Punch-Drunk Wolves

new post -- Wrote about the Wolves by now having established an actual era of success, thoughts about Finch's good and less good qualities as coach, and connectivity of defense and offense. Oh, and some Jaylen Clark stuff of course -- link below:

Calm tweet: I hope we take the Duke guy tonight at 33. He was on my (extremely well researched) targets list that I posted earlier and hopefully you all learned from. Would help mitigate a little of the damage of last 48 hours.

@companeromarcus Sam holds his own unique place in Timberwolves history (that continues to evolve with his media tours and engagement with things like the logo rebranding). I never thought a ton about him as an assistant coach though for whatever reason. Certainly left an impression as interim HC

@PDWolves thought for sure you'd find a spot for Sam Mitchell!

Mount Rushmore of Wolves assistants Bayno Nori Thibs Sichting (?? Seems like we need one from the Flip & KG era and it can’t be wittman)

Teams will stop wanting Taj on their bench when he turns 50. Maybe.

@brittrobson I’m pushing back against what I view as extreme, which is dumping him for less than no return. Opposing that doesn’t = an especially high appraisal of Randle; just recognition that he’s a real, productive player on a team trying to win. If it’s ultimately “addition” then great.

@PDWolves I think you are vastly overestimating the upper end potential of Randle. Finch sqeezed most every drop and it collapsed under its own weight. Addition by subtraction happens all the time in the NBA and I subscribe to it here.

Latest Wolves: On vacation so just getting to this: my column on the Randle trade. And the Dillingham trade, as they are linked. minnpost.com/sports/timberw…

@brittrobson It’s ruinous to send out that much production in rash circumstances like this. If Randle really is a disaster in the locker room I hope we eventually read some hard reporting of those details. Until then this seems like a spectacular failure of both Finch and Connelly.

@PDWolves Accepting reality. Have a lot of respect for Finch, so trust his instinct that Randle off the bench would have been ruinous. That said, such narrow loyalty to Randle was my worst view of Finch. I hope he grows from it.

@brittrobson I don’t know - I think for them to be worse (which seems likely now after this talent dump) yet more enjoyable would probably require more big moves, probably involving Rudy. Guess we’ll see. Surprised you didn’t mention your previous calls for Randle off the bench. Less extreme?

@PDWolves I think they will be a much more enjoyable team, which matters to me. Do you think they will be more or less enjoyable?

History suggests we’ll spend tomorrow thinking about what to do with 33 only for the pick to be sold. Just brace yourself.

the ringer's draft guide describes Koa Peat (ranked 23rd on their board) as "Shaun Livingston in Reggie Evans's body." And the Wolves could've taken that guy at 28 if they didn't do that stupid trade last night. Shaun Livingston in Reggie Evans's body. Have a good night.

"You better do something with [the traded player exception.]" It better not just be a salary dump." --Bobby Marks

according to the ESPN broadcast the Timberwolves are on the clock right now at 28

"I would never trade a player because he's unhappy." --Kenny Smith

should be able to get one of these guys at 28, wait I forgot we moved down to allow ourselves to give Randle away nevermind

Cameron Carr is former 1996-1997 Wolves legend Chris Carr’s son? This is wonderful!

guy in the hawks war room also a Target Center Lifetime Fitness noonball alum. Big night for us.

so Philon doesn't phit in Philly - maybe we'll get that trade after all.

so Philon has Mike Miller ties, and Miller has Wolves draft night trade history. Hm

@WolvesInVI continuity was the new alignment. Time is a flat circle

Addition by subtraction the new continuity

Hannes Steinbach, no relation to Terry.

Very thoughtful answer from Chris Finch on Micah Nori’s contract in Portland: