Minnesota Timberwolves 2021-2022: A Timberpups reunion

[JNR]

Lights down, projector whirs on. We start with a young Rudy Gobert proudly holding a Timberwolves jersey. The JNR's voice speaks over.

"He was the biggest prize from a Chris Bosh trade that rocked the foundation of the franchise."

The video cuts to Andrew Wiggins wearing a Timberwolves practice jersey, giving dap and hugging Gobert.

"And then we brought in another young talent. For a while, they were the Timberpups -- young, not ready, but clearly talented...and hungry."

And then we see Gobert holding up a Warriors jersey, same smile as the first scene, quickly followed by a frowning Wiggins in practice.

"We broke the pups up too early. It was probably the second biggest mistake I've made as a GM, a mistake that we recovered from. But we always loved what Rudy brought to the team. We inquired after him for trades over the years as he went from team to team. And then it happened this summer, after this horrible season. After the biggest mistake I've made as a GM."

The lights come on, and we see The JNR standing at the podium. Wiggins and Gobert sit next to each other at the table. Both are smiling.

The JNR: We saw Gobert on the market. And I've been up front with Andrew this entire time on our intentions. We wanted to get young, we wanted to build young talent around him as he got better. But when we saw that Gobert was available, and that there was interest, I talked to Andrew and asked if he wanted to get the band back together.

Wiggins calls out from behind The JNR

Wiggins: And I said absolutely.

Gobert laughs.

The JNR: There have been a lot of questions about my direction with the team. They're warranted, and I'll answer any specific questions you have here. But the bottom line is this: the division is open. The West has some talented teams, but also some gaps. And Keith Pfeffer is ready to play now. So why not take a shot?

My current idea for the starting 5 is as follows:

PG: Keith Pfeffer
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Don Houghton
PF: Tyron Ferris
C: Rudy Gobert

With Collins, Canaan, and Johnson providing valuable bench minutes. We are going to try to compete for a playoff position, and then we'll see what happens.

Any specific questions?

[Inner_GI]

What kind of signs do you look for to determine when you want to rebuild? There are couple teams in the league with great talent that are almost treading water. (Wolves, Knicks, Suns, Rockets).

[Wombataholic]

Do you think the Timberpups have enough talent to compete with the Jazz and Nuggets for the Northwest Division title?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Keith Pfeffer had a nice training camp, and rumor has it, the staff has given him a lot of extra attention to prepare him for running the Timberwolves offense. One year later, how do you feel about trading him for Otto Porter, Jr. -- better or worse than a year ago?

[JNR]

What kind of signs do you look for to determine when you want to rebuild? There are couple teams in the league with great talent that are almost treading water. (Wolves, Knicks, Suns, Rockets).

The JNR: I look at the league, and the opportunities to compete. Then I look at my team and see how realistic it is to make a contender. And then I see what the market is for my talent. If all of that lines up in the right way, it's time to take a step back and rebuild.

[JNR]

Do you think the Timberpups have enough talent to compete with the Jazz and Nuggets for the Northwest Division title?

The JNR: I think so. Wiggins has two talented guys around him again. But we're full of flaws that I'm sure good teams will exploit. It will be a tough road.

[JNR]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Keith Pfeffer had a nice training camp, and rumor has it, the staff has given him a lot of extra attention to prepare him for running the Timberwolves offense. One year later, how do you feel about trading him for Otto Porter, Jr. -- better or worse than a year ago?

The JNR: Much happier, mostly because I have my own pick this year in case things go wrong. We were thrilled to see Otto win a title in Chicago, which truly deserved that championship. Pfeffer is more determined than ever to show he belongs in the league, and I think you'll see a much improved player this year.

[Eazy P]

What went into your decision to bring Rudy back to the T-wolves after trading him away to the warriors over 6 season ago? Will you and your front office make more moves to better position your team for a playoff run?

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Will we see Pfeffer at the 1 or the 2 this season? Also, is there any one player outside of your big 3 who you hope to see good things from this season?

[JNR]

What went into your decision to bring Rudy back to the T-wolves after trading him away to the warriors over 6 season ago? Will you and your front office make more moves to better position your team for a playoff run?

I went over this in my introduction. As for the second question, I am always looking to improve my team. I'll be looking to fill gaps in my team as time goes on.

[JNR]

Random Reporter: Will we see Pfeffer at the 1 or the 2 this season? Also, is there any one player outside of your big 3 who you hope to see good things from this season?

Mostly the 1. I'm also excited to see what Canaan and Ferris can do.

[ballsohard]

Your team seems to be build on Maximizing Andrew Wiggins' talent. A lot of comparisons cane be made to the 1991 Saramento Kings' team in which Karl Malone scored 39 PPG. We all know Andrew is an elite scorer and defender like Malone but struggles rebounding and passing. You have Gobert gobbling up the rebounds, Farris helping down low and Pfeffer doing secondary scoring and passing. There seems to be a couple of big holes for the team. 1. At the wing spot opposite of Wiggins 2. Scoring. How will you try and address these holes in terms of game planning or acquisitions? Do you think having Wiggins and Pfeffer as the only guys are consistant threats to score over 10 can be made up by the team's defense? Lastly, how good can Andrew be with a team almost primarily built around his strengths and weaknesses, top 3?

[JNR]

Your team seems to be build on Maximizing Andrew Wiggins' talent. A lot of comparisons cane be made to the 1991 Saramento Kings' team in which Karl Malone scored 39 PPG. We all know Andrew is an elite scorer and defender like Malone but struggles rebounding and passing. You have Gobert gobbling up the rebounds, Farris helping down low and Pfeffer doing secondary scoring and passing. There seems to be a couple of big holes for the team. 1. At the wing spot opposite of Wiggins 2. Scoring. How will you try and address these holes in terms of game planning or acquisitions? Do you think having Wiggins and Pfeffer as the only guys are consistant threats to score over 10 can be made up by the team's defense? Lastly, how good can Andrew be with a team almost primarily built around his strengths and weaknesses, top 3?

These are fantastic questions. Let me address each of them.

1. I think we have enough reliable peripheral scorers like Canaan, Gobert, Ferris, and Houghton. All of them are capable of at least 9-10 points a game, and if we have enough of those outside of Wiggins and Pfeffer I think we can manage it. The key is to make our defense good enough so that won't matter, which answers your second question. We plan on playing at a slower pace to maximize that, and hopefully Wiggins and Pfeffer's efficiency can make it worth it.

2. I think Wiggins can be first team PBSL if we maximize the team around him. I'm excited to see him as he's around his peak in skillset.

[NOLa.]

If Rudy Gobert did not sign with your team, how do you feel your team would look like at the end of this current season? Could we have potentially seen a complete rebuild (Wiggins and Pfeffer gone)?

[JNR]

If Rudy Gobert did not sign with your team, how do you feel your team would look like at the end of this current season? Could we have potentially seen a complete rebuild (Wiggins and Pfeffer gone)?

I think we would have seen a focus on the draft rather than our playoff position. I had planned on trying to sign young players in free agency who had room to grow, and then also focus on rebuilding around Pfeffer and Wiggins.

[Soundwave]

If you had to pick one, what is the most important single attribute or skill of any lone player on your team? For instance Wiggins' PRD, or Gobert's strength, etc................ Just one.

[JNR]

If you had to pick one, what is the most important single attribute or skill of any lone player on your team? For instance Wiggins' PRD, or Gobert's strength, etc................ Just one.

That is an excellent question. Thanks for asking! I think with the way this team is made up, I'd say Wiggins' inside scoring. We need someone who can score, and Wiggins can dominate the inside game.