Wolves hiring Marquise Watts

[FNG]

https://theathletic.com/3067438/2022/01/12/timberwolves-hiring-former-klutch-exec-marquise-watts-to-prominent-executive-role/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

Some may find this to be insignificant, but I look at it as the first move of the Lore/ARod era...and I approve. I find it especially interesting in light of the news that has come out in the past week about how dysfunctional the Vikings organization was under Spielman/Zimmer. (Zimmer would pass players/employees in the halls and not even give them a nod hello). Talent is ultimately what determines wins and losses, but there are tangible reasons why many NFL analysts rank the Vikings as the team that most underachieved last season...and culture starts at the top. ARod may be not be a basketball guy, but I like it when he talks about the little things that make an organization top-notch. This is good news.

[AbeVigodaLive]

OK.

I saw this prominent article in The Athletic. And I saw that it came in part from Shams Charania and I couldn't help but wonder if the only reason we even heard about it was because of Shams' obvious connection to Klutch Sports.

[FNG]

OK.

I saw this prominent article in The Athletic. And I saw that it came in part from Shams Charania and I couldn't help but wonder if the only reason we even heard about it was because of Shams' obvious connection to Klutch Sports.

Ha, gotta admit I would have preferred to have seen only Jon K's name on the byline.

A lot of very positive comments out there in the last 24 hours from guys like Jon K and Dane Moore (who actually played on a team that Watts coached). We all know there is an intangible with this franchise that leads to repeated futility, and I'm convinced the new owners know they need to do something about it. For one thing, the Wolves have never been a favorable destination for free agents, and the addition of Watts plus the star power of the new owners should help change that.

[AbeVigodaLive]

OK.

I saw this prominent article in The Athletic. And I saw that it came in part from Shams Charania and I couldn't help but wonder if the only reason we even heard about it was because of Shams' obvious connection to Klutch Sports.

Ha, gotta admit I would have preferred to have seen only Jon K's name on the byline.

A lot of very positive comments out there in the last 24 hours from guys like Jon K and Dane Moore (who actually played on a team that Watts coached). We all know there is an intangible with this franchise that leads to repeated futility, and I'm convinced the new owners know they need to do something about it. For one thing, the Wolves have never been a favorable destination for free agents, and the addition of Watts plus the star power of the new owners should help change that.

It can't hurt... but this is still a very cold area in flyover land with a rabid hockey fanbase.

The power of top-notch shower heads will only go so far trying to convince a 24-year-old from Los Angeles or Dade County or Atlanta or even Philly to come here.

Perceptions are real. And young millionaire basketball players might even be more susceptible to them than most.

[Q-is-here]

OK.

I saw this prominent article in The Athletic. And I saw that it came in part from Shams Charania and I couldn't help but wonder if the only reason we even heard about it was because of Shams' obvious connection to Klutch Sports.

Ha, gotta admit I would have preferred to have seen only Jon K's name on the byline.

A lot of very positive comments out there in the last 24 hours from guys like Jon K and Dane Moore (who actually played on a team that Watts coached). We all know there is an intangible with this franchise that leads to repeated futility, and I'm convinced the new owners know they need to do something about it. For one thing, the Wolves have never been a favorable destination for free agents, and the addition of Watts plus the star power of the new owners should help change that.

It can't hurt... but this is still a very cold area in flyover land with a rabid hockey fanbase.

The power of top-notch shower heads will only go so far trying to convince a 24-year-old from Los Angeles or Dade County or Atlanta or even Philly to come here.

Perceptions are real. And young millionaire basketball players might even be more susceptible to them than most.

It can't hurt is a good way of putting it. But yeah, ultimately this franchise will turn around once it develops a more systemically effective process for identifying, drafting, and developing young talent. And then once a solid core is in place, making the shrewd moves to identify complimentary pieces to surround them with, which doesn't necessarily require us to be a top FA destination. PJ Tucker and Bobby Portis are two good examples of how Milwaukee was able to add the finishing touches to a championship squad. PJ was acquired via trade and Portis was signed via free agency. Both were key components in their title run.

The good news is that we just might - might - have our core in place with KAT, Vando, Ant, and DLO. I'm very interested to see how this group holds up over the next couple of weeks.

[FNG]

I'm agree with "can't hurt". Low risk move with upside.

And yes Q, I think we're all interested to see how our core handles the next three weeks. If healthy, I have few concerns about our ability to score points, but the last few games have shown a healthy PatBev is critical to our defensive success. And that's a big concern for me, as anyone who has suffered through an upper leg injury knows how slowly they heal...and Pat certainly isn't Lou Gehrig.

I see some respect for the Wolves in the line for tonight's game...only 4 1/2 points against a home team that has won 10 in a row, all but two of them by a margin greater than 4 1/2 points. The Wolves' extraordinary good fortune continues facing a team missing two of its starters (Brooks and Adams), but the Grizzlies are so deep they still beat the Warriors by 8 with those two starters out. It will be a tough test to say the least.

[Q-is-here]

I'm agree with "can't hurt". Low risk move with upside.

And yes Q, I think we're all interested to see how our core handles the next three weeks. If healthy, I have few concerns about our ability to score points, but the last few games have shown a healthy PatBev is critical to our defensive success. And that's a big concern for me, as anyone who has suffered through an upper leg injury knows how slowly they heal...and Pat certainly isn't Lou Gehrig.

I see some respect for the Wolves in the line for tonight's game...only 4 1/2 points against a home team that has won 10 in a row, all but two of them by a margin greater than 4 1/2 points. The Wolves' extraordinary good fortune continues facing a team missing two of its starters (Brooks and Adams), but the Grizzlies are so deep they still beat the Warriors by 8 with those two starters out. It will be a tough test to say the least.

Really incredible how Memphis was able to make the pivot from a long, successful run known as the grit and grind era to a new iteration of players that are perhaps even more formidable overall. They had three seasons of below .500 ball since their last playoff appearance and then - voila! - they put together a winning record last season, make the playoffs, and now appear to be building on that success. It's just sooooo frustrating to watch as a Wolves fan how easy they made it look. And they have zero inherent advantage in terms of their geography, market or conference!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Well, at least Ja Morant is expected to play tonight. We know that he's entertaining, yes, but not very effective. The Grizzlies just can't win games with him playing the bulk of the minutes. He's all flash and no substance. He's fun to watch, but he's not a winner. The Wolves are really dodging a bullet with Tyus Jones having to come off the bench and play his typical 20-minutes. Thank goodness the Grizzlies are too stupid to check the holy on/off metrics!

[Q-is-here]

Well, at least Ja Morant is expected to play tonight. We know that he's entertaining, yes, but not very effective. The Grizzlies just can't win games with him playing the bulk of the minutes. He's all flash and no substance. He's fun to watch, but he's not a winner. The Wolves are really dodging a bullet with Tyus Jones having to come off the bench and play his typical 20-minutes. Thank goodness the Grizzlies are too stupid to check the holy on/off metrics!

I think he learned a lot sitting on the bench and watching Tyus Jones captain the team to a massive turnaround. He's picked up where Tyus left off it seems to me. Sometimes guys just need a little break and reflection time!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Well, at least Ja Morant is expected to play tonight. We know that he's entertaining, yes, but not very effective. The Grizzlies just can't win games with him playing the bulk of the minutes. He's all flash and no substance. He's fun to watch, but he's not a winner. The Wolves are really dodging a bullet with Tyus Jones having to come off the bench and play his typical 20-minutes. Thank goodness the Grizzlies are too stupid to check the holy on/off metrics!

I think he learned a lot sitting on the bench and watching Tyus Jones captain the team to a massive turnaround. He's picked up where Tyus left off it seems to me. Sometimes guys just need a little break and reflection time!

Speaking of our golden boy, Tyus. His contract expires this season. What can he expect in his next deal?

Obviously, he's a nice backup PG... and seems to be thriving in what he does for Memphis. Will another team see something more than that from him... and will it be worth it for Jones to jump at?