Neues » We made it closer than we

MINNEAPOLIS -- With the Memphis Grizzlies front office in turmoil, the Minnesota Timberwolves are considering trying to lure coach Dave Joerger away to coach the team in his home state. Authentic Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys . The Timberwolves have received permission to interview Joerger for their head coaching vacancy, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people requested anonymity because the Timberwolves are not commenting publicly on their coaching candidates. Joerger, who is from Staples, Minnesota, and went to college at Division-II Minnesota State, Moorhead, went 50-32 in his first season as Grizzlies coach last year. After a rough start while the team transitioned from coaching veteran Lionel Hollins to the first-timer Joerger, the Grizzlies pulled together, overcame several injuries to key players and surged to the seventh seed in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. But after losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Oklahoma City Thunder, owner Robert Pera made the surprising decision to overhaul the front office. He fired CEO Jason Levien and director of player personnel Stu Lash, two moves that immediately called into question Joergers job security. Joerger goes way back with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders. As a young coach trying to make his way up the ladder, Joerger came to watch Saunders, who coached the Timberwolves from 1995-2005, run practices. The two formed a mutual respect which lasts to this day. Saunders, who coached in the CBA before breaking into the NBA, has long had an affinity for coaches who had to grind it out in the minor leagues, believing they learn not only how to coach, but to run an organization. Joerger won championships in the NBDL, the International Basketball Association and the CBA before joining the Grizzlies as an assistant to Lionel Hollins. Joergers experience as a head coach last year with the Grizzlies helps him fit the profile Saunders is looking for in a replacement for Rick Adelman, who retired last month. Saunders has said he wants a proven coach who knows the demands of running an NBA team, including handling questions from the media. The latter qualification is of particular concern for the Wolves right now with star forward Kevin Love set to opt out of his contract after next season. The Wolves are considering all their options with Love, including potentially trading him this summer. If the Wolves do not trade Love, they will head into the season with one of the major storylines in the league, one sure to draw attention from media all across the country. Thats part of the reason Saunders is reluctant to turn over the keys to a first-time head coach. The Wolves interest in Joerger was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. The Timberwolves opening has also been linked to Hollins and college coaching stars such as Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan and Iowa States Fred Hoiberg. Saunders has yet to offer the job to anyone, but it is believed that the uncertainty surrounding Love has caused some of the more high profile names on Saunders list to give tepid responses to inquiries. The situation with Love in Minnesota pales in comparison to the upheaval in Memphis, and the opportunity to bring his family back to his home state could be enough to convince Joerger to make the move if an offer comes his way. The two sides were working Wednesday to set up a meeting, which could come as soon as Thursday. Cheap Eagles Jerseys . Saltalamacchia drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, Henderson Alvarez won for the first time in three starts and the Miami Marlins beat the Braves 3-2 on Thursday night. Wholeasale Eagles Jerseys . Playing in his 19th career final, the second-seeded Tsonga was favourite to win the Open 13 for the third time and to secure an 11th career title, but he struggled with Gulbis attacking approach. http://www.cheapeaglesjerseysauthentic.com/ . It was my fifth straight year attending and, as always, there are many interesting matters discussed as it pertains to the use of statistics in sports.MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban will try to impress Steve Yzerman and Hockey Canada one more time tonight as the Habs host the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre in the final game before Canada announces its Olympic roster on Tuesday. The game can be seen live on TSN Habs and heard on TSN Radio 690 starting at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The 24-year-old is not a lock to make Team Canada and there has been speculation whether hed still be useful if not in the top pairings. Subban won the Norris Trophy last year and has seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points in 43 games this season. The Panthers have already picked up a pair of victories this season over the Canadiens and have won six of the previous nine encounters overall. Florida has won four of its last six in Montreal. Floridas Scott Clemmensen was in net for both victories, while Montreal backup Peter Budaj started the two setbacks. Price may get the start tonight and is 5-4-1 lifetime versus the Panthers with a 1.88 GAA in 10 starts. Tim Thomas, who made 38 saves versus the Predators, may get the call again tonight for the Panthers and it would give him a chance to even his career record versus the Canadiens. Thomas has plenty of experience against Montreal due to his days with the Boston Bruins and is 14-15-4 against the club with a 2.82 goals against average and two shutouts in 35 meetings (33 starts). The Canadiens are 1-0-2 in their past three games and are coming off a 4-3 overtime setback to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Subban took a hooking penalty with 19 seconds left in regulation and Ottawa cashed in 58 ticks into the bonus period as Clarke MacArthur whipped a shot inside the near post. Brian Gionta had a goal and Carey Price ended with 30 saves in a loss that featured Danny Brieres best game with the Habs since joining the club this past offseason as a free agent. The 36-year-old had been a healthy scratch for Montreals previous two games, but an upper-body injury to forward Ryan White put Briere back in the lineup and he reesponded with two goals and an assist. Wholesale Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys. "It was about time for me to help this team. When you have good feelings, something good usually happens," Briere said about his offensive output. Briere notched his first points in 11 games and has seven goals and six assists in 30 contests this season. Panthers rookie, Barkov, is quietly putting together a solid run of his own. The second overall pick of the 2013 draft will try to post the longest point streak by a rookie tonight against Montreal. The 18-year-old Finn has posted a goal and five assists over a five-game point streak that matches Radek Dvoraks club mark for a first-year Panther. Dvorak had six goals and seven points over his run from Nov. 2-9, 1995. Barkov has managed to post three goals and 11 points over his past 11 games, giving him seven goals and 21 points in 42 contests this season. He notched a pair of assists in Saturdays 5-4 shootout win over the Nashville Predators. The big story was the return of Jovanovski, with the 37-year-old suiting up for the first time since March 16 of last season. The former first overall pick of the 1994 draft by Florida had been out since having a hip resurfacing procedure back on March 28. Jovanovski was a plus-3 in Saturdays victory while logging just under 16 minutes of ice time. "It felt good just being with the guys and being able to celebrate a goal," said Jovanovski. "We made it closer than we wanted to but found a way to come out with two points." Nashville nearly spoiled the return by scoring twice in the final 5:08 of regulation, but Tomas Kopecky had the winner in the sixth round of the shootout. Kopecky also scored in regulation and Brad Boyes and Marcel Goc both had a goal and an assist as Florida went 2-2-1 on a five-game homestand. The Panthers play their next three on the road. Forward Scottie Upshall also returned to Floridas lineup after missing three games in a row with an upper-body injury, but defenseman Alex Petrovic left Saturdays win early with an undisclosed injury. ' ' '