Many might not remember this tidbit, but this is NAW’s first season ever with the same head coach he ended the previous season with.
> It hasn’t always been that way for Alexander-Walker. He has been traded three times in his career. He has played for six head coaches. He has been out of the rotation, labeled a disappointment and unreliable, and was considered by some to be a throw-in in the trade last February that brought him, Conley and three second-round draft picks to Minnesota in a deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers and Russell Westbrook to Utah.
> What stood out most to Alexander-Walker in the moment on Tuesday night was that his coach and his team stuck with him.
> “The group trusting me, even though I was the one to make two mistakes,” he told the media in the locker room after the game. “Coach trusted me keeping me in and I appreciated that. My mindset was to win and everyone’s mindset that was playing was to win.”
Stability and a coach that gives you a committment and belongingness? That’s my coach, Finch.
fluentinsarcasm
Another great Jon K article.
**Highlights:**
* NAW used to deeply struggle with getting in his own head and self-confidence. He’s grown immensely in that area since he got in the league. He’s possibly developed more zen than anyone on the team in that area. * He feels really well support by the coaching staff here, something he hasn’t had on previous teams (especially with coaching changes). * He has a deep understanding of his defined role on the team and his “job” so to speak. He works hard to lean into it on both sides of the ball. * Everything mentioned above has created a situation where he’s been able to thrive, making a big impact every night.
Trash_Panda0_O
Was just talking to a friend about the Wolves and NAW came up in discussion. His defense has been so good, but what we were talking about is how much better he’s been recently on offense & his 3pt shooting in particular. Early in the season, his shots weren’t falling with much consistency. He seems to have turned the corner in that regard, which has been a significant boost to the team.
Great write up by Jon, too.
Swadfather
What makes me happiest about this is the Wolves almost never have guys like this, that can show up and perform ahead of expectations until the last several years. I feel like the entire Wolves history was guys underperforming, and would be much better on other teams before or after they were here.
The last guy I can think of, and I’m sure there have been others I’m not remembering, but Trenton Hassel found a spot here and wasn’t great elsewhere?
But now with Naz Reid and Alexander-Walker that trend is changing. Hopefully Miller, Minott, and others can continue the trend.
6 Comments
Many might not remember this tidbit, but this is NAW’s first season ever with the same head coach he ended the previous season with.
> It hasn’t always been that way for Alexander-Walker. He has been traded three times in his career. He has played for six head coaches. He has been out of the rotation, labeled a disappointment and unreliable, and was considered by some to be a throw-in in the trade last February that brought him, Conley and three second-round draft picks to Minnesota in a deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers and Russell Westbrook to Utah.
> What stood out most to Alexander-Walker in the moment on Tuesday night was that his coach and his team stuck with him.
> “The group trusting me, even though I was the one to make two mistakes,” he told the media in the locker room after the game. “Coach trusted me keeping me in and I appreciated that. My mindset was to win and everyone’s mindset that was playing was to win.”
https://youtu.be/8QxIIz1yEsA?t=99s
Stability and a coach that gives you a committment and belongingness? That’s my coach, Finch.
Another great Jon K article.
**Highlights:**
* NAW used to deeply struggle with getting in his own head and self-confidence. He’s grown immensely in that area since he got in the league. He’s possibly developed more zen than anyone on the team in that area.
* He feels really well support by the coaching staff here, something he hasn’t had on previous teams (especially with coaching changes).
* He has a deep understanding of his defined role on the team and his “job” so to speak. He works hard to lean into it on both sides of the ball.
* Everything mentioned above has created a situation where he’s been able to thrive, making a big impact every night.
Was just talking to a friend about the Wolves and NAW came up in discussion. His defense has been so good, but what we were talking about is how much better he’s been recently on offense & his 3pt shooting in particular. Early in the season, his shots weren’t falling with much consistency. He seems to have turned the corner in that regard, which has been a significant boost to the team.
Great write up by Jon, too.
What makes me happiest about this is the Wolves almost never have guys like this, that can show up and perform ahead of expectations until the last several years. I feel like the entire Wolves history was guys underperforming, and would be much better on other teams before or after they were here.
The last guy I can think of, and I’m sure there have been others I’m not remembering, but Trenton Hassel found a spot here and wasn’t great elsewhere?
But now with Naz Reid and Alexander-Walker that trend is changing. Hopefully Miller, Minott, and others can continue the trend.