Training camp thread 22/23

winforlose · Post #1 » by **winforlose** » Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:33 pm

I thought I would get this thread started a day early. This is the most competitive camp in Wolves history. Paraphrasing Dane Moore on his Friday pod “I think it is 50/50 that one of the 15 guys currently under contract won’t be with the team at the beginning of the season.” Rivers, Knight, Nowell, and Naz are all not fully guaranteed. Naz and Nowell are virtual locks to be on the main roster. Rivers’ primary competition is PJ Dozer, and Knight’s primary competition is Eric Paschall. Forbes could also be in jeopardy in favor of Lawson, or CJ Elleby, but that would require trading Forbes or eating his contract as dead cap. If a two way player does move up to the main roster, then the Wolves can sign any of their 3 camp guys, or any other cut camp player who is two way eligible to replace the promoted player. Gonna be a fun preseason

. This is the year that those Raised By Wolves finally turn All Eyes North

Nick K · Post #2 » by **Nick K** » Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:06 pm

The roster cuts are a really tough call. I think Knight will be out. I'd try to keep him in Iowa. Somehow I think Rivers, Forbes and Dozier make it too. Lawson and Elleby could be in trouble too.

Dozier has nice size and can do a lot of good things except shoot. He'd still be worth keeping.

Rivers can play the point in a pinch and is a streaky shooter.

It should be fun as hell seeing how it all plays out.

Go Wolves!

shrink · Post #3 » by **shrink** » Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:50 pm

I think Luka Garza is a great fit for the Iowa Wolves.

Garza is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, and actually became a legitimate college player, and far more, through effort. He’s the first repeat College National Player of the Year since Michael Jordan. However, while his mix of size and skill mastered the college game, it is a question whether he has the speed to have a position in the faster NBA. He is already working to lose weight to remake his body, and the G-League will keep that door to the NBA open for him. He’s a long shot, but I wouldn’t bet against a guy with this kind of drive.

And Iowa is the perfect place for him, if he can remold himself as a long, three-point shooting stretch four, and he would be motivated by all the fans in Iowa that would come to see him play. Iowa has no pro sports, so the Hawkeyes, and to a lesser degree the Cyclones, are analogous to the Vikings (not the U of M) in Minnesota.

Nick K · Post #4 » by **Nick K** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:28 am

shrink wrote:I think Luka Garza is a great fit for the Iowa Wolves.

Garza is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, and actually became a legitimate college player, and far more, through effort. He’s the first repeat College National Player of the Year since Michael Jordan. However, while his mix of size and skill mastered the college game, it is a question whether he has the speed to have a position in the faster NBA. He is already working to lose weight to remake his body, and the G-League will keep that door to the NBA open for him. He’s a long shot, but I wouldn’t bet against a guy with this kind of drive.

And Iowa is the perfect place for him, if he can remold himself as a long, three-point shooting stretch four, and he would be motivated by all the fans in Iowa that would come to see him play. Iowa has no pro sports, so the Hawkeyes, and to a lesser degree the Cyclones, are analogous to the Vikings (not the U of M) in Minnesota.

I couldn't agree more. I'd love it if he made it. I like Knight but Garza would be a better fit IF he improved his agility and speed a little.

I watched extended video on PJ Dozier and was very impressed. He's 6'6' or 6'7" and is a very good ball handler, great passer, decent rebounder but only a fair shooter. He looks like the perfect Finch bench guy. I'm sold on him but I need to see him up close of course.

winforlose · Post #5 » by **winforlose** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 3:46 am

Nick K wrote:The roster cuts are a really tough call. I think Knight will be out. I'd try to keep him in Iowa. Somehow I think Rivers, Forbes and Dozier make it too. Lawson and Elleby could be in trouble too.

Dozier has nice size and can do a lot of good things except shoot. He'd still be worth keeping.

Rivers can play the point in a pinch and is a streaky shooter.

It should be fun as hell seeing how it all plays out.

Go Wolves!

I am sorry, but I must disagree. There is no way we can cut a big for another guard. We already have Ant, Dlo, JMAC, Nowell, Forbes, Rivers, Moore, and Lawson as a two way. That is 8 out of 17. To make it 9 would leave us with 8 players to play the SF, PF, and C. Ideally you would like each position to be 3 deep, and your suggestion leaves one position 2 deep. If Knight is cut or traded he will be replaced by a big. If Dozier makes the team it will likely be at the expense of Rivers or Forbes (Rives is not fully guaranteed, and not a shooting specialist like Forbes.) Moreover, Finch talked about using Forbes in a small ball lineup for shooting and spacing. I don’t see him being moved unless he has a terrible camp and probably preseason as well.

_AIJ_ · Post #6 » by **_AIJ_** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:34 pm

KAT wont be available today due to non covid illness

KGdaBom · Post #7 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:37 pm

_AIJ_ wrote:KAT wont be available today due to non covid illness

I hate it when **** like this happens.

Dewey · Post #8 » by **Dewey** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 6:16 pm

KGdaBom wrote:
_AIJ_ wrote:KAT wont be available today due to non covid illness

I hate it when **** like this happens.

Gob prolly blocked him :wink:

Dewey · Post #9 » by **Dewey** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 6:26 pm

Nick K wrote:
shrink wrote:I think Luka Garza is a great fit for the Iowa Wolves.

Garza is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, and actually became a legitimate college player, and far more, through effort. He’s the first repeat College National Player of the Year since Michael Jordan. However, while his mix of size and skill mastered the college game, it is a question whether he has the speed to have a position in the faster NBA. He is already working to lose weight to remake his body, and the G-League will keep that door to the NBA open for him. He’s a long shot, but I wouldn’t bet against a guy with this kind of drive.

And Iowa is the perfect place for him, if he can remold himself as a long, three-point shooting stretch four, and he would be motivated by all the fans in Iowa that would come to see him play. Iowa has no pro sports, so the Hawkeyes, and to a lesser degree the Cyclones, are analogous to the Vikings (not the U of M) in Minnesota.

I couldn't agree more. I'd love it if he made it. I like Knight but Garza would be a better fit IF he improved his agility and speed a little.

I watched extended video on PJ Dozier and was very impressed. He's 6'6' or 6'7" and is a very good ball handler, great passer, decent rebounder but only a fair shooter. He looks like the perfect Finch bench guy. I'm sold on him but I need to see him up close of course.

First he’ll have a to prove he can excel at “something” at the NBA level. Then he will need to show he can play winning basketball for 5-10 minutes. Since skills really aren’t the issue, he’ll need to prove he can be sustainable mentally to compensate for some athletic limitations. Big men who can shoot are always nice, but as we all know, there’s a lot more to it…

Post #10 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 6:31 pm

WatchESPN (the ESPN app) has the press conference video

Post #11 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:01 pm

Rivers isn't losing his spot. We need him.

SO_MONEY · Post #12 » by **SO_MONEY** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:27 pm

Klomp wrote:Rivers isn't losing his spot. We need him.

If healthy we probably need Dozier more...

Post #13 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:31 pm

SO_MONEY wrote:
Klomp wrote:Rivers isn't losing his spot. We need him.

If healthy we probably need Dozier more...

More than about on-court impact

SO_MONEY · Post #14 » by **SO_MONEY** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:34 pm

Klomp wrote:
SO_MONEY wrote:
Klomp wrote:Rivers isn't losing his spot. We need him.

If healthy we probably need Dozier more...

More than about on-court impact

I think if healthy Dozier gets his spot, he gives the team the best chance to win.

winforlose · Post #15 » by **winforlose** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:50 pm

Klomp wrote:
SO_MONEY wrote:
Klomp wrote:Rivers isn't losing his spot. We need him.

If healthy we probably need Dozier more...

More than about on-court impact

Rivers isn’t some guru. Bev got respect because he had the skills and rep to back it up. Rivers is another Rubio, trying to get leadership status based on age and experience. Dozier is a far better defender, is taller, and is a more natural PG.

KGdaBom · Post #16 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:14 pm

Dewey wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:
_AIJ_ wrote:KAT wont be available today due to non covid illness

I hate it when **** like this happens.

Gob prolly blocked him

Make sure I got this. Are you saying Rudy blocked his shot and KAT got butthurt about it? :lol:

Post #17 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:21 pm

Read on Twitter

KGdaBom · Post #18 » by **KGdaBom** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:37 pm

Klomp wrote:

Read on Twitter

Is the Presser over? Will it be up on MinnesotaTimberwolves.com?

Post #19 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:39 pm

KGdaBom wrote:Is the Presser over? Will it be up on MinnesotaTimberwolves.com?

I'm assuming clips will eventually be made available. The ESPN live stream was cut short because the TV crew had other obligations.

Post #20 » by **Klomp** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:13 pm

Read on Twitter