The Dane Moore NBA Podcast

D'Angelo Russell said after the Timberwolves fourth consecutive loss on Sunday to the Denver Nuggets that he doesn't think the Wolves are "ready to win yet" because they are "still figuring out how to lose". On today's pod, we playback Russell's postgame comments and talk about how this team does not look ready to win yet. We get into: How Ed Davis moving into the starting lineup helped to get Russell going in pick and roll game; Why Russell and Ricky Rubio did not share the floor; Malik Beasley's impressive performance against his former squad; and asked the question: Can this team be expected to win any games in KAT's absence? Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's pod, Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) joins me live from Target Center to pick apart the dismantling that was the Timberwolves 30-point loss to the Washington Wizards. We dig into why the D'Angelo Russell Experience has thus far been rough, and what needs to change. We also discuss what other adjustments need to be made for this Timberwolves team to remain somewhat competitive in Karl-Anthony Towns' absence. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's pod, Britt Robson (The Athletic) joins to discuss why what Karl-Anthony Towns showed in the first two games is more reason for optimism than the two blowout losses in Los Angeles are reason for pessimism. We unpack Britt's most recent column that acknowledges the devastating, albeit expected, losses but also praises KAT's best defense of his career and Ryan Saunders' ability to expand his coaching blueprint. From there, we get into what the complicated plan might be in this KAT-less interim. The trappings of the D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley pairing. Britt's assertion that Ricky Rubio needs to start. Dane's assertion that Josh Okogie is the path to defensive competence. And just what the heck is going on in the frontcourt -- between Naz Reid, Juancho Hernangomez, Jake Layman and Jarred Vanderbilt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Losing two games the way the Timberwolves lost to the Lakers and Clippers is a slippery slope. Today we discuss the Wolves needing to inject joy back into basketball, even without KAT. On the show: we react to Ricky Rubio's harsh postgame commentary (audio included); discuss the Rubio-DLo pairing; what is going on in the frontcourt next to Naz Reid; why righting the ship is big-picture important; and trying to find ways to survive on defense. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the 15-game stretch the Timberwolves played without Karl-Anthony Towns at the beginning of last season, they ranked third in the NBA over that stretch in defensive efficiency. They only won five of those 15 games, but they played with the identity of a team that executes on defense. On today's pod, I talk about this new Timberwolves roster finding their new KAT-less identity. Plus, we talk other observations from the loss: D'Angelo Russell not taking the lead in KAT's absence, and why that will need to change; Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez needing to find their form from last season; Anthony Edwards, and why now feels like the time to shift him into the starting lineup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So who saw the Timberwolves beating the Jazz? Time for some observations from the Wolves win in Utah. Topics in today's pod: DLo and Beasley stepping up with KAT again in foul trouble; Okogie and Culver continuing to shine; Needing to start Naz over Layman against the Lakers; Saunders earning his keep; Why I think Anthony Edwards is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Timberwolves enter the Christmas Break undefeated with a win over the Pistons. Good audio quotes from the players postgame, so I let that carry today's show -- beginning with KAT discussing where he's at mentally. From there we get into Anthony Edwards looking NBA ready. We talk Josh Okogie being the team's best power forward, shutting down Blake Griffin. Some commentary on the defense (zone!). And then I explain why D'Angelo Russell didn't start, and how that really impacted Ryan Saunders' rotations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Britt Robson (The Athletic) joins the pod to discuss his column on points of interest for this Timberwolves season. Dane and Britt run through what can be gleaned from the preseason in an effort to begin to define this team. Topics include: Ryan Saunders' great challenge with the rotation. What can be expected from the D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley combination in the backcourt. Reason for optimism with the Anthony Edwards and Jarrett Culver wing duo. The burden Karl-Anthony Towns carries on both ends of the floor. And finally, where the Timberwolves might finish offensively and defensively this season -- and how that will translate to the win column. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There had to be some reason the Timberwolves waived Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Right? Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) joins the pod to discuss the value of the financial flexibility gained by waiving RHJ and weigh it against the value that will be lost on the floor. What does this mean in terms of a potential PJ Tucker trade? Dane and Jack also watched the Detroit Pistons final preseason game in advance of the Wolves season opener against the Pistons. Where should the Wolves offense be able to cook against a weak Pistons defense? What type of offensive threats do Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose pose? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karl-Anthony Towns gave my favorite postgame interview of his career after the Timberwolves beat the Mavs in the preseason finale. For so long, KAT has noted how the Wolves as a team need to improve defensively, but this was the first time he spoke honestly about his defensive shortcomings. I thought those words were noteworthy, so I play the audio from that interview on the pod and share we I think those words carry weight. Then we get into observations from the game. Anthony Edwards starting to look like a top pick. Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie becoming a formidable wing duo. Naz Reid cracking the bigs rotation being a sign of things to come. And Jordan McLaughlin signing a two-way contract to return to the Wolves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.