The Timberwolves are in third place in the Western Conference, and that does not appear to be a fluke.

They are winning while getting to know one another, and have won seven of their last nine games. Their loss at Phoenix was inexcusable, but in their last four victories they haven't just won, they have methodically dismantled their opponent. We haven't seen that since...well, you know.

Last night they beat the Spurs for the first time in 13 tries and did so with Jimmy Butler shooting poorly and Gorgui Dieng out with an injury. They no longer require their best players to excel to win the average game.

Perhaps the most important development of the early season in terms of an individual player is the emergence of Nemanja Bjelica. He is making 53 percent of his three-pointers. He is also running the floor and playing strong help defense. Suddenly the Wolves have a second-five - Bjelica, Tyus Jones, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng and Jamal Crawford - that might be better than some of the franchise's past starting fives.

Cole Aldrich and Aaron Brooks, who might have been vital to past teams, now barely get off the bench.

The Wolves sold out last night. I think local basketball fans believe this team is for real for all of the right reasons.

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Roger Goodell has a way of not only doing the wrong thing, but of doing the wrong thing in a way that insults the intelligence of everyone in his orbit.

He can't just demand $49.5 million a year in salary, he has to ask for lifetime health care even though his league has been reprehensible in the way it has treated former players with health problems.

Goodell isn't the reason the NFL is financially successful. He's just a placeholder. Any decent CEO of any other company would do as well or better for the league.

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The Vikings are right about Greg Olsen.

Fox will use Panthers tight end Greg Olsen as a sideline reporter on Sunday even though the Vikings will face Carolina next month. The NFL should not allow this, and Fox shouldn't even attempt it.

It's not only wrong, it's illogical. Fox could hire dozens of qualified former players and coaches to fill Olsen's role. This is Fox proving it can do what it wants.

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You can find my podcasts at MNSPN.com on preps, Wild, Vikings, Timberwolves and the Twins.

@Souhanstrib