Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch came last season, touting the team’s continued growth together. After a number of roster changes this summer, Finch is looking forward to combining what’s left with a new approach that will hopefully pay off for everyone, according to a recent interview with Finch Britt Robson of the Minn Post.
“Ayo (Dosunmu) did not pass the training camp with us. Donte (Di Vincenzo) not yet. naz (raid) disappeared. And obviously we had two significant additions to the starting line-up lamella (ball)and Jonathan (Kumingo)” Finch said, adding that the former top assistant coach Mika Nori neither is there. “But the tent poles (Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gober and Jayden McDaniels) is still here. And we like it. But I think it would be good to bring these guys back to the beginning. And they should take part in this journey and impart more knowledge, understanding and expectations.»
Finch noted that defending power forwards will be a key area where the team will need to adjust its defensive approach, and added that he is considering taking some of the principles that have emerged from the team Karl-Anthony Towns paired with Gobert.
“The most interesting thing is that (the changes allow) us to be creative. But it’s a balance because right out of the gate you don’t want to be super creative because then you don’t have any foundation“, he said.”This is the biggest trap.”
We have more from Wolves:
- One player who will have a significant role in shaping the team Lamela’s ball. Finch spoke to Robson details Ball on both ends of the court, how he changes things for the team and how the team can help him address some of his weaknesses. The main focus, he said, was getting Ball into the culture. “Just getting LaMelo to understand how we do things and the urgency with which it needs to happen” he said, before adding that it will be critical for the star point guard to develop pick-and-roll defensive chemistry with Gobert.”LaMelo has never played with a rim protector like this. But that’s why he also has to learn to play with a rim protector like that.” Offensively, he wants Ball to focus more on his approach. » If you want to be a good shooter, the first thing you need to do is get rid of bad shots. He takes some – and he can make them. But I think he had high hopes for it,he said.The second part is the finish. I think he goes into the paint a lot of the time as a passer, with the mentality of a passer — because he’s so elite at that … So we really want him to focus on having a plan in the finish and a little more accepting the contact that comes with finishing there (at the rim)..”
- As for the team’s superstar point guard, Finch wants to see more from Edwards on defense now that the team has added scoring punch around him. “His ball-handling responsibilities (on offense) will be reduced, which was probably his most taxing last year” said Finch.I also believe that for him to be the MVP of the season, he should have more of a defensive component.” He acknowledged that some of the blame for Edwards not being as impactful in that regard as he could have been down to the scheme the team ran. “When we had a more aggressive defense, especially when it was rotation-based, earlier in his career, he was (consistently) good. Maybe there was a delay in recognition because he was learning, but he was good. As we moved away from more rotations, some of the worse habits may have crept in.” Finch also sees Edwards guarding bigger players by naming names Zion Williamson and Pascal Siakam as two forwards, Finch found Edwards to be successful in guarding.
- Jayden McDaniels took a big step forward as a scorer in the Wolves’ 2025 playoff run. Finch wants to make sure he keeps moving in the right direction. “We need another step (forward) from Jaden“, he said.”We expect a few more opportunities to land in Jayden’s lap. And now he has proven that he is a player.” He emphasized that he wants to see more from McDaniels as a playmaker, especially in the two-man game with Gobert. “I think he’s a really good passer—he’s one of our best interior passers. And he also has the ability with his size to … find Rudy. When Rudy first got here, they really had a connection. And I think it dried up for different reasons, but more because Jaden was in the mindset to score because the opportunities were (up and down).” Finally, he discussed the possibility of using the talented fullback as a small-ball center in situations where Gobert and the sophomore big Joan Behringer reinforcement is needed. That would allow the team to insert another good perimeter defender, though Finch noted that he hasn’t made a decision yet and shouted Trey Lyles as another good option as a versatile small ball five. “Ve found great success in the zone with Jayden in the middle of the five; we really like it“, he said.”The opportunities are there because Jaden can be so elite on the edge.“
