The Dane Moore NBA Podcast

On today’s show, Dane is joined in LA by Wolves beat writer Chris Hine from the Star Tribune to discuss the Wolves losing the play-in game to the Lakers on Tuesday night. Despite being short-handed, it felt, at least for three quarters, that the Wolves had enough to win. Dane and Chris breakdown how the Wolves built the lead and then ultimately let it slip away. Topics today include...— The offense completely drying up in the 4th— What role KAT’s foul trouble played + KAT’s overall performance— Anthony Edwards being completely missing in action the entire night— Another excellent Conley game— Having almost no one off the bench to go to— What should the level of desperation be for the 8 seed?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost after the Wolves final game of the regular season. Obviously no shortage of items to get to from the beating the Wolves gave themselves in the first half and the beating they handed out to the Pelicans in the second half. Topics today include...— Is McDaniels a more consequential loss than Gobert?— With McDaniels’ season over, some discussion on what his extension talks might look like this summer— Do the Wolves really “have to trade Gobert”?— KAT having no part of the Wolves dysfunction, and an opportunity for him to shine— How will the Lakers matchup with KAT and Ant?— Conley showing his underrated versatility since getting to Minnesota— Does this team still have enough talent to be frisky in a playoff series?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane gets into the Wolves’ “active hands” against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 82 and tries to apply some context on what went down between Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson, and how they’re going to need to move forward through the altercation and without Jaden McDaniels. Because Chris Hine got stranded on the road after the Wolves’ win over the Spurs, Dane goes solo on this one. Topics today include...— Can Gobert and Anderson make it work going forward?— What role did Gobert’s back spasms play in everything that went down?— The latest sign of this team being inexperienced and immature— McDaniels breaking his hand and replacing his role going forward— Ant has always been able to guard in the fourth quarter, but they now need him to guard for all four quarters with McDaniels out— Why it feels like KAT now feels like he has to drive the bus on offense, and how he’s begun to show he can again do that— Anderson now needing to play the 3, which will be new— Thinking ahead to the Lakers matchupSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson and Kyle Theige live from Falling Knife Brewing Company to discuss where the Wolves sit 80 games into the season at 40-40. Dane, Kyle and Britt start by discussing Britt’s most recent column about the Wolves consistently being .500 this season, and whether or not that can change here in the final week of the season and into the play-in/playoffs. Then they take questions from listeners live from the taproom. A whole array of topics are covered as we enter the final stretch of the regular season.Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss what went into the Wolves win in Brooklyn on Tuesday night. The episode starts by focusing on how the Wolves closed the game, with Rudy Gobert on the bench, and how it worked. From there, most of the focus was Karl-Anthony Towns and his bounce back game after only having eight points on three shots against Portland on Sunday. And finally some two games to go standings talk.— Not closing the game with Gobert and even Towns at times— Where the Wolves went to Towns offensively to get him back on track— Overall thoughts on the offensive fit of the Towns, Gobert and Edwards fit, now after those three have played 24 games together— Where the Wolves may fall in the play-in and who the optimal play-in opponent would beSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Chris Hine from the Star Tribune to discuss a loss so bad to the Portland Trailblazers that you can’t help but deeply question the trajectory of this team as currently constructed. With that, topics today include...— Were the 52 games the Wolves played without Karl-Anthony Towns at all relevant to solving the puzzle at hand?— Why this season has made conversations about a potential Karl-Anthony Towns trade not seem inappropriate— If you have to play offense one way with Gobert, can KAT, Ant and Rudy all do it together?— Are the Wolves pot-committed to a bad hand?— With lots of negative focus on Towns and Gobert, how much of this season is also on Edwards and Finch?— Chris discusses what went into getting the quote from Gobert about the officiating when he was in Phoenix on WednesdaySign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss the Wolves’ bizarre loss against the Lakers on Friday night and the role the illness this team is dealing with is making it very difficult to understand what they are (or are not). Topics today include...— Was that the October Wolves or are they just sick?— Where we’ve most seen the impact of the flu going around the team— The bizarre Anthony Davis ankle roll sequence and how that seemed to turn the game— How do the Wolves go about replacing Naz Reid’s offense in the second unit?— Injecting ball movement back into the offense— Schedule and standings entering the final weekSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss the Wolves loss in Phoenix on Wednesday night and the outrage surrounding NBA officiating that has taken over the NBA. After covering the loss and the postgame comments from Chris Finch and Rudy Gobert on the officiating, Dane and Britt dive into the Wolves’ overall play since the return of Karl-Anthony Towns. Topics today include...— Chris Finch and Rudy Gobert’s commentary on the officiating after the Phoenix loss— What might be behind the narrative forming that NBA officiating is corrupt— Ball movement offense vs. KAT/Ant force of will offense— Naz Reid’s wrist injury and grading his play next to KAT compared to his play next to Gobert— How the Wolves are using Karl-Anthony Towns offensively since he returnedSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss what the Wolves’ recipe is for winning basketball. As the roster has gotten back to full-strength, the identity is coming together, making it clearer what ingredients are required for winning. Topics discussed today include...— Driving down the frequency of mistakes on both sides of the ball (turnovers, missed rotations on defense, lacking effort)— Playing an equal opportunity offense, seeking the most advantageous matchup, thus not necessarily seeking your most-talented scorers— How much can turnovers go down in a heavy ball movement offense?— What is Jordan McLaughlin’s place in the playoffs rotation?— Why has Naz Reid had offensive success while guarded by forwards?— How might Phoenix try to guard KAT and Naz when they’re playing the 4?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss the Wolves peaking at a perfect time to save their season. With consecutive wins over New York, Atlanta, Golden State and now Sacramento the Wolves appear to have an identity coming together that makes you believe they’re in the mix as any team of the Western Conference’s large middle class. Topics discussed by Dane and Kyle today include...— An identity coming together before it’s too late— Did the Mike Conley trade save the Wolves ability to meet expectations this season?— The value of consistently playing in close games— The best season of Kyle Anderson’s career— Finch intentional about going to McDaniels early and often— Naz Reid a core piece of the roster?— Player comparisons for Naz Reid— Riffing on Rudy GobertSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Chris Hine from The Star Tribune to discuss the Wolves’ biggest win of the season, a 3-point Sunday night win over the Golden State Warriors. The focus of today’s episode is on how the Wolves used a high-level defense performance to beat the Warriors, fueled offensively by Naz Reid, who led the Wolves in scoring for the second consecutive game. Topics today include...— No longer needing to “hide” anyone on defense— Rudy Gobert inching closer towards his old, defensive player of the year self— Naz Reid, bench bucket-getter— Wolves are now 2-for-2 in making the double-big thing work— Anthony Edwards not looking 100 percent— Jaden McDaniels foul trouble, and how Chris Finch can, now, maybe better accommodate thatSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to recap a wild week in Wolves World. From the Anthony Edwards injury in Chicago to the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wolves apparent commitment to thinking big. Topics for today’s show include...— How Finch is thinking “big” more than he ever has— The importance of Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley as safety blankets— How Naz Reid proving to be in the rotation changes not only the rotation but the identity of the team— What do we now think a Naz Reid extension might look like— If the season started today, how many wins would we predict?— Factoring in the fact that Mike Conley wasn’t here during the early season look at KAT-Gobert— The Warriors matchup as a stress testSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and how the Wolves went big to beat Atlanta on Wednesday night. The focus of today’s episode is on KAT, not only in how he looked individually but in the grand scheme of the Wolves’ new roster. Topics today include...— What stood out from KAT individually— How playing this personnel should change the attention KAT receives defensively— Naz Reid plays, drops 26 and “needs to be in the rotation”— What is it going to take to have a “big” identity?— One of Finch’s best coaching games— Mike Conley acclimating to Finch’s “random” offensive system— Three days off coming and the potential for the standings to shift.Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss what we are looking for in Karl-Anthony Towns’s return to play on Wednesday night and going forward. Dane and Jace rattle off five things they’re specifically looking to track in KAT’s return to play. Topics today include...— First, will both KAT and Ant play on Wednesday?— What will transition defense and offense look like once the two centers are back on the floor— How much will offensive and defensive rebounding improve with KAT back in the mix?— Will Naz Reid play?— Can they maintain a strong defensive identity with KAT in at power forward?— What does the rotation look like back at full-strength?— Can KAT and Gobert effectively punish small-ball lineups on offense?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss one of the Wolves more impressive wins of the season, in New York on Monday night. After recapping what stood out in the Wolves Ant and KAT-less win, Dane and Kyle discuss the imminent return of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns (probably on Wednesday) and what that could mean for the Wolves’s positioning in the Western Conference standings. Topics today include...— Taurean Prince’s insane shooting performance, bouncing back from a costly turnover on Friday in Chicago— Mike Conley running the show and boosting his scoring in Ant’s absence— Julius Randle’s 57 points, but also what went into his quiet fourth quarter— The Wolves’s growing effectiveness in the clutch— How many wins the rest of the way will it take to get the 6 seed, 7 seed, 8 seed, etc?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Chris Hine from the StarTribune to discuss Anthony Edwards’s injury and how the Wolves are going about replacing his production in the meantime. The Wolves have now lost their last three games and five of their six, so Dane and Chris also get into the impact this skid is having on momentum with just 10 games left in the season. Topics today include...— The Anthony Edwards and when we think he might return— Getting the chance to see Jaden McDaniels do more offensively in Ant’s absence— What can Mike Conley give the Wolves offensively with, now, there being a greater need on that side of the ball— Losing momentum at the time of the season they were supposed to be peaking— What would the benefit of going to be a playoff series be?— Our thoughts on the voting process for the MVP reward, which Chris compares to Taylor Swift winning her third album of the year at The GrammysSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss Britt’s most-recent column on the reffing disaster against Boston on Wednesday, the consistently-.500 Wolves and Rudy Gobert’s play of late. Discussion today starts with the Boston game but extends to really a big picture discussion of the Wolves 70 games into the season. Topics include...— How the refs lost control of the Boston game— Rudy Gobert’s play of late, and how the ways they use Gobert is constantly evolving— The differences between how Utah defended 5-out offense with Gobert versus how Minnesota is defending that offensive look— The vastly different natures of when Rudy Gobert is on the floor versus when Naz Reid is on the floor— Mike Conley as a guidance counselor— Difference between Conley and D’Angelo RussellSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss Kyle Anderson and what went into the Wolves’ 21-point win in Atlanta on Monday night. Dane and Jace discuss Anderson’s second triple-double of the season and how Anderson has become an invaluable part of this Wolves team. Additional topics today include...— Does Kyle Anderson still close games once KAT is back?— No longer being able to hide bad defenders on Jaden McDaniels— The Wolves having great offense against bad defenses since the trade (and vice a versa)— Will the Wolves bring Luka Garza back next season?— The biggest issues remain: Transition defense, defensive rebounding and finishing games once they get a leadSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Chris Hine from the Star Tribune, who is in Atlanta for Wolves-Hawks on Monday. Dane and Chris get into the Wolves’ maddening relationship with being consistently inconsistent and how it feel like that lack of consistency needs to die to salvage the opportunity for this season to not feel like a let down. As always, the specter of the return of Karl-Anthony Towns weighs in large here, so Dane and Chris give their latest thoughts on timetables and what we’ve seen from KAT of late. Topics today include:— The consistently inconsistent nature of this season’s Wolves— This week of games against Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Toronto feeling like the Wolves’ last stand— How Ant’s play contributes to the consistency or lack there of— The idea that KAT’s return will initially slow this team down not really making sense— How much of Gobert’s better offensive play of late was coming with or without the addition of Mike Conley?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss Karl-Anthony Towns returning to live action at Wolves practice on Thursday and how that might impact the rest of the season. As always, Dane and Britt bounce quite a bit. But today’s show’s primary topics include...— What Chris Finch said at practice on Thursday about what KAT is able to do at practice right now— Does it make sense to have KAT come off the bench (at first) when he returns?— What will the closing lineup be once KAT is in the fold?— How will KAT’s return impact what the Wolves’ offense and defense has been of late?— What we’re most interested to see once KAT returns— Ant’s effectiveness with Rudy vs. Naz— Gobert’s offensive expansion since the trade— Why the Wolves feel like an inexperience teamSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss a Wolves offense that is desperately in need of the somewhat ambiguously absent Karl-Anthony Towns. Dane and Jace start the episode by talking about how the Wolves didn’t have the firepower to keep pace with Joel Embiid on Tuesday night before getting into KAT and his absence. Topics today include...— Not being able slow Embiid’s offense, while Embiid was able to slow the Wolves’ offense— The Wolves needing a second scoring punch, and why that punch, for now, might need to start on the defensive end— The “Spy Rudy” tactic on defense and the Wolves ability to defend stretch bigs— What should we do with the whole KAT thing?— What’s the Wolves best-case scenario in the standings?If you'd like to register for Dane's class on the evolution of sports media on March 9th, you can do so here: https://hopkins.ce.eleyo.com/course/11468/adult-winter-spring-2023/the-evolution-of-sports-mediaSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer, Chris Hine from the Star Tribune. Chris was on the road with the Wolves for the Wolves’ California road trip, so he shares some of the sights and sounds from the Wolves road trip. And then Dane and Chris get into Chris’ feature story on Jaylen Nowell and his “basketball whisperer,” Spencer Levy, who has been helping Nowell through a contract year. Topics today include...— Chris shares sights and sounds from the Wolves four-game California road trip— How Mike Conley’s role and impact has grown over the last week— Chris shares some details on Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s personality he’s gathered behind the scenes— Rudy Gobert stepping up on both sides of the ball since the All-Star break— How Jaylen Nowell has brought in a personal coach to help him through an up and down contract year in MinnesotaIf you'd like to register for Dane's class on the evolution of sports media on March 9th, you can do so here: https://hopkins.ce.eleyo.com/course/11468/adult-winter-spring-2023/the-evolution-of-sports-mediaSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss the Wolves beating the Kings on Saturday night to extend their recent winning streak to three games. Now eight games into the post-DLo era of the Wolves, Dane and Kyle review the trade and take a look at how the pre-trade Wolves compare to the post-trade Wolves. Topics today include...— Recapping the Wolves’ California road trip— Noting the offense has been the same pre-trade vs. post-trade— Reviewing the trade, not in only the DLo-for-Conley swap but also the value of Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s presence, in addition to the draft capital they brought back— How it seems to always take a little while to acclimate to Finch— A “clutch” time win over the Kings— What’s behind Ant’s individual numbers dipping since the trade?— The Philly matchup and Rudy vs. elite bigsIf you'd like to register for Dane's class on the evolution of sports media on March 9th, you can do so here: https://hopkins.ce.eleyo.com/course/11468/adult-winter-spring-2023/the-evolution-of-sports-mediaSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to focus on discussing the ascension of Jaden McDaniels this season. After focusing on McDaniels for the first half of the pod, Dane and Britt get into the Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, and how Gobert punished the Clippers for going small. Then the episode is finished off with some discussion about the NBA standings at large — from the bottom of the West to the teams that look most like true contenders. Topics today include...— Jaden McDaniels ascension this season— Looking at rookie contract extensions from 2022 (Poole, Herro, Barrett, Hunter, Johnson, Clarke) so as to estimate what McDaniels’ next contract might look like— The Wolves effectively countering the Clippers small-ball lineup against Gobert— Britt makes a Mike Conley-Tyus Jones comparison— Looking ahead to the Lakers matchup on Friday— Around the NBA, from the Western Conference play-in group to who we think the top-5 teams most likely to win a championship areIf you'd like to register for Dane's class on the evolution of sports media on March 9th, you can do so here: https://hopkins.ce.eleyo.com/course/11468/adult-winter-spring-2023/the-evolution-of-sports-mediaSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Jace Frederick from the St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss the Wolves bouncing back from a rough start out of the break with a win in Los Angeles over the Clippers. Topics today include...— How it’s feeling like success for this Wolves team starts with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, at least in this KAT-less period— Finch opting to pair all of Rudy Gobert’s minutes with Mike Conley, and thus all of the back point guard and center minutes to Naz Reid and Jordan McLaughlin— The impact of Taurean Prince— Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s case for a permanent role in the rotation— Finch honing in on an optimized rotation— How the Wolves are optimized in the clutchIf you'd like to register for Dane's class on the evolution of sports media on March 9th, you can do so here: https://hopkins.ce.eleyo.com/course/11468/adult-winter-spring-2023/the-evolution-of-sports-mediaSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss a Wolves team that is in a bit of a free fall coming out of the All-Star break. Dane and Britt dive into the factors that have contributed to the recent demise. Some of those topics include...— How much of the blame this season falls on Chris Finch and how much is unfair to put on Finch?— The Wolves youth not being an excuse but seeming to rear its head in crunchtime— Ant looking fatigued, even after a week off for the All-Star break— Who on this roster best fits with Ant?— What can this Wolves team bank on night-to-night?— What’s going on with KAT?— Naz as a starter compared to coming off the bench— Comparing the identity of this season’s team to last seasons— Will the Wolves finish better or worse than the 9 seed?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's show, Dane is joined by Dan Bowling of the Genesis Company to discuss what Wolves fans should be expecting from new Wolves owner Marc Lore.Bowling had the chance to sit down with Lore prior to the episode's recording to better understand Lore's background in business, so as to have an idea of what Lore's vision for the organization might functionally look like. Lots of discussion on the business of basketball and the value of ownership in professional sports. A big picture pivot for some All-Star break listening.Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss where the Wolves sit at the All-Star break, starting the episode by taking a look at the Wolves loss to the Wizards on Thursday night and then by reflecting on the first 61 games as a whole. Topics today include...— The Wolves letting go of the rope against the Wizards, leading to a disappointing loss entering the All-Star break— What is behind the pattern of the Wolves stacking up just as many impressive wins as they do detrimental losses?— How we’re seeing offensive rhythm tie to defensive effectiveness with this Wolves team— Why Mike Conley and the Wolves as a whole need a week-long All-Star break— Acknowledging Anthony Edwards’s All-Star campaign this season by running through some of the things that have impressed us most about his performance this seasonSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss how the Wolves might close games in a post-DLo world. Dane and Jace use the Dallas matchup on Monday, and Kyle Anderson’s play specifically, to get into what late-game offense and defense might look like once the Wolves are back at full strength. Topics today include...— What stood out from Mike Conley’s introduction to the media on Tuesday afternoon— Looking into Kyle Anderson’s effectiveness in clutch time this season— Discussing how the Wolves might close games once KAT returns, and how there are seemingly different answers for offense and defense— The Wolves’ defensive numbers this season with Gobert on the floor vs off the floor— Why are the Wolves’ defensive numbers with Naz Reid on the floor far better when he starts versus when he comes off the bench?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss the Wolves win in Dallas on Monday night. A win that hinted at both the additional ways the Wolves can maximize Rudy Gobert and the idea that sometimes not playing him can be okay too. An array of topics in today’s show...— Gobert shows, at least for a game, that he can contribute to the Wolves’ fly-around identity— How Dallas played Gobert off the floor with a 5-out look, and how the Wolves’ adjusted— Why KAT will be a critical counter-punch to opponents going small against the Wolves— How much was Kyrie’s 4th quarter ambush about the Wolves’ defense?— Ant becoming increasingly undeniable on offense— To what extent will the Wolves miss DLo’s shooting?— What is it the Wolves want out of Conley?— The Gobert-Conley pick and roll chemistry— What to do about the Gobert post ups?— How might KAT fit with Conley compared to Russell?— The jam-packed Western Conference standingsSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Chris Hine from the Star Tribune, who has been on the road with the Wolves since the acquisition of Mike Conley, to discuss what Chris has gathered from his interactions with Conley thus far. Dane and Chris discuss, on and off the floor, what the roster shift from D’Angelo Russell to Conley might look like. Topics include...— Initial reactions to Conley, from his debut in Memphis to how he seems to be acclimating to his new surroundings— If Conley helps, how it will likely be on the margins — which have been a critical weak point for this Wolves team this season— What has gone into the Wolves’ recent regression on defense— How Conley might fit into the Wolves’ toggling defensive schemes— What do we think the rotation will look like going forward?— Chris’ thoughts on Rihanna’s halftime performanceSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to react to the Wolves’ activity at the trade deadline and to how the Western Conference power shifted at the deadline — for this season and beyond. Topics today include...— How the style of play might change in D’Angelo Russell’s absence, and who on the roster could benefit most from that change— If Patrick Beverley is bought out by Orlando, he would have interest in returning to Minnesota, but would he make sense on this Wolves roster?— What does inaction on Naz Reid and Jaylen Nowell suggest?— How the Wolves might fit in the greater landscape of the now new Western Conference— How does KAT fit into all of this?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to give initial reactions to the D’Angelo Russell for Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three second-round picks trade that went down Wednesday evening. Plenty of discussion on the motivations for the move. And then the Wolves also played a game Wednesday night in Utah, so Dane and Kyle got into that as well.— Detailing what the Wolves got back for DLo, outside of just Conley the player— An important difference in Conley’s offensive game, and how that could benefit Gobert— How this trade changes what the Wolves might be able to do this upcoming offseason— Does this deal make a Naz Reid extension more likely— Where does Nickeil Alexander-Walker fit in, and how does that impact Jaylen Nowell?— Going through DLo’s tenure in Minnesota— Recapping the Wolves win in Utah, highlighted by big performances from Jaylen Nowell and Josh MinottSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Timberwolves beat writer, Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press to discuss the Wolves’ debacle of a 34-point loss in Denver on Tuesday night. And then Dane and Jace take one more stab at the trade deadline, discussing what the team needs might be down the stretch run of the season and whether or not it is wise to invest resources to acquire that need.— What led to the Nuggets 33-to-2 run in the first quarter?— How might the Wolves weigh players returning from injury when considering trades the deadline?— Was Rudy Gobert acquired to make the Wolves a contender or to first make the franchise more relevant?— Why the Wolves could regret not giving Naz Reid and extension and why the Wolves could regret not trading Reid— Will deadline moves be about winning now or about winning years down the road?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane takes a final look at the three Wolves players whose names have been most floating around the trade deadline rumor mill, in D’Angelo Russell, Naz Reid and Jaylen Nowell. Dane takes a look at what the future for those three players might look like from not only a trade standpoint but also from the standpoint of a potential contract extension.— Does keeping Nowell on the team and in the rotation make more sense now that he no longer needs to play point guard?— Nowell talks at shootaround about how playing point guard this season has been difficult and about the perspective he’s bringing into the trade deadline and free agency this summer— Why a Naz Reid contract extension is contingent upon what goes down at the deadline from a salary cap standpoint— A hypothetical D’Angelo Russell trade that (potentially!) could bring an asset back to Minnesota while also preserving the DLo salary slotSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined in Denver by the DNVR Nuggets crew to discuss how the Wolves and Nuggets are matching up in this back-to-back and how they might matchup if they draw each other in the playoffs. But before Wolves-Nuggets talk, Dane starts solo, discussing the return of Jordan McLaughlin and how JMac being back in the rotation might change some things. Topics include...— How the Wolves fared in Jordan McLaughlin’s absence— Looking at who JMac had success with last season so as to estimate where his impact might be most felt now that he’s returned to the rotation— How much sense does it make to play JMac next to Jaylen Nowell or D’Angelo Russell?— Looking at how the Wolves and Nuggets matchup, with an eye on the postseason— Of course some Bones Hyland talk, trying to better understand Hyland’s vices and virtuesSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to discuss Anthony Edwards not being chosen as a Western Conference All-Star and to get into the Wolves’ win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Much of the focus from the win against the Warriors is dedicated to Naz Reid, which naturally leads to a conversation about what his future with the Wolves might be as the trade deadline looms. Other topics today include...— Anthony Edwards not being chosen for the All-Star game— The Wolves’ other core: Ant, Jaden and Naz— Naz Reid’s development story— Making the case for and against trading Naz Reid at the deadline— How would Bones Hyland fit if he were added at the deadline?— The Wolves seeming to have let go of the idea that “it’s early”Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Timberwolves beat writer Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to look at the Wolves through the lens of how they matchup against the other expected Western Conference playoff teams. Dane and Jace also get into the latest on Karl-Anthony Towns’s injury timetable and discuss the one fly in the ointment left in Anthony Edwards’s offensive game. Topics include...— Reacting to Tim Connelly’s public comments on the process of navigating KAT’s calf strain— Discussing what Rudy Gobert needs in support defensively to be the most impactful version of himself, regardless of how the opponent tries to attack them— Ranking the expected Western Conference playoff teams from who the Wolves should most want to catch in a playoff series to who they should least want to catch in the playoffs— Going through the flaws in Ant’s offensive game that he has worked through over the first 2.5 years of his career and the one element of his offensive game that still needs to be ironed outSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to talk about how the Wolves’s defense was exposed by the Kings’s 5-out offense in overtime on Monday night, all while acknowledging that result came in the backdrop of a marvelous January. A marvelous January specifically fueled by the now-unambiguous leap of Anthony Edwards. Topics today range from...— Detailing how the Kings’s 5-out offense exposed the Wolves’s defense and what the Wolves can do to counter spread offenses going forward— Going through what playoff teams in the West might try a spread offense against the Wolves in a playoff series— Anthony Edwards’s excellent January and the growth he’s showing that isn’t fully captured by the box score— Rudy Gobert playing more in the dunker spot— What has fueled D’Angelo Russell’s greatly improved shooting this season, comparing it to the Tyler Herro role in Miami— Where the Ant-DLo-Rudy trio has improved defensively, overtime of the Kings game notwithstanding— What Chris Finch means when he says Jaden McDaniels has “shit in his blood” and the lower-key growth we’ve seen from the Wolves’s other 2020 first round pickSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine from the StarTribune to discuss the Wolves winning weekend over both Memphis and Sacramento. Dane and Chris get into some themes from the Wolves most-recent 3-game winning. Some of those topics include...— All-Star or not, Anthony Edwards’s game keeps elevating— Is the Wolves playing two bigs together more often recently something that helps them plan for Karl-Anthony Towns’s return?— Edwards and D’Angelo Russell play off of each other at a high level— Why there is no obvious path to take with or Russell or Naz Reid at the deadline— Rudy Gobert’s teammates starting to see and feel that value of Gobert more and more— How Kyle Anderson has fostered consistency in the WolvesSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to take another look at Anthony Edwards’ complicated case to becoming an All Star. Then Dane and Kyle go through the rest of the current starting lineup, looking not only at the impact Gobert, Anderson, McDaniels and Russell had in the win against New Orleans but how those four players have been impacting winning of late.— Ant’s All Star case. Should he make it over De’Aaron Fox or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? (Because that’s the question)— Can McDaniels punish opponents who hide weak defenders on him?— What might McDaniels’ contract extension look like this summer?— The chemistry and impact of the Anderson-Gobert pairing, and trying to sustain that impact once KAT returnsSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Timberwolves beat writer Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press to take a look at how the Wolves’ (difficult) schedule the rest of the way could tie into the trade deadline. Dane and Jace also take a look at the upcoming schedule against teams who could very well be their first round playoff opponent, and discuss which team the Wolves might matchup best against.— Vegas says the Wolves will finish with 38 or 39 wins. Why is that?— Wolves play 17 of their final 26 games on the road— The machinations of a potential Naz Reid trade. Who else on the Wolves might be involved in that type of move?— Who would be the Wolves’ ideal first round matchup between Memphis, New Orleans, Sacramento and Denver?— What did we learn defensively in the Houston loss?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to take a bigger picture look at who the Wolves have been over the last few weeks. Now 28 games into KAT’s absence, the KAT-less identity has broadly been defined, so Dane and Britt try to take what they have (or have not) seen in that time and connect it to what that might look like when KAT returns. Topics include...— Might the Wolves lean more into their big identity when KAT returns than they did prior to his absence?— What do we think about this lineup: Edwards-McDaniels-Anderson-Towns-Gobert?— Needing a different type of patience with Gobert than Utah used— If the Wolves ran back the same roster next season, how would we project that team differently than we did entering this season?— What is needed from Finch to figure this thing out?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Chris of the StarTribune to discuss not only Anthony Edwards 44-point performance on Saturday night but also his growing ability to set the tone as a leader. Dane and Chris describe the cascading impact, on both sides of the ball, of Ant playing more consistently here in his third season. Additional topics include...— Ant setting the tone as a leader— Edwards guarding the best isolation player in the 4th quarter and the value of sliding Jaden McDaniels off-ball situationally— Nate Knight’s performance against Houston and the Wolves’ “three-headed center” in Towns and Gobert’s absence— Attempting to clarify the question marks that have surrounded KAT’s injury timetable— A look at the Wolves’ persistent fouling issuesSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige to discuss the Wolves’ back-to-back against Denver and Toronto — specifically the difference in the Wolves’ play in the fourth quarter. Topics today include...— The energy and effort in the fourth against Toronto, after having landed in Minnesota at 4am that morning— Anthony Edwards being able to slow down Pascal Siakam and the value that provided in how it allowed Jaden McDaniels to play off-ball— D’Angelo Russell’s fourth quarter shot-making— How the Wolves structured the offense in the fourth against Toronto, and did not have as much fourth quarter structure against Denver— Kyle Anderson’s “perfect fit”— How should we be feeling about the Wolves keeping their head slightly above water in KAT’s absence?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Jace Frederick from the Pioneer Press to discuss the recent report of the Wolves’ interest in trading for Mike Conley, and how a Conley-for-D’Angelo Russell swap could salvage the DLo Salary Slot we’ve been talking about. Also related to Conley, Dane and Jace go through Rudy Gobert and Conley’s three years together in Utah, detailing how chemistry took a few years to develop, as illustrated by Utah’s offense steadily improving year-over-year.Additionally, Dane and Jace get into Walker Kessler, both through the lens of Kessler’s impact on Monday night against the Wolves and through the lens of how this Wolves team would be in a different place had they not traded Kessler for Gobert.Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane starts the show off by explaining “The DLo Salary Slot” as the trade deadline looms. Explaining the value of having five max or near-max contracts on the books — like the Warriors do — and how that value could end up being overrated given how expensive it will already be from a luxury tax standpoint to just keep Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels on the books. Some salary cap context as the trade deadline and the inevitable D’Angelo Russell trade rumors swirl.Then Dane recaps the Wolves Monday afternoon loss to Utah, focusing on the final play of the game and Walker Kessler’s impact in Utah win, before bring in Harrison Wind, who covers the Nuggets for DNVR Sports, to preview the Wolves-Nuggets matchup in Denver on Wednesday night.Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Chris Hine from the Star Tribune to discuss the Wolves’ back-to-back wins over the weekend against Phoenix and Cleveland. The episode focuses more on Saturday night’s win against Cleveland and what exactly transpired in the second half to come back from 14 points down to win despite no Rudy Gobert in the second half and D’Angelo Russell being benched for the final 16 minutes of the game.— The Cleveland win filled with energy, effort and continuity; the things that have plagued this team all season— How should we feel about the best game of the year happening with KAT out, Rudy getting injured and DLo benched?— Finch explains DLo’s benching in favor of Jaylen Nowell— Naz Reid and Luka Garza stepping up in a big way once Gobert got hurt, playing a different style than Gobert plays— Has the Ant hip injury become old news?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige of SKORNorth to take a look at the landscape of the Western Conference and Anthony Edwards’ chances to make the West’s All-Star team. Additionally, some conversation on Ant’s lingering hip injury and what Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury timetable is looking like. Topics today include...— Picking Western Conference All-Stars— Who is in the mix with Ant for the final All Star spots in the West— Some conversation on Ant’s lingering hip injury and KAT’s “significant” calf strain— The Wolves having played the majority of the season without a backup point guard— Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott, and why they haven’t been in the rotation this seasonSign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss the consistently inconsistent Minnesota Timberwolves after their second loss to the Detroit Pistons in the last six games. Topics today include...— The Wolves’ propensity to not take “inferior” teams seriously— Why it’s hard to believe the Wolves will make the same second half push they did last year— Comparing Anthony Edwards’ bizarre hip injury to his bizarre knee injury last season— Is Ant the “most valuable” player on the Wolves’ roster?— The three guards vs. two bigs options this team has— Is Jaylen Nowell’s stay in the rotation coming to an end?— Looking ahead to Phoenix and Cleveland this weekend— Would GMs rather start a team with Anthony Edwards or Evan Mobley?Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.