Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Could Jaire Alexander be the piece that elevates the Vikings to Super Bowl contenders?
After reports that Alexander is being released by the Packers, the Vikings might be the best in the NFL at turning red flags into green ones.
Souhan: Twins wait to see if end of a slump you'd never expect is salve for an injury you'd never anticipate
Royce Lewis, born to hit, seems to be emerging from the dark place he entered late last season just as durable Pablo López goes on the shelf for months.
Souhan: Anxiety and depression in the NFL helped inspire Lindsey Young's children's book
Young has not only dealt with anxiety and depression growing up, but seeing the part it plays in her career helped inspire the book for children navigating the same struggles.
Souhan: For Lynx star Napheesa Collier, 'Phee' is just fine
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, currently leading WNBA, Collier might be best player in the world.
Souhan: Will the Wolves trade for Kevin Durant? Should they?
Basketball chief Tim Connelly has a flair of making dramatic moves, and that would fit the pattern.
Souhan: If Edwards is a franchise player, he needs to act and play like it
Anthony Edwards is already a star, as evident by his multiple Western Conference finals appearance and All-NBA nominations — but now he needs to learn how to lead.
Souhan: Wolves' weak performance in Game 5 invites change, so don't let it shock you
Roster-builder Tim Connelly isn't afraid to shake things up when it's going well. He certainly won't stand by this group now after its failure to compete.
Souhan: Edwards and Randle flop in the Timberwolves' biggest game of the season
Oklahoma City's lead duo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, outscored Minnesota's two stars by 53 points.
Souhan: Twins' Baldelli and Timberwolves' Finch have a lot in common. They ought to talk.
The baseball and basketball leaders, big winners based a block apart in Minneapolis, say they'd enjoy that meeting.
Souhan: Edwards shows clearly the worth of basketball's key skill — jump shooting
In Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves' superstar led a rout of Oklahoma City simply by making shots.
Minnesota sports stars reflect on George Floyd's legacy
From Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier to Vikings legend Alan Page, the voices of Minnesota sports reflect on whether anything has changed five years after the murder of George Floyd.
Souhan: Benching Randle is a big risk for Timberwolves
Chris Finch made a tough decision by not playing Julius Randle in the fourth quarter of Game 2, and we will wait to see what ramifications it causes.
Souhan: Home to play the Lynx, Bueckers also can study a model for her career in Whalen
The WNBA's No. 1 draft pick returns to her roots in Target Center, where a player she idolized is evidence of the value of good teammates and a little luck.
Souhan: Is Ant the next Kirby Puckett in Minnesota sports history?
Anthony Edwards has the Wolves in the Western Conference finals for the second year in a row, carrying the locker room charisma and confidence of Puckett when he was leading the Twins to two titles.
Souhan: Let Wolves leader Connelly be your salve for the pain of Minnesota's deal-making history
The team president has made three winning trades in three years, repeatedly pulling off the reverse-Herschel.
Souhan: As Timberwolves wait, we wonder: Which opponent do they want?
They'll face familiar Denver or a new playoff challenge in Oklahoma City. Neither will be the best team on the floor.
Souhan: Timberwolves' success is reminder that the former Knicks were taking notes
Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle were sidelined at the same time, and having them back is fueling Minnesota's playoff run.
Souhan: If the Twins are close, the Pohlads need to go all in
For a prospective buyer, would you rather purchase a winning team drawing big crowds or a losing team that is irrelevant in its market?
Souhan: Frost's McQuigge goes to work in big playoff victory
Brooke McQuigge, a fourth-round draft pick by the Frost, produced a pair of key goals in Saturday's Game 3 against Toronto.
Souhan: Twins' early struggles were unsightly but not definitive
They're back to winning the way their roster indicates they can. Challenges remain. Any downturn in health would be a concern, and the Central Division is no playground.
Souhan: Pondering Ant, whose injuries are no worry but whose shooting is a large concern
If you've been paying attention, you probably didn't panic when Anthony Edwards went down Thursday. Go ahead and panic over his three-pointers.
Souhan: Story lines aplenty when Wolves, Warriors clash
Whether it's the return of Jimmy Buckets, the infamous chokehold, Minnesota passing on Curry (twice) or Ant's list, drama is expected.
Souhan: Wolves thrive even when Ant struggles offensively
Game 5 victory at Los Angeles Lakers is latest example of Wolves winning despite Anthony Edwards shooting cold
Souhan: 'In Finchy we trust' a true calling card for the Wolves
Following the dismantling of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Finch became the first Timberwolves coach in history to win three playoff series in a two-year span.
Souhan: Wild simply didn't play well enough to beat Vegas in playoff series
Individual Wild players deserved praise for their play, but collectively it still resulted in another first-round exit.
Souhan: Make no mistake, the Vikings are O'Connell's team
Built via the past few NFL drafts and free agency, Kevin O'Connell has his most offensive talent ever. The only question remaining is if J.J. McCarthy can lead it.
Souhan: Timberwolves star works in a shove while pushing Lakers to a precipice
Adding clutch play to his résumé, Anthony Edwards stood out in a victory over his "big brother," LeBron James.
Souhan: Wild lose an admirable one, and it might become a costly one
Minnesota failed to push a playoff series to 3-1 for the fifth time in five tries. This time, Vegas is ahead because it keeps shooting and getting the key shot to go in.
Souhan: Vikings picked a good year to not need to pick a quarterback
The plan that began with drafting J.J. McCarthy in 2024 left them room to draft offensive lineman Donovan Jackson in 2025.
Souhan: What should the Vikings do with the No. 24 pick - keep it or trade it?
When you pick as low as the Vikings are in the first round of the NFL draft, predicting players is worthless. Let's break down scenarios instead.
Souhan: Wild scorers look slick but lack grease in Game 1
Minnesota's points all came from top-line skaters, and none had the gritty feel known to work in the postseason.
Souhan: Timberwolves embarrassed the Lakers? Don't be surprised. You were warned.
The better team, one whose giant offseason change is paying off, won Game 1 and should win the series.
Souhan: Ant as the new Moss? Nope. The Lakers have that player
Dallas saw in Luka Doncic what the Vikings saw in Randy Moss: A destructive force best sent away. Nothing from Anthony Edwards can touch that.
Souhan: It's time to stop complaining about Wolves' Randle
When Julius Randle returned from injury in March, the Wolves were 33-29. They finished the season on a 17-4 run with Randle playing a larger role.
Souhan: Why this season's Wolves might be a better playoff team than last season's
Strong reasons run six deep: Depth, Julius Randle's adaptations, Anthony Edwards' shooting, experience, Luka Doncic's changes and LeBron James' age.
Souhan: McIlroy sets up his own Masters stress test, with DeChambeau serving as stressor
It's reminiscent of the 2016 Ryder Cup, when Rory McIlroy took on another emotional American at Hazeltine. It's familiar, too, because McIlroy has been in this spot before and flopped.
Souhan: Kirill Kaprizov's return gives hope to the Wild future
With Kaprizov leading the way, the Wild are a threat to anyone in the Western Conference playoffs — which is why the team can't let him leave in free agency.
Souhan: Why was Caitlin Clark a bigger deal in college than Paige Bueckers?
While they were both great with similar college basketball accolades, why was Clark more famous in the eyes of causal sports fans?
Souhan: Wild join Ovechkin in achieving a big moment
With Shooter McGavin suitably in the house, Minnesota busted loose for three goals and took an important overtime victory, then gushed about a record-breaking goal elsewhere.
Souhan: How To Be a Minnesota Sports Team Owner
Being a Minnesota sports team owner isn't for the faint of heart, but there are some things Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez should do if they want to win the hearts of Minnesotans.
Souhan: 2025 start might be bad, but it's not as bad as 2016
Byron Buxton was a part of that Twins team that started 0-9 in 2016 en route to finishing 59-103, so he understands there's no reason to panic ... yet.
Souhan: Twins' horrid finish in 2024 has bled into atrocious start in 2025
What's problematic for the Twins is that this embarrassing four-game stretch feeds into the existing negative narratives about the franchise.
Souhan: Wolves, Edwards belatedly wake up following skirmish
The second-quarter brawl at Target Center left the Pistons undermanned, and the Wolves took advantage. But should they, and Edwards in particular, have needed a scuffle to shake off their lethargic start?
Souhan: Vikings need a veteran QB ... but which one makes sense?
With J.J. McCarthy expected to be the starting QB, the Vikings need a backup plan. Do they go after Aaron Rodgers, bring back Kirk Cousins, or look elsewhere?
Souhan: Is López a true ace? The 2025 opener and details from 2024 say maybe not
Those same facts from last season, plus developments from spring training, indicate the Twins may have some competition for that title.
Souhan: Built like he was created via AI, Twins' López knows his legs are the key to success
Teammates and members of the organization also rave about Pablo López's attitude, coachability, adaptability and work ethic, as well as his charitable personality.
Souhan: Thirty years of Twins spring training memories
Despite the many changes at spring training over the decades, the local watering hole always remained the best place for stories.
Souhan: Gophers need Niko Medved as their next men's basketball coach
Colorado State's second-round loss in the NCAA tournament Sunday night should accelerate the Gophers' pursuit.
Souhan: Rocco Baldelli has learned from last year, which gives him faith for this year
While acknowledging how last year's collapse still hurts, Baldelli believes the Twins are finding a way to move forward for a big 2025.
Souhan: Except for Rodgers-generated quarterback drama, the Vikings did good work
The team's effort in March loaded the roster by filling the gaps. Now let's get on with the J.J. McCarthy era.
Souhan: Chris Finch has been the steadying force in Minnesota's turnaround
Instead of relying on the kinds of moves that might be popular with those outside the organization, Finch stuck to the real work of coaching.
Souhan: Vikings have signed an Aaron and a Rodgers, but thankfully not Aaron Rodgers
Keeping Aaron Jones in the backfield was a good move for the Vikings, but now what do they do about the backup position?
Souhan: Missing Kaprizov, Wild go quietly at X, where they've struggled all season
The slumping team is clearly frustrated, while its fans desperately seek moments to generate enthusiasm.
![As analytics continue to play a big role in MLB, do the Twins embrace the evolution of the game or roll their eyes and fight back?
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Souhan: Do the Twins roll with the changes or roll their eyes at analytics in 2025?
As analytics continue to play a role in MLB, the Twins have embraced it as a way to get the most out of their players.
Souhan: Remembering Jimmy Johnson... and what he did to the Vikings
Vikings fans know him for orchestrating one of the greatest thefts in sports history — the trade of Herschel Walker to Minnesota.
Souhan: More than her on-court skills, WNBA will miss Diana Taurasi's sniping
The greatest women's basketball player ever, Taurasi was a 14-time all-WNBA selection, 11-time All-Star, and called "The White Mamba" by Kobe Bryant.
Souhan: St. Peter retiring as Twins president ... kind of
The longtime Twins executive has been lauded for passionate management.
Souhan: Women from the Lynx's past and present make Unrivaled a business matter that's personal
The women's three-on-three basketball league, co-founded by Napheesa Collier with Clare Duwelius as GM, is off to a fascinating start.
Souhan: Twins shortstop Correa eyes a path towards the Hall of Fame
With the blueprint set by Joe Mauer, Carlos Correa understands the analytics needed to make his case to gain baseball immortality — but it won't come at the price of sacrificing time with his family.
Souhan: There's no place like Minnesota for Terry Ryan and Derek Falvey
Even with the Twins in flux amid the selling of the franchise, GMs Ryan and Falvey remain committed to the team due to loyalty and a desire to win.
Souhan: Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax to lead talented Twins bullpen
With Duran and Jax battling for the Twins closing role, the rest of the bullpen is shaping up to be among the MLB's best.
Souhan: Last season's struggles proved valuable for Twins' Lewis
His worst month as a big-leaguer coincided with, or helped cause, the Twins' epic September collapse — but now he's better for it.
Souhan: What other pro leagues can learn from NHL's successful All-Star break
Here's how each major American sports league can improve its own All-Star presentation and why such improvements might never occur.
Souhan: Leaving ESPN is a bad idea for Major League Baseball
The greatness of the network's "Sunday Night Baseball" and "Baseball Tonight" and its use of the nation's best writers invited fans to the game.
Souhan: What Finch must do for the Wolves to win
After four games against teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings, the Wolves will face a remarkably easy schedule.
Souhan: Jessie Diggins and the author telling her story
The skiing star from Afton hit it off with Minnesota writer, Todd Smith, whom she shares a commonality with a willingness to work overtime to achieve a dream.
Souhan: Bueckers assists big UConn blowout that ends South Carolina's home winning streak
The Huskies on Sunday ended the Gamecocks' 71-game home winning streak in a game filled with milestones.
Souhan: Count Naz Reid as a Timberwolves cornerstone and nothing less
The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year last season is in his team's top two this season.
Souhan: Timberwolves leave a reminder of their erratic selves and head into the All-Star break
In a surprising victory Thursday over Oklahoma City, they showed depth and talent. But their other side showed just the day before.
Souhan: Are Wolves, Lynx trading stability for excitement with A-Lo in line to be new owners?
The ownership group of Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore — let's call them A-Lo — is popular with Wolves fans for its risk-taking and aggressiveness. Is the glee over an ownership change justified?
Souhan: Super Bowl champion Eagles were built with brilliance
Howie Roseman, the architect of the NFL's best roster, should take a bow following Sunday's rout of Kansas City.
Souhan: Look closely at J.J. McCarthy. See that resemblance to Mahomes?
The Vikings have the right kind of quarterback to succeed in the NFL and the right formula to make it happen.
Souhan: Minnesota has seen a deal like the stunner that sent Doncic to the Lakers
Saturday night's blockbuster NBA trade is remindful of the Vikings ditching star wide receiver Randy Moss in his prime in 2005.
Souhan: Tommies show off their first-place stuff for Wolves bosses
"The coolest story in college basketball" got cooler Sunday, when St. Thomas reached the Summit League's peak.
Souhan: Eye test says Barkley deserves to be in the GOAT conversation
Proclaiming the Eagles star the best running back of all time may seem presumptuous … but calling his 2024 season the greatest ever by a running back is not.
