Minnesota Sports Forum

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:34 pm

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.

Yep, he's someone to watch. I had researched him before I listened to 2 Dane Moore podcasts yesterday, and he and his guests hadn't done their homework...they knew nothing about him. But yeah...a young guy who as a McD all american and a 5 star recruit seems like more than a throw in in this deal. Maybe we will see what he can do in Iowa, or maybe Finchy wants to give him some of the Clark energy minutes. Not at all overlooking this guy.

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:39 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:34 pm

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.

Yep, he's someone to watch. I had researched him before I listened to 2 Dane Moore podcasts yesterday, and he and his guests hadn't done their homework...they knew nothing about him. But yeah...a young guy who as a McD all american and a 5 star recruit seems like more than a throw in in this deal. Maybe we will see what he can do in Iowa, or maybe Finchy wants to give him some of the Clark energy minutes. Not at all overlooking this guy.

That was one of my early thoughts -- Julian could supplant Clark for a few token minutes. Although, with Ayo in the mix, I think Clark may not get very many stints. We know Finch will tighten to his preferred 8.5-man rotation, and that .5 will be a tossup between Joan and Clark (or Julian).

kekgeek wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 10:11 am Dilly first game with the bulls
9 pts (3-7, 1-3 from 3), 3 Rebs, 4 Asts, 3 turnovers team leading +9 in 22 minutes losing to the nuggets