Recent content from La Velle E. Neal III
Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party
There was jeering, booing and yelping at U.S. Bank Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered for a Vikings draft party. And then J.J. McCarthy was picked and the mood changed.
Neal: Sweep? This Wolves-Suns series may not get to Game 5
The Timberwolves have proven that being dominated like they were by Phoenix during the regular season means nothing. But don't just assume a sweep, OK?
Neal: Twins' slow start leads to many worries
Little is working so far for the Twins, who many predicted would win the AL Central again.
Neal: Eulogy for a bad season. May the Wild's future come quickly.
A eulogy is when one says nice things about someone, right? That's the intention here as the season winds down to Thursday's final game.
Neal: Tessa Johnson still feeling Minnesota's love in S. Carolina
When Johnson committed to the Gamecocks, some people thought the leap was too big for her. But she's showed the doubters they were wrong.
Neal: From LeBron to STMA, Tessa Johnson lit up the basketball world
Tessa Johnson made Minnesota proud — especially in the Wright County towns of St. Michael and Albertville — with her stunning title game performance for South Carolina.
Neal: Let's celebrate women's basketball. Let's also do better by its players.
So many good things are happening in women's basketball at this NCAA tournament. But racism, misogyny and the unequal playing field continue to creep in.
Neal: Bremer adjusting after Twins make change in TV booth
After 40 years of Dick Bremer broadcasting Twins games, management decided to make a change in the TV booth. That has led to a very different spring for Bremer.
Neal: New NFL rules prioritize less danger, more excitement
In the same week, the NFL sought to revive kickoff returns and took another type of tackle out of the game over injury concerns.
Neal: Here's why the Twins will win the AL Central
Prediction: The Twins, with depth and pitching concerns, won't win 90-plus games, but they're still better than their rivals.
How can this be? At age 30, Byron Buxton younger than he was at 29.
The Twins star was a broken-down designated hitter last summer who didn't play a single inning in the field. This spring, he's been sprinting, laughing and back in center field. And he's not ready — yet — to be a full-time Little League dad.
Neal: Keeping Gophers together is Johnson's next challenge
The transfer portal is open, and Ben Johnson needs to keep his best Gophers and win more metro-area recruiting battles to get his future best Gophers.
Neal: Scoreboard says loss, but Wolves' resilience was a winner
The shorthanded Wolves provided a packed Target Center crowd with a display of their resilience, rallying against the Nuggets and making superstar Nikola Jokic shake his head with frustration at times
Neal: Five reasons the Twins should score a 'ton of runs' this year
Additions, subtractions and more experience are keys to this opinion. Think about Royce Lewis playing a full season and Joey Gallo being gone, for example.
Neal: Finally healthy, Twins' Miranda is a hitter without a home
Barring injuries, there likely won't be a spot for Jose Miranda on the Opening Day roster. But he's in that next-man-up zone if needed, provided he's hitting.
Neal: Grieving old Fort Myers Beach while cheering on the new
Minnesotans — me, especially — love this strip of land that was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Ian. It'll never be the same.
Twins' starting pitcher rotation, once a concern, shows promise
Starting pitching depth has been the Twins' biggest worry this spring, but competition for the final starter spot is heating up.
Neal: Think losing Towns will sink the Wolves? Think again.
Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert are the most valuable players on the Timberwolves right now, they can keep this team afloat even without Karl-Anthony Towns.
Neal: Pitcher Paddack determined to balance risk with new reward
Chris Paddack is preparing for a season in which he hopes to remain healthy from start to finish. He wants that — and the Twins need that.
Neal: Starting pitching was a Twins strength — 'was' being the key word
Bailey Ober might take the next step up. Pablo López could be terrific at the top of the rotation. But we can't call starting pitching a strength of this team
Neal: I'm coming to find answers to five hot Twins questions
Like every preseason, the Twins think they could be great this year. And like every season, it's time to examine how true that is up close in Fort Myers.
Neal: Hottest show in sports comes to The Barn tonight. Here's proof.
Caitlin Clark isn't just the face of women's college basketball. She's the face of college sports right now. Just talk to some of the best young high school players in Minnesota.
Neal: Why are Twins fans wasting their angst on payroll?
Team bosses tightening belts isn't a surprise, and in fact, it could prove wise.
Neal: College baseball, softball squeeze play at U.S. Bank Stadium is troubling
Doubt is growing that the annual tradition of cold-weather indoor ball in downtown Minneapolis will return in full — and that will hurt the Gophers and other college teams.
Neal: Hunter should join Cousins and Jefferson as Vikings' top priorities
Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw could approach the line of scrimmage next season, look across and see Danielle Hunter. In a Lions uniform. Or a Bears uniform.
Neal: Even if Wild falter, here are three good reasons to keep watching
Injury, defensive and goaltending issues look like too much for the Wild to overcome to make the playoffs. But young stars are keeping the team interesting.
Neal: As Mahomes nears legendary status for Chiefs, a former Twin saw it coming
Mahomes is the gold standard for quarterbacks these days, and a source close to home called it all the way back in 2017.
Neal: Recent big wins signal a new era for Gophers basketball
Beating Michigan State the way the Gophers did was something they could not have done last season — or maybe even when this season was younger.
Neal: New Loons coach better be worth the wait
The Loons are three weeks out from the season opener. What's going on?
Neal: Super Bowl will be superb, but the best story missed out
The Chiefs against the 49ers offers the best of the best, but it's a shame Detroit fans won't get to see their team on the biggest stage.
Neal: Twins leaders leave their jobs, but they don't leave the Twins
Understand this: It's not normal. The tendency for the franchise's past to stay present is peculiar in pro sports.
Neal: Twins have been asleep, but history says things about to happen
It was a year ago this week that Pablo López came to the Twins in a big trade. And there have been January surprises in the past.
Neal: No doubt about it — Mauer deserved this
Let's salute Joe Mauer's call to the Hall and his incredible baseball journey.
Neal: Count your lucky (young!) stars, Minnesota sports fans
Every team in the state has at least one exciting rising star 27 or younger like Anthony Edwards, Napheesa Collier, Justin Jefferson and Royce Lewis, just to name a few.
Neal: Wide left, take a knee, the curse. That was 25 years ago today.
Jan. 17, 1999, might be the worst date in Minnesota's pro sports history. Reliving that NFL playoff game against Atlanta makes a person believe in curses.
Neal: Is Twins TV mess prelude to major MLB changes?
A massive MLB television change could be right behind the settling of the Twins local broadcast resolution.
Neal: It's time for Vikings to move forward without Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins has had a good run here, and now the Vikings need to draft one of the top college quarterbacks and start a new chapter.
Neal: One year after 'widowmaker,' he's back at Twins fantasy camp
"I need the closure," Jamie Green says, as he prepares to take a swing at 2024 Twins fantasy camp, one year after a near-fatal scare.
Neal: Vote Mauer? I'll keep my Hall of Fame vote private . . . until the end
All the excitement around Joe Mauer's Hall of Fame candidacy doesn't change columnist La Velle E. Neal III's strong feelings about keeping his ballot private for as long as he can.
Neal: Grace meets grit, challenge looms, payoff lands. Picks to inspire in 2024.
A Gophers hockey player is pairing peculiar stats, Minnesota United's CEO is seeking fans and a Timberwolves diehard is grinning.
Neal: Hockenson answered some of the Vikings' questions, but one remains
Because of injuries, we didn't learn the true power of the triumvirate he formed with Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins.
Neal: Rush of roster building over, Fleck rushes into bowl game mode
The portal and prep recruits dealt with, he will lead the Gophers into the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday.
Neal: Mad at O'Connell? Not me. I'm more impressed, and here's why.
Would he pass a white-glove test? No. Has he injected hope into a dire situation? Absolutely. Vikings fans, get lost with those "Fire KOC" tweets.
Neal: What took so long for O'Connell to turn to Mullens?
Nick Mullens offered a shot of adrenaline that was needed to revive an inept offense led by Joshua Dobbs that was pulling the Vikings to a third consecutive defeat.
When defense 'had to have it,' Vikings rookie Pace steps up again
Undefeated rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. had 13 tackles and a game-sealing interception as he continues to grow into a leading role on the Vikings defense.
La Velle live from Las Vegas: Vikings fans swarming The Strip
'Vikes and Vegas!' The crowd at Sunday's Vikings-Raiders game is expected to be more than half purple. La Velle E. Neal III believes it.
Neal: Another new Wild coach, and survivor Hendrickson is still here
Darby Hendrickson, after all these years and all these coaching changes, is still here. And that's a very good thing for the Wild.
Neal: Buxton 'fully recovered' from surgery, striving for center field return
Important check-ins this week cleared, Byron Buxton's rehab has him aiming at a return to the Twins' center field spot.
Neal: This squad, from Minnesota and all over, is off to the Final Four
St. Paul's Justin Oliver coaches a "melting pot" team at St. Olaf with talented players from places near and far. The Oles will be trying to win their first national championship later this week.
Neal: Wild gave up on Evason. Should they also give up on season?
This team doesn't seem headed for the playoffs. Using the rest of this season to focus on the future is a better way to go, even if win-now Bill Guerin won't entertain the thought.
Neal: Do the Vikings really need Jefferson to beat the Bears?
The Vikings are facing a team tonight that has committed self-inflicted damage all season? Minnesota's upcoming schedule makes a strong case in the decision.
Neal: Twins' quest for financial slimdown takes risky turn
An organization-wide strategic shift doesn't come without casualties.
Neal: What's wrong with Kaprizov? Answers elusive for Wild star
Five goals, 10 assists and a plus/minus of minus-8. Why the Wild's two-time 40-goal scorer isn't sniping on all cylinders is not clear. What should he do about it?
Neal: Diggins displays bravery again, sharing relapse, recovery, priorities
Once a champion, always a champion: Jessie Diggins might not have a world's-best season again this winter, and that's ok. Her priorities are in the right order.
Neal: Bueckers comes home, and a game becomes something amazing
Yes, it was a maroon-and-good clad crowd, for the most part. But the largest gathering at a Gophers women's basketball game in five years roared when Paige Bueckers was introduced.
Neal: Torii Hunter as Angels manager would've made for a grand reunion
Matthew LeCroy and LaTroy Hawkins could have been a very strong coaching staff that would have demanded excellence ... and a few pranks.
Neal: Johnson must raise the bar, bring Gophers fans back to The Barn
You can't fall down when you're already on the floor, and it's time for the Gophers men's basketball program to rise in Ben Johnson's third year in charge.
Neal: Here are 5 offseason to-dos for Twins as payroll drops
As the team deals with limited spending ability, two productive players should be on the trading block.
Neal: Note to Fleck. Stop worrying and just let Athan throw and grow
Gophers sophomore Athan Kaliakmanis is showing he can elevate the offense. Coach P.J. Fleck needs to let him learn and grow, even if some things don't go well.
Neal: Critical calls led to crushing Gophers loss
Illinois was there for the taking. But the wrong calls in pivotal moments left the Gophers stunned.
Neal: Time for Gophers to end Bielema's dominance
Illinois coach Bielema is 9-0 all-time against Minnesota. This Gophers team is playing for a division title and needs to avoid another slip.
Neal: Vikings needed Dobbs, and here's why he could succeed in Minnesota
The flag flying above Vikings headquarters is purple, not white. So the team went out and got the quarterback it needed instead of surrendering to fate after Kirk Cousins' injury.
Neal: Take this victory, but it's not as big as the pig
Take the wins any way you can get them, Gophers, but Saturday's performance over Michigan State was far from last week's over Iowa.
Neal: U standout masters balance between all business, very goofy
Melani Shaffmaster brings intensity to the court for the Gophers volleyball team. Away from the game, however, friends and coaches see something completely different.
Neal: Twins' top offseason objective is rediscovering Buxton
Whoever that was at the plate wearing No. 25, it wasn't the Byron Buxton the Twins bet $100 million on.
Neal: Wild's tag-team goaltending plan perfect to flush nights like this
Marc-Andre Fleury wasn't sharp and neither was the defense in front of him against the KIngs on Thursday night, but the quick fix is just a Gus Bus ride away.
Neal: The Red Sox considering Falvey, Levine is a good thing
When a team like the Red Sox is considering hiring your bosses, you're doing something right.
Neal: Time is now for Twins to win, the Pohlads need to fund it
The Twins have needs. Not many, but enough to make this offseason a key moment for this team to improve going into 2024.
Neal: Outscore the Astros? Sluggish Twins had no shot at Target Field
Twins hitters showed a lot of life in the first inning, and then spent the next two-plus hours flailing and failing to score.
Live with La Velle: The sad trombone plays at Target Field
Astros 3, Twins 2: The Twins' season comes to an end at Target Field, where Houston won two in a row this week.
Neal: Win or else. Five changes Baldelli must make for Twins to win Game 4.
By the time the first pitch of Game 4 is thrown shortly after 6 p.m., celebratory essentials will have been delivered to Target Field. But not for the Twins.
Live with La Velle: Twins, on brink of elimination, can share blame
Twins-Astros Game 3: The Twins have dug a big hole against Houston. La Velle will have constant updates from the press box.
Neal: Pitching with an edge, Sonny Gray has no fear of the Astros
Gray's sinking fastball is the truth, but his command of an array of other pitches this season should earn him some votes for the AL Cy Young Award.
Neal: López puts on a master class in pitching as Twins even ALDS
The righthander joined some pretty exclusive company in Twins history by pitching seven shutout innings in a postseason game.
Neal: With Twins in ALDS, successful season is already secured
No matter the American League Division Series outcome, the Twins have plenty of victories under their belts in 2023.
