1. Minnesota Lynx

Rave: Under fourth year coach Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx have reached the WNBA Finals three years in a row, winning in 2011 and, as of press time, just one victory away from Title No. 2.

Rant: Despite its success on the court, the Lynx’s average home attendance of 9,381 fills only half the Target Center.

Random: Former Minnesota Gopher standouts Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville have been reunited after eight years apart. Whalen and McCarville elevated the Gophers program from last in the Big Ten in 2000-01 to a Final Four appearance in 2003-04.

2. Minnesota Wild

Rave: Management reiterated its commitment to long-term success by signing Minneapolis-native Zach Parise and Norris Trophy finalist Ryan Suter to 13-year, $98 million contracts with the franchise.

Rant: Since their amazing run to the Western Conference Finals in 2002-03, the Wild have failed to win a playoff series.

Random: Center Mikko Koivu is just 39 points away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in points scored. The 30-year-old Koivu was drafted by the Wild when he was 17 and has captained the squad since 2009.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Rave: The Wolves roster this year is its strongest since 2004 when they reached the Conference Finals and Kevin Garnett was the NBA MVP. There is a lot of buzz around this team thanks to their 14th pick in last year’s draft, Naismith Prep Player of the Year Shabazz Muhammad, as well as a couple of big signings. In addition, they return their three key players from last season (Love, Rubio, Pekovic).

Rant: The Wolves have had six different coaches and zero playoff appearances in the past nine seasons.

Random: Flip Saunders, who coached the Timberwolves from 1995 to 2005, has been brought back to replace David Kahn as GM.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Rave: The Vikings have signed quarterback Josh Freeman after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Freeman should go to the top of the depth charts after fans and management have lost their patience in Christian Ponder.

Rant: In spite of the team’s successful off-season where they made some big pick-ups and draft picks while retaining their key pieces from the previous season, the Vikings have started the season 1-3. Many analysts have the Vikings in the bottom five of their NFL Power Rankings.

Random: Kicker Blair Walsh set NFL records in his 2012-13 rookie season for the most consecutive 50+ yard field goals made (12, still going) and the highest field goal percentage by a rookie (92.1 percent).

5. Minnesota Twins

Rave: The Twins’ new stadium Target Field is a lovely place to spend a summer evening.

Rant: The Twinkies have given fans little to cheer about in recent years. With three consecutive 90+ loss seasons, and one half of the “M&M boys” departing to Pittsburgh, the awesome view of downtown Minneapolis may be the biggest perk about being a Twins season ticket holder.

Random: The spruce trees beyond the center field fence were removed after batters complained their shadows were distracting. Runs per game at Target Field decreased the following season nonetheless.