Wolves 37-38 Press Conference

[JNR]

The JNR makes his way to the podium. Behind him at a table are Odell Raspberry, Jerry West, Dennis Wolfgang, Brandon Clarke, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. The JNR smiles at his players, then steps up and leans in the microphone.

The JNR: Welcome to another year of Minnesota basketball. I want to address why these six wonderful young men are behind me today, when I usually do these things alone. But before that, I wanted to talk about last season.

After three years of general ineptitude and missing the playoffs, our internal growth paid off and we won 47 games and earned the 6th seed in the playoffs. Odell Raspberry was an All Star, and OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson made significant improvements across the board. We roared out to a 3-0 lead in the playoffs before embarrassingly losing four straight to the eventual conference champion Miami Heat. But despite that heartbreak, I feel great about the team's fight and strength. I feel great about our teams togetherness and camaraderie.

Which brings me to this season, and also to why these men are behind me. There were several decisions to make going into this season. In RFA, we had OG Anunoby and Dennis Wolfgang signing contracts elsewhere. I had several long discussions about the players behind me, about sending them to other teams. This season could have featured an entirely new lineup of men. It's a very common thing in this league, and something I've done more than once in my time here. But I said no. The men you see behind me were here last year, and we made great strides. So I want them to do the same thing again next year.

We matched those deals in RFA. I ultimately decided no trades. We brought back other key contributors last year like Mike Piazza, Richard Erickson, and Brian Spano. I think the team we had last year can do even better things this year. Consistency and chemistry. That's what will bring us to where we want to go.

This year our starting lineup will be

C: Mitchell Robinson
PF: OG Anunoby
SF: Brandon Clarke
SG: Jerry West
PG: Odell Raspberry

With Dennis Wolfgang as a supersub off the bench and Piazza, Minter, and Young also making valuable contributions. I think this team can compete for the division.

I'll now open it up for questions.

[MexicanMamba]

If you could pinpoint one weakness that you could shore up to comfortably put yourself in title contention, what would it be?

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[JNR]

I think I need someone to step up and be an every night scorer. If one of the players currently on the roster could be that guy, I think we can contend.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: do you see Wolfgang making his way to the starting line up at any point?


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[JNR]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: do you see Wolfgang making his way to the starting line up at any point?


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Good question. I think he can. I will have to see how everyone performs in their role. If one of the starters isn't getting desired production, I can see swapping players around in different roles.

[78#]

Jerry West was your leading scorer in the preseason. Was that by design, or is the 34 year old the true leader on this team?

[JNR]

Jerry West was your leading scorer in the preseason. Was that by design, or is the 34 year old the true leader on this team?

I think in a league dominated by wing play, West leading the team in scoring is understandable. I will say, however, that it doesn't necessarily make him the leader of this team. I believe that role belongs to Odell, who has really grown as a facilitator and leader in his time here.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: After another coup in signing Ben Franklin, the Pelicans are looked upon as favorites. What do you think this team has that the Pels don't?

[JNR]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: After another coup in signing Ben Franklin, the Pelicans are looked upon as favorites. What do you think this team has that the Pels don't?

Me.

But seriously, I think this team has a star point guard to tie the talent together. Haddock is a good player, but we really believe in Odell's leadership and direction on the court.

That being said, the Pelicans are incredibly talented and if we want to challenge them, we have to be at our very best.

[NOLa.]

If your team starts to show some promise as being a favorite by Day 60 should the league expect the Wolves to make a blockbuster trade to go all in, or do you prefer even then to keep things going with your young core?


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[JNR]

If your team starts to show some promise as being a favorite by Day 60 should the league expect the Wolves to make a blockbuster trade to go all in, or do you prefer even then to keep things going with your young core?


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My heart says I want to keep this core going. But if I reach a point in the season where a move presents itself, my head will find a hard time saying no.

[Eazy P]

Do you Expect Mitchell Robinson to take his game to the next level this season?

[JNR]

Do you Expect Mitchell Robinson to take his game to the next level this season?

We think he can. He averaged 20 and 7 last year, and we think he can get closer to a double double this year. Our team's success hinges on his ability to produce.