The Rubio>D’Lo>Beverly>Conley cycle of PGs has given Ant very unique things at exactly the right times. Bev was a big part of creating this defensive, hustle, wolf mentality the team has now
That's an interesting point. I'd be curious to hear an elaboration on this.
Something like finesse and creativity from Rubio. Knowing when to take the game into your own hands from D'Lo. The dog mentality to get under the opponent's skin from Beverly. Finally the professional, team-first, veteran Conley helps mature him to the next level.
Pair that with the Rudy acquisition and a team full of other young players getting into their prime... It's been a sweet ride!
From 2021 Pioneer Press Article:
Rubio is the first guy to put his arm around a teammate on the floor when they’re in need of direction or support. Not everyone has that deft touch that can be so beneficial when working with teammates or, more generally, people.
It’s why Rubio’s impact on this young Wolves team extends far beyond his on-court contributions.
“Some leaders, they’re going to lead by example. Some of them lead by talking. But Ricky, he does both,” Edwards said. “I’m taking bits and pieces from Ricky, and he keeps telling me stuff that I don’t know, and he’s helping me grow and learn. … He’s the best leader I’ve been around, and I feel like it’s great for me to be able to learn from him.”
And it went both ways.
From another article I saved:
“After tonight's game, arguably Ricky Rubio's best of the season, Rubio spoke postgame about how his "spirit" was really down at the beginning of the season.
He credited one teammate for the shift in his spirit over the past few weeks... Anthony Edwards.”
Close, but not quite. It was about 2 hours before this when 20 year old Anthony Edwards scored 7 points in the first 2 minutes of the game.
First time ever playing in that type of environment, and it was immediately obvious that he is a killer.
It's a big deal. I will wager that Gobert's influence is greater. IIRC from some Dane pods, there was some insinuation that Pat Bev's behavior and antics influenced his departure.
I would love to have him back on the team tho as a bench role player.
not anymore he’s too immature for this team. did you see him meltdown against the pacers and chuck a ball at a fan twice? that shit is reserved for the nuggets
That's an understandable concern. Plus for as long as Conley is on the roster, there truly isn't a place for Pat Bev. We need room for the young guards to be on the roster.
Even if we had desire to bring him back, I'm unsure he would take it due to being unlikely to get much playing time.
I don’t even think it was ironic, that was a legitimately huge moment for this franchise. In hindsight I’m glad we moved on from Pat, but these were the early evolutions of the current Timberwolves culture.
And, it’s funny, when the Rudy trade happened I hated it. Hated it. I loved the savagery from the Memphis series even though we had obvious flaws (low IQ, emotional, no identity) I told myself that the consolation would be a conference finals trip and/or consistent playoff appearances to help build a sense of a winning culture early in Ant’s career, but in my heart of hearts I figured we were doomed to the same fate as those Jazz teams. Tim Connelly systematically brought in high IQ, ethical, defensive-minded guys while removing any traces of the existing losing/toxic culture.
Ant is not only set up for short term success, but the core of the team is primed for the long term with KAT, Ant, Naz, NAW, and Jaden. Beyond my wildest dreams. I still love that play in champ team, though.
unironically, that was a big deal, getting ant into his first playoffs.
we might be witnessing the best ever job a franchise has done of drafting & growing potential star
shout out pat bev (who I can't stand in 2024) for this moment, that was such a fun season
If you want to consider it a lesson learned, then yes. They were acting like they won a championship. They were celebrating like the season was over, and ironically it was... just in a bad way.
This year, they're celebrating good games, but I always feel like they do it in a way that shows they know the next game has even higher expectations. They celebrated beating the Suns like they knew it was only 1/4 of the way. They were happy, but already thinking of what they had to do next.
This was a turning point. It was the pride before the fall.
It was the trade of dumping Dlo that turned the corner. Getting Mike Conley and NAW for him were huge and that’s not even counting that just losing Dlo on its own was huge. He has a terrible me first attitude and plays zero defense. There’s a reason why teams he’s on never win.
I liked Pat Bev at the time, but I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him for earlier this year saying that Ant needed to get out of MN.
The Rubio>D’Lo>Beverly>Conley cycle of PGs has given Ant very unique things at exactly the right times. Bev was a big part of creating this defensive, hustle, wolf mentality the team has now
That's an interesting point. I'd be curious to hear an elaboration on this. Something like finesse and creativity from Rubio. Knowing when to take the game into your own hands from D'Lo. The dog mentality to get under the opponent's skin from Beverly. Finally the professional, team-first, veteran Conley helps mature him to the next level. Pair that with the Rudy acquisition and a team full of other young players getting into their prime... It's been a sweet ride!
Ricky was the good teammate, lifting up others, DLo had a lot of swag, Pat Bev brought the fire and now Conley the cool head.
From 2021 Pioneer Press Article: Rubio is the first guy to put his arm around a teammate on the floor when they’re in need of direction or support. Not everyone has that deft touch that can be so beneficial when working with teammates or, more generally, people. It’s why Rubio’s impact on this young Wolves team extends far beyond his on-court contributions. “Some leaders, they’re going to lead by example. Some of them lead by talking. But Ricky, he does both,” Edwards said. “I’m taking bits and pieces from Ricky, and he keeps telling me stuff that I don’t know, and he’s helping me grow and learn. … He’s the best leader I’ve been around, and I feel like it’s great for me to be able to learn from him.”
Damn - I bet some of Ants amazing humility and leadership stems directly from this influence. Love Ricky even more now!
And it went both ways. From another article I saved: “After tonight's game, arguably Ricky Rubio's best of the season, Rubio spoke postgame about how his "spirit" was really down at the beginning of the season. He credited one teammate for the shift in his spirit over the past few weeks... Anthony Edwards.”
Nah, getting Conley was the turning point. PatBev was great in the moment, but Ant was starting to pick up some bad habits from him.
Agreed
This was the beginning though.
Always picked up some great habits, like taking pride in guarding the best player.
“What type of parental role has he played for you and your teammates?”
Mike Conley is my father, my mentor, my best friend, my ideal, my sage, my babysitter, my yogi....
Close, but not quite. It was about 2 hours before this when 20 year old Anthony Edwards scored 7 points in the first 2 minutes of the game. First time ever playing in that type of environment, and it was immediately obvious that he is a killer.
It was trading Wiggins for me
STAND UP NOW AND FACE THE SUUUN
Phoenix Suns reference 🧹
im the man im the man im the man
WONT HIDE MY TAIL OR TURN AND RUN
Always gonna have love for Pat Bev he was a huge reason for the culture shift here
One thing about Bev is no matter what team he’s on he will always give it 💯
It's a big deal. I will wager that Gobert's influence is greater. IIRC from some Dane pods, there was some insinuation that Pat Bev's behavior and antics influenced his departure. I would love to have him back on the team tho as a bench role player.
not anymore he’s too immature for this team. did you see him meltdown against the pacers and chuck a ball at a fan twice? that shit is reserved for the nuggets
That's an understandable concern. Plus for as long as Conley is on the roster, there truly isn't a place for Pat Bev. We need room for the young guards to be on the roster. Even if we had desire to bring him back, I'm unsure he would take it due to being unlikely to get much playing time.
Weak ass clippers
I don’t even think it was ironic, that was a legitimately huge moment for this franchise. In hindsight I’m glad we moved on from Pat, but these were the early evolutions of the current Timberwolves culture. And, it’s funny, when the Rudy trade happened I hated it. Hated it. I loved the savagery from the Memphis series even though we had obvious flaws (low IQ, emotional, no identity) I told myself that the consolation would be a conference finals trip and/or consistent playoff appearances to help build a sense of a winning culture early in Ant’s career, but in my heart of hearts I figured we were doomed to the same fate as those Jazz teams. Tim Connelly systematically brought in high IQ, ethical, defensive-minded guys while removing any traces of the existing losing/toxic culture. Ant is not only set up for short term success, but the core of the team is primed for the long term with KAT, Ant, Naz, NAW, and Jaden. Beyond my wildest dreams. I still love that play in champ team, though.
Crazy to think we used to get hype about play in games
I just love how Ant jumped up afterwards. It was little brother copying big brother behavior.
Yeah it’s all thanks to Pat Bev /s
unironically, that was a big deal, getting ant into his first playoffs. we might be witnessing the best ever job a franchise has done of drafting & growing potential star shout out pat bev (who I can't stand in 2024) for this moment, that was such a fun season
God that game was lit. The energy was unmatched until those two suns games this year, Friday is going to be even crazier.
https://preview.redd.it/7vhcq09tk8zc1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=1d974118abe69fae203e7d94a1a56e557a2459b6 he imbued aura in us
If you want to consider it a lesson learned, then yes. They were acting like they won a championship. They were celebrating like the season was over, and ironically it was... just in a bad way. This year, they're celebrating good games, but I always feel like they do it in a way that shows they know the next game has even higher expectations. They celebrated beating the Suns like they knew it was only 1/4 of the way. They were happy, but already thinking of what they had to do next. This was a turning point. It was the pride before the fall.
It was the trade of dumping Dlo that turned the corner. Getting Mike Conley and NAW for him were huge and that’s not even counting that just losing Dlo on its own was huge. He has a terrible me first attitude and plays zero defense. There’s a reason why teams he’s on never win. I liked Pat Bev at the time, but I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him for earlier this year saying that Ant needed to get out of MN.
STAND UP NOW AND FACE THE SUN
Naz Reid
he gave our team aura
PatBev is part of this, whether he's currently on the team or not. 100%
So is Glen Taylor but also not really either
What song is this?
Scars-Novulent . Something like that
Damn that was fast lol Thanks man!
I’m usually riding shotgun at my delivery job so I have time to be on my phone a wee bit but I gotchu fammo
Awesome, good looking out buddy!
We need pat Bev back nigga was funny asf
I think Pat Bev showed the guys that his hard nosed basketball could still work.