Minnesota Timberwolves 2016-2017 Press Conference

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:41 am

"With the fourth pick in the 2003 PBSL Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Chris Bosh, power forward out of Georgia Tech."

As we hear the commissioner's voice, the projector whirrs to life and we see footage of that draft. Chris looks young, unsure of himself. Quickly the footage cuts to game footage, of Bosh dunking, hitting jumpers, blocking shots, and roaring with anger. Next we hear an analyst speaking.

"Chris Bosh changed the fate of the franchise forever. He may be the second best power forward to ever play the game."

The footage switches to newspaper clippings about the Wolves/Raptors trade, and then to footage of Bosh continuing to dominate in a Raptors jersey. Footage cuts to Bosh standing with 3 MVP trophies. Finally we hear the voice of the man himself.

"I understand when a team feels that it must move on. But my heart will always be in Minnesota, and I will always treasure the time I spent there."

The final picture is of Chris Bosh once again holding a Timberwolves jersey with a smile on his face. Finally, the projector stops and the lights come back on. The JNR stands at the podium with several of the Wolves stars behind him.

The JNR: Welcome to this year's press conference. Last year we had our first winning season after a few years of futility following the Chris Bosh trade. We traded Rudy Gobert and Brian Stark for Steph Curry and we went on an offensive tear. Unfortunately, Curry got hurt in the last week of the regular season and we were swept by the Suns. I loved what Curry brought, but after a few years of being disappointed by Derrick Favors, I used both contracts to make a bold move. A move that may be risky, but I felt was worth it due to his talent and the attachment we've developed over the years.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chris Bosh back to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Bosh walks up to the podium and smiles.

Bosh: Thank you. I'm so excited to be back in Minnesota. My years in Toronto were great, and I appreciate the GM for giving me a chance to win another MVP and contend for titles. But I grew up here. I learned what it was to be a man here. And I think in the years since I left, the team has shown that they know how to put a team together to make a run at a championship. I'm eager to impart my experience and wisdom onto these young and capable players, and I think a title is possible. Thanks.

The JNR hugs Bosh, then takes his place at the podium.

The JNR: Moving on. We signed depth in free agency and were able to bring back Brook Lopez, who was very important to our run last year. Training camp was rough on Otto and Kemba, but we think both players are committed to getting better and we think they are still good enough to contribute to this team. In particular we are very impressed with Andrew Wiggins and Patrick Patterson, who improved in several areas. We envision this starting lineup:

PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Otto Porter Jr.
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Brook Lopez

And our main contributors off the bench will be Shelvin Mack, Devin Harris, rookie Alvin Pack, and Patrick Patterson. We think our team can contend for the division and possibly beyond. We will now open up the floor to any questions the media might have.

Inner_GI · Post by **Inner_GI** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:46 am

Your team has two tiers of experience with the Vets/Young-Vets in Kemba, Brook, Patterson, Bosh and the young guys in Wiggins and Otto. All are arguably major contributors. Is this by design? Will the team ever reach the peak in time for the veteran players to bare the fruit of their labor building up this young team's core?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:50 am

The JNR: I think this and next would be the year that they all mesh. The good news is if it doesn't work, I'll have money left over after signing Otto to try and find more players. I feel like the team build was hurt a little in training camp, but is still ultimately strong.

NOLa. · Post by **NOLa.** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:50 am

I've gone on record and commented that last season despite a stable of good/great players, your frontcourt was too weak to consider you a favorite.

Now with Bosh, I feel your team will compete with the Nuggets for the Midwest crown. Do you feel you're a better team than the Nuggets who just recently acquired Al Jefferson?

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JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:52 am

NOLa. wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:50 am I've gone on record and commented that last season despite a stable of good/great players, your frontcourt was too weak to consider you a favorite.

Now with Bosh, I feel your team will compete with the Nuggets for the Midwest crown. Do you feel you're a better team than the Nuggets who just recently acquired Al Jefferson?

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The JNR: This is a great question. I think the Nuggets are still the team to beat in the division. I think we have an advantage at a few positions, but overall their defense is going to be tough to score against. I don't think we're better, but I don't think we're that much worse.

garbageman · Post by **garbageman** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:45 am

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: At 32, Bosh is a bit older than the rest of your young starting lineup. Do you plan on making Bosh the focal point of your offense like he once was, or is it about time for him to step back a little bit, have him serve more as a mentor and spread the ball around more to guys like Wiggins, Otto, and Kemba?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:50 am

garbageman wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:45 am Sham Smith, Bulls.com: At 32, Bosh is a bit older than the rest of your young starting lineup. Do you plan on making Bosh the focal point of your offense like he once was, or is it about time for him to step back a little bit, have him serve more as a mentor and spread the ball around more to guys like Wiggins, Otto, and Kemba?

The JNR: I think Bosh is still fully capable of leading this team in scoring. However, every other player in the starting lineup can score, so I don't think he'll feel too much pressure. I think it will work out well. Defensively is where I'm a little worried.

kucoach7 · Post by **kucoach7** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:29 am

Bosh had far more postseason success in Toronto than he did in Minnesota. Do you think that experience can help propel you deeper into the playoffs?

78# · Post by **78#** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:00 am

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:37 am

kucoach7 wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:29 am Bosh had far more postseason success in Toronto than he did in Minnesota. Do you think that experience can help propel you deeper into the playoffs?

The JNR: We definitely do. We think having a strong team around him will help as well.

Post by **IamQuailman** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:14 pm

After leaks of internal concern regarding training camp and it's outcome, do you foresee any changes in your training staff or even in your roster?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:36 pm

IamQuailman wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:14 pm After leaks of internal concern regarding training camp and it's outcome, do you foresee any changes in your training staff or even in your roster?

The JNR: I definitely do. Things need to change if we're going to take advantage of the opportunity we have.

Conroy · Post by **Conroy** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:47 pm

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, this seems like a Bosh centric press conference so I'll continue it. He's making 34 million dollars this season, in bringing him back was there internal discussions on what it will take to resign him into his mid 30s?

ballsohard · Post by **ballsohard** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:27 pm

There's a lot of fanfare about Chris Bosh, and that's the feel good story. Let's talk about Kemba Walker though. he had a rough time fitting in with the team this summer and looks to have regressed a bit. Can you talk about Kemba's importance to the team and if this season really relies on him to get back on his feetor if you can survive with his regression ? Also, sorry to bring it up, but I think it's an important topic for this franchise!

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:09 pm

Conroy wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:47 pm Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, this seems like a Bosh centric press conference so I'll continue it. He's making 34 million dollars this season, in bringing him back was there internal discussions on what it will take to resign him into his mid 30s?

The JNR: That all depends on how the season goes. If we think it's worth it to continue to try and win with him, we'll go that route. If not, we'll explore other options. But we're committed to Chris for now.

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:10 pm

ballsohard wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:27 pm There's a lot of fanfare about Chris Bosh, and that's the feel good story. Let's talk about Kemba Walker though. he had a rough time fitting in with the team this summer and looks to have regressed a bit. Can you talk about Kemba's importance to the team and if this season really relies on him to get back on his feetor if you can survive with his regression ? Also, sorry to bring it up, but I think it's an important topic for this franchise!

The JNR: Kemba is incredibly important to the team. His regression hurt a lot, and he knows it. He's been working to try and mitigate the losses he suffered, and I think he's going to be find. But I do think that we have so many good players on this team that the pressure isn't really on him to carry the team.

RPF · Post by **RPF** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:53 pm

Chris Christie, Star-Ledger: Can you just bring us back to the moment you decided to move Steph Curry? What was that moment like when you found out Chris Bosh was coming back home?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:58 pm

RPF wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:53 pm Chris Christie, Star-Ledger: Can you just bring us back to the moment you decided to move Steph Curry? What was that moment like when you found out Chris Bosh was coming back home?

The JNR: The moment I decided to move on from Curry was when I was looking at salaries and weighing my options. If I was going to make a move to bring in talent, Curry would have to be on the move because of his salary. As far as bringing back Chris, it was a jubilant moment. We have always loved Chris and we pounced at the chance to bring him back.

78# · Post by **78#** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:53 pm

Craig Biggio, Houston Chronicle: The last two off-seasons you've mad two big trades impacting the core of your roster. How do you feel about the roster right now compared to two seasons ago?

fearthebrow · Post by **fearthebrow** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:46 pm

Random Dallas reporter:

You've had a strong roster for a few years now, but a lot of turnover too. Do you see yourself making more high-profile moves in the near future, or do you forsee a core sticking together for many years to come?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:51 pm

78# wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:53 pm Craig Biggio, Houston Chronicle: The last two off-seasons you've mad two big trades impacting the core of your roster. How do you feel about the roster right now compared to two seasons ago?

The JNR: Part of me feels like I should've been more patient. But I still have a strong three player core and I still feel like I have options going forward.

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:51 pm

fearthebrow wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:46 pm Random Dallas reporter:

You've had a strong roster for a few years now, but a lot of turnover too. Do you see yourself making more high-profile moves in the near future, or do you forsee a core sticking together for many years to come?

The JNR: I'm trying to be patient and stick this core out. I think they can work really well together going forward.

Post by **WigNosy** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:18 pm

How important is it for you that Porter start living up to his potential as he enters his final season before RFA?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:45 pm

WigNosy wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:18 pm How important is it for you that Porter start living up to his potential as he enters his final season before RFA?

Not very important. He's getting money anyway. He defends and plays defense. He's a glue guy whose value isn't going to show up in the box score. I'm prepared to pay him.

Bowtothebill23 · Post by **Bowtothebill23** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:47 pm

As can be inferred from some of your statements, you think Otto Porter is your best young player. What is it that puts him above Wiggins in your opinion?

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