John Lucas III and Toure’ Murry to Join Timberwolves Training Camp

Hey everybody, welcome to Saturday. Your boy elavator music is proud to be joining the Canis Hoopus team of contributors. Not a ton of stuff going on in the NBA universe right now, but the week has seen a few snippets of relevant news for the Wolves.

John Lucas III and Toure’ Murry to Join Training Camp

I guess this would qualify as the biggest news of the week for the Wolves, especially if one of them does end up securing a roster spot. It’s unlikely that ends up happening, as the team would need to either make a trade or cut another player to open up a new roster position.

Lucas (age 33) is somewhat intriguing due to his experience (he has played in 237 NBA games averaging 12.3 minutes) and his history with Tom Thibodeau. Lucas played in 51 games under Thibs in Chicago including the best season of his career in 2011-2012. That season he averaged 15 minutes per game with a 25.8 AST%, a great .143 WS/48, and shot over 39% on threes. He was unable to repeat that level of effectiveness during his ensuing stints in Toronto, Utah, and Detroit, and did not play on an NBA roster last season.

Toure’ Murry (age 26) played college ball at Wichita State and went undrafted in 2012. Following some time playing in Europe and the D-League, Murry signed with the Knicks in 2013. He appeared in 51 games over the 2013-2014 season, averaging 7.3 minutes, 2.7 points and 1 assist. Since 2014, Murry has made brief stops in Totonto, Utah, and Washington, but has only appeared in 10 games during that span and was also not on an NBA roster last season.

Long story short, I’m happy to see these journeymen getting an opportunity in camp, but I don’t expect them to make the team.

Shabazz Muhammad Embraces the Prospect of Playing Defense Under Thibs

Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press posted an article on Wednesday covering Muhammad’s offseason experience so far working with new head coach Tom Thibodeau.

“I really want to learn how to get better on the defensive end,” said Muhammad, who often is tasked with guarding Andrew Wiggins in practice. “I think if I can do that, the sky’s the limit for myself. And that’s what coach is telling me about. He’s skillful in that position, and that’s something I’m going to really soak in.”

Muhammad is also reported to be on a summer conditioning regimen that included three workouts a day—two on-court workouts and another for lifting and conditioning.

It’s great to hear that he has a focus on improving his defense, which has been...not stellar over the course of his first three seasons. Muhammad’s DRPM of -4.37 was the second worst in the NBA last year. If Shabazz can maintain his bench scoring while also improving to even just a below average defender, he could be a real X-factor in the team’s depth and hopes for a playoff berth.

Target Center Gets a Really Big New Scoreboard

This is cool. It’s bigger than the last one. Here’s another view that maybe does the size a little more justice.

The scoreboard will be officially unveiled to the public tomorrow (August 28th) as the Lynx take on the Seattle Storm. Doors open at 4:30 pm.

Canis Hoopus Player Preview Series

In case you’ve missed out, be sure to check out our ongoing Timberwolves Player Preview series. These have been excellent, and give great insight to what we can be excited to watch for next season. Here are links to the previously posted previews

Nemanja Bjelica

Shabazz Muhammad

Andrew Wiggins

Kris Dunn

Several more player previews will be posted over the next couple of weeks, so be on the lookout.

In other news...(clicks pen)...ummm...(sips coffee)...Philly traded Kendall Marshall to Utah for Tibor Pleiss, two 2nd round picks, and cash. Utah immediately waived Marshall to clear roster space. Gotta feel bad for Marshall.

Other than that, not too much going on with NBA hoops right now, and it will most likely stay that way until training camps get underway later in September.

Finally, I will leave you with a music recommendation. Here are a couple of songs from Rossonian, an indie group out of Denver. They are for sure worth checking out.

‘Til next time, ya’ll. This is an open thread. Talk among yourselves.