On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige to share their immediate reactions from 2022-23 Minnesota Timberwolves Media Day. In addition to both Tim Connelly and Chris Finch, fifteen players spoke at Media Day, so Dane and Kyle parse out the most telling comments made from Monday’s media availability. Today’s topics include: — Tim Connelly’s long-term view of the current roster. — D’Angelo Russell’s role during a contract year. — Easing Rudy Gobert into his new situation. — Candid comments f...
Sep 27, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige from SKORNorth to set the scene for Timberwolves training camp, which is set to start next Monday. Topics today include... — Running through the 20 players under contract for training camp — Discussing the potential for players to be cut/waived in favor of a player on a two-way contract or training camp deal — Players in contract years — Recapping how the Wolves’s coaching staff and front office evolved over the summer — The players we’re most excit...
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss Britt’s recent Q+A with Chris Finch. Britt and Finch hit on many, many topics in their 70-minute conversation, so Dane and Britt try to highlight telling takeaways. Essentially, this is an episode of peeling apart the layers of what Finch told Britt so as to be able to find breadcrumbs that could help forecast the season ahead. Here were a few of the major topics covered... — Finch’s hints at how the Karl-Anthony Towns Rudy G...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Jace Frederick of The St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss which Timberwolves players found their way onto CBS Sports and ESPN’s top 100 lists. Dane and Jace go position-by-position to discuss where Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell rank amongst their positional peers. And discuss whether or not Jaden McDaniels has a case to be one of the top 22 small forwards in the league this season. — Questions comparing Gobert to Anthony Da...
Sep 21, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Chris Hine of The Star Tribune to discuss his career as an openly gay sportswriter. Chris has worked as a traveling beat writer since 2009, for The Chicago Tribune covering Notre Dame football and the Chicago Blackhawks, and most recently for The Star Tribune as a Minnesota Timberwolves reporter. His job has taken him all over the country covering hundreds of players in his career. Two of those players from Chris’s beats — Andrew Shaw of the Blackhawks and Anth...
Sep 19, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Thiege to discuss the burning questions they have in advance of Timberwolves training camp. What do we not know now that we may be able to learn about through access in training camp and by watching the games this preseason? Questions include... — How exactly will the Target Centers (KAT + Gobert) experiment work? — Where Does Jaylen Nowell fall in the playing time pecking order compared to Austin Rivers and Bryn Forbes? — How will Chris Finch’s rotation p...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's show, Dane is joined by Jace Frederick of The St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss how the integration process of Rudy Gobert might play out this fall, both on the court and off the court. Dane and Jace discuss what they've seen from Gobert in FIBA play this summer, and get into what they think is and is not relevant from that play when compared to the NBA game. Additionally, some talk about how Gobert the person might integrate into the Wolves personality pecking order. Also some discus...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Andrew Schlecht — who covers the Oklahoma City Thunder for The Athletic — to discuss the Wolves and Thunder matching up twice in the first three games of the regular season. Not a game preview, but in light of the schedule coming out, this conversation serves as a way to think about how the two teams matchup with each other. — The Wolves soft schedule to start the season — How do OKC fans feel about opening the season in Minnesota? Do they think the Wolves are ...
Aug 22, 2022•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to discuss the elements of this new Timberwolves team that we are most interested in/excited to see once the season rolls around. Some of those topics include... — What players on the roster will serve as a connective tissue that enhance the new roster — How the Wolves matchup against the Western Conference elites early on in the season — The ways Finch might go about increasing Gobert’s role in the offense — Kyle Anderson as the 6th ...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined in-studio by Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell. The early parts of the conversation cover the changes to the Wolves roster and organization this offseason — from the Rudy Gobert trade, to how this roster might fit together from a basketball standpoint and to the status of Russell being in a contract year. Other topics include: — Russell’s view on the fit of Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns — The nature of having four serious offensive weapons in the starting lineup...
Aug 04, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane looks back on the Timberwolves offseason by taking listener questions on a handful of topics. Those topics include... — D’Angelo Russell and his perception in the national media versus his actual impact on the team — What does it mean to keep the “DLo salary slot”? — How the NBA’s new television deal will impact the salary cap, and specifically how that cash infusion will impact the perception of the contracts of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, along with the impending ...
Jul 28, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson from MinnPost to further discuss the Rudy Gobert addition after some time to reflect. Additional topics include the Austin Rivers signing, impressions of Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott in Summer League and where Vegas has set the Wolves win total over/under for the upcoming season. Now with more time to let the Gobert deal sink in, Dane and Britt get in to more of the nitty-gritty of where Gobert’s impact will be felt most. What is Gobert’s expe...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Timberwolves owner Marc Lore. Dane and Marc recap a wild last six weeks for the Wolves — from the Tim Connelly hire to the Rudy Gobert trade, and make sure not to brush over the Karl-Anthony Towns super max extension. Marc also recaps a whirlwind of a first season as an owner, looks forward to Year 2, and explains the process of continuing to develop the culture he envisions in Minnesota. Also some new arena talk mixed in there. For a 14-day free trial of Aura’...
Jul 09, 2022•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige following the Timberwolves first Summer League game in Las Vegas to give first impressions of the Summer League Wolves and to further get into some of the nuance of the Rudy Gobert trade. Dane and Kyle start by discussing Josh Minott’s mini-breakout performance in the Wolves first Summer League game in Vegas. Additionally getting into first impressions of Wendell Moore Jr. and where he might fit in the Wolves pecking order. From there, some focus on...
Jul 09, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's show we get into why the Timberwolves traded for Rudy Gobert. So much of the discourse in the days following the Gobert trade has been about why this was an overpay by the Wolves. But Wednesday's press conference introducing Gobert was the first time the Wolves's organization could comment on why they took this path that so many people seem to disagree with. On Wednesday, Tim Connelly and Chris Finch got the chance to speak on the record for the first time since the trade went down. A...
Jul 07, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss Friday’s blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade, and to hit on the news of the Kyle Anderson signing. Dane and Britt get into the magnitude of the Gobert deal, highlighting the great upside this all-in move creates and also acknowledging the serious risk of the move given the load of outgoing assets to Utah. Many topics are breached from Gobert’s fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns, down to how Rudy Gobert might have the most profoundly po...
Jul 02, 2022•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Memphis Grizzlies beat writer Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian to discuss the Timberwolves signing of now-former Grizzly Kyle Anderson. Chris breaks down the four-year Anderson experience in Memphis and gives his opinion on why he believes Anderson is good fit in Minnesota, whether that be next to Karl-Anthony Towns in the starting lineup or as a backup forward for the Wolves. Additionally, some conversation about Tyus Jones ultimately choosing to stay in...
Jul 01, 2022•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Will DeBerg to review the film of Wendell Moore Jr. at Duke. Dane and Will discuss the elements of Moore's game that we feel confident will translate to the NBA, the elements that might translate and the elements that will likely never come to fruition at the next level. Additionally, some conversation on how Moore’s game might fit into the context of the Wolves current roster and stylistically how he might play when surrounded by players like Karl-Anthony Town...
Jun 30, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Will DeBerg to review the film of Walker Kessler at Auburn. Dane and Will discuss the elements of Kessler’s game that we feel confident will translate to the NBA, the elements that might translate and the elements that will likely never come to fruition at the next level. Additionally, some conversation on how Kessler’s game might be able to fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns if/when the two share the floor — both in terms of how they could play off of each other o...
Jun 30, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss Britt’s most recent column that reflects on the Timberwolves draft night and considers how Tim Connelly and Chris Finch might be building this roster out. The news of Taurean Prince’s new contract extension is discussed, as is Prince’s ideal role in the context of this evolving roster. Jaylen Nowell’s name has also been primed by Finch in a way that suggests a bigger role for the combo guard. So Dane and Britt also discuss wh...
Jun 29, 2022•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, we react to the introductory press conference for Walker Kessler, Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott. In addition to getting into the rookies’ first media availability, we dive into Chris Finch’s first time speaking with reporters since the draft, which included some dialogue about some Wolves players already on the roster. Most notably Jaylen Nowell’s name being included in the “young core” along with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels seemed noteworthy. So on top of getting in...
Jun 29, 2022•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to recap the Timberwolves swirling draft night and the swirl of rumors surrounding D’Angelo Russell. Dane and Britt start by discussing the approach Tim Connelly and the revamped front office took to the draft, and from there get in to the players they ultimately wound up with. The focus begins with Walker Kessler, the Wolves top pick on Thursday. The discussion is not exclusively about Kessler as a player but also about how this seems ...
Jun 24, 2022•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss the Timberwolves upcoming decision to be made in the draft and offseason, and to reflect on Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA championship. Topics include: — Andrew Wiggins’s performance in the Finals and what his next contract might look like — Which position (big/wing/guard) might the Wolves pursue with the No. 19 pick — Why drafting a “big” would be the conservative move. The difference in drafti...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Tim Connelly, the Timberwolves new president of basketball operations. As Connelly ramps up for the draft and free agency, the conversation touches on an array of topics. — Does Denver having the 21st and the Wolves having the 19th pick make the first round selection process easier? — What will the war room environment look like on draft night? — In what ways will having experience in a lead executive role help avoid mistakes? — What are Connelly’s areas of exp...
Jun 08, 2022•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to react to the Tim Connelly introductory press conference and how Connelly might approach the offseason. Dane and Britt dig into the dynamics between Connelly and ownership, and also how they might approach D'Angelo Russell this offseason. Also some discussion on the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. For a 14-day free trial of Aura’s digital security, sign up at Aura.com/Dane Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss Tim Connelly being named president of basketball operations, Karl-Anthony Towns making All-NBA, Malik Beasley’s future with the Wolves and what Andrew Wiggins is doing in the playoffs. With Connelly being named POBO on Monday, Dane and Britt reflect on the process that led to the hire. The Sachin Gupta and Chris Finch dynamics with Connelly. They also reflect on how the leadership core has shifted from Tom Thibodeau’s dismiss...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Kyle Theige to discuss Monday’s breaking news of the hiring of Tim Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets and to become the President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dane and Kyle give their instant reactions to the news that has been percolating over the last week. Topics covered in the conversation include: — Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez convert on their big-game hunting quest to land a top-notch executive — Connelly’s offseason to-do ...
May 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Adam Mares of DNVR Sports, who has covered Tim Connelly for eight years in Denver. Adam helps shed light on not only what Connelly has done from a roster construction standpoint in Denver to who he is as a person and leader. In this episode, you’ll be able to glean the Denver perspective of the move (disappointment), while also better understanding what Connelly’s strengths and weaknesses as a lead executive have been. Topics include... — The Denver perspective...
May 21, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Britt Robson of MinnPost to discuss the report of the Timberwolves being in serious talks with Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, to become the Wolves next president of basketball operations above Sachin Gupta. Dane and Britt discuss what might be attracting Connelly to join the organization and where Gupta and Chris Finch mix into this context. Additionally discussed is Britt’s most recent column on the offseason steps that can be...
May 19, 2022•2 hr 43 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s show, Dane is joined by Wolves beat writer Jace Frederick of the St. Paul Pioneer Press to discuss watching the NBA playoffs through a Wolves lens. Dane and Jace discuss continuing to watch these NBA playoffs with an eye on what is proving to work and not work in the later rounds of the playoffs and asking themselves how far the Wolves are from being able to execute those elements of playoff-level basketball. Dane and Jace also discuss the success old friends Tyus Jones and Andrew Wig...
May 16, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
