Michael Pearson

@JonKrawczynski @allthingsmn This team 'absolutely' needed a proven front court presence to protect the rim and establish toughness inside. Kessler was obviously viewed as this fit with our core but when you have a chance to get a 3x DPOY, 3x All-Star in his prime, you go for it. ...it's worked out IMO.

@allthingsmn If they didn’t do the Rudy trade and went forward with that core, are you sure Ant and Jaden and Naz want to stay?

This is what happens when you build something super methodically and don’t rush it. OKC stacked assets that fit seamlessly including a couple home run trades and draft picks and got a HC that exhibits patience and leans into youth while getting guys in spots they can maximize their strengths. The Wolves elected to expedite their build and add older players to an inexperienced and immature roster. Instead of hoarding assets and equipping themselves with premium flexibility for Ant’s prime years, they dumped their assets to win right away. It was a bet that got them one of their 2 best seasons in franchise history and 2 WCF appearances — which, given the history of this organization, feels like a huge win. But it wasn’t without massive future risk. Now, the Wolves are very clearly at a difficult crossroads. They have a roster divided between eras with an aging Gobert and Julius Randle (who probably don’t have much value on the trade market) and 3 guys entering their primes in Ant/Jaden/Naz that don’t possess adequate star power to go toe-to-toe with OKC/SAS/BOS/DEN/DET without some serious help. Because of Connelly’s shortage of draft assets from the Rudy and Rob trades, extra pressure is placed on every remaining pick he has to use to supplement the roster. And to this point, he’s just flat-out not done a good enough job with this and the staff hasn’t done a good enough job developing them. So much of this team’s future viability rides on major leaps from Ant/Jaden/Naz and Joan Beringer hitting his immensely high ceiling as quickly as he can. Barring a miracle trade or 2 involving some combination of Randle/Naz/Rudy, this team’s future outlook is murky. It’s interesting to think back to the Rudy trade and wonder what the alternative, OKC approach might’ve looked like…how bullish would we be about the Wolves’ future with a core Ant/Jaden/KAT/Naz/Kessler and all of their picks? What if the Wolves had stayed patient and ended up with the 10th pick in that 2023 draft and taken Cason Wallace? What if they had used those picks to make other trades for younger core pieces? I’ve had more fun watching this team throughout the past 3 years than I’ve had since the KG prime, but I do wonder about the other path and whether patience would’ve ultimately produced a more synergistic team with more long-term championship upside.

Lakers should win this pretty ugly Game 1 by 20. Rockets look lost on offense without Durant. (They sometimes look lost on offense WITH Durant.)

@JonKrawczynski What about Randle and Reid?

There's been an embellishment here and there, but for the most part the Wolves just can't stop fouling Jamal Murray.

@JonKrawczynski ...what about Randle? 😤

Wolves have to get Jaden McDaniels more involved. Has just one shot this quarter. He has a mismatch almost every time down.

@JonKrawczynski ...while playing 'Burning Heart' 💯

Feel like Rocky getting off the plane in Russia.

This is atrocious PR. Azzi is perfectly capable of answering herself. Prep her for the question, and let her answer like an adult. 🤦🏼‍♂️

@AdamSchefter Henry rushing for 40 TDs wearing these..

A closer look at the Ravens’ new helmets:

@sportingnews ...what?

A reporter asked Azzi Fudd about her relationship with Paige Bueckers, but the Wings' media team said they won't be commenting on their players' personal lives.

@MLBONFOX @Twins are 1 💪⚾️

The American League is wild in the early stages of this season: every team is within just 4 games of each other 👀

@stoolpresidente 😁😁😁

This team fucking sucks. #dirtywater

@MaxxFuller OMG bud? Praying and wishing you a fast recovery!! Stay strong! Stay positive! ❤️🙏

Note to self: your afro does not qualify as a bike helmet 🤕 got into a bike accident Sunday & broke my jaw, among several other injuries. I don't think I've gone this long without talking my whole life. Headed to surgery tomorrow wish me luck. I'll be back before ya know it.

@NugsGetBuckets Wolves in..

With all due respect the Nuggets sweep them

What in the fuck just happened?

@MLB 11-0 now btw.. 😉💪

The Twins put up a 4-spot in the 1st inning 👏

@espn 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

MILES TO MINNESOTA 🐺 With the No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft, the Minnesota Lynx select Olivia Miles 🔥

@LegionHoops @PatMcAfeeShow @MrBuckBuckNBA 100% accurate @ShamsCharania?

Shams fires back at the Bucks: “If they spent as much time dealing with their own internal dynamics and problems as they do to responding to accurate reports they wouldn’t be in the mess they’re in right now.” (via @PatMcAfeeShow, h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)

Out of the four odds on favorites to win this year’s NBA championship, who‘s your pick to win it?🧐

@LegendOfWinning Minnesota, not Denver Edwards, Randle, and McDaniels 😉💯

Denver will have to beat… Wolves Spurs Thunder Just to get to the Finals. I want to see if Jokic, Murray and Gordon can pull off what would be one of the greatest runs ever

@LegionHoops Wolves in 4

The Nuggets and Timberwolves will face off in the first round of playoffs. Call it now: who wins and in how many games?

@Fullcourtpass Wolves in 4

The Nuggets will face the Timberwolves in round 1 of the playoffs Who you got???