Minnesota Sports Forum

http://radio.com/audio/the-chad-hartman-show/

Good interview. He stuck to his typical lines for the most part (we heard again about his 5 keys to success as a team. At least they don't change!). Right when I thought he'd go into full-on gush mode about KAT, he went back to his mantra: ".....but he has to get a lot better defensively. He has a lot of room for improvement." Now imagine Flip, who would probably just keep going on about how great and unique KAT is (which would also be correct). I think the fact Thibs is even here is largely because of KAT, with Wiggins and the other guys a distant 2nd and 3rd. But he's not going to get carried away praising any of these guys. I think he wants them to be a little ashamed of how they played defense this past season.

His comments around the draft were interesting. He talked about having "flexibility" and "options". That suggests to me that he's definitely open to trading down or out of the draft. We'll see....

Q12543 wrote:Good interview. He stuck to his typical lines for the most part (we heard again about his 5 keys to success as a team. At least they don't change!). Right when I thought he'd go into full-on gush mode about KAT, he went back to his mantra: ".....but he has to get a lot better defensively. He has a lot of room for improvement." Now imagine Flip, who would probably just keep going on about how great and unique KAT is (which would also be correct). I think the fact Thibs is even here is largely because of KAT, with Wiggins and the other guys a distant 2nd and 3rd. But he's not going to get carried away praising any of these guys. I think he wants them to be a little ashamed of how they played defense this past season.

His comments around the draft were interesting. He talked about having "flexibility" and "options". That suggests to me that he's definitely open to trading down or out of the draft. We'll see....

I'm not sure how much I would read into that and you said as much. Most of the time when Thins has talked about flexibility he has mentioned cap space as well. In the draft at #5 you likely have flexibility in a number of ways. One way is that at that spot there is unlikely to be a no brainer consensus player. That could be what Thibs is speaking about in terms of flexibility in addition to moving the pick for a vet (doesn't seem like that's the direction he is leaning) or as you suggested trading down. I know I am biased towards building through a younger roster but I have not gotten the vibe Thibs is going all in on some vets guys. It seems he is more on the other side to me. Chad tried to get him to talk about going the vet route and he didn't give anything away but I thought it sounded more like a leaning towards long term than short term. What do you think Q?

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Good interview. He stuck to his typical lines for the most part (we heard again about his 5 keys to success as a team. At least they don't change!). Right when I thought he'd go into full-on gush mode about KAT, he went back to his mantra: ".....but he has to get a lot better defensively. He has a lot of room for improvement." Now imagine Flip, who would probably just keep going on about how great and unique KAT is (which would also be correct). I think the fact Thibs is even here is largely because of KAT, with Wiggins and the other guys a distant 2nd and 3rd. But he's not going to get carried away praising any of these guys. I think he wants them to be a little ashamed of how they played defense this past season.

His comments around the draft were interesting. He talked about having "flexibility" and "options". That suggests to me that he's definitely open to trading down or out of the draft. We'll see....

I'm not sure how much I would read into that and you said as much. Most of the time when Thins has talked about flexibility he has mentioned cap space as well. In the draft at #5 you likely have flexibility in a number of ways. One way is that at that spot there is unlikely to be a no brainer consensus player. That could be what Thibs is speaking about in terms of flexibility in addition to moving the pick for a vet (doesn't seem like that's the direction he is leaning) or as you suggested trading down. I know I am biased towards building through a younger roster but I have not gotten the vibe Thibs is going all in on some vets guys. It seems he is more on the other side to me. Chad tried to get him to talk about going the vet route and he didn't give anything away but I thought it sounded more like a leaning towards long term than short term. What do you think Q?

He's playing things fairly coy, but I have to believe he has some ideas percolating that he just wants to validate before solidifying his position. The guy is a b-ball junkie and has probably been analyzing our roster and its strengths/weaknesses for weeks, if not months.

I just fail to see how going after a couple of key vets - and potentially trading out a pick to make that happen - as abandoning the youth movement. He's not going to abandon our youngest players: KAT, Wiggins, LaVine, or Jones. Those guys aren't going anywhere in my opinion and my guess is they each will be in the rotation next season.

Q12543 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Good interview. He stuck to his typical lines for the most part (we heard again about his 5 keys to success as a team. At least they don't change!). Right when I thought he'd go into full-on gush mode about KAT, he went back to his mantra: ".....but he has to get a lot better defensively. He has a lot of room for improvement." Now imagine Flip, who would probably just keep going on about how great and unique KAT is (which would also be correct). I think the fact Thibs is even here is largely because of KAT, with Wiggins and the other guys a distant 2nd and 3rd. But he's not going to get carried away praising any of these guys. I think he wants them to be a little ashamed of how they played defense this past season.

His comments around the draft were interesting. He talked about having "flexibility" and "options". That suggests to me that he's definitely open to trading down or out of the draft. We'll see....

I'm not sure how much I would read into that and you said as much. Most of the time when Thins has talked about flexibility he has mentioned cap space as well. In the draft at #5 you likely have flexibility in a number of ways. One way is that at that spot there is unlikely to be a no brainer consensus player. That could be what Thibs is speaking about in terms of flexibility in addition to moving the pick for a vet (doesn't seem like that's the direction he is leaning) or as you suggested trading down. I know I am biased towards building through a younger roster but I have not gotten the vibe Thibs is going all in on some vets guys. It seems he is more on the other side to me. Chad tried to get him to talk about going the vet route and he didn't give anything away but I thought it sounded more like a leaning towards long term than short term. What do you think Q?

He's playing things fairly coy, but I have to believe he has some ideas percolating that he just wants to validate before solidifying his position. The guy is a b-ball junkie and has probably been analyzing our roster and its strengths/weaknesses for weeks, if not months.

I just fail to see how going after a couple of key vets - and potentially trading out a pick to make that happen - as abandoning the youth movement. He's not going to abandon our youngest players: KAT, Wiggins, LaVine, or Jones. Those guys aren't going anywhere in my opinion and my guess is they each will be in the rotation next season.

I don't see why he'd be tied to Jones... unless he wants to placate the provincial rubes in the area.

LaVine might be one of those polarizing types. You'd think Thibodeau would want to experience just how much for himself... but you never know.

What if another team really really covets him and Thibodeau sees an opportunity for a different type of player that fits what he's looking for?

Abe, The reason he might like Jones is because one of Thib's oft-repeated five keys to success is keeping turnovers down. If there is one thing Jones demonstrated at both Duke and this past season in the NBA is that he takes care of the ball and generally makes good decisions.

Q12543 wrote:Abe, The reason he might like Jones is because one of Thib's oft-repeated five keys to success is keeping turnovers down. If there is one thing Jones demonstrated at both Duke and this past season in the NBA is that he takes care of the ball and generally makes good decisions.

I'm trying to name the defensive PGs that Thibs coached in Chicago. All I have so far is Kirk Hinrich.

Q12543 wrote:Abe, The reason he might like Jones is because one of Thib's oft-repeated five keys to success is keeping turnovers down. If there is one thing Jones demonstrated at both Duke and this past season in the NBA is that he takes care of the ball and generally makes good decisions.

Sure. That's only one part of it though. And Jones is far from proven. My point is that I don't think Thibodeau would have any problem moving Jones if another option surfaced. I don't see Jones as a foundation type of guy. He's a career backup in some way or another... and those guys tend to bounce around the league a bit... for a reason.

I think it's fairly apparent that Sid really did have the inside track on this story after hearing this interview.

I got that we are getting a legit free agent from what Thibs was saying. My gut read it as more of the mid level than top tier category. He seemed to leave the door open that they could offer a max deal to a 30 year old, but he really did seem to reiterate that anything has to fit a long term plan. I bet it will end up being Noah at a bit of a discount.