The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Labor Day is a better time than most to write about the industrious David Kahn, who thus far has made good on his pledge to adopt a blue-collar work ethic toward rebuilding the fortunes of the Wolves franchise. Remarkably, Friday's signing of Ramon Sessions to a 4-year offer sheet worth about $16 million makes more sense in the short term than further out; remarkable because Sessions won't turn 24 until the final week of the 2009-10 season, and because he immediately becomes the best player in Minnesota's backcourt.

Now the Telfair deal is less troublesome. President of Basketball Operations David Kahn acquired a decidedly sub-mediocre 34-year old backup point guard with an expiring contract in a trade with Oklahoma City the other day, and in terms of short-term tinkering, it was a savvy swap. Unlike the departed Telfair, Atkins shouldn't and won't have any illusions that he is the best long-term answer for the Wolves as a floor general.

First of all, thanks for coming by. It's been nearly a month since I posted, and I'm not sure how often I'll be chiming in before training camp starts in October. But rest assured that however it is structured and wherever I land, I fully intend to provide the kind of coverage and maintain the lively forum longtime readers have seen in previous seasons. So, if possible, be patient and be loyal. Thanks.

Drastic computer woes and a (partially related) bevy of lagging assignments sabotaged plans of duplicating last year's live blogging of the draft, and I think that's a good thing. I've got a really positive feeling about the direction of the Wolves in the past week or two, and, as with really negative feelings as well, wanted to let it linger at least overnight, parse the context and the exuberance. Some of these things are hunches, and thus a tad irrational; some are wishful thinking, no doubt, after the long, dysfunctional ride in the wilderness since the Western Conference Finals.

If new Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn had decided to keep Kevin McHale on as coach of the ballclub, I would have thought owner Glen Taylor had made it a precondition of Kahn's hiring. In other words, no one should be surprised by today's announcement that the Wolves were terminating McHale's 16-year tenure with the franchise--a move that, depending on your logic, was either years or months overdue. 

I had every intential of putting up another trey after Orlando's Game Three win, but more lucrative deadlines intervened and prevailed. Hours before Game Four, let me just say that Orlando's backcourt made like Lazurus, especially Alston and Pietrus, who played incredibly well on Tuesday night. For that matter, the entire Magic squad pretty much rose to the occasion, setting a Finals record for FG accuracy at better than 62%.

Los Angeles Lakers 101, Orlando Magic 96 (OT)

Lakers lead series 2-0

1. Redemption For Gasol and Odom

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Season Record: 28-29

Up Next: Mariners (3:10 CT, 6/7)

A night after winning a one-run game in Seattle, the Twins dropped one. On Friday the Twins took advantage of an error by the Mariners to win 2-1, and less than 24 hours later, the Mariners used two eighth inning hits to knock off the Twins by the exact same score. Nick Blackburn turned in another quality start for Minnesota, but a lack of offense moved the Twins league-worst road record to 7-17. 

Los Angeles Lakers 100, Orlando Magic 75

Lakers lead series, 1-0

1. Kryptonite

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Season Record: 27-28

Up Next: Seattle (9:10 CT, 6/5)