Optimistic Thread...NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS ALLOWED!!!!!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/practice-report-september-30?utm_content=Practice+Report+9-30-14+FB%2FGG&utm_campaign=&utm_source=14499&utm_term=1412125205&utm_medium=Facebook%3A+Minnesota+Timberwolves

This blog about day 1 of pre-season practice clearly belongs in the OpTIMism thread. So many positive things here:

1) So good to hear that Ricky has established himself as the team leader. It can't be easy for him to step up into this role with charismatic vets like Turiaf and Williams on the roster, but Williams' comment that this is Ricky's team is implied permission for Ricky to go for it. We haven't had a team leader since Garnett left, and I can understand why Ricky may not have been comfortable putting himself out there as team leader while a superstar like Love was still on the team. This is unexpected, but terrific, news.

2) Also good to hear how hands on the coaching staff is. I'm sure we overstate the lethargy of the Adelaman coaching style because of his uninvolved nature, but I also think Flip's staff is trying to make an early statement.

3) Mo Williams. I've always liked him, and he is likely to become the go-to guy for the press. And that's good, because Mo will usually say the right thing, and generally in an entertaining fashion. We are so lucky to have three classy vets like Turiaf, Brewer and Williams to mentor our otherwise young team.

4) Emphasis on defense. Not a surprise, but very nice to hear anyway. I love the combination of the athleticism of our new guys combined with a hard-nosed defensive guy like Sam Mitchell on the bench.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

"We are so lucky to have three classy vets like Turiaf, Brewer and Williams to mentor our otherwise young team."

And Thaddeus Young and Kevin Martin... Two guys who should be playing big minutes this year. Seems to me like Young can and will be there for Muhammad and Bennett whereas Martin has already reached out to Wiggins and LaVine.

I also think Turiaf has been really good for Dieng. Similar abilities, though different ceilings, obviously.

[bleedspeed]

Glad Flip is going to play the young guys more in preseason. Looking forward to the game.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/reminiscing-ratke-training-camp-notebook?utm_content=Ratke+Column+10-6-14&utm_campaign=&utm_source=14499&utm_term=1412643610&utm_medium=Twitter%3A+MNTimberwolves

Nice report on every player's performance in Mankato by Kyle Ratke. I know hope always springs eternal in pre-season, but this write-up is notable in that positive comments are made about EVERY player! Definitely belongs in this thread.

Good to hear him name Shabazz as his breakout player of the year...I hope he gets the minutes to get there.