Minnesota Timberwolves roundtable: Media day extravaganza

An all Dunking With Wolves roundtable gives their thoughts on the Minnesota Timberwolves annual media day and what training camp might hold.

1. What was your biggest takeaway from media day?

Max Neuhaus (@Max_Neuhaus): This team wants to end the 13-year playoff drought. When asked about it, it seemed like every player assumed they would make the playoffs. I know what happens when you assume, but with the collection of talent they have, it’s hard to see this team making the drought 14 years.

Jimmy Butler is a legit top 15 player in the league and Jeff Teague has never missed the playoffs in his eight-year career. The Timberwolves have not even been over the .500 mark record wise since 2004-05. Even the guys new to this team know the drought is weighing on both the franchise and the fans. They are about to change that.

Antoine Bass (@Antyeatspeople): The biggest take away from media day was the hype is real. This meaning that the Wolves will be just as good as they are on paper.

When teams such as this Wolves team are brought together, there’s always a question of whether they’ll be able to play well together. It seems as if the Wolves organization and players do believe that they will live up to the hype. Also, many of the players put an emphasis on the team’s defense capabilities now. The players on this team believe that they are not only a good team, but that they are a playoff team. The Timberwolves organization and players do believe that this team will be one of the best teams in the NBA next season.

Brian Sampson (@BrianSampsonNBA): The roster holdovers want everyone to know that they are going to make a difference on the defensive end. By now, they’ve been hearing for months how much of a difference guys like Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson will have on this team. However, they want to do their due diligence in making a change.

Karl-Anthony Towns, especially, acknowledges that his new teammates are known for their defensive ability. But he wants to be known for that too. As the big man holding down the paint, he understands how critical it is for him to be on top of his game. He talked about being in the second year of Tom Thibodeau’s system and having a better understanding as well. Hopefully, that carries over into the on the court play.

2. Which Timberwolves player has the most to prove during training camp?

Max: Tyus Jones. With all of the Minnesota Timberwolves moves this offseason, they did not address the backup point guard position. They ignored it because they already have their man. The former Apple Valley stud has been able to stick on this roster no matter what. Even after Tom Thibodeau spent his first ever draft pick on point guard Kris Dunn, Jones fought for playing time. Even, at points during the season, looked like the much better player.

Now, with Thibs bringing in Aaron Brooks, it looks like the NCAA national champion will have to fight for playing time again. His work ethic is amazing and he will grab a hold of the backup point guard by the time the Wolves take on the Spurs in San Antonio for the season opener.

Antoine: Jones has the most to prove during training camp. With the recent acquisition of Aaron Brooks, it looks as if Jones role as backup point guard may no longer be a thing. he must prove that he can produce quality play from the backup point guard role to ensure himself minutes into the Wolves rotation. He has improved his play of late, but seeing how Brooks was coached by Thibodeau already and his experience, the backup point guard role may be locked up for Brooks. Though, if Jones has a strong training camp, he may make the choice for backup point guard a bit more difficult for the Wolves.

Brian: I also agree with Max and Antoine about Jones having the most to prove. However, for the sake of diversity, I’ll say Andrew Wiggins is second on that list.

He’s improved as a scorer every year in the NBA, unfortunately, he hasn’t provided much else. He went from being the second offensive option to the third this season, a drastically different role. Minnesota may not need as much scoring from him as the past, but they will need him in other areas. Most notably, rebounding and passing. If Wiggins can step up in those key areas, he will help the team take a huge leap this year.

3.Which Timberwolves player do you predict to take the biggest leap in improvement this season?

Max: I feel like the obvious answer here is Andrew Wiggins. He, everyone assumes, is about to get locked into a massive contract and has as much potential as anyone in the NBA. I, however, am going to go with Shabazz Muhammad. After looking for work this offseason, he found his way back to Minnesota. That will be a huge chip on his shoulder coming into this season. When guys are playing in a contract year with a chip on their shoulder, big things are about to happen. He has come into training camp and stood out during day one. New addition Taj Gibson took notice.

Bringing Muhammad back on a veteran minimum deal was an absolute steal for the Wolves, who sorely needed wing depth. Playing on a prove it deal with a chip on his shoulder is a huge motivator. We are about to see a different Bazz.

Antoine: Karl Anthony Towns will take the biggest leap in improvement this season. He is a star in the league and already has shown that he is one of the best big men in the game right now. Coming off career-highs across the board, the sky is the limit for Towns. With the newly added pieces that the Timberwolves acquired during the offseason, he will take the biggest leap in improvement. He will be more efficient because of the overall depth that the Wolves now have. Also, with defensive studs such as Butler and Gibson around him he also has the chance to improve defensively as well. Towns has the chance to take his game to new heights, and it may happen sooner than we think.

Brian: Based on reports throughout the summer, it sounds like Jones has been playing some really nice ball. He’s also entering his third season which is where a lot of players make a big leap.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 things to know about Andrew Wiggins

Jones has a lot to prove this year, as well, as he has, perhaps, the clearest path to playing time during his short year in the NBA. He’s an extremely intelligent player who will only get better as he further develops his body. I expect another year in the weight room to pay huge dividends for him. His outside shot will be a huge key to his success as well. He improved his 3-point shooting by 0.54 last season and it will be remarkable if he can take another such jump.