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So Pat Bev was the leader of the 2021/22 Timberwolves locker room. Prince was often credited as being a good influence and steadying presence as well. With Rudy, KA, Forbes and more coming in, who do you think will lead the locker room this year? Might this be the time Ant becomes a leader?

winforlose wrote:So Pat Bev was the leader of the 2021/22 Timberwolves locker room. Prince was often credited as being a good influence and steadying presence as well. With Rudy, KA, Forbes and more coming in, who do you think will lead the locker room this year? Might this be the time Ant becomes a leader?

It has to be KAT, Gobert and Ant. The best players need to lead.


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Slim Tubby wrote:

winforlose wrote:So Pat Bev was the leader of the 2021/22 Timberwolves locker room. Prince was often credited as being a good influence and steadying presence as well. With Rudy, KA, Forbes and more coming in, who do you think will lead the locker room this year? Might this be the time Ant becomes a leader?

It has to be KAT, Gobert and Ant. The best players need to lead.


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Okogie has also been a long-term team locker room guy … after the trade I suspect we will retain him.

Our best outcome would be ANT taking ownership in this team …

Dewey wrote:

Slim Tubby wrote:

winforlose wrote:So Pat Bev was the leader of the 2021/22 Timberwolves locker room. Prince was often credited as being a good influence and steadying presence as well. With Rudy, KA, Forbes and more coming in, who do you think will lead the locker room this year? Might this be the time Ant becomes a leader?

It has to be KAT, Gobert and Ant. The best players need to lead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Okogie has also been a long-term team locker room guy … after the trade I suspect we will retain him.

Our best outcome would be ANT taking ownership in this team …

I didn’t even consider retaining Okogie but I’d be happy to bring him back on a small/short prove-it deal. If he finds his shot, he could be a valuable player for us.

I'd be fine bringing Josh back, if he ever develops a shot he's a valuable player, and he's close with Ant.

Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

ClarkeW wrote:Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

Two way guys then being Minott and Knight?

Gobert was a vocal leader. He, Royce, Conley, and Mitchell were the voices in the lockerroom and reports are that Royce and Gobert were particularly loved. I know Rudy got on some players' nerves now and then with public comments, but he is a nice guy and he wants to win more than any player we've had in Utah. I think he slides into a role a bit similar to Beverley in the lockerroom as an intensity raiser.

ClarkeW wrote:Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

I think Rondo would be like throwing a grenade into that lockerroom.

babyjax13 wrote:

ClarkeW wrote:Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

I think Rondo would be like throwing a grenade into that lockerroom.

I get why you would think that. But, the narrative surrounding us last year is that this is closest team we have ever had. These guys love each other like brothers. We sent 4 of them away, but the rest still feel connected. Rudy wants to be here, and I believe like you said above will have a positive impact. I think KA and BF will also work hard to get along and use their age and experience productively with our young roster (though not nearly as young anymore.) I just don’t see how Rondo could mess that up, even if he tried. He would more likely become a pariah, and that would be no fun for anyone.

winforlose wrote:

ClarkeW wrote:Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

Two way guys then being Minott and Knight?

Yeah, something like that. Minott maybe on a Gupta Special and just spending most of his time in Iowa, which would open up another true two-way.

A bit of a moot point now though with the news that Okogie is heading to the Suns.

ClarkeW wrote:

winforlose wrote:

ClarkeW wrote:Following the trade I also agree that bringing Okogie back seems more likely than before. He’d provide some decent wing depth and a good on-ball defender on the end of the bench. Plus, as alluded to, he’s a bit of a leader in the locker room and in the community as well.

As far as someone else I think we could bring in, Rajon Rondo could be a decent option to provide PG depth and leadership in the locker room. I’m not sure if he’s willing to accept a role where he’s not receiving regular minutes, but his playoff and championship experience could be invaluable and help fill the gap left behind by Pat Bev.

… but mostly I just wish we still had Pat Bev to fill that role. I love that guy.

Two way guys then being Minott and Knight?

Yeah, something like that. Minott maybe on a Gupta Special and just spending most of his time in Iowa, which would open up another true two-way.

A bit of a moot point now though with the news that Okogie is heading to the Suns.

Okogie to the Suns? Wow! The #1 seed in the west sees value in him.

KGdaBom wrote:

ClarkeW wrote:

winforlose wrote:
Two way guys then being Minott and Knight?

Yeah, something like that. Minott maybe on a Gupta Special and just spending most of his time in Iowa, which would open up another true two-way.

A bit of a moot point now though with the news that Okogie is heading to the Suns.

Okogie to the Suns? Wow! The #1 seed in the west sees value in him.

You remember what he did to Booker a few years ago? I would bet money Booker remembers. He might even wake up in a cold sweat about it. Now he gets to face him in practice every other day. Fun times.

Side note. When KAT sits Anderson comes in. But when Rudy sits does Naz come in or does KAT move to the 5 and Anderson come in? Could be that Naz is out of the rotation barring injury.

winforlose wrote:

KGdaBom wrote:

ClarkeW wrote:
Yeah, something like that. Minott maybe on a Gupta Special and just spending most of his time in Iowa, which would open up another true two-way.

A bit of a moot point now though with the news that Okogie is heading to the Suns.

Okogie to the Suns? Wow! The #1 seed in the west sees value in him.

You remember what he did to Booker a few years ago? I would bet money Booker remembers. He might even wake up in a cold sweat about it. Now he gets to face him in practice every other day. Fun times.

Side note. When KAT sits Anderson comes in. But when Rudy sits does Naz come in or does KAT move to the 5 and Anderson come in? Could be that Naz is out of the rotation barring injury.

It wouldn't surprise me if Naz gets very little PT let's put it that way.

winforlose wrote:Side note. When KAT sits Anderson comes in. But when Rudy sits does Naz come in or does KAT move to the 5 and Anderson come in? Could be that Naz is out of the rotation barring injury.

I think it’s

Gobert - KAT
Gobert - Prince
KAT - Anderson

Prince provides shooting to balance Gobert. Anderson provides defense which balances KAT

shrink wrote:

winforlose wrote:Side note. When KAT sits Anderson comes in. But when Rudy sits does Naz come in or does KAT move to the 5 and Anderson come in? Could be that Naz is out of the rotation barring injury.

I think it’s

Gobert - KAT
Gobert - Prince
KAT - Anderson

Prince provides shooting to balance Gobert. Anderson provides defense which balances KAT

I get why you have it that way, but I hate the idea of Prince playing the PF. He couldn’t defend it last year. At the 3 he is supposed to be a defensive specialist (supposed to being the operative term.) I would almost rather try Naz at the 4 with Gobert and see if his defense holds up with Gobert behind him.

winforlose wrote:

shrink wrote:

winforlose wrote:Side note. When KAT sits Anderson comes in. But when Rudy sits does Naz come in or does KAT move to the 5 and Anderson come in? Could be that Naz is out of the rotation barring injury.

I think it’s

Gobert - KAT
Gobert - Prince
KAT - Anderson

Prince provides shooting to balance Gobert. Anderson provides defense which balances KAT

I get why you have it that way, but I hate the idea of Prince playing the PF. He couldn’t defend it last year. At the 3 he is supposed to be a defensive specialist (supposed to being the operative term.) I would almost rather try Naz at the 4 with Gobert and see if his defense holds up with Gobert behind him.

I haven’t put as much thought into the actual rotations like shrink has, but agree with the notion that Gobert & KAT will take up 100% of the C minutes, with Anderson & McDaniels/Prince taking the remaining PF minutes.

Long story short, I don’t see a regular spot in the rotation for Naz Reid. But he will make a really nice, inexpensive insurance policy in case one of those two gets hurt - assuming he’s still on the roster at the beginning of the year.