Media Day

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I didn't watch any of the media interviews, but from reading comments here and elsewhere, it does feel like we have a solid base of vet leadership in Gibson, Tolliver, and Deng. I think Teague is good in the locker room too, but I wasn't impressed with the way he would modulate his effort levels last year. With a capable backup like Tyus, there was no need for him to play this way. I think the others are exemplary vets both on and off the court.

[Lipoli390]

I didn't watch any of the media interviews, but from reading comments here and elsewhere, it does feel like we have a solid base of vet leadership in Gibson, Tolliver, and Deng. I think Teague is good in the locker room too, but I wasn't impressed with the way he would modulate his effort levels last year. With a capable backup like Tyus, there was no need for him to play this way. I think the others are exemplary vets both on and off the court.

I watched the interviews and that was definitely my take. If nothing else, it underscores the need to use the Butler trade to acquire young talent with high upside to supplement KAT and Wiggins or perhaps to replace Wiggins down the road. We have solid vets who can still play and provide a great lockerroom presence. With Jimmy's departure, we need to fill in the roster with more talent.

[mjs34]

I finally saw the rest of the interviews. I have three main take-aways from what I watched:

1. Thibodeau will likely remain as the Wolves head coach at least through the first half of the season. That's the vibe I got today. And with so many former Bulls players now on the roster, it would seem odd to fire Thibs at this point.

2. I really like all our guys. Towns is well-spoken and humble. Wiggins seems like a good guy. Tyus is super smart and has a great presence. Gorgui is a stand-up guy who is really smart and probably a great teammate. Luol Deng really impressed me. A great demeanor and intelligent. I can see him being a coach or GM some day. I thought Gorgui's responses were the most interesting. When asked to evaluate his performance last season, he did what no other Wolves player did and said it wasn't good. Refreshing. I continue to believe that Gorgui is worth keeping, even at his salary. He should be in the starting lineup and get more minutes, both of which would optimize his performance on the court.

3. Thibodeau is struggling with what just happened. He kept his cool and fell back on his various mantras to get through the Butler-related questions. But you could tell this has really hit him hard. He was counting on Jimmy to help ensure another playoff birth and possibly go further. Now Jimmy is on his way out. And he has to feel some sense of betrayal by a guy who Thibs thought was his guy and fully in sync with him. If nothing else, I would think Thibodeau is embarrassed by what happened with Jimmy. You could see his usual brovado absent when the press conference started, although he got some of it back by the end.

I think Thibs expects to remain as head coach for this season, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him canned immediately after trading Jimmy, and Layden will be right behind him.

I think KAT is anything but humble, but is coached very well by his PR guy. Wiggins seems like a bumbling idiot with zero drive, and I am at the point that giving him away seems like a reasonable move. I still don't see this intelligence in Gorgui that you see Lip, but i like Gorgui's personality and character a great deal. With Butler gone, I don't see a real need to move G. That being said, There is no reason that he should ever see the starting lineup and minutes that go with that. Taj is twice the player that G is.

Taj came across as the ultimate professional, and a guy you really need on this team. I'd give the guy an extension if it was possible.