Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns is back in practice after being hospitalized for a non-COVID illness, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Anthony-Towns still hasn’t fully recovered his voice and will be eased back into action, but expects to be ready for the season opener.
“I’m still recovering, I’m still getting better,” Towns said. ” I know it sounds weird I’m talking like this, but this is as loud as I can get. This is as much as I could give you.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Thunder guard Luguentz Dort sustained a concussion during Sunday’s practice and has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol, according to a team press release. Dort, who was limited to 51 games last season, signed a five-year, $87.5MM contract in July and projects as the team’s starting small forward.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker appeared in 15 games with the Jazz last season after being acquired in a three-team deal. He has made a strong impression early in training camp as he attempts to solidify a rotation spot, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News writes. Alexander-Walker, who could be a restricted free agent next summer, believes his development has been stalled by playing under different systems. “It’s hard to develop under five different coaches in four years … I think it’s safe to say that in all four years I’ve had a different role and it’s not always clear what that role is,” he said. “I’m still trying to understand that and understand how I can get better.”
- Nuggets coach Michael Malone wasn’t happy with the performance of Bones Hyland in Monday’s preseason opener, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post. “Bones has to do a better job of running his team, and when things aren’t going your way, keep playing,” Malone said. “I thought he took some plays off, which is unacceptable.” Hyland took the criticism well. “He came in here (for Tuesday’s practice) ready to work, ready to get better, and he owned it,” Malone said. “He didn’t come in here feeling sorry for himself. That’s a big step for him.”
NAW looked good in last night’s game. Him and Stanley Johnson spearheaded a stellar tenacious defense that turned a close game into a big lead for the Jazz It’ll be interesting to see that defensive pressure against some superior ball handlers.
Even though the Jazz have traded away stars, it’s still exciting to see what they can do this year with all the new players. Sometimes rebuilds are not fun but they can be for the first year or two. I’m a Red Sox fan and when they traded Mookie Betts I didn’t mind because we knew he was going to walk anyway and it was going to be interesting to see what the four guys they received back we’re going to do. Should be a fun year for the Jazz and with the anticipation of all the draft picks and young guys the future looks bright.
That’s true. It’s been a lot more exciting than I anticipated. This team is going to be fun to watch develop and get even better.
Plus, I’m starting to get a sense for what kind of players that Coach Hardy prefers. He likes guys with length, play defense, and play with passion. The guys that don’t really stand out with this group. Can already start to see which guys might be waived, traded, or sent to the G-League. Others are hard to say still.
Keep giving us your info on posts and keep us updated with the jazz. We don’t hear enough about them. Especially if they may not be a high-seeded team in the playoffs, there may be less written about them.