Timberwolves Meet & Greet

funkatron101 · Post #1 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:24 pm

Last night PeeDee and I went to the Meet & Greet as a special perk for season ticket holders. We got to meet and chat with Wes Johnson and Lazar Hayward and one of the VPs. Here are the highlights:

- Standard talk about the direction of the Wolves and the new players. Mentions Pekovic as a brute, a backup to Darko, and interestingly enough, refers to him as a "defensive center."

- A guy at my table asks If we would make a play for Chris Paul, even though we have Ricky..Laughter, long pause, then the VP say "No comment...I can't even talk about that, you're trying to get me fined."

- Over 2,000 new season ticket owners so far.

- No mention about Love's comments. I was going to ask "With the media looking for juicy soundbytes and setting up baited questions, how do you address this issue with the players?" But honestly, It didn't feel like the Senior VP of tickets and seating was the right person to ask.

The Q&A with Wes was pretty standard. Talks about how he didn't hear a word that David Stern said to him, he was to excited to listen. Says the 2 or 3 position is interchangeable in our system. One of his favorites was Scottie Pippen. After the Q&A he sat at our table to sign autographs, joked around a little.

Lazar's Q&A was much of the same, but actually a little more in-depth. Mentions his Dad as a real positive influence on his life and looks up to him. Says he bought him a car as soon as he signed a contract. Someone asked what car, he pauses and replies "A Taurus!" Laughs. I blurt out in defense "It's a good, dependable car!" More laughs. He then says "An Escalade, my Dad has been wanting one."

Mentions his coach at Marquette and how he didn't really teach basketball, but life lessons. Had a lot of praise for him overall. Someone asks "What positions do you expect to play? The 3 and 4, or are you too small to play that on this level?" The guy meant it as an honest question, but came off as snide. Lazar replies "Too small? Is that a challenge?" lol. Then mentions that Rambis says 2/3 and some 4 in certain situations, primarily. Says he plays with a lot of heart, which makes up for a lot of physical limitations.

As expected, both guys are very articulate and likable.

Post #2 » by **C.lupus** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:37 pm

Thanks for posting this. Would have been nice to hear an answer to your question but, yeah, probably the wrong guy to answer it.

funkatron101 · Post #3 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:50 pm

The other question I wanted to ask, but again didn't feel like I would get a good answer was:

With some former players who played during the golden era of the NBA coming into financial trouble, what, if anything, do the Timberwolves, as an organization, do to teach young players about financial responsibility?

After the Meet & Greet, we watched the Lynx game. Fairly small, but active crowd. I wish the Wolves crowd was as proportionately involved. Quite a few painted faces actually. It was pretty fun. Lost on a last second shot. I'm numb to that now, unfortunately.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #4 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:52 pm

judging by the positional talk from the players, seems like we should expect lots of Wes/Beasley/Love on the court together. I hope it plays out that way.

cpfsf · Post #5 » by **cpfsf** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:58 pm

funkatron101 wrote:- A guy at my table asks If we would make a play for Chris Paul, even though we have Ricky..Laughter, long pause, then the VP say "No comment...I can't even talk about that, you're trying to get me fined.

I'm surprised anyone would ask if we could make a play for Paul after they just traded Collison.

funkatron101 · Post #6 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:00 pm

Devilzsidewalk wrote:judging by the positional talk from the players, seems like we should expect lots of Wes/Beasley/Love on the court together. I hope it plays out that way.

I think it's a given. It's going to be interesting to see where Lazar fits in.

Oh, I also forget to mention, both guys talked pretty heavily about the Triangle offense.

I don't know what to think of that. I was hoping that it would be fazed out more, but I didn't get that vibe from the players.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #7 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:12 pm

I just want the best 5 to be on the court together, and I think that means Wes/SCMB/Love at the 2/3/4

wouldn't be opposed to seeing them at the 3/4/5 sometimes too, but in general I like those 3 together. Also like a backup 5 of Ridnour/Brewer/Webster/Tolliver/Pekovic. Both units look really good together, I almost wish they'd do line shifts so they can play together.

skorff26 · Post #8 » by **skorff26** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 8:57 pm

cpfsf wrote:
funkatron101 wrote:- A guy at my table asks If we would make a play for Chris Paul, even though we have Ricky..Laughter, long pause, then the VP say "No comment...I can't even talk about that, you're trying to get me fined.

I'm surprised anyone would ask if we could make a play for Paul after they just traded Collison.

Well we likely would have to give up Rubio in a Paul trade and Rubio > Collison

funkatron101 · Post #9 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:11 pm

skorff26 wrote:
cpfsf wrote:
funkatron101 wrote:- A guy at my table asks If we would make a play for Chris Paul, even though we have Ricky..Laughter, long pause, then the VP say "No comment...I can't even talk about that, you're trying to get me fined.

I'm surprised anyone would ask if we could make a play for Paul after they just traded Collison.

Well we likely would have to give up Rubio in a Paul trade and Rubio > Collison

Yeah, he was basically asking, if not straight out (I forget exactly how he phrased it) would the Wolves trade Rubio to get Paul.

Rolf · Post #10 » by **Rolf** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:44 pm

I went to this event as well. Personally, I thought the most interesting bit came from the VP guy when me mentioned that only 5 NBA teams have increased their total season ticket purchases by over 2,000 this summer - Miami, New York, Chicago, OKC... and the Wolves. Really sounds like their "run with the pack" promotion paid off.

As for the players, the Q&As were kind of standard fair. Wes answered about 12 different questions about his favorite movies and favorite foods. I was really impressed with Lazar though. The kid came across like someone who just finished his MBA and was being interviewed by a Fortune 500 company. Everything he said was thoughtful, intelligent, and just funny enough to be interesting.

You're right that both guys talked about the Triangle a LOT. Learning it, talking with the coaches about it, Wes even said he's been working out with Kobe in LA this summer & gaining his insights as well.

I really liked Wes's response to a question about his own personal goals this year. He said "Rookie of the Year, without a doubt." But he said it with this cool confidence that leads you to believe it's not just wishful thinking to him. He fully expects and wants to be in the conversation for ROY. I thought that was cool.

Post #11 » by **revprodeji** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:51 pm

No need to get worried about the triangle talk. It just means our half-court will be the flowing motion and not the high P/R dump in post everyone else does. When you have multiple wing players with athletic ability we might as well use a motion. I think it will benefit Wes and Beasley's athletic ability.

Dewey · Post #12 » by **Dewey** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:26 pm

The kid came across like someone who just finished his MBA and was being interviewed by a Fortune 500 company. Everything he said was thoughtful, intelligent, and just funny enough to be interesting.

I would say he was mature ... I don't view many fortune 500 company people as thoughtful, intelligent and funny...

Post #13 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:50 pm

funkatron101 wrote:Last night PeeDee and I went as a special perk for holders. We got to meet and chat with highlight talk about the brute and interestingly enough, defensive guy make a play even though we have Laughter, long pause, then say "No...I can't even talk about that, you're trying to get me Love. I was going to ask for juicy baited, how do you address this issue" But honestly, It didn't feel was right to ask. he didn't hear a word that said to him, he was to excited to listen. Says the position is interchangeable One of his favorites was sat at table to joked around a little. a little more in-depth. looks up to him. Says he bought him. he pauses and Laughs. I blurt out in defense "my Dad has been wanting one." he didn't really teach life lessons. Had a lot of positions are you too small to play? meant it as an honest question, but came off as snide. "Too small? Is that a challenge?" lol. play with a lot of heart, which makes up for a lot of physical limitations.

As expected, both guys are very articulate and likable.

Read between the lines...

Post #14 » by **C.lupus** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:34 pm

funkatron101 · Post #15 » by **funkatron101** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:50 am

revprodeji wrote:Read between the lines...

Does it add to the story if the words "I'll never wash this butt again!" were uttered? :lol: