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Are we having fun yet?

1/21/2012

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Here are the clips from last night.
Aquí estan los clips de anoche.
Don't miss El Kid's face at 00:54 watching his game-tying three pointer go in.
No pierdan la cara de Ricky a las 00:54 cuando entra su tiro triple para el empate.

And below: Kevin Amor turns out the lights in LA.
Y abajo: Kevin Love apagando las luces en Los Angeles.
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"We learn"

1/20/2012

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Unbelievable!!!

The Wolves came back from down 12 points in the 4th quarter to defeat Blake Griffin's division-leading LA Clippers 101-98 on a last second buzzer beating 3 pointer by Kevin Love in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center.

I was listening to the WCCO radio broadcast as the Wolves staggered behind the Clippers for most of the game trailing by double-digits. By the 4th quarter I was already in bed, lights out, but I just couldn't turn the game off. This wouldn't have happened over the past few years, but this team has got something.

Then the Timberlobos made a run. Ricky Rubio hadn't scored all game, but he started getting to the line, hitting free throws in the clutch. Finally, in the closing minute, Rubio hit his only basket from the field - a GAME-TYING 3 POINTER.

Billups tried to run out the remaining clock, missed a potential game-winner, and KLove grabbed the rebound with 1.5 seconds left. Coach Adelman's final play somehow got KLove alone off the inbounds pass for the clincher and a highlight clip to boost Love's All-Star stock.

That's 3 in a row for the Timberlobos.

Two years ago, I was shooting pool at The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, MN when I overheard a guy say that he had bet $500 that the Timberwolves would win three-in-a-row at some point that season. Every time the team won two-in-a-row that year, I thought of him. And every time, they lost the third. Tonight, I hope that guy found his way through some double-or-nothings.

The Wolves are also 7-5 since losing their first three games (by a combined 9 points). Almost a quarter of the way through this strike-shortened season, they're just one game below .500. I joked to a friend just yesterday that mediocrity never felt so good - and it's true coming off three seasons as the NBA's doormat.

But win-loss records aside, you can see this team is more than mediocre. They got something. The tenacity of Kevin Love. The spark and sizzle of Rubio - El Kid. The relentlessness of Ridnour. The dark horse Darko (season high 22 points tonight). The strength of Derrick Williams. The Able Man Rick Adelman. Hey man, this is fun.

But I think Ricky, in his surprisingly poignant English and mature professionalism which are becoming as dependable as, well, El Kid himself in the clutch, said it best in the WCCO postgame interview: that the Timberlobos have been in these situations already this season - playing from behind, tight 4th quarters, final shots - and "we learn," he said.

We learn.

So far, that is the difference between this year's team and those talented, young squads previous. The ability to learn and build from both early setbacks and success.

And what are we, the Timberlobos fan base, learning in return?

To stay up and stay tuned in, until the very end.

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CONVIVIR & Ricky Rubio

1/11/2012

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Picture
Cuando yo viví en Madrid, ya hace años en el 2003, mi novia en aquel entonces y yo nos sorprendió  una promoción que apareció en las latas de Aquarius:

VIVE CON PAU GASOL UNA SEMANA EN MEMPHIS

Memphis es una gran ciudad americana. ¿Pero extiende su fama a un nivel internacional? ¿Podría esta rifa mobilizar el consumismo español como deseaba Aquarius?

Recordé de esa promoción cuando Ricky Rubio estaba entre firmar con los Timberwolves o quedarse en Barcelona esperando tal vez la oportunidad para jugar en New York, Los Angeles o Miami.

Y me pregunté: ¿Cuán atractivo será Minnesota para ese joven?

Durante los dos años que Ricky se quedaba en España cumpliendo su contrato allí, yo me preocupaba que no vendría. (Entiendan: así es el pesimismo de nosotros que apoyamos equipos fuera de los mercados principales.)

La verdad es que Minnesota tiene mucho para alabar. Y me gusta ver que Ricky en sus entrevistas va reconociendo lo bueno que es el lugar y que es la gente. Con su inglés (idioma que domina muy bien) esta integrándose muy bien y llevándose excelente con sus compañeros Wolves y con la comunidad.

Y es más, ve abajo:

Me gusto mucho este video en que Ricky visita a la hospital de niños en Minnesota. Actualmente yo trabajó en el hospital de niños en Boston. He visto la influencia que tienen estos héroes de la cancha dura cuando toman tiempo para inspirar a los que más necesitan ser inspirados. Es un acto sencillo con impacto sensacional.

Además el servicio comunitario hace que Ricky conocerá mejor a nuestro pueblo. Indica que no solo conocerá al estadio Target Center y los bares alrededor, al frio y a la nieve – también Ricky se esta conectando con nuestra comunidad, con los verdaderos Minnesotanos.

Hace 6 años hoy que yo empecé una jornada por latinoamérica que duraba 17 meses. La experiencia me ha afectado mucho, sobre todo gracias a los tiempos que dedique a echar una mano al servicio del pueblo, o de la gente, que me dieron hospedaje.

La jornada de Ricky Rubio, al fin y al cabo, también tiene que tratar de más que el juego.

Ricky ya no solo vive en Minnesota: convive. Convivir es fundamental para un equipo y también para nuestra sociedad. Fieles a la ética de convivir, no solo ganan los Timberwolves: ganamos todos.

When I lived in Madrid, this back in 2003, my then-girlfriend and I were surprised by a promotion on the Aquarius soft drink cans:

LIVE ONE WEEK IN MEMPHIS WITH PAU GASOL

Memphis is a great American city. But we wondered if it had international appeal. Would a free trip to Memphis inspire the kind of consumer demand among Spaniards that the advertisers sought?

I was reminded of this promotion when Ricky Rubio was deciding between signing with the Timberlobos or staying in Barcelona and waiting for a different opportunity to play in New York, Los Angeles, or Miami.

And I wondered: How attractive could Minnesota seem to the Spanish youngster?

During the two years that Ricky stayed in Spain fulfilling his contract, I worried that he would decide not to come to Minnesota. (Understand my Spanish friends: such is the pessimism of small-market sports fans in the USA.)

The truth is that Minnesota has a lot to praise. And it's cool to hear Ricky already speaking well of both the place and the people in interviews. With his excellent English, he is integrating himself very well, getting along with his teammates and with the community.

What's more: (see video clip in the left column or click here)

I love this video of Ricky and Anthony Tolliver visiting the Children's Hospital of Minneapolis. I currently work at Children's Hospital in Boston. I've seen the influence these hard court heroes can have when they take time to inspire those who most need the inspiration. It's a simple act with sensational impact.

Volunteering will also help Ricky get to know his new home better. It means that he won't just experience the Target Center, its surrounding bars, cold, and snow - he'll also connect with our community, with actual Minnesotans.

Six years ago today, I began a 17-month walkabout through Latin America. This journey continues to inform the person I am today - above all, perhaps, were the times along the way when I volunteered, giving back to the communities that housed me.

Ricky's journey, ultimately, will add up to more than basketball, too.

The Spanish word CONVIVIR means "to live with" in a mutually supportive sense; living equally, side by side.

It seems this is what Ricky Rubio is starting to do in Minnesota: CONVIVIR. It is a foundation of teamwork as much for basketball as for our global society. So the Timberlobos aren't the only ones who win with CONVIVIR.  We all do.
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Video: Entrevista con Ricky y otros Wolves

1/4/2012

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Haga click para ver un corto video (1.49 min): entrevista con Ricky Rubio y otros Wolves que sale en la página StarTribune.com (Click above for a Star Tribune interview with Ricky and other Wolves players).

Comentarios de Ricky Rubio en el video traducidos al español:

0.00 - <<No sé como describir el sentimiento cuando el partido esta por terminar y tenemos una ventaja de 10 puntos ... como en los últimos dos partidos ... todos estan felices y el público es increible>>

0:45 - Cuando estas sentado en el banco ¿puedes oir el público gritando tu nombre y pidiendo que entres el partido?

<<Sí pero no me gusta eso porque hay cinco jugadores en la cancha y tenemos que enfocarnos en ellos. Como cuando la otra noche Luke Ridnour jugó muy bien y nos llevo a la victoria.>>

1:18 - ¿Te cortaste el cabello?

<<Sí. Para [Kevin Love]. ¿Te gusta?>>

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Dos grandes pasos por Texas (or: "TWolves Texas Two-Step")

1/2/2012

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Amigos y amigas españoles: ¿Cuán sorprendente es vencer a los dos equipos más poderosos de Texas? Tanto sorprende como agrada. Oiganme. Ya les conté que los Mavericks quedaron campeones de la temporada pasada. Y los Spurs de San Antonio posean 4 trofeos desde empezo la época Tim Duncan en 1999.

Ádemas, Texas tiene fama de arrogancia y privilegio respeto a los deportes (ok, no solo en los deportes). Tienen tres equipos de basket profesional, dos de beisbol, y dos del fútbol estadounidense. Hasta que de los Minnesotanos nos robaron un equipo de hockey - ¡al desierto de Dallas! - hubiese sido como mudar Real Madrid a Canada. Esas cosas no se deben hacer.

Así que ver los Timberwolves, uno de los clubes más pateticos y desesperados en la historia del NBA, ganar dos consecutivas EN TEXAS, pues, aún es temprano para celebrar, todavía esta temporada corta y confusa apenas ha arrancada, y hay que tener en cuenta que faltan meses para saber en realidad de que consiste este conjunto de jovenes talentosos... pero esta noche yo y mis compañeros Wolves Fans Minnesotanos nos sentimos bien. Muy bien.

Haga click para leer un articulo en ingles sobre Wolves-Mavericks del periodico Star Tribune en Minnesota.

Friends in Spain: How surprising is it to defeat the two most powerful teams in Texas? As surprising as it is satisfying. Hear me. I already told you the Mavs were last year's champs. And the Spurs possess 4 titles since the Tim Duncan era began in 1999.

What's more: Texas is known for arrogance and privilege when it comes to sports (ok, not just sports). They have three NBA teams, two baseball, and two football. They even robbed Minnesota of a hockey team - took them to the Dallas desert - which would be like moving Real Madrid to Canada. These things shouldn't happen.

So to see the Timberwolves, one of the most pathetic and hopeless franchises in NBA history, win back-to-back games IN TEXAS. Well, it's still early to celebrate, this strange and shortened season has barely begun, and keep in mind that many months remain to determine what this talented young group is made of... but tonight, my fellow Timberlobos fans and I are feeling muy bien.

Click to read an article in Spanish from Spain's largest newspaper, El País, on Ricky Rubio's first NBA victory (headline: "The NBA Goes Crazy For Ricky").

¡Wolves beat Spurs esta noche!
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One.

1/1/2012

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Wolves win! 99-82 over reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki and the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. First regular season win since March 11, 2011. Undefeated in 2012.

Ricky Rubio: 14 pts, 7 assists in 26 minutes, including a hand in 8 of the Wolves 9 scoring possessions during the 4th quarter run that put the game away.

Dirk & Dallas went on an 8-0 run late in the 4th to nearly take the lead, but then Kevin Amor went LOCO from the 3 pt line and Rubio led the offense cruising to a decisive victory.
¡Ganan los Timberwolves! 99-82 sobre el MVP Dirk Nowitzki y los Mavericks (campeones del año pasado). Nuestra primera victoria desde el 11 de Marzo del 2011. Invicto en el 2012.

Ricky Rubio: 14 puntos, 7 asistencias en apenas 26 minutos. Tuvo papel en 8 de los 9 baskets consecutivos que garantizaron el partido para Minnesota.

Cuando Dirk y los Mavericks acercaron con una racha de 8-0 en el 4to tiempo, Kevin Love encendió desde el arco y Rubio nos guio a una decisiva victoria.



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Hasta Ahora: Fun to Watch

1/1/2012

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Click here to see highlights of Ricky Rubio's 1st game from Deadspin.com

Three games into the season and it's clear: Ricky Rubio is fun to watch. He's good, too. But there's a long way to go before we see his true potential and impact on the Timberlobos. 'Fun to watch,' however, puts him in rare air: those players from whom we expect the unexpected. What does fun to watch matter? The Timberlobos have sold out consecutive games at home for the first time since the Garnett era. Minnesota fans are coming back to basketball. Now if we can just put some wins on the board.

Tonight's game vs. defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks starts at Target Center at 6pm. Go Wolves!
Despues de tres partidos ya queda clarisimo: es divertido ver a Ricky Rubio jugar. Y juega bien. Pero falta todavía determinar su verdadero potencial e impacto sobre los Timberwolves. El hecho de que su forma de jugar es divertido indica mucho: de él esperamos lo inesperado. ¿Y eso que importa? Los fanáticos Timberwolves han llenado el estadio para partidos consecutivos por la primera vez desde la época de Kevin Garnett. Han vuelto al basketball los Minnesotanos. ¡Ahora esperemos que el equipo gane!

Esta noche enfrentamos los Dallas Mavericks (campeones de la temporada pasada) en el Target Center a partir de la 01:00 AM (hora española). ¡Arriba los Wolves!
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    Welcome to The Park.

    The Park is a creative play space (aka blog).

    RubioLand--my bilingual blog about Ricky Rubio's first season with the MN Timberwolves--is long since done, but you can still find it in the archives. 

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