JV retweeted
A different, positive spin s that the Wolves have a successful case study with an in-season arthroscopic knee surgery to a star player...
Karl-Anthony Towns had one done on March 12, 2024, and was *incredible* on their playoff run that year. Rehab kept him in phenomenal shape and he hit the ground running in a major way coming back from that.
JV retweeted
Obviously the offense needs to be better, but I hate how people talk about the defense like it’s just something they are lucky to have and not part of the team.
JV retweeted
Today's show w/ @Nate_Tice
- Nate's Minnesota background and path to working in the sports media space (5:00)
- JJ McCarthy and the different expectations for young players in the NFL vs. the NBA (20:00)
- 3 Wolves things we're excited about for next season (44:00)
JV retweeted
this will be portrayed as based but ultimately the emerging pattern of players having to choose between the money they’re worth and the ability to build a team sucks when every owner is a quadrillionaire
Wembanyama decided on the 25% maximum instead of the 30% supermax escalators to $303M, after he and the Spurs went through multiple frameworks. A major decision for the All-NBA star and Defensive Player of the Year entering his fourth season.
San Antonio worked in close partnership with Wembanyama and his representatives, offering the full super max and different variations of extensions. But Wembanyama ultimately chose a contract sacrifice rooted in giving him and the organization increased ability to build a sustained title contender around him.
JV retweeted
I love beautiful basketball. LaMelo is a graffiti artist more than a painter, a form I like + appreciate but I want some oils on canvas from him in transition this season.
JV retweeted
Naz Reid is going to be the starting power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in his career. This move is a big statement of belief in Reid and Jaden McDaniels to take the next steps in their development.
JV retweeted
The Timberwolves just cleared $36 million of their payroll in this trade.
They now have a $33 million trade exception and are $50 million below the first apron.
Feels like the prelude to something bigger.
JV retweeted
If there's a lesson to take from these NBA Finals, it's that you don't build a team that looks like the Spurs, the Thunder or the Knicks. You can't do it. You can build the best possible team around your best players and hope that you create something good enough.
JV retweeted
This is why I’m against the doomerism right after these series conclude. “Oh no, who is gonna beat Team X??”
SAS and OKC are loaded and will be tough. But seasons are long. The CBA is designed to prevent dynasties and tanking will be hard. Stay in the fight. A lot can happen.
Since LeBron left Cleveland & KD left GSW:
Champions --> Following season
'19 Raptors --> L in Rd. 2
'20 Lakers --> L in Rd. 1
'21 Bucks --> L in Rd. 2
'22 Warriors --> L in Rd. 2
'23 Nuggets --> L in Rd. 2
'24 Celtics --> L in Rd. 2
'25 Thunder --> L in Rd. 3
None of those teams have made a Finals after winning the title, only the Lakers & Thunder have even made a Conference Finals after winning the title.
JV retweeted
It makes me think about how Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau threw massive temper tantrums at the expense of the franchise and 22 year old Karl Anthony-Towns took the entire brunt of the blame (and is still taking the blame to this day).
JV retweeted
Thought this was a good point from @KyleTheige
Ant doesn't just need a No. 2, he needs someone he can/will develop a two-man game with -- in ways he never did with KAT, Gobert or Randle.
JV retweeted
I really hate how when a team loses we relitigate everything.
The Wolves gave up a bunch of picks for Rudy and he had a bad Game 6 against a better team. They traded KAT because of the CBA for Randle and he had a bad series.
They made two WCFs and got to the second round, for a team that has been a historical joke since KG in 2004, TWENTY years ago.
They built a good team, they couldn't get it to put it together. It doesn't mean it wasn't worth it.
JV retweeted
Automatically categorizing every team and their players that don’t win a championship as “soft and fragile” gotta be the most boomer and tone deaf thing I’ve ever seen.
You can be pissed as all hell at how miserable the overall experience is but this is so embarrassing.
