Minnesota Timberwolves president-coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden answered questions in regards to the upcoming NBA Draft. Here are some noteworthy quotes from the Q&A session between the Timberwolves braintrust and a handful of Twin Cities media members. For the most part, both Thibodeau and Layden remained pretty tightlipped and did not say anything substantial in regards to what the Wolves intend to do on draft night.
You’ve talked about looking for toughness, defense rebounding, where is shooting on that pecking order?
Thibodeau: As you guys can see when you look at the finals and watch the playoffs, you can never have enough shooting. It’s always… you’re always thinking about it. So, for us, how we cover the line and how we execute to create more three-point shooting for ourselves to open up the floor. But that’s one aspect of it. To be efficient on both ends, that’s important. Getting to the free throw line is important. Protecting the rim is important. There is a lot there. Right now, when you go through the games from last season and you’re looking at a team that will probably be different next year, in terms of a draft pick, free agency, and how the roster will unfold. So your style of play, what fits the team best… how to take advantage of your strengths, how to cover up your weakness and how you prepare for our opponents going forward.
On the Wolves having too much youth if an 18 y/o player is picked.
Thibodeau: I think as a coach, you have to base your decision on performance. If a young guy comes in and he shows that he can handle it and he performs well, he plays. If he needs more time, then the first step is to practice. Usually when you practice well you’re going to play well. Ideally, there is a balance. There’s some young guys, some guys in the middle of the road and then some veterans who can contribute. I think you want a balanced roster but if a young guy proves he can play, he plays.
On how the perception of the franchise has changed.
Thibodeau: We said that at the beginning when we came in. This team and organization [is perceived the way it is because of] the players that are here. You have an Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Gorgui [Dieng], Ricky [Rubio] and Shabazz [Muhammad] and the rest of our players. I think the players, agents and representatives, they study that. Same thing with the kids that are coming out from college. You look at where you might fit and what opportunities might be there. And so I do think it’s appealing. But also, [just] because it is appealing, it doesn’t mean that we’re there. We can talk about it, but we actually have to do it.
Layden, jokingly: I think you can add his name [Thibs] to the list, too.
On Thibs and Layden being on the same page.
Thibodeau: You have to plan for anything. Scott and the staff have done a great job of getting people in here, and also evaluating. You want to be prepared for all of the possibilities. When you pick 5, and if we stay there, there is four other people before us. You look at all the possibilities. We think we have a good understanding of where it may go, but it may change. I think we’re ready for all of the possibilities. We’ll get a good player and go from there.
On whether Thibs and Layden have made changes to the coaching/b-ball operations staff.
Layden: We have stayed with the group we have. We have gone out and talked to a number of people that are potential hires. That’s a process that is ongoing. The focus is on the draft, and what’s after that as that’s going along, we have been looking at our staffing and we’ll make hires as we go along here.
On whether Jamal Murray is a point guard.
Thibodeau: To me, he’s a basketball player. He played off the ball at Kentucky. He played with the ball at Team Canada. He’s a good basketball player, and he’ll be a good player.
On Ricky Rubio
Thibodeau: It was great to visit with him, spend a few days, he was working out. It’s just good to see him. Obviously, he’s going through a tough time so you want to be there to support him and he was doing about as well as can be expected. So, he looked good.
Do you feel you can win at a high level with him as your starting point guard?
Thibodeau: You don’t win with one guy. You win with the team. Obviously, there’s a lot of room for us to improve but there are a lot of things that he does extremely well so the challenge is to bring the best out of everybody and then we also have to bring the best out of the team. He’s proven to be a very good player in this league.
