Mature Wolves?

[thedoper]

https://talknorth.com/2023/09/20/timber ... goes-deep/

Just listened to the Tim Connelly interview with Jon K. Feel good softballs from Jon as usual. A lot of talk about culture, etc. Not really addressing in our season ending with a pathetic display of immaturity from two of our vets (Rudy and Kyle) and one of our young stars (Jaden). Then we had KAT giving insane podcast appearances and getting ripped by the national media for it and having many Minnesota media types like Jon K again coming to his defense.

I understand wanting to paint this season in a bright light, I am pumped. Ant looks hungry, Kat is healthy, we have Mike Conley. But this is absolutely a prove it season for so many. I think Jaden is on top of that list, he hasn't gotten an extension yet, Connelly was over the top in this interview about how positive just the process of offering an extension is for a player (I read they are miles apart between his comment). Kyle and Rudy's lasting image in my head from last season is them pouting and fighting when we needed them most (I know we played Denver hard but I lost interest quick once Jaden took himself out and Rudy and Kyle decided to have a public spat). Ultimately we were immature last year, our best player is still a baby in terms of age, Kat has never struck me as mature, Rudy and Kyle lost it when the pressure was on. Still excited, I just wish Jon K would have pressed a bit harder on what examples of maturity outside of Mike Conely, Finch and maybe Ant(crazy to say) are on this team?

[60WinTim]

Well, speaking of Mike Conley, he hates to lose...

https://twitter.com/mconley11/status/17 ... 0362526057

[thedoper]

Well, speaking of Mike Conley, he hates to lose...

https://twitter.com/mconley11/status/17 ... 0362526057

Loved that. Thank you for sharing.

[Lipoli390]

https://talknorth.com/2023/09/20/timber ... goes-deep/

Just listened to the Tim Connelly interview with Jon K. Feel good softballs from Jon as usual. A lot of talk about culture, etc. Not really addressing in our season ending with a pathetic display of immaturity from two of our vets (Rudy and Kyle) and one of our young stars (Jaden). Then we had KAT giving insane podcast appearances and getting ripped by the national media for it and having many Minnesota media types like Jon K again coming to his defense.

I understand wanting to paint this season in a bright light, I am pumped. Ant looks hungry, Kat is healthy, we have Mike Conley. But this is absolutely a prove it season for so many. I think Jaden is on top of that list, he hasn't gotten an extension yet, Connelly was over the top in this interview about how positive just the process of offering an extension is for a player (I read they are miles apart between his comment). Kyle and Rudy's lasting image in my head from last season is them pouting and fighting when we needed them most (I know we played Denver hard but I lost interest quick once Jaden took himself out and Rudy and Kyle decided to have a public spat). Ultimately we were immature last year, our best player is still a baby in terms of age, Kat has never struck me as mature, Rudy and Kyle lost it when the pressure was on. Still excited, I just wish Jon K would have pressed a bit harder on what examples of maturity outside of Mike Conely, Finch and maybe Ant(crazy to say) are on this team?

The questions were softballs and TC did his usual happy talk rah rah. But TC did mention several things that need to improve from last season.

1. One of those things he mentioned was maturity. He mentioned the team’s immaturity last season at least twice in the conversation.

2. Another thing he mentioned was losing games to sub .500 teams. He said “we can’t expect to be taken seriously if we lose as many games as we lost to sub .500 teams.”

3. He mentioned KAT’s injury but also KAT’s pre-season illness that left him in poor physical condition when the season started.

4. He also indirectly alluded to the poor conditioning of players at the start of last season. He was asked what’s different this summer from last and his answer started by referring to how players have kept themselves in top physical condition this summer. We all remember how Ant came to camp soft and fat last fall. Rudy was worn down from summer tournament play. I suspect some others weren’t in optimal shape either.

5. He mentioned that Rudy did not play up to what he called “Rudy’s standards.” It was said in a nice way because TC is all about positivity. But there’s no question TC and the organization were disappointed in Rudy’s play last season.

So amidst all the happy talk and rah rah, TC did layer in some honest assessment of the team’s shortcomings last season.

[60WinTim]

Another snippet from the interview has TC unequivocally stating that Shake was brought in for the backup PG spot, which implies NAW is the backup SG and Brown is the backup SF. On paper.

JMac is a terrific option for your 3rd string PG, especially with all those games everyone is predicting Conley will miss. Moore and Minott, also 3rd string, have a year of seasoning. Miller is an even more intriguing prospect than Minott was at this time last year. And Garza is rock solid on a 2-way contract. I suspect the open roster spot is being kept open for the "right opportunity", but could also be used for Garza down the road.

It's pretty easy to be excited about this team's outlook to start the season. The only cloud is the financial burden encountered in the next season. But in the meantime, we can enjoy this season.

[Q-is-here]

Another snippet from the interview has TC unequivocally stating that Shake was brought in for the backup PG spot, which implies NAW is the backup SG and Brown is the backup SF. On paper.

JMac is a terrific option for your 3rd string PG, especially with all those games everyone is predicting Conley will miss. Moore and Minott, also 3rd string, have a year of seasoning. Miller is an even more intriguing prospect than Minott was at this time last year. And Garza is rock solid on a 2-way contract. I suspect the open roster spot is being kept open for the "right opportunity", but could also be used for Garza down the road.

It's pretty easy to be excited about this team's outlook to start the season. The only cloud is the financial burden encountered in the next season. But in the meantime, we can enjoy this season.

***Cold Bucket of Water Warning****

The jury is out on our bench. It seems like every year we think we have a great bench and then either injuries put them in over their head or someone totally shits the bed (like Nowell last season).

I'm not bearish on our bench, but I'm not bullish either. Naz, Milton, NAW, Anderson, and Brown Jr. appear to be the 6-10 guys in the rotation. Seems like a solid group, but nothing special. I also like Garza and even J-Mac as emergency options as the 11th and 12th men. But we're in big trouble if we have to play Minott, Miller, or Moore Jr. for regular minutes.

[thedoper]

I know this was a generally negative post title and subject, Im just not sure I will ever make it to the top of Wet blanket mountain with Q and Abe. Go Wolves!!

[KG4Ever]

Another snippet from the interview has TC unequivocally stating that Shake was brought in for the backup PG spot, which implies NAW is the backup SG and Brown is the backup SF. On paper.

JMac is a terrific option for your 3rd string PG, especially with all those games everyone is predicting Conley will miss. Moore and Minott, also 3rd string, have a year of seasoning. Miller is an even more intriguing prospect than Minott was at this time last year. And Garza is rock solid on a 2-way contract. I suspect the open roster spot is being kept open for the "right opportunity", but could also be used for Garza down the road.

It's pretty easy to be excited about this team's outlook to start the season. The only cloud is the financial burden encountered in the next season. But in the meantime, we can enjoy this season.

***Cold Bucket of Water Warning****

The jury is out on our bench. It seems like every year we think we have a great bench and then either injuries put them in over their head or someone totally shits the bed (like Nowell last season).

I'm not bearish on our bench, but I'm not bullish either. Naz, Milton, NAW, Anderson, and Brown Jr. appear to be the 6-10 guys in the rotation. Seems like a solid group, but nothing special. I also like Garza and even J-Mac as emergency options as the 11th and 12th men. But we're in big trouble if we have to play Minott, Miller, or Moore Jr. for regular minutes.

I've never liked the Wolves bench that much before and now I like our bench a lot and think its the best bench and depth the Wolves have ever had. SloMo, Naz and Shake are good players and if playoffs NAW shows up he's good too. TB seems to fit a need too. And love Miller. JMAC is a season vet at point guard and backup point when Conley sits and I expect him to be healthier. I love Garza too, and he's a good option if he's needed. Minott and Moore didn't look very well in summer league and they will probably be riding the bench and trying to develop in Iowa. Its a make or break year for both (especially Moore as his contract is larger) as they'll have to show significant improvement or they may be gone next year.

[Coolbreeze44]

I could see NAZ winning 6th man of the year.

[Lipoli390]

I could see NAZ winning 6th man of the year.

Interesting thought, Cool. It’s certainly plausible based on the way Naz finished the season before injuring his hand.