Wolves Media Profile: Tim Faklis

Posted By: Dan Slaubaugh

The Minnesota Timberwolves community is extremely fortunate to have a large collection of dedicated, knowledgeable Wolves writers who cover the team year in and year out. Here at OTP, we are giving fans an opportunity to find out more about these talented individuals. Our sixteenth profile feature is A Wolf Among Wolves writer Tim Faklis.

Name: Tim Faklis
Affiliation: A Wolf Among Wolves
Web Address: www.AWolfAmongWolves.com
Twitter: @timfaklis

Tim! I appreciate the time! Should be fun!
 
Thanks for the invite!
 
How long have you been covering the Wolves for A Wolf Among Wolves?
 
This will be my third year for A Wolf Among Wolves, and I’ve loved every second of it. I’m part of the best Wolves blog on the internetz, as far as I’m concerned (no offense, OTP).
 
What sparked your interest in writing and how did you get affiliated with AWAW?
 
I’ve always loved writing. In high school, I had a crappy sports blog that no longer exists (thank goodness).
 
I was a journalism major at Minnesota State – Mankato, and wrote for my school’s paper for a couple years to try to gain experience. I was both a news and a sports writer, and had some interest in both departments.
 
After college, I tried some internet-style “cold calling”  to some blogs around the web. I got lucky, because Eric in Madison over at Canis Hoopus gave me a chance to cover games for them right out of college. After one year with Canis, I received an email from A Wolf Among Wolves (Steve, specifically), asking if I’d be interested in joining up with them. I had gotten to know Zach, Steve and Billy on a personal level; that, combined with them being fantastic writers made it an easy choice for me.
 
Do you have any interest in possibly moving up in the sports media world to cover the team at a bigger platform?
 
Well, I’ve written for Sporting News the past couple years, and am doing stuff for VICE Sports (in addition to Sporting News) this season. In terms of doing that for full-time work, it’s something I’d be interested in if the opportunity ever presented itself, but in the meantime, I love my situation as it is.
 
What will viewers find by reading your content?
 
Maybe this is overly simplistic, but I like to write about whatever is on my mind. Whether it’s a simple game recap, a breakdown of Zach LaVine’s skillset, or a Wolves-centric Prince story, I’ll write whatever I care about. I’m not interested in writing something just for #content.I’ve been actively watching the Wolves since I was 7 years old, and love looking back at times of Wolves past.
 
What keeps you driven and motivated to cover the team with excellence?
 
We live in a state with absurdly good writers across the board. If I don’t bring my best, Wolves fans have a platter of other writers to go to. The writer base here is that good.

The Wolves are one of the NBA’s best young squads. Why should fans be sure to follow the team next year?
 
Their best players aren’t just a crop great, young talent. They’re crazy athletic, springy, and polished. Not only is there crazy amounts of potential there, there’s already an incredibly fun product that you’ll see immediately.
 
Do you have a favorite Wolves memory in the time you’ve been covering them?

KG’s first game back in Minnesota. As a media member, I’m supposed ot be a professional when sitting in the media section. I think I did that, but holy buckets was that difficult. Kevin Garnett was the childhood sports hero for me growing up, so the entire unfolding of that trade was about as surreal as it gets.
 
What storyline are you most excited to watch unfold for the 2016/17 season?
 
I’m as enamored with how good KAT can be as anyone. Like a lot of people here, I think he has “best player in the league” potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing how close he gets this year.
 
Which are some of your favorite NBA and Wolves related writers you follow?
 
It’s going to be impossible to name all the great Wolves writers we have around here. As I mentioned, the talent here is insane. I’ll just say Zach Harper, William Bohl and Steve McPherson and admit that I’m biased
 
As for general NBA, Zach Lowe (real original, I know), Sean Highkin, Lee and Jenkins are a few of my favorites. Also, he’s more TV, but Amin Elhassan is fantastic on ESPN.

Rapid Fire (Flame Emojis)
 
Favorite sports movie? Remember the Titans

Favorite food? I could eat Davanni’s hoagies all day (southwestern chicken, specifically)

Favorite weather/season? Fall

Favorite TV show? All-time: Sopranos. Currently on TV: Better Call Saul or Game of Thrones

Hidden talent? I’m relatively public about it, and the actual level of “talent” is debatable, but I’m in a band and play bass/lead guitar.

'95-'96 Bulls or '15-'16 Warriors? 96 Bulls, until Draymond Green starts changing up the hair a la Dennis Rodman

Favorite NBA player of all-time? The Big Ticket

Space Jam or Like Mike? Space Jam

When do the Wolves finally end NBA's longest playoff drought? I’ll say it: THIS YEAR WE COMIN LET’S GO