Minnesota Sports Forum

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-review-anthony-edwards-devin-vassell-isaac-okoro/id1399177286?i=1000507526030

I've been really enjoying the Dane Moore podcast all year. He was bringing up this idea of not just knowing what to do on defense, but feeling the impact that being good at defense has through winning. It made me think of who on this team has this experience? Who has credibility when they can link defensive possessions to winning. Ricky may think so, I could see the argument for it but there hasn't been a lot of winning in his career. Is Ed Davis the only player on our team with any credibility? Who in management or coaching has credibility? Is it needed? I thought the distinction between an abstract idea (play defense) and a tangible experience (our defense won us this game) was a unique conversation that this podcast covered.

We had credibility with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague. Even Robert Covington can claim a piece of that pie. But the first two were 'bullies' and demanded more from others than ever had been asked of them. I'm not completely sold that this franchise is ready for what it takes to win on a consistent basis. It's always something.

Camden0916 wrote:We had credibility with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague. Even Robert Covington can claim a piece of that pie. But the first two were 'bullies' and demanded more from others than ever had been asked of them. I'm not completely sold that this franchise is ready for what it takes to win on a consistent basis. It's always something.

I have no response in retort to this. It seems like this franchise shuns credibility. Maybe that isnt true and its random circumstance but I am puzzled how we get to player development (something we talk about often) without credibility. I had my issues with McHale but when he showed KG moves in the post or talked about D of course he listened. How can Ryan Saunders develop anything when he has no frame of reference for success?

I think the problem is that when Thibs and Butler came along, KAT and Wig were on the fast track to being on max contracts and were clearly "the future" and therefore felt they could turn a deaf ear to Thibs and Jimmy's exhortations. They knew they were higher on Taylor's pecking order than Thibs or Butler were. And Butler resented that.

Now had they been drafted into a Thibs/Butler/Taj group, perhaps things would have turned out a lot differently. Then again, a Thibs/Butler/Taj trio doesn't end up going to the lottery.....

Bottom line....at some point, teams break the cycle of losing and it's usually done through finding self-motivated elite talents through the draft....not exactly our strong suit.

Camden wrote:We had credibility with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague. Even Robert Covington can claim a piece of that pie. But the first two were 'bullies' and demanded more from others than ever had been asked of them. I'm not completely sold that this franchise is ready for what it takes to win on a consistent basis. It's always something.

Credibility for having poor defense and getting slaughtered in the first round of the playoffs.

Ricky is reigning World Cup MVP and just helped Phoenix become most improved team last year. He hasn't meshed with selfish DLO, tunnel visioned Edwards and a bunch of G League talent.

Camden wrote:We had credibility with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague. Even Robert Covington can claim a piece of that pie. But the first two were 'bullies' and demanded more from others than ever had been asked of them. I'm not completely sold that this franchise is ready for what it takes to win on a consistent basis. It's always something.

Thibs was complete garbage. Glad he's gone. He started the downward spiral that Rosas has taken to the absolute bottom.

We keep rewarding losing. Taylor could care less about the fans. There's no other franchise on earth that would allow this to go on. Bunch of losers with no clue. Digusting.

Camden0916 wrote:We had credibility with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague. Even Robert Covington can claim a piece of that pie. But the first two were 'bullies' and demanded more from others than ever had been asked of them. I'm not completely sold that this franchise is ready for what it takes to win on a consistent basis. It's always something.

There will always be something as long as Glen runs the show. Culture REALLY matters. What is our culture? Losing and "family" apparently. It never has and never will be winning until perhaps a new owner arrives, but we'll probably just be in Seattle then

We're finally back in familiar territory with the worst record in the league. Taylor says no changes will be made because it wouldn't be a fair evaluation of Ryan without KAT being there. I don't understand why Ryan can't be evaluated on how poorly he's using the assets in front of him. Maybe Taylor wants to hire a new POBO with the condition that Ryan is the coach. Or Maybe Taylor wants Ryan as the coach and POBO. Whatever keeps us losers. Taylor will eventually have no choice but to sell the team to someone who will definitely move it so this nightmare can finally be over.