On Court Mics Catch New Timberwolves Guard Trash Talking Tom Thibodeau

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a blockbuster deal just days before the 2024-25 NBA preseason tipped off. When president of basketball operations Tim Connelly sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo plus a protected first round pick, they did it mostly for luxury tax purposes.

But as head coach Chris Finch & Co have reiterated in the days since the deal went down, they did it for basketball reasons, as well. We saw one of those basketball reasons on Sunday night. By shipping out KAT and bringing in Randle + DiVincenzo, they increased the Dawg in their rotation exponentially.

Remember that big scary mean guy who used to roam the halls of Mayo Clinic Square and Target Center with Jimmy Butler (another mean mean guy who used to bully teammates at practice)? Yeah, the Minnesota Timberwolves played in New York Sunday vs Tom Thibodeau and his Knicks.

Donte DiVincenzo shooting free throws and talking smack to Tom Thibodeau

It was Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle’s first time back at Madison Square Garden since they were traded away. While shooting free throws on the Knicks side of the court (where their bench is), DiVincenzo literally started talking shit to Thibs, over on the sideline.

The new Wolves guard was yelling about how happy he was to be out of New York. How the franchise is going to go in the tank now that Thibs has more control of player personnel decisions. Yes, seriously. And the on court mics picked it all up.

After the game, he almost got into it with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, father of Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Wild scene in the Big Apple, especially during a preseason game.

“Can’t finish, right Thibs? Thank you for the trade Thibs. Thank you for the trade… that’s what happens when they let you run the show. That’s what happens when they let you run the show”

Donte DiVincenzo to Tom Thibodeau

Tom Thibodeau was the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach up until his firing in 2019. He’s been in New York since 2020-21. It’s clear DiVincenzo with his move to Minnesota. It wasn’t that long ago rumors surfaced that Donte was unhappy in New York, which is why he became part of the trade to Minnesota. As Stefon Diggs once said: “There is truth to all rumors, Chris.”

Different feel to this Minnesota Timberwolves team

Donte DiVincenzo finished Sunday’s exhibition contest with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Last season, his first with the Knicks, the 27-year-old out of Villanova played a career-high 29.1 minutes per game, which he spun into 15.5 points per game and .401 3 point percentage (also a career-highs).

It’s uncertain as to how Chris Finch will utilize DiVincenzo in Minnesota, but the scorer wants to be on the court. The Timberwolves needed more perimeter scoring, after last season, and that’s why they added both DiVincenzo and veteran Joe Ingles.

Related: Rob Dillingham Flashes Elite Passing Skills in Minnesota Timberwolves’ Preseason Game

If DiVincenzo brings this level of tenacity throughout the regular season Anthony Edwards will have plenty of help as he pursues the next step. There are only two preseason games remaining on the Timberwolves’ schedule, before the regular season begins on October 22.

It could take some time for this new Minnesota Timberwolves squad to gel together, but I like what Connelly and Finch have put together. This team seems to have a much different feel, than teams of Timberwolve past. That was very apparent last night.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:
0What do you think?Post a comment.