Aggressive or conservative?

[winforlose]

A few days ago I was thinking how it was a great message to KAT and Ant as the new owners are not afraid to spend money if it means a big improvement.

I think it's pretty important for the development of Ant specifically to show him what a competitive and competent front office looks like. Playoff appearances should never be scoffed at.

Ant has been fairly lucky in that regard. His first year was the year we hired Finch. Which means he saw the difference between good and bad coaching first hand. His second year he saw a front office pull off the trade of the century, (Getting Bev for Juancho and Culver,) and then get paralyzed by scandal. Then this year he saw the wheeling and dealing on draft night (turning a 1st and 3 future seconds into 2 firsts and two future seconds,) followed by the Gobert trade. Say what you want about what we gave up, but this trade was massive from a talent perspective and makes us instant contenders. Long story short Ant has seen it all and knows how good he has it now as a result. This team of new ownership, plus TC, plus Finch could have a lot of good years together.

[Klomp]

“It’s all about the fans in Minnesota. I think they deserve a winner," Rodriguez said. “They deserve consistency, they deserve continuity. And I think across the board, we’ve seen that. ... If you’re a fan, there’s a lot to cheer for. There’s a lot to be excited about. And I think when you can forecast predictability, it’s good for the energy of the town."

Read on Twitter

[Nick K]

“It’s all about the fans in Minnesota. I think they deserve a winner," Rodriguez said. “They deserve consistency, they deserve continuity. And I think across the board, we’ve seen that. ... If you’re a fan, there’s a lot to cheer for. There’s a lot to be excited about. And I think when you can forecast predictability, it’s good for the energy of the town."

Read on Twitter

I must say ARod's comments are so right on the money. it's extraordinary to read that sort of thing from any MN Team ownership. It's so impressive to me. They've walked the talk..

For the first time in 33 years our Wolves appear to be a highly competent organization. Top to bottom. Night and day really. I'm astonished by how we've changed in the last 3 years.. Especially from last April to today.

Going all in for Rudy is most uncharacteristic of us. We've always played it safe.

I've always been willing to stick my neck out on the line so I'll say it..... we win a minimum of 55 games and 60 would not be beyond the realm of my thinking! Maybe, WCF's. Folks, we have a team on paper that can win a Championship. Believe it!

For those who don't know, I go back to being at the Wolves 1st game ever at the Metrodome. 40,000 plus people were there. I sat lower level, 5 rows down from the top aisle, top of the key. Great seats really, but the players still looked like ants running around.

I've seen more bad basketball than any human has a right to see. But hope reigns eternal.

Pooh, Campbell, Corbin, West, Lowe, Laetner, JR, "the rifleman", KG Steph, Googs, Wally, Ricky Love.......it goes on. FINALLY we have a team that I believe will be better than 2003.

I am stoked.....and it's only July!

[KGdaBom]

“It’s all about the fans in Minnesota. I think they deserve a winner," Rodriguez said. “They deserve consistency, they deserve continuity. And I think across the board, we’ve seen that. ... If you’re a fan, there’s a lot to cheer for. There’s a lot to be excited about. And I think when you can forecast predictability, it’s good for the energy of the town."

Read on Twitter

I must say ARod's comments are so right on the money. it's extraordinary to read that sort of thing from any MN Team ownership. It's so impressive to me. They've walked the talk..

For the first time in 33 years our Wolves appear to be a highly competent organization. Top to bottom. Night and day really. I'm astonished by how we've changed in the last 3 years.. Especially from last April to today.

Going all in for Rudy is most uncharacteristic of us. We've always played it safe.

I've always been willing to stick my neck out on the line so I'll say it..... we win a minimum of 55 games and 60 would not be beyond the realm of my thinking! Maybe, WCF's. Folks, we have a team on paper that can win a Championship. Believe it!

For those who don't know, I go back to being at the Wolves 1st game ever at the Metrodome. 40,000 plus people were there. I sat lower level, 5 rows down from the top aisle, top of the key. Great seats really, but the players still looked like ants running around.

I've seen more bad basketball than any human has a right to see. But hope reigns eternal.

Pooh, Campbell, Corbin, West, Lowe, Laetner, JR, "the rifleman", KG Steph, Googs, Wally, Ricky Love.......it goes on. FINALLY we have a team that I believe will be better than 2003.

I am stoked.....and it's only July!

I was there and getting paid to be there. I was an up and down the stands vendor selling Ice Cold Cokes to the fans.

[Nick K]

“It’s all about the fans in Minnesota. I think they deserve a winner," Rodriguez said. “They deserve consistency, they deserve continuity. And I think across the board, we’ve seen that. ... If you’re a fan, there’s a lot to cheer for. There’s a lot to be excited about. And I think when you can forecast predictability, it’s good for the energy of the town."

Read on Twitter

I must say ARod's comments are so right on the money. it's extraordinary to read that sort of thing from any MN Team ownership. It's so impressive to me. They've walked the talk..

For the first time in 33 years our Wolves appear to be a highly competent organization. Top to bottom. Night and day really. I'm astonished by how we've changed in the last 3 years.. Especially from last April to today.

Going all in for Rudy is most uncharacteristic of us. We've always played it safe.

I've always been willing to stick my neck out on the line so I'll say it..... we win a minimum of 55 games and 60 would not be beyond the realm of my thinking! Maybe, WCF's. Folks, we have a team on paper that can win a Championship. Believe it!

For those who don't know, I go back to being at the Wolves 1st game ever at the Metrodome. 40,000 plus people were there. I sat lower level, 5 rows down from the top aisle, top of the key. Great seats really, but the players still looked like ants running around.

I've seen more bad basketball than any human has a right to see. But hope reigns eternal.

Pooh, Campbell, Corbin, West, Lowe, Laetner, JR, "the rifleman", KG Steph, Googs, Wally, Ricky Love.......it goes on. FINALLY we have a team that I believe will be better than 2003.

I am stoked.....and it's only July!

I was there and getting paid to be there. I was an up and down the stands vendor selling Ice Cold Cokes to the fans.

WOW! that's cool.

Remember that guy who used to walk around with that basketball hoop on his back and people would throw that nerf basketball through the hoop?

Crunch?

It's been a long time hoping for a winner.

[KGdaBom]

I must say ARod's comments are so right on the money. it's extraordinary to read that sort of thing from any MN Team ownership. It's so impressive to me. They've walked the talk..

For the first time in 33 years our Wolves appear to be a highly competent organization. Top to bottom. Night and day really. I'm astonished by how we've changed in the last 3 years.. Especially from last April to today.

Going all in for Rudy is most uncharacteristic of us. We've always played it safe.

I've always been willing to stick my neck out on the line so I'll say it..... we win a minimum of 55 games and 60 would not be beyond the realm of my thinking! Maybe, WCF's. Folks, we have a team on paper that can win a Championship. Believe it!

For those who don't know, I go back to being at the Wolves 1st game ever at the Metrodome. 40,000 plus people were there. I sat lower level, 5 rows down from the top aisle, top of the key. Great seats really, but the players still looked like ants running around.

I've seen more bad basketball than any human has a right to see. But hope reigns eternal.

Pooh, Campbell, Corbin, West, Lowe, Laetner, JR, "the rifleman", KG Steph, Googs, Wally, Ricky Love.......it goes on. FINALLY we have a team that I believe will be better than 2003.

I am stoked.....and it's only July!

I was there and getting paid to be there. I was an up and down the stands vendor selling Ice Cold Cokes to the fans.

WOW! that's cool.

Remember that guy who used to walk around with that basketball hoop on his back and people would throw that nerf basketball through the hoop?

Crunch?

It's been a long time hoping for a winner.

Yes I remember that guy. I got the same job when they moved to the target center but it was a different management. I hated working for them and quit right away. I worked Vikings, Twins and a few concerts for many years.

[winforlose]

The more I look at it, the more I think we are still in aggression mode. The Jazz have become the NBA’s version of flee market. They are offering basically everyone on the roster. Teams will inevitably make deals sending talent back that gets waived, at which point we will have access to more free agents then we otherwise would. In a sense the blowing up of the Jazz is a form of chaos, and as we all know from Game of Thrones “Chaos is a ladder.”

[Klomp]

A byproduct of being aggressive

Read on Twitter

[winforlose]

A byproduct of being aggressive

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“If you build it, they will come” Field of Dreams

[KGdaBom]

A byproduct of being aggressive

Read on Twitter

“If you build it, they will come” Field of Dreams

My father died when I was 5. For people who haven't experienced the early loss of their father they can love the ending, but never fully understand how deeply impactful the ending is. I know what's coming, but I still can't watch that without getting very emotional.

[minimus]

Now we need to aggressively-conservative wait for "last moment ticket" and sign a development projects two-way and for g-league team. Undrafted, waived guys etc.

[Klomp]

Something that shouldn't go unnoticed in this aggressive offseason was the types of players we brought in. A lot of people are looking at the defensive identity of most of these players, but I'm also looking at their wealth of playoff experience. That's what matters in critical moments, not necessarily whether a guy should be labeled as a PG or SG.

Rudy Gobert: 6 playoffs in 9 years
Kyle Anderson: 6 playoffs in 8 years
Bryn Forbes: 4 playoffs in 6 years
Austin Rivers: 7 playoffs in 10 years

[winforlose]

Something that shouldn't go unnoticed in this aggressive offseason was the types of players we brought in. A lot of people are looking at the defensive identity of most of these players, but I'm also looking at their wealth of playoff experience. That's what matters in critical moments, not necessarily whether a guy should be labeled as a PG or SG.

Rudy Gobert: 6 playoffs in 9 years
Kyle Anderson: 6 playoffs in 8 years
Bryn Forbes: 4 playoffs in 6 years
Austin Rivers: 7 playoffs in 10 years

Excellent point. Also worth noting that last season they talked about post seasons games played and Bev and TP were the vast majority. KAT was the only Wolf who played in the doomed Rockets series. Last year if you count the play in each Wolf got 7 post season games. Not only will that wet their appetite, but it also prepares them for the pressure. Bringing in guys who know what’s it like rather than guys who don’t is an important difference.

[Klomp]

Are we a 'desperate' franchise, as Kroenke put it? Damn right we are! This is why we shouldn't apologize for being aggressive:

Playoff appearances since 2004-05:

San Antonio: 15 (24 series won)
Boston: 15 (18 series won)
Miami: 14 (26 series won)
Dallas: 14 (11 series won)
Denver: 13 (6 series won)
Atlanta: 12 (8 series won)
Houston: 12 (8 series won)
Chicago: 12 (5 series won)
Oklahoma City: 11 (11 series won)
Utah: 11 (7 series won)
Indiana: 11 (6 series won)
Memphis: 11 (5 series won)
Portland: 11 (4 series won)
LA Lakers: 10 (17 series won)
Milwaukee: 10 (8 series won)
Toronto: 10 (8 series won)
LA Clippers: 10 (7 series won)
Philadelphia: 10 (5 series won)
Brooklyn: 10 (4 series won)
Golden State 9 (24 series won)
Cleveland: 9 (21 series won)
Washington: 9 (4 series won)
Orlando: 8 (6 series won)
Phoenix: 7 (11 series won)
Detroit: 7 (9 series won)
New Orleans: 6 (2 series won)
New York: 4 (1 series won)
Charlotte: 3 (0 series won)
Sacramento: 2 (0 series won)
Minnesota: 2 (0 series won)

[minimus]

Some grades of my desperation as MIN fans through last years:

Huge fan of Rubio! Rubio goes down with injury. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of AK47! Strange things happen, AK47 wont return. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Pek! Pek is constantly injured. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Love! Love asks for trade. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Wiggins! Wiggins regresses. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Towns! Flip dies. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Thibs! LaVine goes down and gets traded. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Butler! Butler goes diva mode, destroys locker room. Desperation level: bottom
Huge fan of Rosas five-out! Constantly looking for cheap, low profile PF/SF, meanwhile team gets beaten by bigger teams. Desperation level: enthusiastic
Waiting for Towns explosion! COVID arrives, Towns dealing with injuries, stealth tanking. Desperation level: bottom
We draft Edwards/MCD! Desperation level: worried
New owners! Desperation level: worried
Huge fan of Finch! Rosas gets fired for being dumb! Desperation level: worried
New POBO with huge contract! Desperation level: worried
Go big with Gobert! Desperation level: enthusiastic

[Dewey]

Are we a 'desperate' franchise, as Kroenke put it? Damn right we are! This is why we shouldn't apologize for being aggressive:

Playoff appearances since 2004-05:

San Antonio: 15 (24 series won)
Boston: 15 (18 series won)
Miami: 14 (26 series won)
Dallas: 14 (11 series won)
Denver: 13 (6 series won)
Atlanta: 12 (8 series won)
Houston: 12 (8 series won)
Chicago: 12 (5 series won)
Oklahoma City: 11 (11 series won)
Utah: 11 (7 series won)
Indiana: 11 (6 series won)
Memphis: 11 (5 series won)
Portland: 11 (4 series won)
LA Lakers: 10 (17 series won)
Milwaukee: 10 (8 series won)
Toronto: 10 (8 series won)
LA Clippers: 10 (7 series won)
Philadelphia: 10 (5 series won)
Brooklyn: 10 (4 series won)
Golden State 9 (24 series won)
Cleveland: 9 (21 series won)
Washington: 9 (4 series won)
Orlando: 8 (6 series won)
Phoenix: 7 (11 series won)
Detroit: 7 (9 series won)
New Orleans: 6 (2 series won)
New York: 4 (1 series won)
Charlotte: 3 (0 series won)
Sacramento: 2 (0 series won)
Minnesota: 2 (0 series won)

ya ... this is pathetic. must change the culture!!

[shrink]

Are we a 'desperate' franchise, as Kroenke put it? Damn right we are! This is why we shouldn't apologize for being aggressive:

Playoff appearances since 2004-05:

San Antonio: 15 (24 series won)
Boston: 15 (18 series won)
Miami: 14 (26 series won)
Dallas: 14 (11 series won)
Denver: 13 (6 series won)
Atlanta: 12 (8 series won)
Houston: 12 (8 series won)
Chicago: 12 (5 series won)
Oklahoma City: 11 (11 series won)
Utah: 11 (7 series won)
Indiana: 11 (6 series won)
Memphis: 11 (5 series won)
Portland: 11 (4 series won)
LA Lakers: 10 (17 series won)
Milwaukee: 10 (8 series won)
Toronto: 10 (8 series won)
LA Clippers: 10 (7 series won)
Philadelphia: 10 (5 series won)
Brooklyn: 10 (4 series won)
Golden State 9 (24 series won)
Cleveland: 9 (21 series won)
Washington: 9 (4 series won)
Orlando: 8 (6 series won)
Phoenix: 7 (11 series won)
Detroit: 7 (9 series won)
New Orleans: 6 (2 series won)
New York: 4 (1 series won)
Charlotte: 3 (0 series won)
Sacramento: 2 (0 series won)
Minnesota: 2 (0 series won)

Interesting post, even if it is parsed specifically for the 2004-05 season to make things look as bleak as possible.

Good to know that we will be passing SAC and CHA this year, and get out of the basement. Got to start somewhere!

[winforlose]

Are we a 'desperate' franchise, as Kroenke put it? Damn right we are! This is why we shouldn't apologize for being aggressive:

Playoff appearances since 2004-05:

San Antonio: 15 (24 series won)
Boston: 15 (18 series won)
Miami: 14 (26 series won)
Dallas: 14 (11 series won)
Denver: 13 (6 series won)
Atlanta: 12 (8 series won)
Houston: 12 (8 series won)
Chicago: 12 (5 series won)
Oklahoma City: 11 (11 series won)
Utah: 11 (7 series won)
Indiana: 11 (6 series won)
Memphis: 11 (5 series won)
Portland: 11 (4 series won)
LA Lakers: 10 (17 series won)
Milwaukee: 10 (8 series won)
Toronto: 10 (8 series won)
LA Clippers: 10 (7 series won)
Philadelphia: 10 (5 series won)
Brooklyn: 10 (4 series won)
Golden State 9 (24 series won)
Cleveland: 9 (21 series won)
Washington: 9 (4 series won)
Orlando: 8 (6 series won)
Phoenix: 7 (11 series won)
Detroit: 7 (9 series won)
New Orleans: 6 (2 series won)
New York: 4 (1 series won)
Charlotte: 3 (0 series won)
Sacramento: 2 (0 series won)
Minnesota: 2 (0 series won)

Interesting post, even if it is parsed specifically for the 2004-05 season to make things look as bleak as possible.

Good to know that we will be passing SAC and CHA this year, and get out of the basement. Got to start somewhere!

If we win a championship I think the list becomes meaningless.

[shrink]

Going into the off-season, I thought our roster had two big needs. One was the need since Rosas of adding a big that could rebound and protect the rim. The other need was more of a desire to do a consolidation trade, to give Connelly the roster spots to do what he does well - identify undervalued/young talent, and put them on the roster.

Connelly has done better than I could have even dreamed. Yes, he overpaid with draft picks, but Rudy Gobert kills two birds with one stone! With so many NBA stars picking their locations these days, I’m thrilled we got an All-NBA talent who is locked up, and wants to be here. And I am pleased with the players Connely added to fill our roster - win now talent with playoff experience.

I give Connelly a full A grade for his work this summer, making the Wolves a legitimate playoff team, far faster than I could ever have imagined.

[KGdaBom]

Going into the off-season, I thought our roster had two big needs. One was the need since Rosas of adding a big that could rebound and protect the rim. The other need was more of a desire to do a consolidation trade, to give Connelly the roster spots to do what he does well - identify undervalued/young talent, and put them on the roster.

Connelly has done better than I could have even dreamed. Yes, he overpaid with draft picks, but Rudy Gobert kills two birds with one stone! With so many NBA stars picking their locations these days, I’m thrilled we got an All-NBA talent who is locked up, and wants to be here. And I am pleased with the players Connely added to fill our roster - win now talent with playoff experience.

I give Connelly a full A grade for his work this summer, making the Wolves a legitimate playoff team, far faster than I could ever have imagined.

It was brutal looking at all the players and picks going out, but I believe the advanced metrics having Rudy as unquestionably a top 10 player in the league and possibly even top 5. We didn't overpay.