The Minnesota Timberwolves: "Hoopers In A Cold State For Black Folks"

The Minnesota Timberwolves“HOOPERS IN A COLD STATE FOR BLACK FOLKS” By: Ralph L. Crowder III

The Minnesota Timberwolves“HOOPERS IN A COLD STATE FOR BLACK FOLKS” Author Note  I was initially asked to write this article by a National Sports Media Platform after giving an interview about Prince & various issues surrounding his death called: \"Black in Minneapolis.\" The media platform which will remain unnamed, requested me to pen a written piece examining the progress of an up and coming Minnesota Timberwolves NBA franchise. An angle for the article subject matter was to understand this team's success with newly acquired black players in and around the state's troubling profile regarding race.  The article was completed in December and shelved due to creative differences, professional views and direction of perspective. To be more specific the national sports media platform and their Black Editor did not want to loose any relationships with the NBA or Timberwolves franchise. These unfortunate realities prevent a true understanding of systemic issues impacting most if not all Black Journalist who desire to write an honest account of the people, places and things that shape the climate of professional sports. This was a final draft of a completed article that has remained unpublished until now. *Red text indicates the original draft notes from editor of mentioned media platformMinnesota Timberwolves autographed basketballsPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.com

Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MinnesotaPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.comThe Minnesota Timberwolves late Excitement in the crafted combination of The land of 10,000 lakes and Purple RainOctober 2017 home win against the players, including new additions of Jimmy is also going through a change in itsOklahoma City Thunder put the Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, and Jamal outward identity.  At the same time, newbasketball world on notice.  Judging by (Jigga J Crossover) Crawford have shine is pointed to the local basketballthe look on Carmelo Anthony's face, that brought a sense of closure to years of scene, the cold winter chill came withsecond early season defeat against the bottom down seasons of defeat.  Front similar groundbreaking interest for theThunder (at the newly renovated Target line corporate media executives and Minneapolis & Saint Paul 2017 localCenter) was surprising to audiences just inner-city sports gurus have met in their political elections.  The capital city of Saintlike the Black Santa Claus at the Mall of separate places of operation and officially Paul made a historic first when theyAmerica. For casual fans who normalized co-signed the T Wolves.  elected a Black Mayor, largely due to ayearly flashes of potential, this game This team's demonstrated urgency to win very public racial controversy with theirmarked a different vibration in the city of has set a new wave of deserving buzz and local police union.Minneapolis and the \"re-branded\" NBA curiosity in the sports world of basketball.franchise.    

“Minnesota leads the nation in some Minneapolis moved into international politics of America’s worst social/economic electing two Black Transgender candidates for city council, both who will represent areas conditions for black people” of historically black neighborhoods. With that shift in politics, I looked at my upcomingLong before H&M advertised Back youth in Timberwolves experience as an interesting “Monkey Business” t-shirts there was journey of observation and further discovery. Minneapolis Television Network *Spot on Minnesota is the current or former home of Prince, Philando Castile, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Hubert Humphrey, Bob Dylan, Keith X Ellison Muhammad, Jesse \"The Body\" Ventura, Mint Condition, Walter Mondale, Isiah Washington, (New York City's most celebrated high school point guard in years) and a popular white Albino Muslim rapper named Brother Ali. Minnesota has an interesting diversity of political and cultural influences.  Digging deeper, some may not be aware that it is also home to the dangerous \"full flight\" racially charged legacy of Charles Lindbergh (MSP Charles Lindbergh International Airport). The backdrop of that history is reflected today where Minnesota leads the nation in some of America's worst social/economic conditions for Black People.

“82 percent spike in suicides among Minnesota’s black population between 2010 and 2014”Beside the examples of international media covering tragic life ending police encounters or having an average blackfamily income lower than black folks who live in Mississippi, there was an alarming 82 percent spike in suicidesamong Minnesota's black population between 2010 and 2014.  So here indeed is an interesting sports story,something unique but not original in the era of kneeling athletes or hyper sensitive fear based reactions to Lavar Ball.

I attended the TWolves team “The street buzz the team had generated in community barbershops orpractice designated for hand recreation centers didn't match the developing narrativepicked local/national press being documented by \"preferred media outlets.”one day after the OKC homevictory.  Thankful for the Timberwolves practice day media call Saturday October 28, 2017access to the new facilities, Photo ©freedomradioandtv.com(which didn't come without along coordinated struggle bya dedicated assistant) I wasable to get a quick peek intothe brand behind the recenthype.  Andrew Wigginsworking on his three pointdrills, Shabazz Muhammadand Gorgui Dieng at anotherhoop practicing on theirhandles and rebound skills. This new squad wassomething different thanprevious years, there was aquiet stable strength felt inthe gym. Thoughts about themissing presence of RickyRubio wasn't even consideredin this team's upgraded look.

“My perspective of sports is coming from a Black Man in his late forties whogrew up before the total commodification of Hip Hop and Basketball Culture”Timberwolves practice Saturday October, 28, 2017 At first sight it was interesting to watch a predominately black team and support staffPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.com finish their workout routine after a symbolic victory of noted progress. It was also an interesting observation not seeing the progress for any other Black Journalist sharing this \"access\" to an emerging national sports story. The street buzz the team had generated in the community barbershops or recreation centers didn't match the developing narrative being (recorded)  documented by \"preferred media outlets.” *Not feeling this narrative, I 100% get where you’re coming from, but that’s not the story. This brief visit inside the professional world of fast break dunks, fade away jump shots and butter \"jelly\" rolls provided immediate insight into the politics surrounding who and what stories are being told to the general public.  Sports, Race and greater society started to connect and ironically mirror the stated themes of this article. There was a feeling similar to the outdoor winter chill as all activities in the practice gym started to wind down. 

Coach Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns were the first called to “The purpose for attending this practice was toanswer various questions from a group of engaged media stat scholars. It identify and observe more understanding for a groupwas an exercise of patience to see the dynamics of interaction take place.  of young men who strive to maximize their athleticThe coach who appeared surprised but cool with a new face in the mix excellence but could be easily shielded fromanswered the usual game related concerns.  Thibodeau demonstrated a realities of the local communities they play in.”  show of support for his players growing as a team.  Towns, the big man with that splash from the three point line, seemed to Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns with practice day presshave a firm but guarded confidence in his responses to what appeared tobe a very familiar press core. He answered my question regarding the vibe Photo ©freedomradioandtv.comof Minneapolis and any expectation of the team's recent win pattern beingeffective in re-energizing the community.Professional sport teams have the potential to wake up a city's spirit of loss,frustration and isolation.  This condition of stunted growth can be readilyobserved around the team's downtown practice facility. The area has anoverwhelming homeless population of black people living in need ofshelter in this cold weather climate.  As an unknown face it was important to be equally persistent as otherreporters when asking questions to the next player available.  To be clearmy perspective of sports is coming from a Black Man in his late forties whogrew up before the total commodification of Hip Hop and BasketballCulture. I had lost some relationship to these two connections that shapedmuch of my foundation in younger years of passion and expression. Thepurpose for attending this practice was to identify and observe moreunderstanding for a group of young men who strive to maximize theirathletic excellence but could be easily shielded from realities of the localcommunities they play in. *Excellent insight, I’d use that more than explaining how an NBA team hasmostly white analytic reporters at practice.  

“The talented veteran from Seattle shared similar influences in a specific time of a lost era.” When Jamal Crawford was introduced as the only other player to answer questions, there was an immediate expectation of interacting with a familiar face.  The talented veteran from Seattle shared similar influences in a specific time of a lost era. Black products of cultural creativity like: Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, 36 Chambers, Tribe, Biggie, The Ruckers, And 1 Mixtapes, Pac, Iverson and the classic basketball documentary \"Soul In The Hole\" were all seasonings sprinkled in the pot of J Crossover's style.  The pivotal OKC game further highlighted his value and proven ability to get buckets against the league's top players.  He made coming off the bench an art form, showing a humble new way to get shine and respect from his peers.Sugar Hill Tournament - Harlem, NYPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.com

The selected subject With those conditions in Timberwolves practice press call Saturday, October 28, 2017matter of this article took mind how are reporters/a different turn when the media who come from the Photo ©freedomradioandtv.compressure and same communities as thepsychological realities overwhelming majority of “Are there broader issues andof being the only Black NBA players able to institutional practices in thisReporter in the space participate in the field of profession that aren't beingkicked in. I was there to sports journalism? Areget a story not there broader issues and talked about publicly?”become part of one.  institutional practices inObtaining similar this profession thataccommodations as the aren't being talked aboutother white media outlets, publicly? Is the thought(which varied from that all we want is \"accesscorporate to community) to the game\" even withwas not extended as an the understanding thereequal opportunity for are separate drinkinginteraction with the fountains of team. The feeling or engagement?  Whoseimpression made was if fault is this? Have blackmy credentials weren't journalists normalized anone of being equivalent unnatural excitement forto a television host on their submissive role ina nationally syndicated sports related media?network, this \"club house\"was for members only.

\"Free independent thought\" usually provokes  quick termination of \"house visits.\"  “Playing the game,” I chose not to ask a few planned questions in this close knit group of preferred reporters. Inquiries regarding Black Athletes feeling a burden to speak out on social/ political issues of the day would have no doubt been perceived as touching nerves. Being a student of my environment, any questions relating to that particular subject matter from the only black face in the group would have been viewed as a revolutionary act of rebellion. Perceptions of \"free independent thought\" usually provokes quick termination of \"house visits.\"  At the prior evenings nationally televised OKC game there was a large contingency of press.   All checked in and walked through the designated doors, maybe three out of sixty present were black.  For some strange reason my interview coordinator was unable to secure our access.  My ability to gather player comments or document team interaction was made available only to the practice the following day. Every press member at the team practice excluding me was provided the normal credentials and access to the previous evenings game. *Did you get any useable quotes from any players?  As I said KAT speaks openly, Shabbazz Muhammad is the son of two parents that converted to Islam so he provides some good points, Wiggins would be good as well.  Individuals who excel in any arena of life can rise above their obstacles. History shows those who take risks without fear of failing are qualities exhibited by most who achieve high levels of success. I made a conscious effort not to stand out by avoiding certain topics that may have been risky, \"playing the game\" not to jeopardize fitting into a small group of selected white journalist. Covering this team of black players seemed to have an interesting racial access code that was extended on a trial basis. Considering the external change of seasons and the cold temperature outside, it didn't surprise me that this was a recognizable freeze. The problems of the state's inequalities were on full display but the \"newly packaged\" black team was winning?Independent journalist Ralph L. Crowder IIIPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.com



UPDATE & CONCLUSION Immediately following the December 2017 draft submission of this article, my pro day experience with Minnesota's Timberwolves got shook and crossed over.  A brief visit to \"the house\" was done and all subsequent media access requests were denied.  The national media platform who approached me for an independent lens on a story specifically about race, basketball and this black team's success in the state of Minnesota disappeared like the Spring snow blizzard of 2018.  “All subsequent media access requests were denied.” 2018 Minneapolis Spring snowstorm remnant Photo ©freedomradioandtv.com

“What if those dreams were to lead the same children to bewriters not players?  Is it possible there are some who'drather be the next Stephen A. Smith, and not like Mike?”ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Escaping of this contemporary cultural captivity continued to motivate me as an independent journalist!  Working with a group of inner city youth from Project F.e.e.d (a community basedIndependent journalist Ralph L. Crowder III program designed to enhance skill in the field of media), this experience has inspired me to further challenge an environment appearing to have very limited access for black folks notPhoto ©freedomradioandtv.com dribbling a basketball.  There will be a follow up to the Timberwolves organization to open their doors to youth journalists from the noted media program in Minneapolis.   This group of talented young ones are a segment of the known impressionable audience who consume constant targeted sports marketing and promotional media campaigns. Billions of dollars are spent to inspire inner city youth to dream to be a part of the NBA's professional brand.  What if those dreams were to lead the same children to be writers not players?  Is it possible there are some who'd rather be the next Stephen A. Smith, and not like Mike? I hope the T Wolves next attempt to give a first impression will role model a different value system. It is also an expectation that more black reporters not be satisfied and excited to humbly receive separate forms sport \"drinking fountain\" experiences. The progress of opportunity and representation for players has evolved but ownership always reflects the norms within any organization.  It is my understanding Kevin Garnett is seeking to buy-into or buy-out the current owner of the Minnesota franchise. The aesthetic of street basketball has always been a preferred source of free expression for me. Any real hooper knows their relationship to that source of freedom and creativity is sometimes worth more than money.  Sports stories like this continue to be written for those who are fearless to shoot a three while a defender is in your face. 

The Timberwolves season finally ended with a NBA 1st Round Picks Class of 2000playoff birth after a 14 year drought.  Myobservation and about the canvass of Photo courtesy of the National Basketball AssociationMinnesota and predictions regarding one ofthe last NBA players standing from a lost era “Predictions regarding one of theof hip hop/youth culture turned out to be last NBA players standing from acorrect.  lost era of hip hop/youth cultureIf there is a next time my goal will be to write astory more about the players, hopefully turned out to be correct.” avoiding this narrative of difficulty for blackjournalist covering mostly black players insport dominated by black athletes. Awelcoming environment can go a long wayfor a writer or player interested in aproductive visit or a continued role to furtherassist an up-and-coming teams desire to win.Peace*I get where you’re going here, but the reader won’tcare about what we went thru to get the access orwhat the assignment was, they care about getting aninsiders view into the Twin Cities and the Wolves.Overall this team is about a youth movement that isbeing guided by vets and Jamal. This should bereflected in the story and that should be tied in to thespot on intro and build up.

About the writer: Ralph L. Crowder III Published May 11, 2018 • Freedomradioandtv.com PressFather, independent journalist, multimediaproducer and media [email protected]