Making Sense Of Flip Saunders’ End Of The Year Press Conference
By Aaron Mah
On Apr. 20, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations, Flip Saunders, held an end of the year media availability session to wrap up the recently concluded 2014-15 season.
During the press conference, Saunders covered a plethora of topics, including the high hopes he had for the team coming into the year, the moves the Wolves will look to make this coming off season, and of course, his coaching future with the organization going forward.
Here are some key takeaways from Saunders’ extended press opportunity and extended Q&A assembly:
Flip’s Still Content On Referring To The Current State As “Building” Mode
After going into a brief soliloquy regarding how injuries ruined the Wolves’ chances at a surprise playoff run — and therein, in an effort to develop their core of young pups, forced the Wolves to trade several of their veteran pieces (namely, Corey Brewer, Mo Williams, and Thaddeus Young), Saunders continued to stick to his steadfast opinion that the Wolves are currently in a “building” mode; as opposed to a full-out rebuild — which is the stage most 16-66 teams, throughout the annals of NBA history, are situated in.
The Core Going Forward
Flip specifically mentioned Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, Zach LaVine, and Gorgui Dieng as the players the team will look to develop and build around.
Sorry, Anthony Bennett and Adreian Payne.
Bennett and Payne On Outside Looking In
Adding to the above takeaway, Saunders mentioned how frustrating of season it was for Bennett, and how important of a summer it is for Big Daddy Canada to prove his worth on the team and showcase material growth as an individual player.
On the other hand, he noted how he liked Payne’s athleticism and motor, but thought he needed to slow down and make better on-court decisions.
Much like Bennett, Saunders commented on how big of a summer it will be for Payne — who’ll play on the Wolves Summer League team and train in Minnesota alongside the Timberwolves training staff throughout the summer.
Alarmingly, though — for, both, Bennett and Payne — when asked if the Wolves have a future power forward in place, Saunders replied with the following, “I couldn’t even say that. I couldn’t say I do or I don’t.”
Flip Does Not Hate The Three-Point Shot
When asked which areas the Wolves need to improve on the most, Flip quickly mentioned that the young pups must get stronger — especially Wiggins and LaVine — and how, in turn, that will improve their ability to defend.
Most importantly, Saunders specifically mentioned the team’s dire need to refine their three-point shooting — music to the ears for Timberwolves fans everywhere. He also mentioned the Wolves will improve their 3-point shooting from within and not necessarily through off season acquisitions.
Expect KG To Return Next Season
When asked if he expects Kevin Garnett to return next year for an unprecedented 21st NBA campaign, Saunders promptly replied, “I’d be surprised just because I believe KG is a guy that doesn’t like change.”
In other words: Garnett will be back in Minnesota next season.
K-Mart Part Of Future Plans
Saunders continued his unwavering praise for Kevin Martin, explicitly complimenting Martin’s heightened intensity on the defensive end and his commitment to the organization.
He ended the topic by saying, “I know everyone said that we should trade him — they’ve been saying that for the last five months or whatever — and I said I’ve liked what he brings to the team and still believe the same.”
Muhammad The Starter, LaVine The Sixth Man
Throughout the press conference, Saunders was quick to voice his admiration for Muhammad, noting how he had been the most impressive young pup up until his season-ending injury on his middle finger.
More interestingly, he subtly mentioned what a matchup nightmare the combination of Wiggins and Muhammad are for opposing wings to defend; specifically citing the advantage the duo has based on their size and athleticism. “Someone has to guard Shabazz and get beat up, or guard Wiggins with his athleticism,” Saunders would further explain.
Flip also talked briefly about the prospects of bringing LaVine off of the bench, in a role similar to reigning sixth man of the year, Lou Williams, and last year’s award winner, Jamal Crawford.
Saunders also added the biggest area of improvement for Zach this summer is undoubtedly his urgent need to add functional strength to his frail frame.
More explicitly, Saunders said, “Zach’s big thing, in order for him to continue to play — and to play at that two guard position — is he has to gain strength. That’s going to be his big thing. He’s got athleticism, he’s got quickness, and offensively he can get his shot off on people. But is he going to be able to guard?”
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Dunking with Wolves
Closing:
While the press conference served as a run-of-the-mill Q&A session of sorts, Saunders gave the general public quite a few interesting tidbits concerning where each player stand with the organization. With another blue chip prospect well on its way — via the 2015 draft — in conjunction with the team’s established core going forward of LaVine, Wiggins, Muhammad, and Dieng, next season should serve as another developmental year.
With that being said, for the first time in many years, the Wolves are finally taking the right steps towards sustainable success. And Flip, for all of his faults, seems to finally recognize that he has to personally adapt to the modern day pace and space game.
If all of the above takeaways come into fruition, the 2015-16 rendition of the Wolves should house an interesting blend of highly-talented youngsters, a couple of breakout stars, mixed in with a pinch of savvy veterans.
*All quotes taken from Wolves Radio’s audio record of the press conference
Next: Top 5 Games Of Timberwolves' 2014-15 Season
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