Minnesota Sports Forum

Looks like it is being carried live on Youtube. I am just going to start going back and listening to some of the interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggnZfBgO_4M

YES, I listened to Ants interview and he said he was doing one dribble pull ups all summer! Assuming midrange. I can't wait to see how his game evolves this year. He also said he's going to try and break his nightly scoring numbers during the regular season to get himself going, stay motivated. LOVE BOTH!!!

I was thinking the exact same thing last season. Where are these 50 point Ant games? Jordan was doing that nearly on the reg at age 24.

Ant for MVP? Still probably not.

Just finished watching all the interviews. One that really stood out was Jaylen Clark. After a subpar summer league, it was nice to see him brimming with confidence. Robson asked what he needed to do to crack the rotation, and he said make 40% of his treys and lock down their best offensive player. Brit pushed back and asked if that was possible, and Clark said 1000 percent. So much of shooting is confidence, so I was impressed with his interview.

I also found one comment by Mike Conley quite interesting. Someone asked him what he wanted to see different this season, and he said he wanted the ball in his hands more. I agree. Too often Ant (or Ju) would bring the ball up while Mike went into the corner. It was frustrating at times, especially when a double team led to a turnover. I also want to see us use Mike in more of a traditional PG role originating the offense. Emphasizing Mike in that role and encouraging Ant to move without the ball could really take Ant to another level offensively. We'll have to see if it happens.

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Sep 29, 2025 4:39 pm I also found one comment by Mike Conley quite interesting. Someone asked him what he wanted to see different this season, and he said he wanted the ball in his hands more. I agree. Too often Ant (or Ju) would bring the ball up while Mike went into the corner. It was frustrating at times, especially when a double team led to a turnover. I also want to see us use Mike in more of a traditional PG role originating the offense. Emphasizing Mike in that role and encouraging Ant to move without the ball could really take Ant to another level offensively. We'll have to see if it happens.

Bringing Mike off the bench would also help him have the ball in his hands more!


I'm still catching up on the interviews. NAZ looked slimmed down to me. I think Joan is gonna see some minutes this season!

I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Tue Sep 30, 2025 5:56 pm I'm behind on the media day stuff, but the lack of drama heading into this season is kind of unusual for this franchise and I suppose means there is less for us to bicker and talk about. No coaching, front office, ownership, or (major) player personnel changes.

I still see this group as a high-floor/medium-celing team that tops out as a Western Conference Semi or Finals team (i.e. top 4-8 overall).

The Conley/Randle/Rudy trio really help boost the floor in my opinion (especially Rudy), but I just question how far this group can go if we are still so dependent on them in the playoffs. And might as well add DDV to that list, who has one of the worst playoff net ratings I've ever seen over multiple teams and seasons.

That's why part of me was disappointed that we didn't make a more aggressive pivot this offseason. Now Jaden, TJ Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark are all going to be fighting for scraps, whether in the form of minutes or usage.

I agree on most of your points Q, except I can't criticize the offseason...I've been a consistent proponent of "running it back" combined with the addition of more minutes from our 3 young guys who barely saw the floor last season. And you're right there has been very little drama this offseason...gotta feel good, right? Especially reading between the lines about Finchie's comments that it wasn't fun coaching this team last season because of some personality things. I wouldn't have known that...I would have guessed we had a "little drama" locker room. But while Finchie hasn't expanded on his issues with last season, I can only surmise it was about our 2 Knicks pickups adjusting to a new environment and our young guys outside the "starting 8" wanting more minutes. If I'm right (and I admit I'm often wrong, but seldom in doubt ), both issues seem to be taken care of this year. Both Ju and Donte seem really happy here, and Finchie appears committed to getting minutes for our young guys. If Clark finds himself outside of the rotation (and I think he will be barring injury), he and Miller might be the only malcontents on the roster, and that's pretty normal. I think we have a talented, contented roster that knows how to play with each other, and again barring injury, have the potential to get off to a very fast start. I'm quite optimistic right now.








































'

Jaylen Clark's biceps have doubled in size good Lord, he looks like Ant now

BloopOracle wrote: ↑Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:47 pm Jaylen Clark's biceps have doubled in size good Lord, he looks like Ant now

What a monster. He is good enough to be in the regular rotation as a point of attack defender and ideally overlapping some with Jaden so that he can play more off the ball defensively.

Unfortunately, the logjam of guards that require minutes - Conley, Dillingham, DDV, and Ant - makes it hard to find a regular spot in the rotation for him.

I can see a future second unit that consists of Beringer, Reid, Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark. Such a complimentary set of skills in that group plus really well balanced in terms of offense and defense.

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Sep 29, 2025 4:27 pm Just finished watching all the interviews. One that really stood out was Jaylen Clark. After a subpar summer league, it was nice to see him brimming with confidence. Robson asked what he needed to do to crack the rotation, and he said make 40% of his treys and lock down their best offensive player. Brit pushed back and asked if that was possible, and Clark said 1000 percent. So much of shooting is confidence, so I was impressed with his interview.

He's lookin swol too