Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Wolves learn the hard way, you do not poke 'The Beard'
In Game 4, Harden became a human torch, erasing a Timberwolves lead and any shadow of a doubt as to who will win this playoff series.
Souhan: Wolves making Rockets look like less than NBA's best team
The series is far more even than expected because the Wolves have hinted at what they could become and the Rockets haven't yet won a championship.
Souhan: Teague proves he can handle big moments
Jeff Teague on Saturday turned in his most emotional and important performance with the Wolves, thumping his chest and screaming at the crowd in the fourth quarter of a blowout win.
Souhan: Finally, Wolves fans get playoff basketball again
For long-suffering, die-hard Timberwolves fans Saturday night's Game 3 is a long time coming - as in 14 years.
Souhan: The Wolves can make it a series with Houston if ...
Ten ways the Timberwolves can create a stir and upset the No. 1 seed Rockets in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
Souhan: Return of boxing a showcase for Armory and James
On the first night of boxing at the refurbished Armory, Jamal James won a majority decision with a national audience watching on FS1 and an announced crowd of 3,521 packed around the squared circle.
Souhan: Time for Wiggins to finally step up, earn his contract status
Andrew Wiggins is at the heart of the Wolves' failings. He isn't always engaged on defense — or on offense when he doesn't have the ball.
Souhan: The time has come for a new era in U.S. golf
The 2009 PGA Championships at Hazeltine and this year's Masters gave us a glimpse into golf's future -- a future without Tiger Woods as a dominating figure.
Spieth kept himself in the dark during final-round Masters charge
By avoiding looking at leaderboards all day — or so he said — Spieth avoided feeling stress and injected it into those he was chasing.
Souhan: Reed rehabs reputation with Masters win
Fiery Patrick Reed on Sunday conquered his past, shooting 1-under 71 to finish at 15 under and win the Masters, fending off a furious charge from Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler.
Souhan: Hazeltine's Ryder Cup rivalry hits Sunday at the Masters
Patrick Reed became famous for beating Rory McIlroy in Ryder Cup matches featuring both fist-pumping and fist-bumping. Their rivalry now spans from Lake Hazeltine to Rae's Creek.
Souhan: Reed tops the pack, proving his bravado at Masters
Patrick Reed became a golfing hero at Hazeltine National in 2016, leading the U.S. to victory. Friday at Augusta, he shot a 66 to follow his opening-round 69 and take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Masters.
Woods, Mickelson find the going tough but make Masters cut
No player has overcome more than an eight-shot 36-hole deficit to win at the Masters. Tiger Woods is 13 shots behind after Friday, and Phil Mickelson a shot worse than that.
Souhan: Spieth leads, and that's rough for rest of Masters field
As deep and impressive as the Masters leaderboard is, none of the players who shot 69 or better has won a green jacket - other than Round 1 leader Jordan Spieth.
Souhan: Amid Masters buzz, don't overlook Player of the Year Thomas
Tiger and Phil who? At 24, Justin Thomas is the reigning PGA Tour player of the year. He won the last major and last year's FedEx Cup, while winning five times on tour in 2017.
In time for Masters, Spieth regains poise with his putter
Jordan Spieth, for perhaps the first time in his life, found himself in a putting slump before rallying to finish third at the Houston Open last weekend.
Souhan: Woods, Mickelson rivalry mellows as golf superstars age
Ex-antagonists Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson shared laughs in a Tuesday practice round at Augusta National ahead of the Masters.
Souhan: Timing is right for Tiger vs. Phil finale at Masters
Despite their relative levels of greatness, Mickelson and Woods never held a 1-on-1 duel on Sunday afternoon at the Masters, and their advanced age, along with Woods' personal and physical problems, hinted that they never would. But ...
The 82nd Masters at a glance
tournament at a glanceThe essentialsWhen: Thursday-next Sunday Where: Augusta, Ga.The course: Augusta National Golf Club (7,435 yards, par 72)Purse: To be determined ($11 million in…
Souhan: In following his gut, Molitor also sticks to his guns
During the Twins' 3-2, 11-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day at Camden Yards, manager Paul Molitor had no choice but to make a series of difficult and intriguing calculations.
Souhan: Talent is undeniable, but Twins' kids have much to prove
As the Twins open the season in Baltimore, few of the team's young position players have produced a full, excellent, big-league season.
Souhan: Sano seeks route to success that others followed
As he begins his fourth season with the Twins, Miguel Sano has yet to fulfill his promise. Here's what he still needs to do.
Souhan: Lucia's graceful departure benefits all parties at U
Don Lucia wrote his own ending at the University of Minnesota, to depart with grace, to create a smooth transition to his successor. "I've always tried to do it the right way,'' he said.
Souhan: Wolves' execution of win-now plan remains in doubt
Tom Thibodeau's reputation as a defensive mastermind has to be questioned, after watching this team fail far too often on that end of the floor.
Souhan: No longer the underdog, Cousins has sky-high expectations.
With one signature, Kirk Cousins transformed from plucky overachiever unappreciated by his first employer into a franchise quarterback for a franchise that expects him to win a Super Bowl.
Souhan: Have an opinion about Cousins? You're right no matter what
Many opinions surround the Vikings' decision to hand Kirk Cousins $84 million to take over as quarterback. But this is a franchise that desperately needed to take a chance.
Souhan: Tales from Twins spring trainings of yore
Once quaint and antiquated, spring training has become highly professionalized, befitting a billion-dollar industry populated by millionaire employees.
Souhan: For Wolves, Towns is the guy who's always open
There are a few players who -- by virtue of height, arm length, release point and athletic ability -- are always open. Karl-Anthony Towns is one of that elite group.
Souhan: Twins' Lynn signing is latest in series of smart, calculated moves
Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have aggressively built a deep, strong team without giving up a top prospect or a long-term contract. They have positioned the 2018 Twins to win without hamstringing any future teams.
Souhan: Berrios pushes and pushes to get better
The question is not whether Twins pitcher Jose Berrios will do all he can to succeed but whether, in baseball, maximum effort yields maximum results.
Souhan: Twins hitters find success focusing on one thing at the plate
Embracing the power of one thought, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton hit .314 with a .912 OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage) from July 4 through the end of the regular season - and his hot numbers had company.
Souhan: Objective + subjective is Derek Falvey's baseball equation
Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey seems more curious than certain. He compared running a franchise to "drinking from a fire hose," yet he still sounds thirsty.
Souhan: Dozier sounds willing to walk away from Twins after season
The second baseman said the prospect of free agency is "intriguing" to him.
Souhan: Up-and-comer boxer from Minneapolis has old-school spirit
Jamal James, 29, would feel comfortable in another era, but he's trying to usher in a new one for Minnesota boxing. He's ranked 13th in the world and eighth in the United States.
Souhan: Some half-fast ways to pick up baseball's pace of play
Some highly serious (wink, wink) suggestions on ways baseball could pick up the pace at the ballpark this season.
Souhan: Cousins, Vikings pairing is perfect move for both sides
In the NFL, gambling on roster moves gets you fired. But so do bland moves, or any combination of aggressiveness and passiveness that doesn't lead to the playoffs.
Souhan: Twins front office goes back to strapped Rays for seconds
Even if the Twins head North with their current roster, they will have strengthened a good, young team by raiding a franchise they once resembled.
Souhan: Butler's injury does not have to be a death knell for Wolves
Jimmy Butler's absence in the Wolves lineup is damaging, but it could have been much worse.
Souhan: Tired or not, Wolves will look to Butler for postseason push
Jimmy Butler admits he's pushing through some fatigue but the Wolves need him healthy and energetic to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Souhan: Emotion-choked night ends in loss, but lingering hope for Gophers
The Gophers' women's basketball team this season ranks third in the nation in scoring, behind only UConn and Baylor.
Souhan: Saunders' passion, diligence personified in Wolves' Towns
Above all, Flip Saunders was a basketball fan who wanted to bring all of Minnesota's basketball fans along on the bandwagon that he planned to build with the Wolves. Drafting Karl-Anthony Towns was the start.
Souhan: Andrew Wiggins needs to realize bored is a bad look
This would be the kind of game that lights fires in competitors' bellies and eyes. James Harden showed that. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins played like he was full of asbestos.
Souhan: It's nice to talk and care about the NBA in February
What matters in our marketplace is that the Timberwolves have a chance to become the No. 1 sporting attraction in Minnesota for the next couple of months.
![From left, Twins senior vice president and general manager Thad Levine and executive vice president and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey. ] AARON L](http://stmedia.stimg.co/FRONT2.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Souhan: Twins front office needs to take bolder steps in remaking roster
The Twins are smart to be cautious with their signings, but at some point you have to take a step to get ahead of the competition.
Souhan: Good but not good enough. Can the Wild do anything to help itself?
In the real world, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and hoping for a different result. In sports, insanity sometimes pays dividends.
Souhan: Eagles winning Super Bowl means no more excuses for Vikings
What the Eagles accomplished will place more pressure on the rest of the NFL's coaches and general managers because the team wasn't deterred by key injuries or a coaching change.
Souhan: Even in defeat, Brady adds to his legend
Tom Brady on Sunday passed for a Super Bowl-record 505 yards at the age of 40, with a recently-healed right hand and his most talented receiver in the locker room because of a head injury.
Souhan: With Moss and Owens, Hall of Fame may need to wing for divas
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens deserve their calls to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But we can simultaneously acknowledge their greatness and their flaws.
Souhan: Butler exemplifies Belichick's knack for using right player, right time
Malcolm Butler, once an undrafted free agent, is expected to play in a third Super Bowl in his fourth NFL season Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Souhan: Cousins available? Perhaps Vikings should make a bold move
The question is simple: Would Kirk Cousins be a better choice than Case Keenum or Teddy Bridgewater? The next question: If so, can they afford him?
Souhan: Goodell's catch-rule fiasco is a joke without a punchline
Most of Roger Goodell's tenure as NFL Commissioner has been consumed with fighting illogical or unwinnable battles, trying to preside over the league rather than run it.
Souhan: No 'distraction.' Two Eagles show athletes can fight for causes
Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long are proof that players can get involved in social issues. As Long puts it: "Distraction is code for 'I don't agree with what you're talking about.' "
Souhan: Super Bowl makes a public spectacle of itself
Nancy Kerrigan shouted questions. A reporter asked Bill Belichick what made this Super Bowl different. "It's in Minnesota,'' he deadpanned. The game's hype, with off-the-wall characters and plenty of odd questions, arrived at the X in full force.
Souhan: Super Bowl visitors, you'll be fine here as long as you don't die
Such a casualty would be highly inconvenient because our corporate overlords are trying to use Super Bowl week to prove that people can come to Minneapolis in February and not freeze to death.
Souhan: At Minnesota's Super Bowl party, who's the guest of 'honor'?
Minnesota this week will host one team that the nation loves to hate and one fan base that deserves to be hated.
Souhan: Like many, former Vikings quarterback Kapp paid a price
Former Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp is coming to Minnesota for Super Bowl week. He's eager to see old teammates ... and a renowned neurosurgeon.
![The Eagles' Alshon Jeffery caught a touchdown pass while being defended by Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes in the fourth quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ �](http://stmedia.stimg.co/VIKE10.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Souhan: Something happened on the way to the Super Bowl
That the Vikings could have become the first team to play a Super Bowl at home became the dominant theme of their season. That story line obscured a more important truth.
Souhan: This Vikings season was going to be different, until it wasn't
Losing big games and seeking more at quarterback. These are your Vikings.
Souhan: After all this, Vikings can't lose this game ... right?
When you become the first team ever to win a playoff game with a 61-yard touchdown pass as time expires in regulation you are playing with house money and gifted emotion.
Souhan: From the UP to 13 years in the NFL, Berger's built quite a career
The Vikings offensive line has become a driving force on a 14-victory team, and Joe Berger, a sixth-round draft pick out of a small school in the Upper Peninsula, has made something of himself.
Souhan: Quicker thinking made Diggs the Vikings' hero on Sunday
Stefon Diggs said he "took a picture,'' a mental sketch, of the Saints defense before he turned back to await Keenum's pass.
Souhan: For once, Vikings are on right side of a miracle
Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings gave us the Minneapolis Miracle, a play without precedent in 56 years of franchise history.
Souhan: Vikings' last playoff game against the Saints was an all-timer
Vikings fans may want to forget, but there are so many reasons to remember that 2010 NFC Championship Game.
Souhan: Johnson's world football tour finds home with Vikings
After a football life that started in Mississippi and migrated around the globe, he has found trust at the other end of the big river.
Souhan: Vikings helped create the monsters that became Brees and the Saints
If not for what now appears to be a bizarre set of circumstances and decisions made by a seemingly random group of current and former NFL figures, Drew Brees never would have played in the NFC.
Souhan: Vikings-Saints matchup could have anything and everything
Vikings vs. Saints will provide the marquee matchup of the weekend, and the winner likely will be favored to play in the Super Bowl. Things will be much different than when the teams met in Week 1 of the season.
Souhan: Tremors from Vikings rattle across NFC North
The Vikings are the reason there are no NFC North teams playing this weekend, and their dominance of what promised to be an intriguing division race has altered their opponents' plans, maybe even prompted mistakes.
Souhan: Wentz injury makes Vikings true No. 1 seed in NFC
Philadelphia earned the NFC's top seed but without former North Dakota State star Carson Wentz at quarterback, the Eagles are at the bottom of the playoff field.
![Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray (25) scored in the second quarter for his second touchdown of the game from the one yard line. ] JEFF W](http://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_151476777876057.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Souhan: Vikings have become the team to beat in NFC
Since the Vikings lost at Carolina, the defense has allowed just one offensive touchdown. Sunday, the Bears' offense produced zero points.
Souhan: Vikings still uncertain just what they have in Keenum
The Vikings' quarterback hierarchy for the remainder of this season is set. The quarterback hierarchy for the future remains muddled, and probably will be determined by Case Keenum's playoff performance.
Souhan: Butler rising to meet, exceed expectations with Wolves
During the Wolves' past two home games, fans began chanting "M-V-P" as Jimmy Butler shot free throws. It won't happen, but that's closer to the truth than anyone could have guessed three months ago.
Souhan: It wasn't a pretty Vikings victory, but who really cares?
If there is a downside in terms of the entertainment value of this season, it's that the Vikings are making their surge to the finish line seem clinical.
Souhan: Rodgers sitting out doesn't help Vikings' playoff prep
Saturday's game would provide the Vikings better playoff preparation if Aaron Rodgers were under center for the Packers.
Souhan: Wolves' body language in win over Portland was telling
Before, during and after Timberwolves games there's plenty of animated action - especially from coach Tom Thibodeau.
Souhan: Division title is just the first item on the Vikings' checklist
"Now that we're in, we've got to keep winning," receiver Adam Thielen said after the Vikings assured themselves of a home playoff game.
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