All Things 2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves In-Season Thread

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Slim Tubby said:
Good win in a game that had Playoff intensity so early in the year:

* Ant's 3-point usage thus far is off the charts. I'd prefer to see more effort to get to the rim, but when you're making 41% on 14 attempts/game, defenders must come out to the perimeter to guard him. This will only make it that much easier for him to drive to the hoop moving forward.

* Gobert was fantastic on both ends and the new guys (Julius & DDV) have formed a great vibe with him on P-n-Rs. For such a big dude, his ability to get out on the perimeter to altar shots is remarkable.

* Randle is everything we could've hoped for. His offensive efficiency has been outstanding and he's currently shooting 61% from 3 on 4 attempts/game. 😮

* DDV and NAW are the ultimate gel guys for a roster. Even if their 3's aren't dropping, their defense, assists and rebounding justify every minute they play.

* The KAT for Randle/DDV swap seems to be the very rare "win-win" trade for each team, especially considering both are legit contenders in the league.

* Unforced turnovers. Please make it stop, Mr. Wizard...make it stop.

* It appears that Finch will not be playing the young guys any meaningful minutes until injuries affect our 8-man rotation. At least we don't have DEN's bench...oof.
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Great summation, thanks.

I would add -

The focus in the first half of 4Q was unacceptable, especially with Murray out. Of course, the Nugs are gonna make a run, as they have the bed player in the world wit Joker.

Really liked Rudy’s response on SC when interviewed after the game. He said it was a great dunk by Brown, no problem with that, but stepping to me and woofing in my face ain’t cool. Glad he didn’t throw an actual punch.
 

Does Finch go deeper into the bench tonight? That’s the million dollar question for tonight’s game against the Spurs.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Great summation, thanks.

I would add -

The focus in the first half of 4Q was unacceptable, especially with Murray out. Of course, the Nugs are gonna make a run, as they have the bed player in the world wit Joker.

Really liked Rudy’s response on SC when interviewed after the game. He said it was a great dunk by Brown, no problem with that, but stepping to me and woofing in my face ain’t cool. Glad he didn’t throw an actual punch.
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I heard that interview, too...very classy response by Rudy. When they interviewed Ant he took no credit for the win as usual.

He gave props to Jaden for his fast start, Randle for his offensive consistency and then called NAW the game MVP for what he did in the 4th Quarter. Humble Pie is always well served and received.

I'd give the team a "B" grade thus far but it's closer to a B- than a B+ IMO. Plenty to improve on both sides of the ball ("Naz, Jaden and Mike...please step forward and be recognized.").
 






From the Parkinglot said:
Thoughts on Jaden McDaniels. He doesn’t do much for me.
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Ripped him all of last year. I was mocked.

He doesn't rebound, doesn't score, and is a massive head case. Signed to a massive contract. Swing and a massive miss.

Damn, when Gopher in NYC is ripping on a Minnesota athlete, it's over.

We are basically playing with no point guard or 3 this year as those positions have been horrific.

The thing is though, this defense has been embarrassing. No McDaniels defensively is almost laughable.

This team has some massive problems.
 
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tikited said:
The defense seems worse. Rebounding is worse.
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The defense and rebounding are worse because KAT and SloMo are gone. SloMo was always a good defender and KAT became an above average defender last year. KAT is a better defender and much better rebounder than Randle. Randle's offense is a pleasant surprsise (at least to me) but the minuses outweigh the pluses of the trade so far. Fortunately, it's early and DDV hasn't stated hitting threes.
 



tikited said:
The defense seems worse. Rebounding is worse.
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Yes, agree. Eye test informs me that offense is improved. More free flowing. Getting good looks easier and at a higher rate than last season.

Defense and rebounding an issue though. Hopefully Finch has answers.
 

Last night was a tough one. End of a back to back. One game road trip a long ways away.
Minott the new 9th man?
Two point guards, one old and the other really young.
Couple of offensive power forwards, not defensive.
Small forward that doesn’t give much offensively.
One center that is offensively handicapped.
Finch has his work cut out, but he does have Edwards.
 


tikited said:
The defense seems worse. Rebounding is worse.
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Last stats I saw was we were 13 in D vs. first last year.


I can see our D not being as good as last year, based on playing more uptempo/more 3s. Finch said they’re still figuring it out- I have Uber confidence in him😃
 

kg21 said:
Ripped him all of last year. I was mocked.
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I thought it was premature, but it may have been prescient🤷‍♂️
kg21 said:
He doesn't rebound, doesn't score, and is a massive head case. Signed to a massive contract. Swing and a massive miss.
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I don’t watch all the Wolves games, no League Pass, but based on some of his better performances last year, that he could become a consistent 15+ scorer per night and ~7 boards per game. Based on what I’ve seen this year, that was an overreach - I could be wrong, I often am 🤷‍♂️

Rebounding, as our beloved Jordan Murphy showed, is based on desire, and zi don’t think Jayden has that in him.

You really can’t have a SF, who isn’t a consistent scorer/willing rebounder; it’s like a COF in baseball with no power, it unbalances your lineup.

He’d be a great bench player.
kg21 said:
Damn, when Gopher in NYC is ripping on a Minnesota athlete, it's over.

We are basically playing with no point guard or 3 this year as those positions have been horrific.

The thing is though, this defense has been embarrassing. No McDaniels defensively is almost laughable.

This team has some massive problems.
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There are issues, as 3-3 indicates. There is time to right the ship and I trust Finch and the FO - not perfect, but good.

We also could’ve over performed last year, as well🤷‍♂️
 

FWIW - a reminder that the Arbitration process started today in the Twin Cities to determine who owns the T-Wolves.

3 judges will hear the presentations, which could last for several days. it's a trial-like setting. the attorneys representing ARod and Lore will present their case, and be cross-examined by Taylor's attorneys. Then Taylor's attorneys present his case followed by cross-examination.

the Judges will then consider the presentations. I don't think there is any hard timetable for when a decision is issued, but most legal observers think it will be several weeks before a decision is announced.

from what I've read, the Judges' decision is pretty much final - appeals are generally not considered except in certain rare circumstances.

Of course, if ARod and Lore receive a favorable decision, they still need to get 23 NBA owners to vote to approve them as the new owners. there has been some speculation that the owners are not happy with the very low sale price of $1.5-billion when other franchises have sold for much more. so the speculation goes that some owners might vote against ARod and Lore hoping that Taylor would then put the team up for sale at a higher asking price.
 


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