See!
That was the main fan reaction on social media when several guys who haven’t received much run this season got an opportunity and seized it this week on Minnesota’s mini-road trip.
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Rob Dillingham was a lightning rod of offense and energy. Jaylen Clark proved to be a defensive stopper. Luka Garza is a walking bucket.
All have bided their time for various periods. All have called Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa, their homecourt during G-League stints. And all looked incredibly prepared for their chance to run with the big dogs when the moment presented itself.
That’s not a gotcha moment for Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. It’s another player development win for an organization that continues to pile them up in the Finch era.
Jarred Vanderbilt was an afterthought in the Malik Beasley/Robert Covington trade who blossomed into a playoff starter under Finch. Nickeil Alexander-Walker looked like a throw-in when he was acquired in the Mike Conley deal and is now firmly entrenched in the Wolves’ rotation. Naz Reid went from undrafted free agent to NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels sprouted from first-round picks into core pieces.
Edwards is encroaching upon superstar status with Minnesota, which has won five in a row.
And now the next crop of young Wolves appear to be positioned to succeed. That’s because they’ve been raised in an environment that features a standard of play that has to be met if you want to see the floor. There is a firm understanding of what is expected. What is expected is what’s required to win.
Josh Minott was a brief member of Minnesota’s rotation recently but his spot is now gone. Finch cited a lack of attention to defensive game plans as part of the reason for the wing’s demotion.
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Minott played 12 seconds to open the second quarter in Phoenix on Tuesday. He surrendered a back cut to Brad Beal that resulted in an open layup. He was then relegated back to the bench. It feels cruel. How can you be expected to develop when you aren’t afforded the opportunity to fail?
But others have done it. Dillingham noted his minute load on any given night is dependent on how well he performs. The weight of that knowledge hasn’t crushed the 20-year-old; it seems to have pushed him to play better. When Dillingham is on the floor, not only is he delivering offensively, he’s clearly pouring every ounce of effort into flying around defensively and in the pursuit of rebounds.
In Minnesota, the pressure of expectation seems to produce diamonds. There isn’t a standard of having to make every shot you attempt. The standard — particularly for those battling for the final spots in the rotation — is that you execute the game plan, play with energy and pay attention to details.
It’s an environment more conducive to growth than, say, Washington. The Wizards, whom Minnesota hosts Saturday evening, are 6-41 and on the fast track to one of the worst records in NBA history. As a team, the Wizards seem directionless, without a path for future success. They have a lot of young guys who have talent and opportunity, but the roster and setup isn’t necessarily in place to hold them accountable and help them develop.
Wolves players with the right mentality seem to respect their situation. Garza showed out Thursday in Utah, as he often tends to when his opportunities arise. Finch told reporters after the game that the big man has been one of his favorite players to coach because of Garza’s attitude and approach. Finch said “shame on me” for not finding more minutes for Garza but noted they haven’t been widely available given Minnesota’s forward-heavy roster construction in recent seasons.
Garza gets it. He’s only ever spoken positively about the organization and environment in which he’s developed. His father, Frank Garza, took to X.com on Thursday night to respond to a reporter’s story about the Jazz game with the following:
“I’ve been to 200+ games over the past 3.5 years, (and) one thing is clear: this coaching staff is the finest in the NBA. It’s not just about the player (development) and plays — it’s about cultivating a culture where athletes grow in mind, body (and) spirit. Elite leadership.”
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It helps explain why those who are meant to prosper eventually do in Minnesota. And those who don’t, don’t tend to find success elsewhere.
Opportunity in Minnesota is earned. And, when you do earn it — especially with this current roster — it’s probably because you’re ready for it.
The results speak for themselves.
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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.
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