Wolves on NBA TV at 3pm

[mjs34]

Very impressed with Sam today, and his defensive focus on the PnR. Thought he did a great job of simplifying it for the guys. Stop the ball, two seconds and you're off.

I hope they let Sam continue when/if Flip gets healthy enough to come back. Kamla commented on how much more enthusiasm there is at this practice versus past years. Not sure if Sam's style will grind on the guys, but what I saw today is very promising.

[mjs34]

Got a small window into the world of Adrian Payne. Sam singled him out three times in a row on not guarding properly and/or getting to a spot. Still pulling for AP. But seems like a slow learner (at least in this practice).

PS - did we crash this site? Having troubles getting in this afternoon.

Carlos, I have been having issues off and on for the last couple weeks. Not any today for me, but it was horrible over the last weekend.

[Monster]

To me this was really interesting. I hope there is a way to watch this again as I missed some of it. A few thoughts.

Rubio looked pretty good too me physically. There were some of those defensive drills the things he was doing aggressive quick movements are not something you expect from a guy that has concerns about an ankle.

There were times I saw Towns going pretty much harder than anyone at different drills.

Bjelica is tall. I wonder if the only guy actually taller than him on the roster is KG. we knew this already but he is very fluid for a guy that size. He just looks like a basketball player.

Defense is the word. Sounds good

This compared to the other guards does look pretty unimpressive physically. Part of that is his physical gifts and part of that is he is young and doesn't have the decisiveness he will likely have in a couple years. That will make him look quicker stronger etc. He doesn't now but he isn't 20 yet but just making an observation.

Dave Benz looks fantastic.

Gates and the other assistants were plenty involved. He was the guy i could hear the loudest other than Sam when I was watching.

Martin took a charge on Towns in Practice. Practice

[Monster]

@JerryZgoda: KG confidant Gary Trent was on floor today working with big men, a player-development role Sam Mitchell says will continue into the season

I am a big fan of this because he had offensive game and played with an edge. He wasn't the best defender but he had some physical challenges there that are part of his limitations.

[Bayou Wolf [enjin:6635650]]

I thought Lavine looked really good as well. Lots to like about the energy at that practice...I wonder how the fact it was being televised impacted anything.

[Carlos Danger]

I thought Lavine looked really good as well. Lots to like about the energy at that practice...I wonder how the fact it was being televised impacted anything.

HA! I was thinking same thing. I think it's human nature to ham it up a little for the camera/audience. That's part of what makes "Reality TV" not really "reality".

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Wish I could have watched, man we're a bunch of geeks, getting excited about a practice (trademark: Allen Iverson). Will Gary Trent be another paid mentor on the team?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Really good to see Mitchell emphasizing defense. Love it! Lots of good interviews in the can on NBA.com. The one with AP Jon K. is really, really good. He seems to have a real good grasp on the team and some of their issues.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

One of the things Anthony and Kamla (the guys covering the practice for NBA TV) talked about with Jon K. was the potential of Martin coming off the bench to give them a veteran scorer with the second unit. But if you have Shabazz, Miller, Dieng, and Bjelica at the other 4 spots, that's not really a bunch of young neophytes. Bazz is a proven scorer, Miller is older than dirt, Dieng's offensive game is improving, and Bjelica is a very mature rookie. I have no problem with Zach being in that bunch.

At the end of the day, let the best man win, but I don't think you put Martin in the 2nd unit because somehow that balances the roster. You only do it because Zach earns the starting role.

[mjs34]

If I am Sam, I realize that not starting Martin will cause a problem based on Martin's insistence that he is a starting SG in this league. The remedy is to start Martin, and then wait for the first injury to take the opportunity to start Zach (if he has earned it). You can always use the "I don't want to mess with success" excuse, assuming Zach is being productive in a starters role.

On another note, it would have been nice if Anthony knew enough to close his trap during the teaching moments of the practice. I would have really liked to have heard more of what Sam was saying, but Anthony kept talking over him.