam is an amateur compared to Flip when it comes to the public part of the coaching job.

[Porckchop]

I'm Rickys' biggest critic on here I would assume . At no time have I ever suggested he's a pussy for missing games . Let's not get things misconstrused . I simply point out the obvious that he misses to many games becuz of injuries and becuz of that he's not near as valuable to this team as some let on. Im sure Ricky works hard to come back from injuries just like I'm sure he works hard on his shot at every opportunity . But facts are facts, he gets hurt aND misses lots of time, and his jumper is no better than it was the day he was drafted . Fans on here use a lot of ifs ands and buts when holding out hope for Ricky. I just use cold hard facts . I'm not a hater, I'm a realist.
I mean look at fans always coming to Rickys rescue. It's gotta be the trainers, gotta be the media, gotta be coaching.. Never in my lifetime has a Minnesota sports figure done so little to receive so much love. Rickys been lucky to have recieved all that Minnesota nice.

[Monster]

Monster, interestingly enough AP guy Jon K just talked very frankly about the Rubio situation on Barreiro's show. AP guy is usually very diplomatic, but he was uncharacteristically critical of how the Wolves have handled this situation. Putting Rubio on the "probable" list two games and describing his hamstring as "mild" really misled the fan base and did a big disservice to Ricky. I'm a little embarrassed that I jumped on the "Ricky is a pussy" bandwagon and took some shots at his courage. The Durant situation has remarkable parallels to Ricky's, but it seems OkC is handling it better.

By the way, Jon K was particularly critical of Sam Mitchell's role in this. While Flip generally seemed to enjoy his back and forth with the media, Sam seems to view them as the enemy. Jon criticized Mitchell for seeming irritated when asked questions about Ricky, rather than giving an answer that would both protect Ricky and give the fans more information. I like Sam as a coach, but I agree with AP guy on this...Sam is an amateur compared to Flip when it comes to the public part of the coaching job.

I'll have to listen to that at some point.

If you listen to Sam's times with the media he I think tries to make the point he isn't gonna answer all questions about everything under the sun. You you ask Flip about just about anything and he would have a response. Sam isn't interested in all that and to a certain extent I don't have a problem with that. One example was someone asked him about basketball in the state of MN. Sam had no interest in answering that. He could have but that's ok if he doesn't.

Having said that Sam has acted like a jerk at times before softening a bit because he knows these guys are trying to do their jobs etc. I would like him to treat even the people asking kinda dumb questions better even though sometimes the stuff he says is a bit amusing.

AP guy said something on Twitter about him sticki up for Sam wasn't because he was sucking up to Sam or something like that because it's not like Sam is really treating the media super well or something like that. He probably commented about that in what you heard. I highly recommend the You betcha basketball podcast he does with Souhan. It's informative laid back and fun. I really never heard Souhan on read his stuff at times be he is kinda fun. I may start listening to some of the other shows.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

The only worse system is the NHL with their upper and lower body injury bullshit. It also wasn't cool to list Ricky as probable before home games if you know he's doubtful. There's a clear difference with this team when he's on the court or on the bench so making it seem like he may play comes off to me as a shady ticket selling ploy. The NFL would be investigating us if we were under their rules.

[TXviking [enjin:6602528]]

I totally agree, management needs to be up front with what is going on here!!!! I remember when watching the GS game on Friday, the announcers were describing the injury as a knee injury... That tells me that the Wolves management is not sitting down with the announcers or media to discuss player issues.

This lack of visibility on something so basic as player availability/health should not be accepted by the fans or the league. First he's probable, then he's questionable, now he has a full practice but is GTD.

I'm pretty sure I read it somewhere that the training staff is responsible for clearing a player to play. I cannot remember where I saw it.

[AbeVigodaLive]

The only worse system is the NHL with their upper and lower body injury bullshit. It also wasn't cool to list Ricky as probable before home games if you know he's doubtful. There's a clear difference with this team when he's on the court or on the bench so making it seem like he may play comes off to me as a shady ticket selling ploy. The NFL would be investigating us if we were under their rules.

So the Wolves are still being run with incompetent guys in charge?

I didn't agree with some of Saunders' coaching philosophy, but he gave the front office credibility and competence. For an organization like the Wolves... that was a HUUUUGGGGEEE improvement.

Whether they erred on Rubio's injury because they just didn't know... or they wanted to sell tickets... or they didn't think ahead to the ramifications... it looks bad (for various reasons) in each case. We'll see how this front office/coaching staff evolve as the season goes on. This is a relatively minor issue... but such an easy one not to screw up... that I'm legitimately worried about the direction of the team, as far as decision-making goes.


[Note: As for Mitchell being defensive, read this... https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2015/11/wolves-rookie-bjelica-another-ray-hope-already-encouraging-season. A simple question from a reporter asking about how Sam thought A. Payne played after a good game was met with odd defiance. Not good.]

[AbeVigodaLive]

Robson... get your own material!

https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2015/11/wounded-career-ricky-rubio

[TXviking [enjin:6602528]]

Abe, thanks for the link, the line below really puts the Wolves and Rubio's growth into perspective:

"When Rubio stepped on the court for his NBA debut, he joined teammates J.J. Barea, Darko Milicic, Michael Beasley and Kevin Love. For Rubio's most recent NBA experience, in the thrilling win over Atlanta last week, his on-court mates at the final buzzer included Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Namanja Bjelica and Tayshaun Prince."

And the other players of today's Wolves were absent. What a turn-around. Gives us all reason to be excited.

[Phenom]

He who shall not be mentioned rolled his ankle, shook it off and had a very strong finish on both ends. What a pussy.