Media Day GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

This is a great post, I think you nailed it. I too am disappointed we didn't make that aggressive pivot you mention. Time will tell.

[DNatagal]

For those of us clamoring to let the Pups play, we are about to see if we knew what we were talking about. I am really interested in how Finch sets up his rotations, or if a Pup or injury forces his hand.
I actually feel like Beringer might get some time. Finch likes hustle and defense, and I think that kid might have both in his DNA. Will be fun to watch!

[Wolvesfan21]

I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

This is a great post, I think you nailed it. I too am disappointed we didn't make that aggressive pivot you mention. Time will tell.

I think our only real hope is that if a couple guys make big leaps. Ant and TJ for example. If Ant is MVP type and TJ is borderline All Star then I could see us being competitive with OKC. We kind of know what we got with the older dudes, the real upside potential will have to come from the youth.

Maybe Clark takes a little step also on both end, Ant said he's super tough on defense playing him 1 v 1. Clark could maybe be All NBA defense type to go with Jaden and Rudy. We could be a number 1 defense again. I know Ant is wanting that also, so we'll see. Talk is cheap though. Backing it up is the real challenge.

[Lipoli390]

I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

Good analysis, Q. I’m more content than you with our offseason although I still wish we had traded Randle. I think we’re a higher ceiling team than you’re projecting. Our ceiling will depend on our young guys - Shannon, Clark and Dilly (maybe Beringer). They should all begin this season better than last and we should see improvement from all of them over the course of the season. The team’s ceiling is ultimately determined at the end (final stretch and playoffs) so that means our ceiling will turn on what we’re seeing from Shannon, Clark, Dilly and Beringer in April, not October-January. Finch will be key. He has to show a level of patience with the younger players he failed to show last season. Finch has to be willing to accept a lower floor the first half of the season with more PT for our younger guys to give us a chance at a higher ceiling at the end. He says he’s going to lean more on the younger guys, but I’ll believe it when I see it. He’s wired a certain way and in the heat of battle I’m not sure he can overcome his wiring.

[Lipoli390]

I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

This is a great post, I think you nailed it. I too am disappointed we didn't make that aggressive pivot you mention. Time will tell.

I think our only real hope is that if a couple guys make big leaps. Ant and TJ for example. If Ant is MVP type and TJ is borderline All Star then I could see us being competitive with OKC. We kind of know what we got with the older dudes, the real upside potential will have to come from the youth.

Maybe Clark takes a little step also on both end, Ant said he's super tough on defense playing him 1 v 1. Clark could maybe be All NBA defense type to go with Jaden and Rudy. We could be a number 1 defense again. I know Ant is wanting that also, so we'll see. Talk is cheap though. Backing it up is the real challenge.

Wolvesfan - I should have read your post before responding to Q. You made the same points I make but far more succinctly. I liked your point about Ant having another level (MVP level) he can achieve. That’s a key I didn’t mention. It’s impossible to know what we’re ultimately getting from Shannon, Clark, Dilly, Miller and Beringer. But I’m certain all five will be better than last season. And I can’t help but believe that at least one of those five (easily two) will have a break out season. There’s a lot of talent in all five and all of them seem to have great work ethics and competitive drive.

[Lipoli390]

I’m a bit concerned about Finch’s comment that it wasn't fun coaching this team last season because of some personality things. My concern is that we still have the same personalities on the roster minus NAW. I doubt NAW was the source of any personality issues. If the issue was playing time, that could be addressed in part by NAW’s departure, but Finch mentioned personalities, not playing time. I was generally in favor of bringing in everyone but Randle back and even OK with bringing Randle back in the end. But now I’m wondering because whoever was causing the personality issues last season is undoubtedly still on the roster. I find that troubling.

[rapsuperstar31]

I’m a bit concerned about Finch’s comment that it wasn't fun coaching this team last season because of some personality things. My concern is that we still have the same personalities on the roster minus NAW. I doubt NAW was the source of any personality issues. If the issue was playing time, that could be addressed in part by NAW’s departure, but Finch mentioned personalities, not playing time. I was generally in favor of bringing in everyone but Randle back and even OK with bringing Randle back in the end. But now I’m wondering because whoever was causing the personality issues last season is undoubtedly still on the roster. I find that troubling.

Had to be mostly Donte and Julius early on. Both were traded right before training camp began, and especially Donte wasn't happy just picking up and moving his family from the team that he choose to sign with the year before to play with his Villanova buddies. It sounded like Donte wanted to at least be the 6th man ahead of Naz and NAW. Rob had some issues as well, like when he yelled at Finch when Finch pulled him out of a game. Randle and Rudy had issues figuring out how to play together as well. By the end of the year, it seemed like the team was clicking and on the same page, and a lot of the team stayed in Minnesota all summer working out together and building chemistry. Lets hope we start the season how we ended it (minus the OKC series) and only improve from there. Ant really upped his leadership by the end of the season, and I think that really got the team back on the same page, and it sounds like Ant has been the catalyst for keeping everyone together this summer.

[Wolvesfan21]

This is a great post, I think you nailed it. I too am disappointed we didn't make that aggressive pivot you mention. Time will tell.

I think our only real hope is that if a couple guys make big leaps. Ant and TJ for example. If Ant is MVP type and TJ is borderline All Star then I could see us being competitive with OKC. We kind of know what we got with the older dudes, the real upside potential will have to come from the youth.

Maybe Clark takes a little step also on both end, Ant said he's super tough on defense playing him 1 v 1. Clark could maybe be All NBA defense type to go with Jaden and Rudy. We could be a number 1 defense again. I know Ant is wanting that also, so we'll see. Talk is cheap though. Backing it up is the real challenge.

Wolvesfan - I should have read your post before responding to Q. You made the same points I make but far more succinctly. I liked your point about Ant having another level (MVP level) he can achieve. That’s a key I didn’t mention. It’s impossible to know what we’re ultimately getting from Shannon, Clark, Dilly, Miller and Beringer. But I’m certain all five will be better than last season. And I can’t help but believe that at least one of those five (easily two) will have a break out season. There’s a lot of talent in all five and all of them seem to have great work ethics and competitive drive.

You got to love what Finch and Connelly have been doing! Where are those haters btw? I seem to remember guys wanting both fired? I guess our first loss will bring them back out of the woodwork.

[Wolvesfan21]

I’m a bit concerned about Finch’s comment that it wasn't fun coaching this team last season because of some personality things. My concern is that we still have the same personalities on the roster minus NAW. I doubt NAW was the source of any personality issues. If the issue was playing time, that could be addressed in part by NAW’s departure, but Finch mentioned personalities, not playing time. I was generally in favor of bringing in everyone but Randle back and even OK with bringing Randle back in the end. But now I’m wondering because whoever was causing the personality issues last season is undoubtedly still on the roster. I find that troubling.

Had to be mostly Donte and Julius early on. Both were traded right before training camp began, and especially Donte wasn't happy just picking up and moving his family from the team that he choose to sign with the year before to play with his Villanova buddies. It sounded like Donte wanted to at least be the 6th man ahead of Naz and NAW. Rob had some issues as well, like when he yelled at Finch when Finch pulled him out of a game. Randle and Rudy had issues figuring out how to play together as well. By the end of the year, it seemed like the team was clicking and on the same page, and a lot of the team stayed in Minnesota all summer working out together and building chemistry. Lets hope we start the season how we ended it (minus the OKC series) and only improve from there. Ant really upped his leadership by the end of the season, and I think that really got the team back on the same page, and it sounds like Ant has been the catalyst for keeping everyone together this summer.

I agree that both were an issue, for sure Ju till the end of the year / post injury. I could tell Finchy was struggling to have fun and having issues last year, he looked worn down.

But now that everyone has settled in nicely, I think things will be smoother.

Just thinking how Ju and Rudy clashed to start the year. It took time for them to learn how to play together, how Ju to fit in with the team.

[Coolbreeze44]

I guess I'm old fashioned, but I'd have a hard time being led by someone who has fathered 4 children with 4 different women before age 24. Someone with that kind of judgement just doesn't scream leader to me.