The Dane Moore NBA Podcast

Somehow the Utah Jazz have only lost 16 games this season and two of them have come at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. On today’s pod, we discuss Saturday night’s well-rounded win in Utah — and the parts that feel like meaningful signals for what could be coming. Legitimately good defense from everyone, including Anthony Edwards, whose defense — when it’s there — tends to inspire his offense Why the right types of wins can be more valuable than simply pursuing lottery balls Cutting around Karl-Anthony Towns versus spacing around Karl-Anthony Towns. And how Rudy Gobert and the Jazz handled the KAT chess match in Game 1 Reminding ourselves how meaningful the development of Jaden McDaniels has been this season. And how McDaniels and Josh Okogie suggest they can help balance the Wolves offensively-tilted roster Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

After an absolute crumble in Sacramento on Wednesday night, I am joined by Brenden Nunes of The Kings Herald to break down what in the world went wrong down the stretch for the Timberwolves against the Kings. Looking beyond last night’s game, Brenden and I draw parallels between the Wolves and the Kings. Including: The case for Anthony Edwards versus Tyrese Haliburton for Rookie of the Year With the Wolves and Kings the league’s two worst defenses, what can they do to their rosters via trade or signing to boost themselves to league average defensively? Would the Kings trade Haliburton and their 2021 lottery pick for the Wolves top-3 pick if they are able to retain the pick? Are either of the Wolves or Kings on a path out of the dysfunction they have lived on for the past decade? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

It’s normally after a Timberwolves loss where questions about the big picture enter the frame. But Tuesday’s win over the Kings left me wondering about the long-term prospects of the Timberwolves defense. Asking the question: How concerned should we be about the Wolves defense? We also saw the upside of the Wolves “outscore you” strategy, and dig into the intrigue there. Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell going off on the offensive end but leaving much to be desired on the defensive end How much will a training camp and learning the schemes help the Wolves defense next season? Debunking conspiracy theories as to why DLo isn’t starting, but still asking the question: Why is DLo still not starting? What impact is DLo coming off the bench having on being able to better understand the KAT and DLo pairing? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

All good things come to an end. On Sunday night, the Timberwolves one-game winning streak was snapped by the Los Angeles Clippers, and Naz Reid’s 695-shot streak of having never taken a midrange jumper also came to sad end. In remembrance, on today’s pod, we take a look at the shots being taken under Chris Finch. Yet another blowout loss against one of the league’s premier teams * Including explanation for why the Wolves haven’t been able to hang (audio included) A look into the shots the Timberwolves are both taking and allowing under Chris Finch * And how those numbers compare to what the Wolves were doing under Ryan Saunders Celebrating Naz Reid taking his first ever midrange jumper * And a look into how Reid has fit in next to KAT in the post and DLo on the perimeter Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins to discuss: a Timberwolves win over Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat (0:00); the competence of the Wolves when all three of KAT, DLo and Ant play (10:00); and what Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore purchasing the team might mean for the future of the franchise (37:00). 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have actually looked like a functional, perhaps even good, team when both D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns play. After a win over Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on Friday night, we dig into why the Wolves have won five of the nine games that the team’s two highest paid players have both played in. Topics include: How good and how bad the defense has been this season with KAT and DLo both on the floor + What is likely to sustain from those minutes big picture How the Timberwolves got a defensive lift Friday, particularly from Jarred Vanderbilt + Why Vanderbilt’s best position is seeming like power forward next to KAT or Naz Reid Chris Finch’s coaching style + His willingness to forego rotations to play the players who are playing well that night 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.

If the Minnesota Timberwolves core players are Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels, who of the other 10 players on the roster make sense to be on the team next season? Rather than digging into another Timberwolves blowout at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, we go through each of the ten role players case to have roles next season. Will Ricky Rubio get pinched off the roster financially this summer? Has Rubio made a case to stick around with his play next to Edwards and/or Russell? Could the Wolves attach a 2nd pick to Jarrett Culver and get a veteran bench piece? The Juancho Conundrum Why Josh Okogie is starting to look like he could be a real bench piece on a playoff team someday Is there any chance Ed Davis or Jarred Vanderbilt return? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The value of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Minnesota Timberwolves might shine brightest thios season when he is off the floor. With KAT not playing on the one-year anniversary of his mother’s passing, the Timberwolves failed to compete in his absence. On today’s pod, amongst other things, we dive into the Timberwolves staggeringly poor numbers with KAT off the floor this season. Looking at the numbers of the Wolves other best players with KAT on the floor compared to their numbers with KAT off the floor — and why they find success next to KAT The emergence of the KAT and Naz Reid pairing under Chris Finch after the two rarely shared the floor under Ryan Saunders Josh Okogie speaks on the weight he is feeling after another death to a black man in the greater Minneapolis community (audio from Okogie included) Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

What does the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore mean for the future of the organization? On today’s show, we dig into how the news of the Timberwolves being sold will have a profound impact on whatever the Timberwolves will become — and where they will become it. We discuss: How new ownership hints at the possibility of more organizational competence while removing the guarantee that the Timberwolves will forever be in Minnesota The significant hurdles that would need to be overcome to move the Wolves The similarities and differences between the ownership change that happened in Seattle before the Sonics were moved to Oklahoma City The excitement around the organization about change — including Karl-Anthony Towns’ love for A-Rod What impact might an ownership change have on the future of the Gersson Rosas regime? How the two-year mentorship window between Taylor and Rodriguez/Lore lines up with KAT’s future and his next contract Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

After the Minnesota Timberwolves’ overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the pod to unravel the latest Wolves mysteries. We discuss everything around the Wolves this week, including: The early returns of the Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell pairing, now that Russell has returned + how Anthony Edwards is fitting in as a third head in that dynamic Chris Finch’s searching for pieces to compliment the DLo, KAT and Ant trio Reflecting on Britt’s piece on Jaden McDaniels’ rookie season + how he is proving to be a seemingly perfect fit in Minnesota Has McDaniels’ play and fit removed him from being an outgoing piece in a big trade this summer? The passing of DMX — and how his music was something that Britt and Kevin Garnett connected over back in the day Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

Since Chris Finch took over as the head coach, Karl-Anthony Towns has frequently been defending on the perimeter, guarding big wings — and is playing some of his best individual defense of his career. What if this became a full-time thing? What if the Timberwolves traded for Myles Turner? On today’s pod, after surrendering 141 points to the short-handed Indiana Pacers, we discuss what needs to change for the Wolves defensively, and ask if trading for Turner is a path worth considering. Anthony Edwards postgame comments about the Timberwolves defense How Chris Finch has been using KAT on the perimeter defensively more often The impact of elite rim defenders in today’s NBA What Myles Turner would bring to the Wolves Using what Denver traded for Aaron Gordon as a guideline for what it would theoretically cost the Wolves to acquire Turner this offseason Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

Monday night was the return of D’Angelo Russell after a two-month knee injury. The news came out of nowhere, and just before we found out that Malik Beasley will be out for the next 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. On today’s pod, we focus on how the new-look Wolves look and fared with DLo back in the rotation and then dug into Anthony Edwards’ case for Rookie of the Year over Tyrese Haliburton. Russell playing almost exclusively alongside another point guard (Ricky Rubio or Jordan McLaughlin) and the importance of finding “Off-Ball DLo” The impact of how Russell is used on Edwards What does Edwards need to do the rest of the season to win Rookie of the Year over Haliburton? How many GMs would take Haliburton over Edwards if we re-drafted the 2020 class today? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the pod on Saturday night after the Timberwolves' loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. We discuss how Karl-Anthony Towns has again found his groove — even if he has to do it all by himself. Enjoying KAT improving in his prior areas of weakness The lack of shooting KAT has been surrounded by over the two seasons of the Gersson Rosas regime How KAT has shown under Chris Finch that he can play power forward — and how this opens up a new potential for team building: acquiring a center to start next to KAT Would the Timberwolves benefit from having a former player in their currently player-less front office? Believing in the Rosas front office without reflexively giving all of their moves credit for being the right move Around the NBA Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

After Friday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on how he is done “chasing stats” and is only interested in building his legacy through winning. So on today’s pod, we get into how KAT has adjusted his game accordingly and how the Wolves roster has not yet made the same adjustments. KAT needing to be both the glue guy and the top performer Has KAT limited his ceiling by adjusting his game every year to fit the cast of misfit toys that are currently surrounding him? When will it be time to have KAT stop adjusting and instead adjust the roster to him? Why the Timberwolves expensive core requires the rest of the roster to be built on the cheap Can Naz Reid, Jordan McLaughlin and Jaylen Nowell be impactful role players on minimum salaries going forward? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

Everything makes more sense after a win. At least for a moment. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 4th quarter comeback against the New York Knicks on Wednesday highlighted what the Wolves are hopefully evolving into. On today’s pod we discuss: Chris Finch’s heaping of praise on the “special” defense Jaden McDaniels has been playing lately McDaniels’ mean streak propelling him to confront matchups against Luka Doncic, James Harden and Julius Randle How the Wolves came back from 11 down in the 4th quarter to squeeze out a cluster of a late-game win in a battle of Anthony Edwards versus Julius Randle The budding friendship and on-court synergy of Edwards and Malik Beasley Edwards explains how the presence of himself, Beasley and D’Angelo Russell can free Karl-Anthony Towns from the endless cycle of double teams he receives in the post Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 podcast, we mine for silver linings from the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday evening loss to the Brooklyn Nets. After a stinker of home and home series against the Houston Rockets over the weekend, the Wolves showed life in Brooklyn. We discuss: Does Anthony Edwards have another gear? Can it be activated more consistently? What happened down the stretch run of the 4th quarter? Why did the final shot again end up being an off-balance leaner by Malik Beasley? How will D’Angelo Russell’s presence be felt in late-game situations once he returns to the lineup? Jaden McDaniels glow-up since becoming a starter, and his growing profile as a wing-stopper with his performance against James Harden on Monday Jaylen Nowell making the most of his role this season and the potency of his midrange jump shot Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 podcast, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the show to discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ downward spiral that has followed their explosion in Phoenix. A week that began with a loss to the Thunder at home, a blowout against the Mavericks, a standing pat trade deadline, a win that felt like a loss against the Rockets, and a blowout against the Rockets in the rematch. We discuss: Deflating losses that point back to questions about leadership How the Wolves could pivot off of their core of Towns, Russell, Edwards and Beasley if that is deemed necessary Jaden McDaniels and the future of the power forward position A bottom of the league rampant with tanking and the Wolves mired in the mix of it Monday’s opponent, the Brooklyn Nets, and their championship odds Britt’s three MVP candidates versus Dane’s three MVP candidates Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 pod, I'm joined at Target Center postgame by Kyle Theige (Canis Hoopus) to discuss one of the -- if not the -- worst loss of the Timberwolves season thus far. A 22-point drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Kyle and I discuss: -- Where does the leadership from this team come? What is the pecking order? -- The return of Malik Beasley -- The dangers of instilling a culture of losing -- Kyle's love for Jaden McDaniels, and how McDaniels has progressively developed over the course of the year Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 pod, we breakdown the Minnesota Timberwolves victory — if you can call it that — over the Houston Rockets on Friday night and look forward to the return of Malik Beasley on Saturday. We discuss: The Wolves closing the game on a 22-0 run. Running through the Rockets 15 pathetic, scoreless possessions to close the fame. Anthony Edwards getting subbed out before the run began, not closing a game for the second time in four games Beasley’s return and what that will mean for the Wolves offense. Going through his elite offensive numbers prior to his suspension. Tanking standings check! Does this win signal the Wolves will certainly pass the Rockets in the bottom of the standings? What other teams could threaten the Wolves for having a worse record at season’s end? How will that impact the odds of keeping the pick? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves did nothing at the trade deadline. On today’s pod, we breakdown what the Wolves’ inactivity signals by parsing Gersson Rosas’ post-deadline press conference. Topics include: Thought you were a big trade guy, Rosas. What’s up? Rosas said there were trades for “high-end” players out there but that price would have been too steep. What would have a Wolves Aaron Gordon trade have looked like? John Collins? The still glaring hole at power forward. Rosas predicament of McDaniels at PF or a traditional second big next to KAT How will the re-insertion of Malik Beasley and then D’Angelo Russell impact the “critical development” of Anthony Edwards? The Russell and Ricky Rubio pairing at the beginning of the season didn’t work. Will we see it again? If not, what is Rubio’s future with the franchise? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 pod, Kyle Theige of CanisHoopus.com joins the pod to discuss the Timberwolves' dismal performance on Wednesday against the Mavs and what door the Timberwolves might take at the deadline tomorrow. Door 1: Stand Pat and make no moves Door 2: Trade middling players in a package for other assets Door 3: Land a big fish -- a la John Collins, Aaron Gordon or Larry Nance Jr. 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 podcast, we dig into the Timberwolves ugly loss to the Thunder on Monday night. We discuss: -- Edwards frustrated about being benched -- Does Finch have a shorter leash than Saunders? -- Why is KAT shooting a career-worst from 2-point range this season? -- How much is KAT's wrist impacting his play? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 podcast, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the show to discuss his column on how the joy of Anthony Edwards is coming to redefine the blueprint of the Minnesota Timberwolves — both in the present and into the future. Britt and I discuss: The theoretically cumbersome fit of Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell once they return from injury and suspension in the coming weeks. Does Gersson Rosas need to consider trading one of Beasley, Russell or Ricky Rubio — perhaps at the deadline — so as to adjust to this new version of Edwards and his seemingly prolific pairing with Karl-Anthony Towns? If no trade is made, does someone need to move to the bench? If so, who? How does Edwards’ 19 year-old personality compare to Kevin Garnett’s personality at 19? Do the Timberwolves need a “savior” to keep the franchise in Minnesota? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 the second night of a back-to-back in Phoenix, the Timberwolves’ offense came up flat when Anthony Edwards had an off-game. On today’s pod, we go into why Karl-Anthony Towns leaning into his step-back 3 could be a solution to the Wolves’ problems that they could get to whenever they want. How Phoenix shifted their defense to take away Edwards on Friday night after Edwards went for 42 on Thursday Why Edwards can’t necessarily be schemed out, but why he can be schemed inefficent How defenses would not be able to scheme KAT and his step-back at the top of the key out of the Wolves’ offense KAT’s historical numbers off the dribble from 3 versus in catch and shoot situations What the impact of KAT’s step-back 3 would have on the surrounding Wolves players if the shot was activated and effective Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns Show has arrived. The Minnesota Timberwolves just beat the Phoenix Suns, furthering that this is clearly the weirdest team ever. And weird can be good! On today’s pod we discuss: Towns and Edwards both going off for a combined 83 points, building off of each other How the Wolves have gone 3-2 since the All-Star break against real competition How Chris Finch has used Towns in a way that allows Edwards to explode Is the plan on defense just more offense? What even constitutes solid defense for this group within this style of play? How do Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell fit back into this KAT and Ant-led reality? Just gasoline on the all-in on offense strategy, right? My prediction for who the Timberwolves new starting power forward will be Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Timberwolves are now four games past the All-Star break and have four more until the trade deadline. Tuesday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers is a good time to take stock of what has improved since the first time the Wolves played the Lakers this year and what still needs to be addressed — both within the current roster and outside of the roster via trade. Today we discuss: The Timberwolves continued problems in transition defense. And how their inability to finish at the rim on offense is impacting how they get back on defense (with audio from Ricky Rubio) How Rubio has begun to emerge since being inserted into the starting lineup 16 games ago (with audio from Karl-Anthony Towns) A John Collins film review in advance of the trade deadline (because why not?) Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

Sunday night was The Anthony Edwards Game, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are now 2-1 since the All-Star Break. On the backs of their No. 1 overall pick, the Wolves are currently floating on a good vibe. So we discuss: How Edwards looked like a dunking Luka Doncic for a night With Karl-Anthony Towns double-teamed, Edwards needed to score effectively and defended for the Wolves to win — and he did both. The similarities between Edwards and Carmelo Anthony and the value of a volume shooter in the analytically-driven modern NBA Shot distribution between KAT and Ant Will the KAT double teams go away once the roster is healthy? How much value is there in the Wolves broadly having the same roster for 12 months? What impact is roster continuity having on this group a year since Gersson Rosas cleaned house? Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves defensive scheme is officially changing under Chris Finch. We saw the early signals of change in the first game after the All-Star break against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and saw a whole new level of change against the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday. On today’s pod we get into the breadcrumbs of the change and why it’s important. The Wolves history of awful team defense in Karl-Anthony Towns’ career Finch believing a “bend but don’t break” defensive philosophy is not best for this roster (audio included) Finch’s willingness to use KAT as a perimeter defender and how that shifts the Wolves defensive balance KAT’s excitement level for doing something defensively he’s always felt he could do but has never been asked to do (audio included) Juancho Hernangomez and Jaylen Nowell making cases to be a part of the rotation going forward Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 podcast, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of The Athletic to discuss a Timberwolves for what feels like the first time in what feels like forever. After getting blown out by the Hornets and then blowing out the Pelicans, how has the way we view this team evolved? We discuss: How the Jaden McDaniels and Jaylen Nowell Show carried the Wolves over the Pelicans Drafting the Wolves prospects from the last three draft classes. Where do Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Jarrett Culver rank in the Wolves’ youthful hierarchy How would John Collins’ skillset fit on the Wolves? And what might it cost to acquire him? What might the Timberwolves’ offense begin to look like all-in on Karl-Anthony Towns? How might that impact KAT’s defense? Embracing the first good vibes in a long time Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

After entering the All-Star break with a 33-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets, naturally, the Minnesota Timberwolves started their second half of the season with a 30-point blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. On today’s pod we get into why the Timberwolves are going for it — trying to win in the second half of the season — in spite of their 7-29 record at the break. We discuss: How I’ve been hearing the Wolves are “trying to win” during the second half and are “buyers” entering the trade deadline Why they can pursue wins while simultaneously dancing around the elephant in the room that is their 2021 lottery pick Jaylen Nowell, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid refusing to miss as the Wolves second-unit propelled the victory Our first glimpse at KAT embracing Chris Finch’s KAT-centric offense Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

At the halfway point of the season, Jace Frederick of The Pioneer Press joins the pod to discuss what happened in the second quarter of the season and what might lie ahead after the All-Star break in the third quarter of the year. Today’s topics include: What players individually stood out during the second quarter of the season — for good or bad — and what should we take from that production? Jaden McDaniels numbers falling off; Ricky Rubio’s shooting improving; etc What players might stick out during the third quarter of the season, and what can we estimate the rotation might look like? How will the trade deadline impact who is and is not playing over these chunk of games? -Why might the Karl-Anthony Towns trade talk be premature? Looking back and laughing at our preseason predictions 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 pod, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the show to take stock of the first half of the Timberwolves season. Robson discusses what has unfolded in the first 36 games and what may transpire leading up to the trade deadline. 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 33-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets going into the All-Star break was an unacceptable finish to an unacceptable first-half of the season. On today’s pod, we discuss why the plan for what the Wolves are building needs to be adjusted. How a ‘Process’ doesn’t make sense when you have Karl-Anthony Towns and traded your first-round pick Why Wolves fans have the right to be upset and pushback against the plan for how this team is being rebuilt Comparing Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball’s numbers halfway through their rookie years Why D’Angelo Russell is the better player to compare against LaMelo. And how LaMelo’s numbers already mirror peak-DLo in Brooklyn Is LaMelo who the Wolves hoped DLo would be? Would Ant and LaMelo be having the same years if they were on different teams? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 Sunday night, the Timberwolves lost their 8th consecutive game and are now 1-10 since Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the lineup. On today’s pod, we discuss how much blame KAT holds for that losing. Has a losing culture similar to ‘The Process Sixers’ set in? How the Wolves have actually played worse in the 11 games since KAT returned than they did in the 11 games prior to KAT’s return What sort of blame does KAT hold not only for this recent streak of losing but for the losing dating back to last season? The Wolves have lost 30 of the past 34 games KAT has played in. Thinking back to the Dario Saric days after The Jimmy Butler Trade What would it have looked like if the Timberwolves traded for Chris Paul back in 2019, before he was traded to the Thunder? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have now lost seven consecutive games — four under Ryan Saunders and three under Chris Finch. And Saturday night’s loss to the Washington Wizards — the first game of Malik Beasley’s twelve-game suspension — highlighted how much is going to change with Beasley’s out of the lineup. Along those lines, on today’s pod we discuss:- Finch’s decision to lean into defense with Beasley out of the mix The Wolves started Karl-Anthony Towns, Jarred Vanderbilt, Josh Okogie, Anthony Edwards and Ricky Rubio.- The new lineups potential to both be more effective defensively — and it did look competent on that end in the first half — and to really kill the offense’s spacing- The opportunity guys like Jarrett Culver, Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards have to further asset themselves offensively in Beasley’s extended absence Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/joinSign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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 podcast, I am joined by Britt Robson of The Athletic to discuss his most recent column on the topic of “culture” and how the losses accumulating and the Chris Finch hiring process line up with Gersson Rosas’ initial plan. We discuss: How Rosas was hired to be the anti-Thibs How the familial vibe has been contradicted by roster a coaching turnover What the cultural plan is going forward How the upcoming traded deadline might be approached from a standpoint of prioritizing (or not prioritizing) continuity If the Wolves were to trade one of their top-4 players (Towns, Russell, Edwards and Beasley), who would make the most sense How does Ricky Rubio fit into the grand plan? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Sign up for Dane's Patreon ($5 a month) at: Patreon.com/DaneMooreNBA 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.

The Timberwolves fell apart Wednesday night against the Bulls when Karl-Anthony Towns was off the floor, getting outscored by 19 points. On today’s pod, we focus on the impact of KAT’s fairly chronic problem with foul trouble — and how Chris Finch and KAT may need to adjust accordingly. Will how KAT is being used under Finch — as the hub of the offense — impact the frequency of how often he commits offensive fouls? Can adjustments be made to keep KAT on the floor more often? KAT explains his 6th foul on Wednesday and his changed approach with refs this year (audio included) What will be the impact of playing analytically-driven basketball be on Ricky Rubio? How Rubio’s contract impacts the Timberwolves’ luxury tax situation next season. Could Rubio be traded at this year’s deadline? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join 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.

The Chris Finch Era is officially underway for the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 27-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. So what have we learned about Finch thus far — from that game and from his public comments to the media thus far? Were there structural changes to the offense/defense? Who is going to play? And how long are they going to play for? Should we believe this means more minutes for Karl-Anthony Towns, Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and Jordan McLaughlin What is Chris Finch about, and how does this connect to KAT? KAT has been utilized in a different way each of the past three seasons. What season will the Finch-version of KAT most resemble? Finch’s concept of providing players “bumpers” for what they can and cannot do Will the Wolves now run less pick-and-roll than they did under Saunders? How will that impact Anthony Edwards? 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 podcast, we take stock of the State of the Timberwolves after the dismissal of Ryan Saunders and hiring of Chris Finch. Kyle Theige of Canis Hoopus joins me to discuss Chris Finch's (rather awkward) introductory press conference. And we move down the list from Gersson Rosas to Chris Finch to Karl-Anthony Towns and to the trio of D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Malik Beasley, taking stock of each individual's standing within the eyes of the fanbase. The conclusion? It's go-time. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join 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.

Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the pod for an instant reaction to the news of Ryan Saunders being fired and Chris Finch being hired in his place. 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.

We’re just at the point where these fourth quarter collapses by the Timberwolves are getting ridiculous. Friday night’s collapse in the fourth might have been the worst of the season yet. With 3 minutes and 40 seconds left in the game, the Wolves were leading 81 to 75, yet didn’t score another point for the rest of the game. On tonight’s pod, we discuss why falling apart felt all the worse considering it came on the heels of Anthony Edwards’ filthy dunk to close the third quarter. Specific examples of execution breakdowns in the 4th, including a completely botched 2-for-1 Why the last two games against Indiana and Toronto serve as examples for why it is OK to not close games with your starters (McLaughlin over Rubio, anyone?) Ant’s dunk, and why I’m batting around the Bradley Beal comp for Edwards Jaden McDaniels with another impressive defensive performance, and why Pascal Siakam’s trajectory is one McDaniels could reasonably mimic. 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 podcast, Britt Robson of The Athletic joins to discuss his most recent column on the Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell pairing that published right before the news of Russell being shut down for the next four-to-six weeks. With that, we discuss the myriad of changes that now face the DLo-less Wolves both now and into the future, including: How the focus now shifts to the KAT and Anthony Edwards pairing Speculating on what the long-term future is of KAT on the Timberwolves Why Jaden McDaniels also deserves consideration for a similar amount of development focus How we saw this all play out in the loss to the loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday Can the late-game offense go through KAT? Is late-game isolation for KAT better than an action that involves KAT but doesn’t guarantee a KAT touch? Comparing Edwards’ rookie year thus far to Andrew Wiggins’ first season 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.

Late-game execution issues continue to plague the now 7-22 Minnesota Timberwolves. Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers was no exception. On today’s we get into that game with the following topics: A new closing five of: Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley and Ricky Rubio How going with McDaniels over Jarred Vanderbilt created space for the KAT and Rubio pick and roll down the stretch. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis dominating the Wolves’ defense in the fourth quarter and overtime Beasley’s execution lapses in overtime The dominance of the Jordan McLaughlin and Naz Reid pick and roll pairing, not only tonight but the whole season Would KAT benefit from getting some run next to McLaughlin? -KAT’s commitment to defense this season His postgame commentary (audio included) on how he attributes not having coaching turnover for being more mentally engaged on the defensive end this year. 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.

With D’Angelo Russell out for the next four-to-six weeks, it’s time for the full-on Anthony Edwards experience. No Russell means Edwards will take the reigns as the Timberwolves’ primary playmaker, and it might change everything. We discuss on today’s pod, with topics including: Why Russell being out will be the best thing for Edwards’ development as a playmaker. In the four games since Karl-Anthony Towns has returned — all of which have come without Russell — Edwards is averaging 19.5 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game while shooting 57% from 2 and 32% from 3. How Ricky Rubio will be an important character in this next chapter It will be time to test the rationale for bringing in Rubio. Can he grow Edwards like he did Donovan Mitchell in Utah? Why it might be time to begin considering a KAT-less window down the road where Edwards is “the guy” if/when KAT decides to move on 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.

Everything the Timberwolves run on both sides of the ball makes so much more sense with Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup. On today’s pod, we get into how this plays out and which players we saw this specifically impact against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. Why the Timberwolves spread offense was destined to fail without a presence like KAT, who actually causes the defense to shift Why it wasn’t a coincidence that Anthony Edwards had his most-efficient shooting night (from 2) while KAT was out there next to him How Edwards’ skillset is proving to overlap more with D’Angelo Russell’s than it does Malik Beasley’s — and why that’s not necessarily a bad thing KAT unlocking the dunker spot — and Jarred Vanderbilt took advantage of that How Ricky Rubio runs on the competence that KAT provides 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.

The 2020-21 Minnesota Timberwolves have been more interesting of the court this season than they have been intriguing on the floor. And Friday night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets was no different. On today’s pod we get into the postgame comments from Karl-Anthony Towns and Malik Beasley. Topics include: Karl-Anthony Towns describes being “spooked” by PJ Washington’s positive COVID-19 test an hour before Friday night’s game (audio included) KAT describes how the positive case impacted him mentally in tonight’s game, particularly in the first half. KAT describes where his excitement level is at for the final 46 games of the season (audio included) Why is he is excited to play but also worried about COVID. Malik Beasley calls for more minutes and more usage in the Timberwolves offense (audio included) Why Beasley feels he is capable and deserving of taking on a bigger role. 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.

Now a third of the way into the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season, Karl-Anthony Towns is back, and the season finally feels like it is beginning. Britt Robson of The Athletic joins the pod today to discuss the following topics and more: Karl-Anthony Towns is back What is ‘stealth tanking’? We’ve seen many iterations of tanking over the course of the Timberwolves’ existence. And this version — if it is, in fact, a form of tanking — is perhaps the most confounding. If they have not been prioritizing winning over all else, how did they do it, and will that change now that KAT has returned? Britt and I disagree on the potential of the KAT and D’Angelo Russell pick and roll pairing. In advance of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball squaring off for the first time, we discuss the ways in which the two are being developed — and the environments they are being developed in. 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.

After missing 13 games over the course of 28 days in the league’s health and safety protocol, Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Does this mean we’ve entered a new window of the Timberwolves’ season? On today’s pod, topics include: KAT shares details on his experience with COVID-19 (audio included) What he went through and how he appears to be back to full health. The decision to continue playing Josh Okogie after the Clippers opted to leave him wide open How Okogie’s man not respecting him on the perimeter totally deleted the spacing in the Wolves’ offense and how the offense cratered in response. How players like Malik Beasley will need to adjust to playing next to KAT What would the Wolves’ record be if KAT had been healthy all season? 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 pod, we discuss how Malik Beasley represents whatever good there has been during this dismal start to the season by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In another flat Timberwolves loss in Dallas on Monday, Beasley’s 22 fourth quarter points, on seven-consecutive made shots, stood out as a lone bright spot. In addition to Beasley, today’s topics include: Beasley becoming not only the best player but the leader of the 2020-21 Wolves Josh Okogie and Ricky Rubio getting back in rhythm a bit after recent cold streaks What in the world happened to D’Angelo Russell, who only played the first six minutes of the game? Why I would use minutes played as evidence of the Wolves not chasing “marginal wins” Juancho Hernangomez returns Jaylen Nowell’s eighth-consecutive double-digit scoring night, and his continued hot shooting since entering the rotation (37% from 3, 56% from 2) Will Jarrett Culver take Nowell’s minutes when he returns? 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ one-year anniversary of the D’Angelo Russell trade shaped up to be a fittingly bizarre game in Oklahoma City. On today’s pod, we work backward from Naz Reid getting the final shot to arguably the most disastrous first half in the Ryan Saunders Era. Topics include: Naz Reid deserving the final shot How Reid’s 21 second-half points put the Wolves in the position to give him the last shot. And what Naz said he saw on that play (audio included) Should the closing lineup have been: Reid, McDaniels, Layman, Beasley, Edwards My theory on why it would have been fine to close this game without a point guard. Why Jaden McDaniels needs to start if Josh Okogie doesn’t With Okogie demoted from the starting lineup to the fringe of the rotation, Anthony Edwards has become the Wolves de facto “wing stopper.” Should that role go to McDaniels? 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.