Dane and Britt Robson from MinnPost preview the Wolves big men, including Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid, Luka Garza, and Leonard Miller. They discuss Gobert's offensive role, the effectiveness of offensive plays like the pick-and-roll, and defensive strategies for Towns. They also touch on Kyle Anderson, upcoming preseason games, and a Wolves brewery takeover event.
Karl-Anthony Towns aims to bring the offensive concepts and spacing he learned with the Dominican Republic national team to the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves need to strike a balance between Karl-Anthony Towns' offensive contributions and the utilization of other talented players.
The team faces the challenge of finding playing time and making strategic decisions for Luca Garza and Leonard Miller amidst their depth at the power forward position.
Deep dives
Carl's Offensive Adjustment
Carl is confident in his ability to be effective offensively against any defender. He believes he can still do the same things he did when squared up against centers even when guarded by power forwards. He wants to utilize the experience he gained playing for the Dominican Republic national team and bring that wisdom to help him be more effective on offense.
The Importance of Structure and Spacing
Carl's experience playing for the Dominican Republic involved a structured offense and spacing. He wants to bring that concept to the Timberwolves by always being one pass away from the primary action and creating more space on the floor. He believes this will make the offense more effective and open up opportunities for his teammates, particularly when paired with Anthony Edwards in pick-and-roll actions or isolations.
The Challenge of Balancing Usage and Talent
One of the challenges for the Timberwolves is finding a balance between Carl's offensive contributions and the usage of other talented players. It is crucial to synchronize the offensive game and keep everyone involved and happy. This requires effective communication and understanding among the players to ensure a cohesive offensive system.
Trimming the Fat and Micro Adjustments
In order to achieve their goals, the Timberwolves need to make adjustments both in terms of overall team performance and individually. Carl needs to make micro-adjustments based on who he is on the court with, recognizing when to prioritize certain aspects of his game and understanding his role in different lineups. This awareness will be key in maximizing his contributions to the team.
Exploring the Dynamics of Big Men in the Team
The podcast episode discusses the dynamics and challenges of having multiple big men on the team. The speaker mentions the importance of finding balance and flexibility between Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid. The team relies heavily on Towns and Gobert's skills and maturity to adapt and make the necessary adjustments. The discussion also touches on the potential influence of veteran player Mike Conley in the locker room and his ability to guide younger players like Towns. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of cohesion and teamwork among the big men for the team's success.
The Role of Luca Garza and Leonard Miller
The podcast episode briefly mentions the potential roles of Luca Garza and Leonard Miller in the team. It is suggested that their minutes on the court might be limited due to the team's depth at the power forward position. However, their abilities to contribute offensively and defensively are acknowledged. While Garza is known for his strength under the basket and offensive skills, Miller's strengths lie in rebounding and his potential as a small-ball forward. The episode speculates on potential opportunities for both players, including the possibility of sending them to the Iowa team to gain valuable experience. Overall, the episode highlights the challenges of finding playing time for all the players and the need for strategic decision-making by the coaching staff.
On today's show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to preview the Wolves big men this season -- Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid, Luka Garza and Leonard Miller. Also a little Kyle Anderson conversation, but we'll save his deep-dive for the wings episode.
-- Rudy Gobert (2:00)
-- Karl-Anthony Towns (28:00)
-- Naz Reid (62:00)
-- Luka Garza and Leonard Miller (70:00)
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