The Dane Moore NBA Podcast

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.

Were you expecting a nice win? On today's pod, we talk about the Wolves' "ugly" win in Oklahoma City. DLo's game-winner, and why it wasn't hero ball this time. Time to take stock of the DLo-Rubio pairing with a numbers dive. Should Rubio be closing games? And is it just time to both start and close games with Jaden McDaniels? DLo speaks glowingly of the rookie (audio included), making the case for a new starting lineup: KAT, McDaniels, Edwards, Beasley, DLo. 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 episode, we get into how in the world the Timberwolves blew a 16-point lead with 10 minutes left against the Spurs. Where the Timberwolves 4th quarter offensive execution broke down. Why Saunders said he puts some of that on him (audio included). Where the execution of what they were running cracked. And how in the world Anthony Edwards couldn't get a touch the whole quarter. The game could have also been saved on the defensive end. But DeMar DeRozan had 16 4th quarter points, as the Wolves scrambled to find answers to no avail. Should have Ricky Rubio came in for Josh Okogie? Why did Saunders prioritize offense over defense? Was that the right move? 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 today's pod to discuss his most-recent column that graded Gersson Rosas' tenure as the President of Basketball Operations thus far. Rosas has now been at the helm for 82 games, so we discuss the good, bad and unlucky that has transpired. 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.

Twenty games into Anthony Edwards' rookie season seemed like a good time to do a film review of Edwards' play thus far this season. Will DeBerg (assistant Men's Coach at the University of St. Thomas) joins me on today's pod to not only review Edwards' film but also the film of Devin Vassell and Isaac Okoro -- two prospects Will and I were high on going into the draft. What have these three players shown in the first 20 games of their career and what role has the team they are playing for impacted their production and development. 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 ask the question: Who is the Timberwolves power forward of the future? Why Jaden McDaniels is the most likely answer to that question currently on the roster. Might Larry Nance Jr. be another answer? The Wolves pursued Nance Jr. in the offseason. Might they re-engage in trade talks with Cleveland at the deadline now that the Cavs' roster has significantly changed after acquiring Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince? What would the Wolves being willing to put on the table? Who would be used to match salaries? Would the Wolves need to include a future first-round pick? And then we take stock of the Wolves' shot selection now 20 games into the season. What are the differences from last season's "analytically-sound" shot chart? Specifically, what role have the additions of D'Angelo Russell and Ricky Rubio had on the shots the Wolves are taking? 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.

Today's pod is about Anthony Edwards' best game of the season. His 23-point, 5-board, 4-assist, 1-block, 1-steal and 0-turnover game against Cleveland. We get into how Edwards moving to the starting lineup has not only shifted who he is playing with but how he is being used. And also what Edwards' fit next to KAT might look like once he returns from the COVID list. We also note (again) how Malik Beasley has been the most consistent Wolves player this season. Specifically how his off-ball usage as a shooter is fueling his game. Plus: some shoutouts for Jaden McDaniels and Jaylen Nowell, who are making the most of their time in the rotation. 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 Joel Embiid got to the free throw line 18 times against the KAT-less Timberwolves on Friday night, I felt today's pod was a good time to take stock of how Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic have ascended over the past year while KAT has largely been sidelined. How Embiid and Jokic have optimized their games and how KAT's optimization still remains somewhat ambiguous. We also get into how the Wolves defense has a growing propensity to crater in second halves. D'Angelo Russell commented on the Wolves' lack of defense after Friday's (audio included), so we get into why Russell is right about the Wolves never really playing any good defense. Also some conversation on how Ricky Rubio has turned in three consecutive stinkers over the past week, and why he just isn't fitting in to the Wolves' offensive scheme. 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 following consecutive losses to Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors. We discuss the shine Wiggins has gathered this season -- both what is deserved and what still remains questionable. From there, we discuss the optics of the Wiggins-for-DLo trade, now ten days before it's one-year anniversary. The second half of the show moves on from Wiggins (so skip ahead if you can't stand another minute of him) and into Anthony Edwards. Why the Zach LaVine comparison does and does not work for Edwards. We also discuss how the Timberwolves ideological process is beginning to crumble both in roster construction and in terms of system in KAT's absence, noting Josh Okogie as a key example. We also do some Naz Reid praise and ask if he is this roster's best forward even without ever having played the position. And close with the question of if this is the worst team the Wolves have ever had from a watchability standpoint. 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 get right into where the Timberwolves broke down in the second half on national TV. There was a specific run in the third quarter that made Josh Okogie unplayable. And with Okogie out the defense became untenable. We dig into the Wolves conundrum with Okogie's shooting. On a brighter note, we highlight how Naz Reid has thrived since moving into the starting lineup for Karl-Anthony Towns. Why Naz is the physical embodiment of the Timberwolves' offensive game plan. Can Naz and KAT share the floor once Towns 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.

Let's take stock of the Andrew Wiggins-D'Angelo Russell trade and regrade it one year after it came together. On today's pod, we go into the details of that deal, including: the draft pick compensation; Wiggins' fit in Golden State; DLo's fit in Minnesota; the Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans luxury tax wrinkle. What was the overall cost to swap out Wiggins for Russell. We also get into a few observations from the loss in Golden State, including: how both Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are now both coming off of the bench; the impact on the Wolves' offense of not having Rubio being an at-rim scorer; why Jordan McLaughlin might not be the Timberwolves' best point guard but why he fits the Timberwolves system best. 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.

Without KAT, DLo and, I guess, Juancho, the Timberwolves defeat the Pelicans. Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) joins me at Target Center to discuss how exactly the Wolves pulled off a win without their two best players. We get into why this felt like "The Rubio Game" and how Rubio's success on Saturday night almost complicates things going forward. 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.

Another blowout Timberwolves against the Hawks loss got me thinking about how crazy it is that Tom Thibodeau is having more success with the Knicks than the Wolves are having without him, despite New York having a far cheaper payroll. So on today's pod, we get into how the Wolves are just not living up to what there payroll suggests they should be. We also get into what it would look like if Ryan Saunders only played eight players. Who would be in the 8-man rotation? We discuss Anthony Edwards' continued cold streak. And we touch on Ricky Rubio and how his return to Minnesota has thus far been fraught. 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 (The Athletic) joins the pod to discuss a myriad of topics, including where blame falls on a Timberwolves team that just blew another fourth quarter lead to Orlando and currently sits at 3-10 -- with no real end in sight. Why it feels as if everything is coming to a head. And what decisions might need to be made. 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 and Hawks have gone all-in on building around young stars who are elite offensively and have serious question marks defensively. On today's pod, Glen Willis (SB Nation - PeachTreeHoops), who covers the Atlanta Hawks, joins to discuss the parallels and differences between how the two franchises are building their teams. 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 if this is the end of the road for Ryan Saunders. Where Saunders could have called timeouts down the stretch to potentially shift the balance of the game. The similarities between this breakdown and the breakdown in the Jersey Tuck Game in Oklahoma City. Why that game against the Thunder might have impacted Saunders' decision to not call a timeout. We also discuss what I saw transpire at the end of the game in the stadium that was not on the television broadcast. I also get into why it's hard, as a journalist, to be objective when it comes to a coach potentially getting fired. And I share a Ryan Saunders story to explain. 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 get into another Timberwolves game without KAT. How they lost to an underwhelming Hawks team and where the breakdowns happened around DLo (who balled out again). It's also time for a Jarrett Culver Conversation, so we go through how Culver has compared to the other picks from the 2019 Draft Class. How many players would be selected over him if we re-drafted? We also talk about both first round picks, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, getting real run in the same game. How the new JMac and the old JMac are both in the rotation now, replacing Juancho and Rubio. 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 unfortunately need to discuss how COVID has struck the Minnesota Timberwolves. Included is audio from Gersson Rosas' Friday evening press conference in which he describes the 36 hours leading up to Friday evening's game being postponed and how this is all the more troubling given Karl-Anthony Towns' involvement. After that, we get into how the roster is going to have to cope without their starting power forward and center for the foreseeable future. Some small-ball 4 for Anthony Edwards? Who starts? More DLo and Rubio together? 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 today's episode to discuss the current state of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Would a Gersson Rosas-led front office ever make the move Brooklyn did to acquire James Harden? We dig into the first real crossroads Rosas' Wolves have hit in the first season where cultivating a sustainable winner is actually about winning a little bit now. We talk lots about Karl-Anthony Towns -- and his defensive ascension, along with his leadership role on this roster. 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 Timberwolves loss to the Grizzlies highlighted the Wolves Big 3 and exposed the rest of the roster. On today's episode, we get into how and where the Wolves need support beyond Towns, Russell and Beasley. We listen to KAT's postgame ramblings about defense, and question if that's all they need. Do they just need to score more? What is going on with the second unit? What can their identity become? 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.

Ten games into the NBA careers of Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman felt like a good time to dive into the film of the top-3 picks' early NBA impact. Will DeBerg (University of St. Thomas Men's Basketball Coach) joins the pod to review the film, and highlight what these former prospects have looked like at the NBA level. 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.

I start today's podcast with D'Angelo Russell's interesting way of addressing the attack on The Capitol in his postgame commentary. From there we get into the Timberwolves winning their first game of the season without KAT. How DLo was the answer to the Wolves' 4th quarter conundrum. What I think the rotation will be going forward. Why Malik Beasley's 4-year, $60M contract has looked like a good deal through the first 10 games. 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.

On today's pod, Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) joins me live from Target Center for an immediate reaction to the Timberwolves overtime loss to the Spurs. We discuss: The return of KAT; Late-game lack of execution; Having an idea of what this team will look like at full-strength; Discuss reasonable expectations. 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 Timberwolves loss in Portland felt like a regression -- similar to the losses in Los Angeles. On today's pod, we discuss why being a standard deviation below "bad team" could be costly, and why it's time to right the ship. Ricky Rubio says: "We gotta get better and we gotta get better now." How the Lillard-Nurkic pick and roll led to 47-point second quarter. Why the defensive scheme has changed. My assessment of Ryan Saunders' coaching thus far this season. 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.

In advance of Blazers-Timberwolves, Steve Dewald of Blazer's Edge joins the pod. Steve and I discuss the similarities between what the Wolves are building and what the Blazers have built. What is the ceiling of a "good offense, bad defense" team? How has Robert Covington fit in Portland thus far? Could Minnesota have outbid Portland for Derrick Jones Jr.? Do the Blazers miss David Vanterpool? And reflecting on Jake Layman's time in Portland. 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 (The Athletic) joins the pod to discuss a set of storylines from this season that were not anticipated at the year's onset. From Jarred Vanderbilt's boomlet to the machinations of the D'Angelo Russell and Ricky Rubio backcourt pairing, we hit on all things Timberwolves from the first seven game of the season. 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.

Jarred Vanderbilt finally got his shot -- and he DID NOT disappoint. On today's pod, we discuss the Timberwolves second loss to the Denver Nuggets -- another game that fell apart in the 4th quarter. We get into the obstacles in the way of Vanderbilt permanently fitting into the rotation, and why it feels like Ryan Saunders has to make it happen. Juancho Hernangomez talks about "lettin' it fly", and we discuss why this was the player Juancho was signed to be. 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.

D'Angelo Russell said after the Timberwolves fourth consecutive loss on Sunday to the Denver Nuggets that he doesn't think the Wolves are "ready to win yet" because they are "still figuring out how to lose". On today's pod, we playback Russell's postgame comments and talk about how this team does not look ready to win yet. We get into: How Ed Davis moving into the starting lineup helped to get Russell going in pick and roll game; Why Russell and Ricky Rubio did not share the floor; Malik Beasley's impressive performance against his former squad; and asked the question: Can this team be expected to win any games in KAT's absence? 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.

On today's pod, Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) joins me live from Target Center to pick apart the dismantling that was the Timberwolves 30-point loss to the Washington Wizards. We dig into why the D'Angelo Russell Experience has thus far been rough, and what needs to change. We also discuss what other adjustments need to be made for this Timberwolves team to remain somewhat competitive in Karl-Anthony Towns' absence. 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.

On today's pod, Britt Robson (The Athletic) joins to discuss why what Karl-Anthony Towns showed in the first two games is more reason for optimism than the two blowout losses in Los Angeles are reason for pessimism. We unpack Britt's most recent column that acknowledges the devastating, albeit expected, losses but also praises KAT's best defense of his career and Ryan Saunders' ability to expand his coaching blueprint. From there, we get into what the complicated plan might be in this KAT-less interim. The trappings of the D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley pairing. Britt's assertion that Ricky Rubio needs to start. Dane's assertion that Josh Okogie is the path to defensive competence. And just what the heck is going on in the frontcourt -- between Naz Reid, Juancho Hernangomez, Jake Layman and Jarred Vanderbilt. 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.

Losing two games the way the Timberwolves lost to the Lakers and Clippers is a slippery slope. Today we discuss the Wolves needing to inject joy back into basketball, even without KAT. On the show: we react to Ricky Rubio's harsh postgame commentary (audio included); discuss the Rubio-DLo pairing; what is going on in the frontcourt next to Naz Reid; why righting the ship is big-picture important; and trying to find ways to survive on defense. 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.

In the 15-game stretch the Timberwolves played without Karl-Anthony Towns at the beginning of last season, they ranked third in the NBA over that stretch in defensive efficiency. They only won five of those 15 games, but they played with the identity of a team that executes on defense. On today's pod, I talk about this new Timberwolves roster finding their new KAT-less identity. Plus, we talk other observations from the loss: D'Angelo Russell not taking the lead in KAT's absence, and why that will need to change; Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez needing to find their form from last season; Anthony Edwards, and why now feels like the time to shift him into the starting lineup. 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.

So who saw the Timberwolves beating the Jazz? Time for some observations from the Wolves win in Utah. Topics in today's pod: DLo and Beasley stepping up with KAT again in foul trouble; Okogie and Culver continuing to shine; Needing to start Naz over Layman against the Lakers; Saunders earning his keep; Why I think Anthony Edwards is the favorite to win Rookie of the 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.

The Timberwolves enter the Christmas Break undefeated with a win over the Pistons. Good audio quotes from the players postgame, so I let that carry today's show -- beginning with KAT discussing where he's at mentally. From there we get into Anthony Edwards looking NBA ready. We talk Josh Okogie being the team's best power forward, shutting down Blake Griffin. Some commentary on the defense (zone!). And then I explain why D'Angelo Russell didn't start, and how that really impacted Ryan Saunders' rotations. 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 (The Athletic) joins the pod to discuss his column on points of interest for this Timberwolves season. Dane and Britt run through what can be gleaned from the preseason in an effort to begin to define this team. Topics include: Ryan Saunders' great challenge with the rotation. What can be expected from the D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley combination in the backcourt. Reason for optimism with the Anthony Edwards and Jarrett Culver wing duo. The burden Karl-Anthony Towns carries on both ends of the floor. And finally, where the Timberwolves might finish offensively and defensively this season -- and how that will translate to the win column. 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.