October 21, 2025 • 40 mins
92Noon! Finch - Gorg - HB or HA?
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Speaker 1 (00:17):
We're breaking up, Bob, play around a bad football team.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Bad things happened, personal foul whipping, well.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Average.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Morning.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
This is nine to noon at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center,
home to your Minnesota Vikings. It is our regular Tuesday stop,
the Vikings of the Chargers Thursday night at so Far.
More on that coming up very very soon, but we
are happy to welcome back into the love Covenant Chris Finch,
head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, into his fourth full
(01:41):
season leading our Timberwolves, and the regular season opener is
tomorrow night at Portland and Chris Chris joins us every
week or certainly close to every single week nine to
noon courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two Harvest dot Org.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
And here he is. It's Paul Allen. How you been,
my friend?
Speaker 5 (02:04):
I've been great? How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:05):
A great?
Speaker 4 (02:06):
Sounds like you're smiling right now because you know I'm
just gonna get out of the way. Did you go
to the game Sunday and pull for your favorite team?
Speaker 5 (02:14):
I did go to the game. It was it was
a very entertaining game. And I'll tell you what, Like
I knew you were gonna you were gonna bring this up.
So I just love football because it's it's for me
such a it's it's the one sport I can watch
without having to like try to dissect it, you know,
I can just watch it from a fan point of view.
(02:36):
And and I thought the game was a was a
really really great game to watch just from that point
of view. And I have an affinity for the Vikings.
Of course I love to see him do well. So it's,
you know, it's always tough you have long, long, long
standing allegiance to a team that you grew up with. Yeah,
(02:57):
but I'm you know, I'm happy to be here in
the city, and I think really really happy to do
uh well, I think, let's put it this way. I
think we got a great coach in Kevin O'Connell because
while I've never met Kevin like, I do admire him
from a coaching perspective that he always has his team
in a position to win games, and uh you know,
(03:18):
sometimes it comes down to players having execute. I'm not
a football guy. I can't break down a football game.
I don't I don't pretend to talk that way about it.
But as a fan and as a coach who can
understand what good coaching does. Look like we've got a
great one here in the city.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
The reigning National Football League Coach of the Year, Kevin O'Connell,
no doubt about it. Let's let's unfurl a FIFA early, FIFA,
this is fairness in Finchy Finchy Act. For those of
you who don't know, like where Chris came from, he
referenced it early. It's FIFA, it's fairness in Finchy Act.
He's from the East Coast and he's from the Philadelphia area,
(03:56):
so he grew up a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Uh and
and he was at the game Sunday and his team
got the money and hours didn't. And we're super happy
for everybody involved. At us Bank Stadium. What kind of
seats did you have, Like, where'd you watch the game from?
Speaker 5 (04:13):
Fortunate too, you know our organizationally we have some we
have some team seats down along right behind the visitors
bench about four rows back on the forty five yard line,
So great seats to see a game.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
You know, those are fantastic. I'm sure.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
I'm sure when the Bears are in town, if you
guys are in town, Media relations guru Aaron Freeman, who
loves the Chicago Bears. I'm sure he's going to be
in that fourth row, that fourth row, those fourth row
ducats wearing a game, warn Walter Payton.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Right, well, out of respect for the environment, we never
wear our you know, fan geet, we go in in
neutral colors.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Shall we say you didn't you didn't wear your prize game?
Warn Harold Carmichael.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
I was a little bit Montgomery guy throwing up.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
That was my guy, right right?
Speaker 4 (05:05):
All right, so well let's let's let me just ask
this before we get into your squad and the NBA
be games this evening, got a couple of games this evening,
super cool, and uh, the is your gaming?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Is Portland's tomorrow night? Correct?
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Season opener tomorrow night or Thursday tomorrow night? Yeah, that's
what I thought. Okay, so safe travels today that they've
had some unrest in that said he, so keep everybody safe.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
What would you okay, so would you like in Minneapolis?
All right?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Would you openly root for the Eagles at a bar
in Minneapolis?
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Like, hey, that's finchy finchy.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Oh wow, Davante just got behind everybody and the guy
over there in the Wilbur Montgomery game warns, going nuts.
Oh wait, that's Wolves head coach Chris Finch. Would you
ever do that at a local bar?
Speaker 5 (05:56):
No, I don't believe.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
So I.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
Try to be, you know, a very measured and respectful
and appropriate, appropriate fan whenever I can be.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
What what your coaching staff? You mentioned coaches earlier and
just you know, peering over some things yesterday in advance
of this, h what what is important to you with
keeping consistency with your coaching staff because a lot of
the same names, a lot of the familiar names are
very good at what they do. But from a consistency standpoint,
(06:32):
why does that matter to you?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Well, it matters because you know, everybody gets you know,
you kind of just have so much corporate knowledge build
up and you know, over time, uh, our staff knows
exactly what I want. There's an incredible amount of trust
that's built up for new ideas and the freedom and
(06:58):
license to just implement new ideas, you know. And the
other thing that happens is you just you have a
shared terminology, like you kind of you kind of have
a language and a terminology that binds the culture, you know,
the way like the things that the way you describe things,
(07:21):
the words that you use, you know, it resonates quickly
with your players. Everybody knows what it means. You can
tie it to experiences. These are all things that you
know continuity gives you. And we've had it in our
staff and I think it's one of the reasons that
you have one of the best staffs in the league,
if not the best. Definitely we have so much experience
(07:43):
and we're also really important put a lot of import
on on just you know, not taking yourself too seriously,
being a normal guy, you know, just trying to stay
humble in a world where you know, sometimes it's easy
to not be.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Tomorrow evening season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers featuring
the likes of Shaidan Sharp and Donovan Klingen. It's going
to be on FM one hundred point three KFA and
the Wild play the Devils early. Then after we got
doubleheader of a live sports action with the local teams
tomorrow night, Wild and Devils, and that goes right into
Chris Finch's team, the Timberwolves, opening the season against the
(08:24):
Portland trail Blazers. What what what do you think of
the city of Portland. I've never been is like, or
I've never been to Oregon. What what what's Portland like?
Speaker 5 (08:34):
Well, it's beautiful. It's a beautiful state in general. I
think in the city, I actually like the city a lot.
Reminds me of some of the smaller European cities that
I've either lived in and around, you know, kind of small,
smaller city street Billy, very very green. It sits upon
(08:58):
a river, and you know, it's it's fallen on some
hard times recently, like a lot of a lot of
cities have. U you can see it's starting to come
back to where it was a few years ago. And
you know, everybody I know has ever lived there just
raves about it. And I have quite a few friends
(09:18):
who have moved there or have ended up there, and
they've all loved it.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
So with the with the Blazers, Drew Holliday, the scrappy
point used to play for the Bucks and the Celtics.
Drew Holiday, he should be pesky for them, right.
Speaker 5 (09:34):
Yeah, they you know, havingt couched Drew in New Orleans
and you know, maintained a relationship with him, I think
he was. He was excited for the move at this
point in his career. You know, he's got a couple
of championships under his belt. You know, now he gets
to go back to a to a young team, uh,
(09:56):
you know, with a veteran presence and perspective, and he's
just a wonderful human being, great player. He's he's like
really a connector on offense and defense. So he's really uh,
you know, I think well positioned, have kind of a
good year. I think he's looking forward to playing a
bit more of a prominent role, and you know, just
(10:20):
has a lot of basketball left in him. I know that.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Now.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Now, Chris, with your team, you know, it's it's can
you can you verbally paint this with a broad brush
When I ask what do you like about your team,
the twenty twenty six Minnesota Timberwolves, what do you like
about your squad?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Well?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I like our players individually. They're fun to work with
every single day. I'm great pros. Again, I have personality
where none of them take themselves too seriously. I like
the fact that we have a good sense of who
we need to be every single day when we walk
in here. I feel like we have always have great
(11:00):
have some great depth and flexibility in our roster. We
can play big, we can play small. We have good
young talent that energizing the group.
Speaker 6 (11:10):
We have.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Outstanding veteran leadership and our young core. You know that's
been I mean I call him a young core live
being together for five six years now, I've done a
lot of winning, you know, Anthony Jayden ods like they've
done a lot of winning. Uh And when you look
across their peer group, you know they probably outperformed them
(11:33):
in that category alone.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Chris Finch, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The the
Timberwolves and Blazers to start the season tomorrow night on
k f A.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
And that's going to be a fun one.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
The and and your home opener is Sunday versus Indiana.
Then Denver's here the next night. You're you're first with OKC.
They played tonight. I think they hook Houston tonight with
Kevin Durant. No Fred Van Vliet out for the year,
I belive lead. But you're first with the champs. OKAC
is in five weeks. Anything new with with OKAC, I mean,
(12:07):
the roster looks the same. Continuity is important to them.
The Caruso trick now heads into year number two, uh,
that's the target at which to shoot, for sure, right, Oh.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
For sure. But you know, I think you get you
can get yourself in trouble in a conference as tough
as ours this year in the West if you're just
focused on one team. I really believe that every night
it's going to be, you know, a must win game
or feel like a must win game, for sure. And
so I don't I don't think it's you know, you
(12:40):
can spend too too much time just focusing on the
one team because there's so many teams out here in
the West with with slightly different styles. So I think,
guess what you're seeing now. It's one thing I do
like about the league. I would say a few years
ago it was pretty homogenious league. Everybody kind of looked
the same, felt the same, play the same. Now you
see different styles of play coming back into it based
(13:02):
on roster construction, and that's kind of interesting.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
So you mean, like I mean in a three point game,
all right, you know, with the corner three and all
the threes that you guys and the Celtics and other
teams have shot over the years. Like like, you know,
when you say that, the first thing I thought was
all right, DeAndre Ayton goes to the LA Lakers.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Now when DeAndre is.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Happy and healthy and engaged, you know he he at
one point was a really really good pick and roll center.
Emphasis on the happy, healthy and engaged. All right, Well
he's with Luke and Lebron now, so so I see
I envisioned that, But I think, hey, can they throw
it down load to eighton and like create a low
post type game in a three point shooting league? Do
(13:48):
you mean things like that, like maybe more low post
action or what.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Yeah, I'm not sure that is going to be prominent
in the league. I do feel like the guys that
are really good at it are posted up down there,
get the ball down there enough. I don't think it's
something that everyone's going to all of a sudden with
the feature I do field. You know, the volume of
threes is going to maintain that it's level, if not
(14:13):
continue to slightly increase. I just think like different teams
are running slightly different systems where you know, as a
couple of years ago, I thought there was just it
was a massive copycat league, and some of that's just
again related to roster construction. I mean, we're a perfect
example of that something. You know, everyone a few years
(14:39):
ago was trying to play five out basketball. Now these
rosters are are are trending larger, bigger, you know, bigger
players skilled big so you know you will see obviously
some more post ups. But just you know how people
are employ are employing their their the bigs on their
roster will will often dictate how they have to play.
(15:01):
But because we're seeing more and more bigs now on
the floor playing, you know, I do think it forces
different styles of play.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Chris joins nine to noon weekly during the basketball season
The Wolf Season courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two
Harvest dot Org. Give the website a look place two
Harvest dot org. It's been it's been outstanding, not only
working with Chris, but working with Second Harvest Heartland over
the course of the years. And what a wonderful, wonderful
group two Harvest dot Org with your squad, Chris, anything
(15:33):
different with Anthony Edwards into the season again, just just
verbally paint with a broad brush here. We know ant
gets those threes. Yeah, I mean, we just know how
good Anthony can be at so many things. But is
there like anything different with him into tomorrow Night's game.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
Well, I think we maybe expect him to play on
the ball a little bit more. I think we'll try to,
you know, play him as a lead guard more and more,
you know, try to grow his two man game with
Julius a little bit more. Just subtle things like that.
I do feel like we're going to see a more
(16:14):
consistent defensive performance from Ant. We know it's capable, we
know we need it. Some of the things we're looking
to do defensively require it now. And just you know,
just getting a little bit better across a lot of
things when you already do a lot of things. Well,
just improving those things marginally makes big games.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
With with with Dante Deeve Vincenzo, have you ever asked
him why he wears number zero?
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I would imagine it's I have never asked him, but
I would imagine this because it's the last vow and
his name. But that's just a gaes.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I just I just can't wrap my mind around those
who wear zero. Like for the Vikings, Ivan paced Junior
wears zero. Yeah, I mean like Robert Parris Chief, wasn't
he double zero?
Speaker 5 (17:06):
It was double Terrence Shannon Jr. Was double zero last year?
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Yeah, that's right, that's right.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Change what what what number? What was your favorite?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
What? What did you wear when you played?
Speaker 5 (17:22):
I don't know. I I wore thirty two in college.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Was that because of Magic Johnson? I?
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Who know? Because that was what was available that fit
me when you were in high school in small college,
like you know that all the that stuff was pre printed.
They didn't, they didn't. You didn't get the pack jersey, right,
you wore what fit? Hey?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
With the last one here with and I really look
forward to the weekly conversations, thank you very much. With
with some of the youth of your team, you just
mentioned Taron Shannon Jr. How much do you expect early
from Jalen Clark, maybe Rob Dillingham and Tarren Shannon Jr.
What do you expect from them early in the season.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Yeah, we expect them all to contribute some capacity. You know.
The I think the rotation is gonna you know, we're
gonna play probably nine and a half players, which is
you know, just a different way of saying, you know,
we'll play nine players every night, and then situationally, I think, uh,
(18:29):
you know, we have the luxury of playing uh that
that other guys like that, other young player. So it
could be, you know, what do we need. Do we
need defense, do we need shooting, do we need point
guard play? Do we need quickness and speed? Et cetera,
et cetera. So we have a lot of things that
those guys give us individually. Uh you know that was
(18:52):
one one kind of benefited ni Kiel and that he
had all those things wrapped up into one. But we're
really excited about what these guys are able to bring
and we feel like they'll all be contributing early on
in the season.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
The the the more Clark's offense improves, that's gravy, right,
I mean, because that perimeter defense can be high end.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
I mean, if you can.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
I mean everyone sees him as a great defender, of
which he is, and he's a tone setter and that's
what we love. But you know, his shot is from
the time he stepped stepped into this organization and his
shot has improved greatly. It's it's very consistent when he
lets it go. I think it's always going in. He's
got a great knack for cutting off the ball, which
(19:39):
is you know, almost the lost art these days. And
he gets to the free throw line, you know, on
his drives. So he does a lot of things sneaky
good offensively, and he's really he's always helping with his
spacing and his screening and the stuff he does with
out the ball, you know. Points of course, like not,
(19:59):
we're not really eyeing on him to score a lot
of points, but I feel like he can score in
a variety of ways when the opportunities are there, and
that's what he does a great job of. It's just
like waiting thing patient, and when those opportunities come, he
does make the most of them.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
And when we next chat, you most likely will have
played Portland, the Lakers, then Indiana and Denver a couple
of a couple of games at home. And oh, by
the way, you might be able to come to the
Vikings Chargers game Thursday night, right, I mean you got
the Lakers the next night.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think, yeah, we absolutely talked about so don't be
surprised if the team there.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
So are you going to ask for fourth row seats
behind and the Chargers bench and where a game warn
Dan vouts.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
No, not at all. I'm totally.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Jersey.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Yeahs, that'd be sweet if you guys can come out
and maybe we get you up to the box box,
the broadcast booth. Watch a little of the game up there,
if you get the opportunity, that'd.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Be sweet, that'd be fun. Uh.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Lastly, since you're gonna play those four games probably before
we chat again. The Nuggets okay with with Jokich obviously
starts and stops there. David Adelman who used to be here. Uh,
he's the coach. They added Cameron Johnson. Uh, just when
you got Joker and Jamal Murray. Well that's definitely a
targeted which to shoot. But what do you think of
(21:23):
the Nuggets this year?
Speaker 5 (21:26):
As ever? You know they're going to be extremely good.
It all revolves around Jokic, as we know, and you know,
it looks like I think they've got some good complimentary
pieces added, some depth. Balanced units is a backup. Big
Is proposes problems because to your point earlier, they they
will throw him the ball in a low post and
(21:47):
he has the opportunity to kind of take advantage of
maybe some second unit centers that don't have the size
or the strength to battle him. That's a nice change
of pace that they haven't had. You know it, Jimal
Murray's is still super dangerous. And yeah, I think where
they've probably gotten a little bit better is defensively with
(22:09):
Johnson and Bruce Brown, you know, being able to to
kind of pick up this slack defensively on the perimeter.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
You're fantastic.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Safe travels to you and the Covenant and maybe we'll
see you Thursday night.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
If not, we'll chat next week. Right.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
I appreciate it, Pa, thanks so much, Take care, Thanks.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Thanks about Chris Chris Finch, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two Harvest dot Org.
We our final non vikings or football related segment takes
place around the corner. Now we go to the NYC
and to chat with one of our dear friends, Kevin Gorg,
who was at the wild victory last evening against the
(22:51):
New York Rangers. That's part of the timber Tech What's
on Deck set list. Nordo produces nine to noon from
Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center with yours True, Paul Allen
and to Brett Blakemore God's the Great Ship Love Covenant
back at FM one hundred point three KFAM and he
also has some money to give away.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Good morning double.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
B and good morning Yes the cash Thing the Fan
and two Minute and Junksruck want to give you shot
to win Bonus Bucks, the National cash Contest. Head the
KFA dot com. The keyword is win. The keyword win
the KFA dot com keyword win Gorgy his neck. Bonus
Bucks is back.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
On the fan.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
We have nine chances for you to win a thousand
dollars every weekday. That's every hour from nine am till
five pm. Tennor keywords learn more. Head to kfan dot com.
Bonus Bucks is presented by two men in a junk truck.
Drop one the draw, Johansson left side offensive, oh Cup
pass a check below the goal.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Line, around on a wrap round. Bitch is circing to
save it's loose.
Speaker 6 (23:44):
They back in.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
It's gone.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Danniely your office first NHL goal and he's given the
while to lead Here at Madison Square Gardener with eleven
four to go.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Joe Donald on KFA last night calling a goal in
a Minnesota Wild victory over the New York Rangers, and
we head to the East Coast. We head to the
Concrete Jungle to catch up with one of our favorites,
Kevin gorg. He is the side ranked pre and post
game analyst for fan duel, and he was on air,
on site and on demand last night for the victory.
(24:21):
You can follow him and or interact with him via
the X machine at Gorgomatic two to one at Orgomatic
two one, Kevin, how have you been my dear friend?
Speaker 3 (24:32):
Very good, TA always great to chat with you. And
this is my favorite city on the road schedule every year,
so I'm thrilled to be in said concrete jungle.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
What do you like about New York City?
Speaker 3 (24:46):
I could never live here. My head with spin, but
when I come here, I'm always moving At Central Park
staple for me Broadway show, which I'll do tonight. There's
just so much to do with the great food. I
had a chance to dinner with Louie Nannie and your
guy Lapants a couple of nights ago, a great Italian
spot here. I just it's one of those places you've
(25:07):
been here like it's non stop, Like, yeah, I could
not live here, but I love to visit here.
Speaker 5 (25:13):
I'll keep it that way.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Well, you being a movie buff or a movie's snob,
have you ever taken because you've done this two decades now,
I mean, what are you into your like your twentieth
year Yes, Okay, well that's fantastic, So you've been there
a million times.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
But being a movie.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Buff with like like not Escape from New York with
Snake Pliskin, that would be different, like say a Bronx tail.
You do you ever like try to venture to neighborhoods
like that?
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Maybe you can see a table outside of an Italian
restaurant with a checkered tablecloth and some old guys sitting
there with cigars and there's a phone on the table.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, I find myself because of my love of movies, Pa,
I love walking around the city, especially around Central Park,
and going to places that have been featured in movies.
Of course Home Alone in New York, the Plaza Hotel,
the restaurant called Serendipity three was featured in Jeff q
Sex Serendipity. We're not far from the Empire State Building,
(26:15):
which so many movies, but Sleepless in Seattle one of
my favorites with Tom Hanks. So I love going to
different spots that have been featured in some of my
favorite movies. And when you're in New York, there are
dozens upon dozens of places to do.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
That sweet win last night at Madison Square Garden, which
is arena immortality, And personally, I felt excellent for Gus.
I felt excellent for the goaltender who was enduring a
rough thattch and they're going to be as you know,
there are going to be games where he gives up
zero zero one, two, zero one, three, But I think
(26:51):
we had a five and a six in there, which
is not preferred. So I felt really good for him
last night to be able to leave with the money
the way he he did.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
What do you think of that?
Speaker 3 (27:03):
I completely agree. And when you're going up against Igor Schusterkin,
a Rangers goali who was widely considered one of the
best two or three goalies in the world. He came
into the game last night with a save percentage of
over ninety six, which is ridiculous. And then you look
at Gus's rollst recent start on this road trip. I mean,
he was the really only good thing to say about
(27:23):
the Washington game. We got a shot forty five to
fifteen in that game, and so he gave us some goals,
but he was actually really good in that game.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
And so to have him come out.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
And play like he did last night, I thought he
was great. All night, but specifically in the third period
when the Rangers really came with a push. You know,
the say he made on Zebtajad on the week side
with that club was a game changing stave and he
just looked fully in control of himself on on and
he really has except for one game, you know, the
Columbus game at home was certainly a plonkervert. Other than that,
(27:56):
he's given the team a chance to win every time
he has started, and it's I think it's really cool
that the other suite, yes for a volset that is
starting to push him, and that's good. Competition in that
crease is a good thing. And so we don't know
who's going to be in goal to Brown night in
New Jersey. It likely will be Gus, but because balt
that's played so well, that competition is off and running
(28:17):
and that's a good thing for this team.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
He g first NHL goal last night for Danilla. You're
off a first round pick in twenty twenty two. What
are we liking about him?
Speaker 5 (28:30):
From day one?
Speaker 3 (28:31):
He has a high Hockey IQ, super smart player pa.
He knows what to do without the pocket. You can
just slowly kind of see him settling in He's a
super quiet kid, doesn't really speak English much yet. In fact,
Caprice if ironically he's had to transit a couple of
interviews we've done in the locker room with him. But
(28:51):
now you're starting to see him take steps, and one
of those steps is getting to the net. When you
play hockey over in Russia, when you play the europe
in Branda, hockey the physical stuff that the NHL provides
as a challenge, and he is starting to where he
scored his goal last night, get to the middle of
the rink. He's a really good skater, he's a responsible player,
(29:13):
and you know there's offensive skill there. We just hadn't
seen a lot of that in training camp. I think
he played a real safe and smart game in camp,
and now I think you're starting to see the twenty
one year old starting to get a couple of looks
in the top line. You saw John Hines early in
the game, give him a shift or two with Boldie
and Caprice of you're seeing him get some power play
time and you're seeing his game grow. And I think
(29:34):
right now we're just scratching the surface. But when a
kid like that finally scores that first goal, a lot
of times that will set them in motion and they'll
be a little more aggressive with and without the puck
getting too those areas they need to get to. And
this kid's clearly got a ton of talent, and I
think the upside is going to be fun for us
as Wild fans to watch.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
KG from New York City.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
After the Wild beat the Rangers last evening, this is
nine to new Hey, Gargy. We knew that power play
bonanza that we saw early on was probably not sustainable,
but what have you seen from the team specifically five
on five? I know, you know, last few games a
couple of them being l sadly, but all the same
five y five.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Are we seeing some life there?
Speaker 3 (30:19):
We are, Nordo and great point, because when they got
out of the gates near forty seven percent of the
power play that that's just not sustainable, and they're still
sitting at over thirty four percent. There's still the number
one power play in the league. But if you're gonna
win games consistently in this league, you've got to.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Win the five on five.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
And what we've seen here on this road trip specifically
is their their blue liners start to get involved. The
Washington game which was not a game the will probably
real proud to put on tape. Their d were really quiet,
and then you saw those numbers jump up, the analytics
doubled with Blue line pushing the offense and getting twenty
shots to the net. And then again you saw it
(30:57):
last night, starting with Corodin's goal to get the while
back in the game after the Rangers are taking that
one nothing leave. This has always been and will always
be a team that is built from the back end
when it comes to offense, and you clearly can see
the young talent now on that Blue line with the
buoyum and now we're getting to see a little bit
of David Yichek, like this is a team that wants
to push it from the back end, making good plays
(31:20):
using speed, getting defensement involved in the rush. And when
they do that, they're a good hockey team. When they
don't do that, like in Washington, then they play on
their heels and it's not the same product. So great question,
and I think if you continue to see the Blue
Liners push the face, that's a good thing.
Speaker 8 (31:36):
Well, and to that end, you know kind of early
on and you love seeing capriz Off and Boldie. I
believe both have ten points through this first stretch of games,
and that's a positive thing, of course, but whether it
is seeing you're off get into the mix, whether.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
It is Brodein getting that goal.
Speaker 8 (31:51):
And you mentioned the young Blue liners and how this
team aims to push it, you know, finding scoring among
other lines, finding that complimentary work such an a topic, right,
and maybe this team could be leveling out specifically, whether
it's even strength and getting other contributors into the mix,
no question.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
And you know, Vladimir Karasenko scoring that goal in Philadelphia
to me, can be a real impactful play here moving forward. Certainly,
Marco Rossi, I don't think he's going to be out
too long here. He's a very durable player. He played
eighty two games in each of the last two seasons.
It doesn't sound like it's going to be anything more
(32:30):
than a game or two. Get him back in the fold.
And then, and certainly sometime in late November early December,
when you get a guy like Zuparrello back, you want
to get to the point here, guys, where you have
two different lines that are dangerous right now, the track
they're falling into, and it's again nothing John Hines can
do with the players they're missing. You look at last
night with Zuparello and Rossie. I want if you have
(32:52):
to load up that top line, and that's a double absorber.
The top line is awesome, but the opposition when you're
on the road has last change and they can say
the matchup and you're likely going to be going out
there every single shift against whatever team you're playing best defensively,
and so you've seen their production. The top two guys
Gooldie and capriceof Paper just a little bit here on
(33:13):
this road trip, and it's a bigger challenge where you
don't have another line take pressure off them. So if
you can get Rossie back in the mix and you
can get their or think go going, you can get
Johnson to continue to play well. Quietly, guys Murcus Johansson
is playing really good hockey right now, and but while
need him, they need him to continue to produce because
you can't rely on that top line every single night,
(33:35):
especially when you're out on the road.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
The best. Thank you very much for making time.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
I know you're a morning's busy out NYC Way and
expect us to contact you next week. Gorgame with the
with the Breeders cup on the horizon.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Okay, yeah, we're about eleven days away from the breeders stuff,
so I look forward to that conversation.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
Have a good day, guys later.
Speaker 4 (33:54):
Brother Kevin Borg at Gorga Matic two to one via Twitter.
If you would like to follow the football portion of
the equation commences around the corner. Minnesota Vikings General manager
Quaisi Daupho Mensa joins nine to noon next.
Speaker 7 (34:11):
If you want to time to what's happening with your
favorite KFA in shows, you can you make your voice
shart on the Bradshaw Bryant KFA and text line SOL'SO
on you have to say by texting your message A
six four six eighty six at six four six eighty
six Saner text message at a race.
Speaker 4 (34:24):
Plot waiting the arrival of Minnesota Vikings general manager Quaisiadopho Mensa,
(34:46):
who will join nine to noon today, could be, could
be very soon, could be within the next fifteen minutes.
Not exactly sure what that equation is, but nevertheless, we
will unfurl it when the general manager joins us, when
we when we come to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
And and we've done this pretty much since week two,
(35:07):
since week two on creating something called hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
Uh takes it takes talkers, tips, tedium. However you want
to look at it. Is it hyperbolic or is it
hyper accurate? And I'd like to begin here. The Detroit
Lions are the best in the NFC North and it's
(35:31):
not even close.
Speaker 8 (35:33):
I'm leaning towards hyper accurate with that, and and that
that has required me, you know, as we would joke
around change, you know, changing my face on the kiddies,
with the new coordinators and all of the new that
has taken place in Detroit, watching them just systematically dismantle
everybody that they are playing right now, sands the opener
(35:54):
against the pack right the What were they going to
lose on offense with Gibbs in Montgomery, trying to find
that wrecked mix and trying to target and take advantage
of the brilliance in Amana Saint Brown. Oh wait, they've
lost nothing. What about this offensive line and all that change.
Golf got beaten up a little bit by that nice
Tampa front. For the most part, it hasn't changed, and
(36:16):
golf has remained super efficient. They find the explosives that
they had before with Ben Johnson, and then defensively Pa
they've gotten healthier and a guy that we know and respect,
but he was hurt and it's almost like you forget
when somebody's gone and then they come back and you're like, oh,
that guy, Alee McNeil, are you kidding me right now
with that? So they're they're surviving some injuries and some
(36:39):
issues specifically in the secondary.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
They're the same damn team, man. They are the best
in the NFC North.
Speaker 8 (36:45):
All respect and even some appreciation for the nasty neighbors
to the east and what the pack We're able to
do surviving via matriculation and in some ways attrition over
the course of that game against Jacobe Brissett, I think
the Lions are right back in the caffird seat of
the North.
Speaker 4 (37:02):
Now in the NBA, there are how many games in
a regular season eighty two? Okay, So here is the
next one outside of the football covenant, hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
OKC will win seventy four games and set a new
NBA record for season wins. It's within the last decade.
(37:25):
I believe the Golden State Warriors won seventy three games,
and I think that passed Michael Jordan's Bulls team from
days gone by, winning seventy two.
Speaker 1 (37:33):
Yeah, seventy two and ten and then seventy three and nine.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
The Dubs were yeah, okay, seventy four and eight or
seventy five and seven.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
Speaker 4 (37:42):
OKC will win seventy four games, I guess at least,
but seventy four games and set a new NBA record
for season wins.
Speaker 8 (37:53):
I think that's at this stage incredibly hyperbolic. And it's
not that they aren't the best team in the West,
but injuries occur. I think we've seen over the last
year decade, now what seven or eight consecutive different NBA champions.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
So you speak to the.
Speaker 8 (38:08):
Parody in the league and whether it's us messing around
talking LFL stuff, fantasy basketball, or just kind of bumping
around over the course of the season, chatting with Finch
and watching our favorite team.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
How muddy is this freaking West Man?
Speaker 8 (38:21):
I mean, even in your conversation with him, it's like,
how do they keep figuring it out?
Speaker 1 (38:26):
In Denver?
Speaker 8 (38:27):
I know Jokich is otherworldly, absolutely otherworldly, but Jamal Murray
and just getting through his injuries, the supporting cast has
been weird. They kind of dust off Aaron Gordon make
him into what he is. Christian Brown emerging is maybe
that third or fourth potential scoring option. Like the Nuggets
just come to play and they are so tough, tough
(38:48):
as anybody in the NBA. Then you think about the
Houston Rockets, Then you think about the Lakers. Maybe a
slim down Luca and an aging Lebron certainly, but a
different cast of characters around him is so difficult. I
focus on the West just because obviously that's where most
of the games will be played. From a standpoint with OKC,
I think it's incredibly hyperbolic because the West is as
(39:10):
talented as it is, and I just went on. I
went down a list of teams without even mentioning our
favorite team, with our favorite player that has a right
and that has a right to be better this year.
I just can't see them getting through this conference with
seventy four wins.
Speaker 4 (39:25):
Fair hyperbolic or hyper accurate. Bo Nicks is the best
quarterback from the twenty twenty four class, and it's becoming
not even close. I think that's also hyperbolic. I think
that the First of all, the jury's still out. But
look at Drake may Man. Look at Jaden Daniels, who
(39:47):
I mean, he ran away from him by twenty lengths
last year, and.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
So and he is probably Jaden Daniels is probably still
in the lead there. Sophomore campaign's been tough for him
from a health standpoint, so that has to fact or
in our favorite guy. It's been an entire conversation of
health the entire time. Even Caleb Williams it looks like
he is evolving. With Ben Johnson, I still they can
(40:13):
win four in a row. Look a little bit at
that schedule, dig into some of those games a bit,
and the grind is real still for Ben Johnson and the.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Bears boon Nicks.
Speaker 8 (40:22):
It's impressive what they did, the thirty three points in
the fourth quarter, I get it, But there are still
moments where they're putting.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Themselves in those spots.
Speaker 8 (40:29):
Pa, So I'd love to dig a little bit deeper
in terms of what it takes for Sean Payton to
put bon Nicks in those.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Spots using his legs. He makes some.
Speaker 8 (40:38):
Terrific throws, he also still makes some bone headed decision
So for me, Jaden Daniel still in the mix. I
think Drake May is getting some late speed and he's
catching up quick.
Speaker 1 (40:48):
Let's pause now.
Speaker 4 (40:49):
When we returned, Viking's general manager Kwasia Dofa Mensa joins
nine to noon
We're breaking up, Bob, play around a bad football team.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Bad things happened, personal foul whipping, well.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Average.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Morning.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
This is nine to noon at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center,
home to your Minnesota Vikings. It is our regular Tuesday stop,
the Vikings of the Chargers Thursday night at so Far.
More on that coming up very very soon, but we
are happy to welcome back into the love Covenant Chris Finch,
head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, into his fourth full
(01:41):
season leading our Timberwolves, and the regular season opener is
tomorrow night at Portland and Chris Chris joins us every
week or certainly close to every single week nine to
noon courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two Harvest dot Org.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
And here he is. It's Paul Allen. How you been,
my friend?
Speaker 5 (02:04):
I've been great? How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:05):
A great?
Speaker 4 (02:06):
Sounds like you're smiling right now because you know I'm
just gonna get out of the way. Did you go
to the game Sunday and pull for your favorite team?
Speaker 5 (02:14):
I did go to the game. It was it was
a very entertaining game. And I'll tell you what, Like
I knew you were gonna you were gonna bring this up.
So I just love football because it's it's for me
such a it's it's the one sport I can watch
without having to like try to dissect it, you know,
I can just watch it from a fan point of view.
(02:36):
And and I thought the game was a was a
really really great game to watch just from that point
of view. And I have an affinity for the Vikings.
Of course I love to see him do well. So it's,
you know, it's always tough you have long, long, long
standing allegiance to a team that you grew up with. Yeah,
(02:57):
but I'm you know, I'm happy to be here in
the city, and I think really really happy to do
uh well, I think, let's put it this way. I
think we got a great coach in Kevin O'Connell because
while I've never met Kevin like, I do admire him
from a coaching perspective that he always has his team
in a position to win games, and uh you know,
(03:18):
sometimes it comes down to players having execute. I'm not
a football guy. I can't break down a football game.
I don't I don't pretend to talk that way about it.
But as a fan and as a coach who can
understand what good coaching does. Look like we've got a
great one here in the city.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
The reigning National Football League Coach of the Year, Kevin O'Connell,
no doubt about it. Let's let's unfurl a FIFA early, FIFA,
this is fairness in Finchy Finchy Act. For those of
you who don't know, like where Chris came from, he
referenced it early. It's FIFA, it's fairness in Finchy Act.
He's from the East Coast and he's from the Philadelphia area,
(03:56):
so he grew up a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Uh and
and he was at the game Sunday and his team
got the money and hours didn't. And we're super happy
for everybody involved. At us Bank Stadium. What kind of
seats did you have, Like, where'd you watch the game from?
Speaker 5 (04:13):
Fortunate too, you know our organizationally we have some we
have some team seats down along right behind the visitors
bench about four rows back on the forty five yard line,
So great seats to see a game.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
You know, those are fantastic. I'm sure.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
I'm sure when the Bears are in town, if you
guys are in town, Media relations guru Aaron Freeman, who
loves the Chicago Bears. I'm sure he's going to be
in that fourth row, that fourth row, those fourth row
ducats wearing a game, warn Walter Payton.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Right, well, out of respect for the environment, we never
wear our you know, fan geet, we go in in
neutral colors.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Shall we say you didn't you didn't wear your prize game?
Warn Harold Carmichael.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
I was a little bit Montgomery guy throwing up.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
That was my guy, right right?
Speaker 4 (05:05):
All right, so well let's let's let me just ask
this before we get into your squad and the NBA
be games this evening, got a couple of games this evening,
super cool, and uh, the is your gaming?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Is Portland's tomorrow night? Correct?
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Season opener tomorrow night or Thursday tomorrow night? Yeah, that's
what I thought. Okay, so safe travels today that they've
had some unrest in that said he, so keep everybody safe.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
What would you okay, so would you like in Minneapolis?
All right?
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Would you openly root for the Eagles at a bar
in Minneapolis?
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Like, hey, that's finchy finchy.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Oh wow, Davante just got behind everybody and the guy
over there in the Wilbur Montgomery game warns, going nuts.
Oh wait, that's Wolves head coach Chris Finch. Would you
ever do that at a local bar?
Speaker 5 (05:56):
No, I don't believe.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
So I.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
Try to be, you know, a very measured and respectful
and appropriate, appropriate fan whenever I can be.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
What what your coaching staff? You mentioned coaches earlier and
just you know, peering over some things yesterday in advance
of this, h what what is important to you with
keeping consistency with your coaching staff because a lot of
the same names, a lot of the familiar names are
very good at what they do. But from a consistency standpoint,
(06:32):
why does that matter to you?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Well, it matters because you know, everybody gets you know,
you kind of just have so much corporate knowledge build
up and you know, over time, uh, our staff knows
exactly what I want. There's an incredible amount of trust
that's built up for new ideas and the freedom and
(06:58):
license to just implement new ideas, you know. And the
other thing that happens is you just you have a
shared terminology, like you kind of you kind of have
a language and a terminology that binds the culture, you know,
the way like the things that the way you describe things,
(07:21):
the words that you use, you know, it resonates quickly
with your players. Everybody knows what it means. You can
tie it to experiences. These are all things that you
know continuity gives you. And we've had it in our
staff and I think it's one of the reasons that
you have one of the best staffs in the league,
if not the best. Definitely we have so much experience
(07:43):
and we're also really important put a lot of import
on on just you know, not taking yourself too seriously,
being a normal guy, you know, just trying to stay
humble in a world where you know, sometimes it's easy
to not be.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Tomorrow evening season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers featuring
the likes of Shaidan Sharp and Donovan Klingen. It's going
to be on FM one hundred point three KFA and
the Wild play the Devils early. Then after we got
doubleheader of a live sports action with the local teams
tomorrow night, Wild and Devils, and that goes right into
Chris Finch's team, the Timberwolves, opening the season against the
(08:24):
Portland trail Blazers. What what what do you think of
the city of Portland. I've never been is like, or
I've never been to Oregon. What what what's Portland like?
Speaker 5 (08:34):
Well, it's beautiful. It's a beautiful state in general. I
think in the city, I actually like the city a lot.
Reminds me of some of the smaller European cities that
I've either lived in and around, you know, kind of small,
smaller city street Billy, very very green. It sits upon
(08:58):
a river, and you know, it's it's fallen on some
hard times recently, like a lot of a lot of
cities have. U you can see it's starting to come
back to where it was a few years ago. And
you know, everybody I know has ever lived there just
raves about it. And I have quite a few friends
(09:18):
who have moved there or have ended up there, and
they've all loved it.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
So with the with the Blazers, Drew Holliday, the scrappy
point used to play for the Bucks and the Celtics.
Drew Holiday, he should be pesky for them, right.
Speaker 5 (09:34):
Yeah, they you know, havingt couched Drew in New Orleans
and you know, maintained a relationship with him, I think
he was. He was excited for the move at this
point in his career. You know, he's got a couple
of championships under his belt. You know, now he gets
to go back to a to a young team, uh,
(09:56):
you know, with a veteran presence and perspective, and he's
just a wonderful human being, great player. He's he's like
really a connector on offense and defense. So he's really uh,
you know, I think well positioned, have kind of a
good year. I think he's looking forward to playing a
bit more of a prominent role, and you know, just
(10:20):
has a lot of basketball left in him. I know that.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Now.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Now, Chris, with your team, you know, it's it's can
you can you verbally paint this with a broad brush
When I ask what do you like about your team,
the twenty twenty six Minnesota Timberwolves, what do you like
about your squad?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Well?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I like our players individually. They're fun to work with
every single day. I'm great pros. Again, I have personality
where none of them take themselves too seriously. I like
the fact that we have a good sense of who
we need to be every single day when we walk
in here. I feel like we have always have great
(11:00):
have some great depth and flexibility in our roster. We
can play big, we can play small. We have good
young talent that energizing the group.
Speaker 6 (11:10):
We have.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Outstanding veteran leadership and our young core. You know that's
been I mean I call him a young core live
being together for five six years now, I've done a
lot of winning, you know, Anthony Jayden ods like they've
done a lot of winning. Uh And when you look
across their peer group, you know they probably outperformed them
(11:33):
in that category alone.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Chris Finch, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The the
Timberwolves and Blazers to start the season tomorrow night on
k f A.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
And that's going to be a fun one.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
The and and your home opener is Sunday versus Indiana.
Then Denver's here the next night. You're you're first with OKC.
They played tonight. I think they hook Houston tonight with
Kevin Durant. No Fred Van Vliet out for the year,
I belive lead. But you're first with the champs. OKAC
is in five weeks. Anything new with with OKAC, I mean,
(12:07):
the roster looks the same. Continuity is important to them.
The Caruso trick now heads into year number two, uh,
that's the target at which to shoot, for sure, right, Oh.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
For sure. But you know, I think you get you
can get yourself in trouble in a conference as tough
as ours this year in the West if you're just
focused on one team. I really believe that every night
it's going to be, you know, a must win game
or feel like a must win game, for sure. And
so I don't I don't think it's you know, you
(12:40):
can spend too too much time just focusing on the
one team because there's so many teams out here in
the West with with slightly different styles. So I think,
guess what you're seeing now. It's one thing I do
like about the league. I would say a few years
ago it was pretty homogenious league. Everybody kind of looked
the same, felt the same, play the same. Now you
see different styles of play coming back into it based
(13:02):
on roster construction, and that's kind of interesting.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
So you mean, like I mean in a three point game,
all right, you know, with the corner three and all
the threes that you guys and the Celtics and other
teams have shot over the years. Like like, you know,
when you say that, the first thing I thought was
all right, DeAndre Ayton goes to the LA Lakers.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Now when DeAndre is.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Happy and healthy and engaged, you know he he at
one point was a really really good pick and roll center.
Emphasis on the happy, healthy and engaged. All right, Well
he's with Luke and Lebron now, so so I see
I envisioned that, But I think, hey, can they throw
it down load to eighton and like create a low
post type game in a three point shooting league? Do
(13:48):
you mean things like that, like maybe more low post
action or what.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Yeah, I'm not sure that is going to be prominent
in the league. I do feel like the guys that
are really good at it are posted up down there,
get the ball down there enough. I don't think it's
something that everyone's going to all of a sudden with
the feature I do field. You know, the volume of
threes is going to maintain that it's level, if not
(14:13):
continue to slightly increase. I just think like different teams
are running slightly different systems where you know, as a
couple of years ago, I thought there was just it
was a massive copycat league, and some of that's just
again related to roster construction. I mean, we're a perfect
example of that something. You know, everyone a few years
(14:39):
ago was trying to play five out basketball. Now these
rosters are are are trending larger, bigger, you know, bigger
players skilled big so you know you will see obviously
some more post ups. But just you know how people
are employ are employing their their the bigs on their
roster will will often dictate how they have to play.
(15:01):
But because we're seeing more and more bigs now on
the floor playing, you know, I do think it forces
different styles of play.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Chris joins nine to noon weekly during the basketball season
The Wolf Season courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two
Harvest dot Org. Give the website a look place two
Harvest dot org. It's been it's been outstanding, not only
working with Chris, but working with Second Harvest Heartland over
the course of the years. And what a wonderful, wonderful
group two Harvest dot Org with your squad, Chris, anything
(15:33):
different with Anthony Edwards into the season again, just just
verbally paint with a broad brush here. We know ant
gets those threes. Yeah, I mean, we just know how
good Anthony can be at so many things. But is
there like anything different with him into tomorrow Night's game.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
Well, I think we maybe expect him to play on
the ball a little bit more. I think we'll try to,
you know, play him as a lead guard more and more,
you know, try to grow his two man game with
Julius a little bit more. Just subtle things like that.
I do feel like we're going to see a more
(16:14):
consistent defensive performance from Ant. We know it's capable, we
know we need it. Some of the things we're looking
to do defensively require it now. And just you know,
just getting a little bit better across a lot of
things when you already do a lot of things. Well,
just improving those things marginally makes big games.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
With with with Dante Deeve Vincenzo, have you ever asked
him why he wears number zero?
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I would imagine it's I have never asked him, but
I would imagine this because it's the last vow and
his name. But that's just a gaes.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I just I just can't wrap my mind around those
who wear zero. Like for the Vikings, Ivan paced Junior
wears zero. Yeah, I mean like Robert Parris Chief, wasn't
he double zero?
Speaker 5 (17:06):
It was double Terrence Shannon Jr. Was double zero last year?
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Yeah, that's right, that's right.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Change what what what number? What was your favorite?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
What? What did you wear when you played?
Speaker 5 (17:22):
I don't know. I I wore thirty two in college.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Was that because of Magic Johnson? I?
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Who know? Because that was what was available that fit
me when you were in high school in small college,
like you know that all the that stuff was pre printed.
They didn't, they didn't. You didn't get the pack jersey, right,
you wore what fit? Hey?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
With the last one here with and I really look
forward to the weekly conversations, thank you very much. With
with some of the youth of your team, you just
mentioned Taron Shannon Jr. How much do you expect early
from Jalen Clark, maybe Rob Dillingham and Tarren Shannon Jr.
What do you expect from them early in the season.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Yeah, we expect them all to contribute some capacity. You know.
The I think the rotation is gonna you know, we're
gonna play probably nine and a half players, which is
you know, just a different way of saying, you know,
we'll play nine players every night, and then situationally, I think, uh,
(18:29):
you know, we have the luxury of playing uh that
that other guys like that, other young player. So it
could be, you know, what do we need. Do we
need defense, do we need shooting, do we need point
guard play? Do we need quickness and speed? Et cetera,
et cetera. So we have a lot of things that
those guys give us individually. Uh you know that was
(18:52):
one one kind of benefited ni Kiel and that he
had all those things wrapped up into one. But we're
really excited about what these guys are able to bring
and we feel like they'll all be contributing early on
in the season.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
The the the more Clark's offense improves, that's gravy, right,
I mean, because that perimeter defense can be high end.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
I mean, if you can.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
I mean everyone sees him as a great defender, of
which he is, and he's a tone setter and that's
what we love. But you know, his shot is from
the time he stepped stepped into this organization and his
shot has improved greatly. It's it's very consistent when he
lets it go. I think it's always going in. He's
got a great knack for cutting off the ball, which
(19:39):
is you know, almost the lost art these days. And
he gets to the free throw line, you know, on
his drives. So he does a lot of things sneaky
good offensively, and he's really he's always helping with his
spacing and his screening and the stuff he does with
out the ball, you know. Points of course, like not,
(19:59):
we're not really eyeing on him to score a lot
of points, but I feel like he can score in
a variety of ways when the opportunities are there, and
that's what he does a great job of. It's just
like waiting thing patient, and when those opportunities come, he
does make the most of them.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
And when we next chat, you most likely will have
played Portland, the Lakers, then Indiana and Denver a couple
of a couple of games at home. And oh, by
the way, you might be able to come to the
Vikings Chargers game Thursday night, right, I mean you got
the Lakers the next night.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think, yeah, we absolutely talked about so don't be
surprised if the team there.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
So are you going to ask for fourth row seats
behind and the Chargers bench and where a game warn
Dan vouts.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
No, not at all. I'm totally.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Jersey.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Yeahs, that'd be sweet if you guys can come out
and maybe we get you up to the box box,
the broadcast booth. Watch a little of the game up there,
if you get the opportunity, that'd.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Be sweet, that'd be fun. Uh.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Lastly, since you're gonna play those four games probably before
we chat again. The Nuggets okay with with Jokich obviously
starts and stops there. David Adelman who used to be here. Uh,
he's the coach. They added Cameron Johnson. Uh, just when
you got Joker and Jamal Murray. Well that's definitely a
targeted which to shoot. But what do you think of
(21:23):
the Nuggets this year?
Speaker 5 (21:26):
As ever? You know they're going to be extremely good.
It all revolves around Jokic, as we know, and you know,
it looks like I think they've got some good complimentary
pieces added, some depth. Balanced units is a backup. Big
Is proposes problems because to your point earlier, they they
will throw him the ball in a low post and
(21:47):
he has the opportunity to kind of take advantage of
maybe some second unit centers that don't have the size
or the strength to battle him. That's a nice change
of pace that they haven't had. You know it, Jimal
Murray's is still super dangerous. And yeah, I think where
they've probably gotten a little bit better is defensively with
(22:09):
Johnson and Bruce Brown, you know, being able to to
kind of pick up this slack defensively on the perimeter.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
You're fantastic.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Safe travels to you and the Covenant and maybe we'll
see you Thursday night.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
If not, we'll chat next week. Right.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
I appreciate it, Pa, thanks so much, Take care, Thanks.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Thanks about Chris Chris Finch, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland and two Harvest dot Org.
We our final non vikings or football related segment takes
place around the corner. Now we go to the NYC
and to chat with one of our dear friends, Kevin Gorg,
who was at the wild victory last evening against the
(22:51):
New York Rangers. That's part of the timber Tech What's
on Deck set list. Nordo produces nine to noon from
Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center with yours True, Paul Allen
and to Brett Blakemore God's the Great Ship Love Covenant
back at FM one hundred point three KFAM and he
also has some money to give away.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Good morning double.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
B and good morning Yes the cash Thing the Fan
and two Minute and Junksruck want to give you shot
to win Bonus Bucks, the National cash Contest. Head the
KFA dot com. The keyword is win. The keyword win
the KFA dot com keyword win Gorgy his neck. Bonus
Bucks is back.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
On the fan.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
We have nine chances for you to win a thousand
dollars every weekday. That's every hour from nine am till
five pm. Tennor keywords learn more. Head to kfan dot com.
Bonus Bucks is presented by two men in a junk truck.
Drop one the draw, Johansson left side offensive, oh Cup
pass a check below the goal.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Line, around on a wrap round. Bitch is circing to
save it's loose.
Speaker 6 (23:44):
They back in.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
It's gone.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Danniely your office first NHL goal and he's given the
while to lead Here at Madison Square Gardener with eleven
four to go.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Joe Donald on KFA last night calling a goal in
a Minnesota Wild victory over the New York Rangers, and
we head to the East Coast. We head to the
Concrete Jungle to catch up with one of our favorites,
Kevin gorg. He is the side ranked pre and post
game analyst for fan duel, and he was on air,
on site and on demand last night for the victory.
(24:21):
You can follow him and or interact with him via
the X machine at Gorgomatic two to one at Orgomatic
two one, Kevin, how have you been my dear friend?
Speaker 3 (24:32):
Very good, TA always great to chat with you. And
this is my favorite city on the road schedule every year,
so I'm thrilled to be in said concrete jungle.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
What do you like about New York City?
Speaker 3 (24:46):
I could never live here. My head with spin, but
when I come here, I'm always moving At Central Park
staple for me Broadway show, which I'll do tonight. There's
just so much to do with the great food. I
had a chance to dinner with Louie Nannie and your
guy Lapants a couple of nights ago, a great Italian
spot here. I just it's one of those places you've
(25:07):
been here like it's non stop, Like, yeah, I could
not live here, but I love to visit here.
Speaker 5 (25:13):
I'll keep it that way.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Well, you being a movie buff or a movie's snob,
have you ever taken because you've done this two decades now,
I mean, what are you into your like your twentieth
year Yes, Okay, well that's fantastic, So you've been there
a million times.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
But being a movie.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Buff with like like not Escape from New York with
Snake Pliskin, that would be different, like say a Bronx tail.
You do you ever like try to venture to neighborhoods
like that?
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Maybe you can see a table outside of an Italian
restaurant with a checkered tablecloth and some old guys sitting
there with cigars and there's a phone on the table.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, I find myself because of my love of movies, Pa,
I love walking around the city, especially around Central Park,
and going to places that have been featured in movies.
Of course Home Alone in New York, the Plaza Hotel,
the restaurant called Serendipity three was featured in Jeff q
Sex Serendipity. We're not far from the Empire State Building,
(26:15):
which so many movies, but Sleepless in Seattle one of
my favorites with Tom Hanks. So I love going to
different spots that have been featured in some of my
favorite movies. And when you're in New York, there are
dozens upon dozens of places to do.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
That sweet win last night at Madison Square Garden, which
is arena immortality, And personally, I felt excellent for Gus.
I felt excellent for the goaltender who was enduring a
rough thattch and they're going to be as you know,
there are going to be games where he gives up
zero zero one, two, zero one, three, But I think
(26:51):
we had a five and a six in there, which
is not preferred. So I felt really good for him
last night to be able to leave with the money
the way he he did.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
What do you think of that?
Speaker 3 (27:03):
I completely agree. And when you're going up against Igor Schusterkin,
a Rangers goali who was widely considered one of the
best two or three goalies in the world. He came
into the game last night with a save percentage of
over ninety six, which is ridiculous. And then you look
at Gus's rollst recent start on this road trip. I mean,
he was the really only good thing to say about
(27:23):
the Washington game. We got a shot forty five to
fifteen in that game, and so he gave us some goals,
but he was actually really good in that game.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
And so to have him come out.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
And play like he did last night, I thought he
was great. All night, but specifically in the third period
when the Rangers really came with a push. You know,
the say he made on Zebtajad on the week side
with that club was a game changing stave and he
just looked fully in control of himself on on and
he really has except for one game, you know, the
Columbus game at home was certainly a plonkervert. Other than that,
(27:56):
he's given the team a chance to win every time
he has started, and it's I think it's really cool
that the other suite, yes for a volset that is
starting to push him, and that's good. Competition in that
crease is a good thing. And so we don't know
who's going to be in goal to Brown night in
New Jersey. It likely will be Gus, but because balt
that's played so well, that competition is off and running
(28:17):
and that's a good thing for this team.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
He g first NHL goal last night for Danilla. You're
off a first round pick in twenty twenty two. What
are we liking about him?
Speaker 5 (28:30):
From day one?
Speaker 3 (28:31):
He has a high Hockey IQ, super smart player pa.
He knows what to do without the pocket. You can
just slowly kind of see him settling in He's a
super quiet kid, doesn't really speak English much yet. In fact,
Caprice if ironically he's had to transit a couple of
interviews we've done in the locker room with him. But
(28:51):
now you're starting to see him take steps, and one
of those steps is getting to the net. When you
play hockey over in Russia, when you play the europe
in Branda, hockey the physical stuff that the NHL provides
as a challenge, and he is starting to where he
scored his goal last night, get to the middle of
the rink. He's a really good skater, he's a responsible player,
(29:13):
and you know there's offensive skill there. We just hadn't
seen a lot of that in training camp. I think
he played a real safe and smart game in camp,
and now I think you're starting to see the twenty
one year old starting to get a couple of looks
in the top line. You saw John Hines early in
the game, give him a shift or two with Boldie
and Caprice of you're seeing him get some power play
time and you're seeing his game grow. And I think
(29:34):
right now we're just scratching the surface. But when a
kid like that finally scores that first goal, a lot
of times that will set them in motion and they'll
be a little more aggressive with and without the puck
getting too those areas they need to get to. And
this kid's clearly got a ton of talent, and I
think the upside is going to be fun for us
as Wild fans to watch.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
KG from New York City.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
After the Wild beat the Rangers last evening, this is
nine to new Hey, Gargy. We knew that power play
bonanza that we saw early on was probably not sustainable,
but what have you seen from the team specifically five
on five? I know, you know, last few games a
couple of them being l sadly, but all the same
five y five.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Are we seeing some life there?
Speaker 3 (30:19):
We are, Nordo and great point, because when they got
out of the gates near forty seven percent of the
power play that that's just not sustainable, and they're still
sitting at over thirty four percent. There's still the number
one power play in the league. But if you're gonna
win games consistently in this league, you've got to.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Win the five on five.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
And what we've seen here on this road trip specifically
is their their blue liners start to get involved. The
Washington game which was not a game the will probably
real proud to put on tape. Their d were really quiet,
and then you saw those numbers jump up, the analytics
doubled with Blue line pushing the offense and getting twenty
shots to the net. And then again you saw it
(30:57):
last night, starting with Corodin's goal to get the while
back in the game after the Rangers are taking that
one nothing leave. This has always been and will always
be a team that is built from the back end
when it comes to offense, and you clearly can see
the young talent now on that Blue line with the
buoyum and now we're getting to see a little bit
of David Yichek, like this is a team that wants
to push it from the back end, making good plays
(31:20):
using speed, getting defensement involved in the rush. And when
they do that, they're a good hockey team. When they
don't do that, like in Washington, then they play on
their heels and it's not the same product. So great question,
and I think if you continue to see the Blue
Liners push the face, that's a good thing.
Speaker 8 (31:36):
Well, and to that end, you know kind of early
on and you love seeing capriz Off and Boldie. I
believe both have ten points through this first stretch of games,
and that's a positive thing, of course, but whether it
is seeing you're off get into the mix, whether.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
It is Brodein getting that goal.
Speaker 8 (31:51):
And you mentioned the young Blue liners and how this
team aims to push it, you know, finding scoring among
other lines, finding that complimentary work such an a topic, right,
and maybe this team could be leveling out specifically, whether
it's even strength and getting other contributors into the mix,
no question.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
And you know, Vladimir Karasenko scoring that goal in Philadelphia
to me, can be a real impactful play here moving forward. Certainly,
Marco Rossi, I don't think he's going to be out
too long here. He's a very durable player. He played
eighty two games in each of the last two seasons.
It doesn't sound like it's going to be anything more
(32:30):
than a game or two. Get him back in the fold.
And then, and certainly sometime in late November early December,
when you get a guy like Zuparrello back, you want
to get to the point here, guys, where you have
two different lines that are dangerous right now, the track
they're falling into, and it's again nothing John Hines can
do with the players they're missing. You look at last
night with Zuparello and Rossie. I want if you have
(32:52):
to load up that top line, and that's a double absorber.
The top line is awesome, but the opposition when you're
on the road has last change and they can say
the matchup and you're likely going to be going out
there every single shift against whatever team you're playing best defensively,
and so you've seen their production. The top two guys
Gooldie and capriceof Paper just a little bit here on
(33:13):
this road trip, and it's a bigger challenge where you
don't have another line take pressure off them. So if
you can get Rossie back in the mix and you
can get their or think go going, you can get
Johnson to continue to play well. Quietly, guys Murcus Johansson
is playing really good hockey right now, and but while
need him, they need him to continue to produce because
you can't rely on that top line every single night,
(33:35):
especially when you're out on the road.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
The best. Thank you very much for making time.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
I know you're a morning's busy out NYC Way and
expect us to contact you next week. Gorgame with the
with the Breeders cup on the horizon.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Okay, yeah, we're about eleven days away from the breeders stuff,
so I look forward to that conversation.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
Have a good day, guys later.
Speaker 4 (33:54):
Brother Kevin Borg at Gorga Matic two to one via Twitter.
If you would like to follow the football portion of
the equation commences around the corner. Minnesota Vikings General manager
Quaisi Daupho Mensa joins nine to noon next.
Speaker 7 (34:11):
If you want to time to what's happening with your
favorite KFA in shows, you can you make your voice
shart on the Bradshaw Bryant KFA and text line SOL'SO
on you have to say by texting your message A
six four six eighty six at six four six eighty
six Saner text message at a race.
Speaker 4 (34:24):
Plot waiting the arrival of Minnesota Vikings general manager Quaisiadopho Mensa,
(34:46):
who will join nine to noon today, could be, could
be very soon, could be within the next fifteen minutes.
Not exactly sure what that equation is, but nevertheless, we
will unfurl it when the general manager joins us, when
we when we come to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
And and we've done this pretty much since week two,
(35:07):
since week two on creating something called hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
Uh takes it takes talkers, tips, tedium. However you want
to look at it. Is it hyperbolic or is it
hyper accurate? And I'd like to begin here. The Detroit
Lions are the best in the NFC North and it's
(35:31):
not even close.
Speaker 8 (35:33):
I'm leaning towards hyper accurate with that, and and that
that has required me, you know, as we would joke
around change, you know, changing my face on the kiddies,
with the new coordinators and all of the new that
has taken place in Detroit, watching them just systematically dismantle
everybody that they are playing right now, sands the opener
(35:54):
against the pack right the What were they going to
lose on offense with Gibbs in Montgomery, trying to find
that wrecked mix and trying to target and take advantage
of the brilliance in Amana Saint Brown. Oh wait, they've
lost nothing. What about this offensive line and all that change.
Golf got beaten up a little bit by that nice
Tampa front. For the most part, it hasn't changed, and
(36:16):
golf has remained super efficient. They find the explosives that
they had before with Ben Johnson, and then defensively Pa
they've gotten healthier and a guy that we know and respect,
but he was hurt and it's almost like you forget
when somebody's gone and then they come back and you're like, oh,
that guy, Alee McNeil, are you kidding me right now
with that? So they're they're surviving some injuries and some
(36:39):
issues specifically in the secondary.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
They're the same damn team, man. They are the best
in the NFC North.
Speaker 8 (36:45):
All respect and even some appreciation for the nasty neighbors
to the east and what the pack We're able to
do surviving via matriculation and in some ways attrition over
the course of that game against Jacobe Brissett, I think
the Lions are right back in the caffird seat of
the North.
Speaker 4 (37:02):
Now in the NBA, there are how many games in
a regular season eighty two? Okay, So here is the
next one outside of the football covenant, hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
OKC will win seventy four games and set a new
NBA record for season wins. It's within the last decade.
(37:25):
I believe the Golden State Warriors won seventy three games,
and I think that passed Michael Jordan's Bulls team from
days gone by, winning seventy two.
Speaker 1 (37:33):
Yeah, seventy two and ten and then seventy three and nine.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
The Dubs were yeah, okay, seventy four and eight or
seventy five and seven.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Hyperbolic or hyper accurate.
Speaker 4 (37:42):
OKC will win seventy four games, I guess at least,
but seventy four games and set a new NBA record
for season wins.
Speaker 8 (37:53):
I think that's at this stage incredibly hyperbolic. And it's
not that they aren't the best team in the West,
but injuries occur. I think we've seen over the last
year decade, now what seven or eight consecutive different NBA champions.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
So you speak to the.
Speaker 8 (38:08):
Parody in the league and whether it's us messing around
talking LFL stuff, fantasy basketball, or just kind of bumping
around over the course of the season, chatting with Finch
and watching our favorite team.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
How muddy is this freaking West Man?
Speaker 8 (38:21):
I mean, even in your conversation with him, it's like,
how do they keep figuring it out?
Speaker 1 (38:26):
In Denver?
Speaker 8 (38:27):
I know Jokich is otherworldly, absolutely otherworldly, but Jamal Murray
and just getting through his injuries, the supporting cast has
been weird. They kind of dust off Aaron Gordon make
him into what he is. Christian Brown emerging is maybe
that third or fourth potential scoring option. Like the Nuggets
just come to play and they are so tough, tough
(38:48):
as anybody in the NBA. Then you think about the
Houston Rockets, Then you think about the Lakers. Maybe a
slim down Luca and an aging Lebron certainly, but a
different cast of characters around him is so difficult. I
focus on the West just because obviously that's where most
of the games will be played. From a standpoint with OKC,
I think it's incredibly hyperbolic because the West is as
(39:10):
talented as it is, and I just went on. I
went down a list of teams without even mentioning our
favorite team, with our favorite player that has a right
and that has a right to be better this year.
I just can't see them getting through this conference with
seventy four wins.
Speaker 4 (39:25):
Fair hyperbolic or hyper accurate. Bo Nicks is the best
quarterback from the twenty twenty four class, and it's becoming
not even close. I think that's also hyperbolic. I think
that the First of all, the jury's still out. But
look at Drake may Man. Look at Jaden Daniels, who
(39:47):
I mean, he ran away from him by twenty lengths
last year, and.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
So and he is probably Jaden Daniels is probably still
in the lead there. Sophomore campaign's been tough for him
from a health standpoint, so that has to fact or
in our favorite guy. It's been an entire conversation of
health the entire time. Even Caleb Williams it looks like
he is evolving. With Ben Johnson, I still they can
(40:13):
win four in a row. Look a little bit at
that schedule, dig into some of those games a bit,
and the grind is real still for Ben Johnson and the.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Bears boon Nicks.
Speaker 8 (40:22):
It's impressive what they did, the thirty three points in
the fourth quarter, I get it, But there are still
moments where they're putting.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Themselves in those spots.
Speaker 8 (40:29):
Pa, So I'd love to dig a little bit deeper
in terms of what it takes for Sean Payton to
put bon Nicks in those.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Spots using his legs. He makes some.
Speaker 8 (40:38):
Terrific throws, he also still makes some bone headed decision
So for me, Jaden Daniel still in the mix. I
think Drake May is getting some late speed and he's
catching up quick.
Speaker 1 (40:48):
Let's pause now.
Speaker 4 (40:49):
When we returned, Viking's general manager Kwasia Dofa Mensa joins
nine to noon
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Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.