Minnesota Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch is coming to Des Moines for Friday’s recreation preparatory match in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Enviornment with a star-studded roster. However one of many best, a minimum of in Iowa, will not be one of many names NBA followers would immediately gravitate towards.
Friday’s recreation will characteristic former Iowa basketball star Luka Garza, one of the crucial completed gamers in Iowa historical past. He spent the final two seasons bouncing between the Timberwolves and their G League affiliate in Des Moines, the Iowa Wolves.
“We all know he is a people hero in Iowa, so we look ahead to the reception he will get there,” Finch stated in a phone interview with the Register on Wednesday. “We all know he’s excited.”
Garza, 25, started his profession with the Detroit Pistons, who chosen him with the 52sd 2021 draft decide. He appeared in 32 video games with the Pistons throughout his rookie season. When the group declined its possibility on Garza, he landed with the Timberwolves the place he carved out a distinct segment as a task participant.
Extra:Iowan Nick Nurse returns to Wells Fargo Enviornment to teach the Philadelphia 76ers
Whereas splitting time between Minnesota and Des Moines over the previous two seasons, Garza appeared in 53 NBA video games and averaged 5.3 factors and 1.8 rebounds with a 6.9 scoring common. minutes per recreation. Finch stated he has been impressed with Garza’s contributions and the progress he has made.
“An unimaginable offensive participant who can rating in any respect ranges,” Finch stated. “We use it as a weapon. When he enters the sport, he will get highlighted irrespective of who he performs with as a result of that’s how highly effective he’s offensively. Defensively, he is getting higher and higher and that requires a number of dedication to his physique.
“He is aware of our system so properly. It is an ideal system for us, each in his means to attain but in addition in his anticipation of making a great assault with out the ball in his fingers.
Extra:Iowan Nick Nurse returns to Wells Fargo Enviornment to teach the Philadelphia 76ers
Whereas Garza will garner loads of consideration when he returns to Iowa, he actually will not be the largest star of the night time. In truth, Finch stated he expects his huge names to log vital minutes for the Timberwolves on Friday night time.
“I anticipate our huge stars to play, they undoubtedly do,” Finch stated. “They undoubtedly gained’t play the complete 48 (minutes). However as we proceed to construct our preparation for the season, we will proceed to construct on what we did final week. So we anticipate them to play good minutes.
“I hope Philadelphia does the identical.”
When requested if the sport was on the road, would Finch go to the native hero for the ultimate shot? He laughed.
“There’s each likelihood it may occur, that’s for positive,” he stated.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports activities enterprise and reporting reporter, has been with the paper since 2008. He’s the Iowa Sports activities Author of the Yr in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Contact him at [email protected] or at 515-284-8468.
