Minnesota Sports Forum

I didn't learn much in some conversations today. Among a few other things, I confirmed that Scott and Thibs are every bit as tight-lipped as has been reported. People inside the organization who used to learn things from Flip and others at the top of the basketball Ops department aren't getting much information. But here a few things I learned or inferred that you might find interesting even though their not particularly informative:

1. Scott's draft board is the most detailed these guys I talked to have ever seen. They wouldn't tell me who was on it. Simply said it reflects just about every contingency you can imagine.

2. The key guys involved in the draft selection process are Scott, Thibs, Ryan Saunders, and the Wolves capologist. A couple other guys are also involved.

3. The process is the most detailed and thorough these guys have ever seen in the Wolves front office.

4. Scott and Thibs were already well ahead in draft preparation before the end of the season. Thibs spent a lot of time during the season evaluating college talent. Scott was prepping for the draft all season as an assistant GM for the Spurs.

5. Scott and Thibs weren't blowing smoke last night about really liking prospects likely to be available at #5. Won't trade unless it's a very good deal for the Wolves, but still open to trades. Don't know who, if anyone, Scott and Thibs like best.

6. There was significance to Thibs naming certain roster players last night, but no significance to the order in which he named them. Thibs really likes all the guys he named, including Bazz.

7. Belly working out at the practice facility today. Working really hard this offseason and looking good.

Again, most of this is just stating the obvious. But thought I'd pass it along anyway.

Thanks Lip for sharing. That's probably more inside info than anywhere else I've seen. :) I think it was Wolfson in the last day said sort of the same thing you are saying. People he used to get info from don't even know what Thibs/Layden are even thinking when it comes to the draft.

What you laid out about Layden backs up all the good stuff people said about Layden in Twitter when it looks like the Wolves were going to bring him in with Thibs.

I think we can see why those 2 work well together. They are both so process and detail oriented. We have seen how Zimmer and Spielman work well together in they have such a similar philosophy in what players they bring in. Zimmer is more of a no nonsense guy and Spielman has been more of a guy much more willing to talk but it seems like Spielman to me has kinda toned that down some while willing to talk he isn't quite as flashy. Some of that could have been the AP thing but yeah. Zimmer puts forth a lot of effort in relating to the media doing his media sessions to help them understand the game more and generally spent BS. I think that goes a long way so when he doesn't tell them something they want to know they can love with it.
I think Thibs could be similar to Zimmer in how he is liked although I think he seems like he might enjoy joking around a little more causally from what I have seen since he took the job. Zimmer seems really comfortable in his job and it comes across when he does sit downs with various media. Thibs probably feels pretty comfortable at this point too and that could only grow as he gets to know various people more and more.

The bottom line is these guys seem like pros. I am VERY happy we have BOTH of them.

Thanks Lip. I imagine the "capologist" looks something like Jonah Hill in Moneyball. Nice to hear how they're prepared for most contingencies. Should be fun tomorrow.

Being prepared is the fundamental building block to coaching in my opinion. John Wooden didn't coach during the games. His team was completely prepared when they hit the court, and then it was just a matter of execution. Knowing that Thibs and Layden are this detail oriented makes me feel great about our preparation for tomorrow. It's going to be fun to see how it plays out.

So Thibs likes Rubio. . .how much? Does he see him as a keeper?

Appreciate the info, Lip. There's no question that it's a different ballgame at 600 1st avenue these days!

As noted, the cloak of secrecy was expected with the new regime.

As I heard Barreiro say yesterday, "The fun will be from winning games." We'll miss Flip's one-of-us storytelling and insights and have to embrace the Belicheckian super duper secret agent wordspeak.

Oh well. Great to hear Saunders is still involved. He was the one guy I was hoping would stick. If nothing more than as a goodwill gesture. I'd like to think big sports has a soft spot for that kind of stuff. I'd like to see some semblance of the Saunders clan sticking it out during what should be better days ahead. And by multiple reports, Saunders has a place in this league and I'm sure he learned a few things from dad.