Chris Finch has candid message for Shake Milton
By Will Eudy
There is little question that the Minnesota Timberwolves have the personnel to make a deep run in the Western Conference this season. Their rotation is stacked with lengthy defenders, three-point shooters, and skilled playmakers.
One of the newest additions to the team is Shake Milton, who looks to bring the Timberwolves stability as a ball-handler and shooter. Throughout much of the preseason he exhibited these skills, scoring the ball with high efficiency.
But in the team’s regular season-opening contest against the Raptors, Milton struggled mightily. He shot 1-for-5 and finished the game with 4 points and two turnovers. After the game, Head Coach Chris Finch reportedly candidly urged Milton to be more aggressive, telling him to “do what you do.”
His teammates resorted to calling him “green light” at Minnesota’s next practice as well.
Chris Finch told Shake Milton to be more aggressive
This kind of response from both your Head Coach and teammates has to be extremely encouraging, especially this early on in the season. Shake Milton may be in a down stretch, but everyone around him believes in his abilities and is making sure he is aware of that.
Ideally, this will not only help to reinforce Shake’s confidence as a shooter, but it will also strengthen his trust in his teammates. Relative to many others on the Wolves’ roster, he has just arrived in town. The fact that he is garnering this much support from his peers says a lot about not just his abilities, but the character of his teammates.
A situation like this should be heartwarming for fans to hear. Instead of turning away from their new backcourt player, Finch and the players are doing everything they can to build him up for the long season ahead.