On the Feb. 8, 2023 episode of Minnesota Foul Play-by-play, NBA2K expert Joel Varriano speculates wildly about the Timberwolves' Trade Deadline and offseason, we welcome Brian Flores to Minnesota, and talk AEW Dynamite. Oh, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Lakers immediately after we wrapped, but there are plenty more moves Joel would like to see made.
What Will Wolves Do at the Deadline?
NBA2K expert and Anthony’s favorite cousin, Joel, joins the show
Brooklyn is still interested in Naz Reid
Has been in talks regarding a contract extension
So has D’Angelo Russell and Jaylen Nowell
Why trade Reid or Nowell?
Reid is really starting to look good
Can’t trade KAT?
Joel speculates wildly…
Celtics’ Payton Pritchard for Nowell and a second-round pick
Thunder’s Kenrich Williams for Nowell
Warriors’ Patrick Baldwin, Jr. for Nowell
76ers’ Matisse Thybulle and a second-rounder for Nowell and Reid
Clippers’ Norman Powell and Luke Kennard or Robert Covington for Russell
Clippers’ Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard or Robert Covington for Russell
Clippers’ Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard or Robert Covington for Russell
Wizards’ Monte Morris, Johnny Davis, Will Barton, and Kendrick Nunn for Russell, Nowell, Bryn Forbes, and Austin Rivers
Magic’s Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, and two second-round picks for Russell and Nowell
Offseason moves…
Karl-Anthony Towns for Hawks’ Trae Young in the offseason
Karl-Anthony Towns sign and trade for Blazers’ Jerami Grant and picks
Karl-Anthony Towns for LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward
Towns and Russell sing and trade for Fred Van Vleet and Pascal Siakam
Vikings Hire Brian Flores as Defensive Coordinator
Anthony’s back on the bandwagon
Got the man we wanted
Only thing better would be signing Colin Kaepernick
3-4, but more aggressive, especially in nickel and dime (Source: K.T. Smith)
In 2021, the Dolphins played over 50% of their defensive snaps in cover-0 or cover-1. They often paired these coverages with a “Mug” look at the line of scrimmage, where they created a +1 advantage by loading it with potential rushers and then forcing offenses to decide who was coming and who was falling into coverage. This created confusion in their protection schemes, leading to blitzers running free at the quarterback.
Harrison Smith will lineup in the box more often (Source: Matthew Coller)
Flores wasn’t afraid to use his safeties more aggressively than the Donatell system, which only put Harrison Smith up in the box around 40% of the time. Miami’s Eric Rowe lined up in the box or in the slot around 60% of snaps. Flores liked to turn all of his safeties loose on blitzes, with safeties racking up 133 pass rushes in 2020. That’s a huge difference from the 2022 Vikings, which saw a grand total of 18 pass rushes from safeties.
Exactly what the Vikings need
Anthony’s AEW Wrestling Wednesday
The Garcia-Guevara Gauntlet
Will Ricky Starks get another shot at Jericho? He’ll have to go through Cool Hand Angelo Parker, Daddy Magic Matt Menard, and either Danny Garcia or Sammy Guevara to do so.
I’ll just say we need more gauntlet matches.
Rush vs. Bryan Danielson in yet another AEW World Championship Eliminator match
Will Danielson survive to face MJF for the title despite his injuries? You better believe it!
Jamie Hayter vs. The Bunny in an AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator match
Love me some Bunny, but Hayter’s hunting wabbits according to her Insta, and she’s no Elmer Fudd.
The Acclaimed put the AEW Tag Team Titles on the line against The Gunns
Will this be the end of The Acclaimed’s reign? It better not.
The Elite vs. Top Flight and AR Fox for the AEW World Trios Championship
Will it be yet another match in which Top Flight performs beautifully only to lose? Probably, but that doesn’t mean it ain’t must-see TV.
Welcoming Brian Flores and Previewing the Wolves’ Trade Deadline