S50 Wolves Press Conference

[JNR]

The JNR stands at a podium. This is the 50th season. Don’t expect more than this.

The JNR: Season 50. We’ve been through a lot together over all this time. And as we approach this season, one large question has loomed over this organization like a large, looming...thing. And no, it’s not “How are you still in your mid-thirties after 50 seasons of running a basketball team?”

No, the question is “what do you do about your tax situation?”

I’ve agonized over this all summer long. I’ve let it affect my sleeping habits, my personal relationships. And after an entire summer, I go into this season far from my ideal plan.

I wanted to find a way to reset my team while keeping some of my young core, and I reached out to half the league to find an equitable deal. I say equitable, but in fact I was looking to be on the wrong side of the deal just so I could save money; I know how that makes me sound, but I’ve seen how the tax has crippled organizations and front offices across the league, and I did not want to meet that same fate, especially now that I am in a division with the defending champion and two other multi-time champions.

But it may have been lucky that the trade talks didn’t go my way. Because I took some time to reset my mentality, and realize how my actions were impacting my friends. And as I laid low, another thing happened.

My team heard all of the speculation and they worked their asses off.

Mitchell Robinson, who had a setback last year, had an incredible training camp. OG Anunoby and Homer Huckaby had strong campaigns. And Dennis Wolfgang, who knew he was at the center of many a trade discussion, came out of camp in better shape than ever. He wants to prove me wrong, and I am proud to say he’s well on his way to doing that.

So here we are. The tax situation still looms. But with a team like this that believes in themselves so much, I think it would be a disservice not to give them one last shot. I’ve had so much fun with this current team, and I think their potential is high enough that it may solve my tax problems this year. Our starting lineup, like last year, will be

C: Mitchell Robinson
PF: OG Anunoby
SF: Dennis Wolfgang
SG: Corey Brooks
PG: Odell Raspberry

With Huckaby, Atwater, Brown and Daniel Robinson providing valuable minutes off the bench. The division is incredibly tough as I mentioned, but I think we’ll be competitive. And the tax? That’s future JNR’s problem.

We now open to any questions.

[RPF]

Is this season a revenge tour for you?

[MexicanMamba]

With so much internal growth happening at once, whose growth in particular will be most vital to getting this team over that hump that they've been close to the past few seasons?

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[ballsohard]

Are you the favorites?

[JNR]

Is this season a revenge tour for you?

I wouldn't say that. There isn't anyone to get revenge on. Any of the problems over the past few days were created by me only. But I'm definitely eager to have a good season.

[JNR]

With so much internal growth happening at once, whose growth in particular will be most vital to getting this team over that hump that they've been close to the past few seasons?

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I think the answer is Wolfgang. He's been a nice glue piece for the past few years, but he'll need to take over more if we are going to make a huge run.

[JNR]

Are you the favorites?

I can't imagine that being the case. There are too many good teams around. The Bulls are the defending Champs.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With the recent teeter tottering on how to approach your future, are there any players today that are on the trade block, or are you all in?

[JNR]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With the recent teeter tottering on how to approach your future, are there any players today that are on the trade block, or are you all in?

I'm not taking anyone off the trading block, but it will take more of an effort to get them now. I'm not giving anyone away.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Currently, the tax situation in Minnesota seems like it's right on the border of being manageable without going to tax jail if you keep your roster the same until the end of the season. What kind of opportunity would have to present itself for the T-Wolves to spend more to improve if it would ensure at least one offseason in the tax?

[JNR]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Currently, the tax situation in Minnesota seems like it's right on the border of being manageable without going to tax jail if you keep your roster the same until the end of the season. What kind of opportunity would have to present itself for the T-Wolves to spend more to improve if it would ensure at least one offseason in the tax?

I cannot see a situation that would make me tempt fate in that way. Like I said, I respect the dangers of the tax.

[NOLa.]

Your division looks stacked but you definitely have a team to compete with. Looking pass this season, do you expect to keep most of the core or is there a change coming?

[Eazy P]

Wolfgang had a nice training camp this past TC. What do you think went into him improving his game? Was it his hunger for a deeper playoff run and getting this team to the finals? I he your team's leader?

[K-100]

In terms of overall GM talent, is this the toughest division you have ever had?

[JNR]

Your division looks stacked but you definitely have a team to compete with. Looking pass this season, do you expect to keep most of the core or is there a change coming?

I may be forced to change. But really it depends on how this season goes.

[JNR]

Wolfgang had a nice training camp this past TC. What do you think went into him improving his game? Was it his hunger for a deeper playoff run and getting this team to the finals? I he your team's leader?

I think it may have been hearing his name in trade talks. He probably heard the potential players being traded for him and got upset knowing he was better and wanted to show it.

I don't know if he's the leader of this team. Our front court have been the pillars since they got here. But Wolfgang is definitely making his voice heard in the locker room.

[JNR]

In terms of overall GM talent, is this the toughest division you have ever had?

It's hard to say. The early early days were tough, sharing a division with Chad's Penny Mavericks and the Utah Jazz when they had MJ and then Duncan. But this has some serious talent.

[false9]

With Wolfgang's leap in TC, will there be an effort to increase his usage this season? Do you think he can hit the 20 ppg mark?

[IamQuailman]

What was Wolfgang’s motivation coming into camp?

[JNR]

With Wolfgang's leap in TC, will there be an effort to increase his usage this season? Do you think he can hit the 20 ppg mark?

I don't think we will be focusing to use him more, especially since we still have two great scorers down low in OG and Mitchell. For that reason, I don't think it's likely he can hit the 20 mark, but I hope I'm wrong.

[JNR]

What was Wolfgang’s motivation coming into camp?

I think it was the trade rumors. He heard his name coming up in several trade talks and I think it bothered him.

[greepleairport]

Do you have any further comment on Wolfgang's TC???