Training camp thread 22/23

[Klomp]

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[Nick K]

look, like i said before it's all about the matchups. you're just flat out ignoring that, and it seems to me that you're misinterpreting finch's statement too. if the lakers trot out both davis and bryant together, prince shouldn't be sliding over there. but toronto could easily run out some combo of siakam/barnes/boucher, and prince would likely fare just fine.

As I said above a small ball center and a center are not the same thing. I agreed above that there are times we will match up, and times we will make them match up with us. But, matching up is not the same as being able to guard legit PFs or Cs. You are what you can guard. If the opponent plays small than you can be a small ball X. If the opponent doesn’t play small than the question is can you player X guard position Y. Prince cannot guard MOST PFs. If Prince is big enough, quick enough, and strong enough to guard a small ball PF, then so be it. But a lot of the time there is incentive to play bigger and keep the rebounding and offensive advantage that size allows. Even if costs you some points on defense.

I NEVER want us to try to match up with the opponent. I always want the opponent to try to match up with us or suffer the consequences when they don't.

Damn skippy baby. I've been wanting just that for years!

Wait till Memphis tries to drive the lane like they did in the playoffs with Rudy there.

[Klomp]

This horse is beyond dead, but here I go again...

I agree with Dane and Britt in today's podcast. Even with everyone healthy, it would not surprise me if the third-string center behind both Gobert and Towns is actually Kyle Anderson.

[Calinks]

I didn't even think about this until I saw his interview today but another big benefit of having Kyle Anderson is he can defend KAT in practice. This could go a long way towards helping KAT get over this issue where smaller guys are stifling him and screwing up his game. Kyle and the coaches and hopefully get him much more poised in those scenarios. I hope he shows up to camp soon.

[SO_MONEY]

This horse is beyond dead, but here I go again...

I agree with Dane and Britt in today's podcast. Even with everyone healthy, it would not surprise me if the third-string center behind both Gobert and Towns is actually Kyle Anderson.

Anderson will probably be the guy who subs out the first of KAT or Gobert, likely Gobert. He probably is the primary ball handler for stretches as I would bet DLo is the next guy out. I suspect both Gobert and DLo come out and go back in around the same time and this likely revolves around when KAT and/or ANT come out. Reid will probably get 1 to 2 short stints depending on the game. Everything else is situational and could be anything.

[b7s4]

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards speaks out on huge body transformation

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https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/timberwolves_star_anthony_edwards_speaks_out_on_huge_body_transformation/s1_17113_37939578

Anthony Edwards is already a blossoming superstar in the NBA, and now he’s added something to make himself even more lethal on the court.

The former No.1 overall pick told reporters that he had added ten pounds of muscle this offseason.
Last season, Edwards was listed at 225 pounds so presumably he’s up to 235 pounds. Edwards is coming off his second year in the NBA, his best as a pro to date. He put up 21.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the three-point line.

Edwards had remarked in the past how he’d like to add more muscle and it seems as if this summer he was able to do just that. The added muscle certainly will Edwards in his ability to get to the rim and to get off shots on the wing. Defensively, he’s also able to hold his ground more often against bigger players.

Edwards has also been listed as a shooting guard his first two years in the league but the added muscle gives him a little more versatility in the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup. He can slide over and play some small forward and in the right lineup he may be able to play small-ball power forward as well.

Standing a 6’4, he is giving up height against taller wings but his strength might be able to make up for it. It’s a welcome sign to be sure for the Timberwolves who view Anthony Edwards as one of their franchise cornerstones.

[b7s4]

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[Dewey]

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards speaks out on huge body transformation

Read on Twitter

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/timberwolves_star_anthony_edwards_speaks_out_on_huge_body_transformation/s1_17113_37939578

Anthony Edwards is already a blossoming superstar in the NBA, and now he’s added something to make himself even more lethal on the court.

The former No.1 overall pick told reporters that he had added ten pounds of muscle this offseason.
Last season, Edwards was listed at 225 pounds so presumably he’s up to 235 pounds. Edwards is coming off his second year in the NBA, his best as a pro to date. He put up 21.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the three-point line.

Edwards had remarked in the past how he’d like to add more muscle and it seems as if this summer he was able to do just that. The added muscle certainly will Edwards in his ability to get to the rim and to get off shots on the wing. Defensively, he’s also able to hold his ground more often against bigger players.

Edwards has also been listed as a shooting guard his first two years in the league but the added muscle gives him a little more versatility in the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup. He can slide over and play some small forward and in the right lineup he may be able to play small-ball power forward as well.

Standing a 6’4, he is giving up height against taller wings but his strength might be able to make up for it. It’s a welcome sign to be sure for the Timberwolves who view Anthony Edwards as one of their franchise cornerstones.

All talk until he does it and the team has more success… why wouldn’t we assume all players do this? In the end you can play winning basketball or you can’t. Every year you see these articles to hype the season. I hope he has a big year, gotta take it with a grain of salt….

[mplsfonz23]

Anybody know what up with KAT? Seems like he's missing some vital camp training/bonding.

[_AIJ_]

Well, the Wolves PR team sucks. Other teams have had lots of training camp videos online already

[minimus]

Well, the Wolves PR team sucks. Other teams have had lots of training camp videos online already

Yeah... It is kind of disappointing because I thought that new owners would develop PR service better.

[KGdaBom]

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards speaks out on huge body transformation

Read on Twitter

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/timberwolves_star_anthony_edwards_speaks_out_on_huge_body_transformation/s1_17113_37939578

Anthony Edwards is already a blossoming superstar in the NBA, and now he’s added something to make himself even more lethal on the court.

The former No.1 overall pick told reporters that he had added ten pounds of muscle this offseason.
Last season, Edwards was listed at 225 pounds so presumably he’s up to 235 pounds. Edwards is coming off his second year in the NBA, his best as a pro to date. He put up 21.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the three-point line.

Edwards had remarked in the past how he’d like to add more muscle and it seems as if this summer he was able to do just that. The added muscle certainly will Edwards in his ability to get to the rim and to get off shots on the wing. Defensively, he’s also able to hold his ground more often against bigger players.

Edwards has also been listed as a shooting guard his first two years in the league but the added muscle gives him a little more versatility in the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup. He can slide over and play some small forward and in the right lineup he may be able to play small-ball power forward as well.

Standing a 6’4, he is giving up height against taller wings but his strength might be able to make up for it. It’s a welcome sign to be sure for the Timberwolves who view Anthony Edwards as one of their franchise cornerstones.

Ant has stated he is 6'6" now.

[Zonarosa]

this is you:

Follow the logic on this. If Prince is playing PF who is playing backup SF. You could shift Ant but that means less time at SG. You could use Lawson, but he would need to prove a lot in both practice and the G before that happens. Moore and Minott could both do it, but frankly that isn’t a good answer. Prince is way too important to SF to move to PF.

this is me:

you get yourself way, way too caught up in these strict positional assignments. with the versatility we have, it'll likely be matchup dependent and change game to game. this isn't the 90's. it's just guards, wings and bigs these days.

you:

That is easy to say, but like Finch said “you are what you can guard.” If you believe Prince can guard PF, then so be it. I don’t, most of the Minnesota beat writers don’t, and if you go back and really watch him on defense last year, you won’t either.

me:

look, like i said before it's all about the matchups. you're just flat out ignoring that, and it seems to me that you're misinterpreting finch's statement too. if the lakers trot out both davis and bryant together, prince shouldn't be sliding over there. but toronto could easily run out some combo of siakam/barnes/boucher, and prince would likely fare just fine.

you:

As I said above a small ball center and a center are not the same thing. I agreed above that there are times we will match up, and times we will make them match up with us. But, matching up is not the same as being able to guard legit PFs or Cs. You are what you can guard. If the opponent plays small than you can be a small ball X. If the opponent doesn’t play small than the question is can you player X guard position Y. Prince cannot guard MOST PFs. If Prince is big enough, quick enough, and strong enough to guard a small ball PF, then so be it. But a lot of the time there is incentive to play bigger and keep the rebounding and offensive advantage that size allows. Even if costs you some points on defense.

which of us has been consistent here?

"you are what you can guard. "you are what you can guard. "you are what you can guard."

you keep repeating that, but i get the feeling you don't truly understand the nuance. it's just baffling.

[mplsfonz23]

Ant has stated he is 6'6" now.

I remember he said that last year. He said he would be the next MJ if he grew that tall, then he did. (Grow that is.)
NBA still lists him at 6'4. Is that a numbers thing? Do the Wolves want other teams to think he is 6'4 then get to the gym and be like whoa...
I saw him last year and he already looked 6'6.

Two concerns. He said he put on 10 pounds and is now at 235.
One, is he still able to play above the rim?
And two, how will that effect his knees? Doesn't he have tendonitis? Pretty sure that doesn't heal, only rest helps.
Minutes restriction? I doubt he will go for that.

[KGdaBom]

Ant has stated he is 6'6" now.

I remember he said that last year. He said he would be the next MJ if he grew that tall, then he did. (Grow that is.)
NBA still lists him at 6'4. Is that a numbers thing? Do the Wolves want other teams to think he is 6'4 then get to the gym and be like whoa...
I saw him last year and he already looked 6'6.

Two concerns. He said he put on 10 pounds and is now at 235.
One, is he still able to play above the rim?
And two, how will that effect his knees? Doesn't he have tendonitis? Pretty sure that doesn't heal, only rest helps.
Minutes restriction? I doubt he will go for that.

Actually the 235 number came from the people saying he was 6'4". Ant already said he was about 20 pounds heavier than his old 225 official NBA measurement. I'm going to guess he's 245 now adding the muscle but cutting some fat. Muscle tends to protect from injuries not be extra weight causing them. Some people can get too tightly bound (muscle bound) and that can lead to injury. I have to believe that Ant has a good trainer that will help him add muscle that will only be a help and not a hindrance.' I think LeBron James came into the league at 250 pounds and he has stayed remarkably healthy throughout his career.

[Klomp]

Well, the Wolves PR team sucks. Other teams have had lots of training camp videos online already

Press scrum video every day. Recap videos on 2 of the 3 days. What else are you looking for?

[Nick K]

This horse is beyond dead, but here I go again...

I agree with Dane and Britt in today's podcast. Even with everyone healthy, it would not surprise me if the third-string center behind both Gobert and Towns is actually Kyle Anderson.

He's versatile enough to do it. I don't think people realize just how important Kyle will be to our team going forward.

I see some Andre Kirilenko in his game. I loved Kirilenko when he was here.

[Nick K]

Anybody know what up with KAT? Seems like he's missing some vital camp training/bonding.

He's sick with a flu/virus or something like that.

[winforlose]

this is you:

Follow the logic on this. If Prince is playing PF who is playing backup SF. You could shift Ant but that means less time at SG. You could use Lawson, but he would need to prove a lot in both practice and the G before that happens. Moore and Minott could both do it, but frankly that isn’t a good answer. Prince is way too important to SF to move to PF.

this is me:

you get yourself way, way too caught up in these strict positional assignments. with the versatility we have, it'll likely be matchup dependent and change game to game. this isn't the 90's. it's just guards, wings and bigs these days.

you:

That is easy to say, but like Finch said “you are what you can guard.” If you believe Prince can guard PF, then so be it. I don’t, most of the Minnesota beat writers don’t, and if you go back and really watch him on defense last year, you won’t either.

me:

look, like i said before it's all about the matchups. you're just flat out ignoring that, and it seems to me that you're misinterpreting finch's statement too. if the lakers trot out both davis and bryant together, prince shouldn't be sliding over there. but toronto could easily run out some combo of siakam/barnes/boucher, and prince would likely fare just fine.

you:

As I said above a small ball center and a center are not the same thing. I agreed above that there are times we will match up, and times we will make them match up with us. But, matching up is not the same as being able to guard legit PFs or Cs. You are what you can guard. If the opponent plays small than you can be a small ball X. If the opponent doesn’t play small than the question is can you player X guard position Y. Prince cannot guard MOST PFs. If Prince is big enough, quick enough, and strong enough to guard a small ball PF, then so be it. But a lot of the time there is incentive to play bigger and keep the rebounding and offensive advantage that size allows. Even if costs you some points on defense.

which of us has been consistent here?

"you are what you can guard. "you are what you can guard. "you are what you can guard."

you keep repeating that, but i get the feeling you don't truly understand the nuance. it's just baffling.

As I said, read the rest of the thread, where I elaborate. I think the issue is we are talking past each other. I am speaking more generally about typical rotation and you are talking about specific matchups. I don’t like going small, I am saying there might be a few times where we do it to match up. But most of the time we won’t. In most cases Prince is not big enough, strong enough, or skilled enough to defend PFs. His natural position is SF, because he is (hopefully,) big enough, strong enough, and skilled enough to defend them (he has a reputation as a defensive player before he came to us.) Additionally as I said in the first of your quotes, shifting Prince up means shifting other players up and making the lineup smaller. I generally don’t like small ball, but there are a few situational exceptions. I want to be very clear, MOST times we should make them match up with us, and not have us match up with them.

In conclusion, I do think we will have a mostly fixed rotation (foul trouble, injury, poor player performance, among other variables, might shift it a little night to night.) I think that rotation will be a 2A and 2B rotation with player groupings. I do not believe we will frequently shift our rotations to match up nor I do believe we should plan around doing so.

[winforlose]

This horse is beyond dead, but here I go again...

I agree with Dane and Britt in today's podcast. Even with everyone healthy, it would not surprise me if the third-string center behind both Gobert and Towns is actually Kyle Anderson.

He's versatile enough to do it. I don't think people realize just how important Kyle will be to our team going forward.

I see some Andre Kirilenko in his game. I loved Kirilenko when he was here.

Honestly I don’t think fully understand yet how versatile and important he is to our team. This is not a knock on him, just me saying I cannot wait to see him in action on a regular basis. We cannot have too much ball handling, rebounding, and high IQ players.