Splash City Basketball Podcast

Bored of the Regular Season? What Derailed the Wolves’ Playoff Run w/ Derek Long

It’s time to reset, reflect, and talk through some heavy feelings after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season came crashing down in decisive fashion against the San Antonio Spurs. On this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman is joined by Derek Long from the Sideline Vibes podcast to deliver a comprehensive postmortem on the Wolves' playoff run.  We kick things off with some high-vibe personal news as Derek shares the incredible story of his newborn twins—including how a casual run-in with Joe Ingles and Mike Conley directly inspired his son's name.  Then, we dive deep into the hardwood analytics and heavy truths, breaking down: * Grading the Season: Was this year a true success, or did the team leave too much meat on the bone?  * The Maturity Gap: Why the younger Spurs and Thunder rosters look more disciplined, and whether Chris Finch’s laid-back, player-friendly style clashes with the personality of the core roster.  * Physicality in the Paint: How Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper vastly outplayed the Wolves' guards, and why Minnesota completely abandoned their game plan of attacking Victor Wembanyama after Game 1.  * Defensive Philosophy: A couch-coaching critique on why the Wolves' current personnel isn't built for a high-press point-of-attack defense, and why they desperately miss the grit of Dante DiVincenzo.  * The Offseason Outlook: What a potential Julius Randle trade could mean for moving Naz Reid into the starting lineup.  Follow the Hosts: * Steve Hartman – Splash City Basketball Podcast   * Derek Long – Sideline Vibes Podcast  @Croonch on Instagram Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Wemby Tossed & Ant Rescues Wolves: Series Tied Going Back to San Antonio

The momentum of this series shifted in a single moment during the 2nd quarter, but it took a vintage performance from the closer to finish the job. Host Steve Hartman breaks down a chaotic Game 4 that saw the Timberwolves grit out a win to tie the series 2-2. Inside the Episode: * The Wemby Fallout: Victor Wembanyama’s early exit changed the geometry of the game. Steve discusses why the Spurs remained dangerous without their rim protector and how the Wolves struggled to find their rhythm in the immediate aftermath. * Ant’s 4th Quarter Masterclass: With the game sliding away in the 4th, Anthony Edwards took over. Steve looks at his 36-point night, specifically focusing on his two-way impact and the defensive stop on Stephon Castle that showed Edwards' two-way abilities. * Winning in the Trenches: The numbers don't lie—when the Wolves hit 50 points in the paint, they win. We analyze how Minnesota re-established their identity at the rim and why that remains the non-negotiable recipe for Game 5. * Surviving the "Clunk": A look at the tactical adjustments Coach Finch made to match the Spurs' small-ball look, Naz Reid's phenomenal series, and the key buckets from the supporting cast that kept the Wolves afloat. * Late-Game Execution: Despite the win, the "hang on for dear life" finish raised some red flags. We talk about the inbounds turnovers and poise issues that need to be cleaned up before heading back to San Antonio. Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Solving the Spurs & The Art of Shooting w/ Kevin McKenzie

It was a "back to the drawing board" night in San Antonio as the Timberwolves were blitzed 133-95 in a Game 2 to forget. Host Steve Hartman is joined by former Eagan head coach and founder of the McKenzie Shooting Academy, [https://www.mckenzieshootingacademy.com/] Kevin McKenzie, to break down the wreckage.  We dive into the (1:21) Spurs' swarming defensive traps that forced 22 turnovers, the impact of Jaden McDaniels' recurring foul trouble, and the lingering concerns over Ayo Dosunmu’s health.  Then, we shift gears into a masterclass on the art of shooting (35:00). McKenzie shares his expertise on building a jumper from the ground up, the footwork non-negotiables, and what separates the good from the elite in today's game. Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

The Wolves Take Down the Nuggets, Await the Spurs Challenge with Dan Radke

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman sits down with Dan Radke, founder of the Radke Basketball Academy, to break down a wild week in Timberwolves basketball. The guys dive deep into the Wolves’ gritty Game 6 victory over the Denver Nuggets, highlighting the defensive masterclass from Jaden McDaniels and the "legacy" impact of Rudy Gobert.  The conversation then shifts to the next challenge: a high-stakes series against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Steve and Dan debate how the Wolves’ rotation might shift to account for Wemby’s size, the importance of getting the "shorthanded" bench to step up, and the status of Anthony Edwards’ health.  Finally, Dan opens up about his "passion project," the Radke Basketball Academy. He shares the personal journey of turning 40 and deciding to turn his love for hoops into a career focused on teaching young players the essential fundamentals of the game—from footwork to shooting form.  Highlights include: * Game 6 Takeaways: How the Wolves overcame the odds to shut down Jokic and Murray.  * The "Wemby" Factor: Strategic adjustments needed for the Spurs series and the battle in the paint.  * Roster Depth: The emergence of Terrence Shannon Jr. and the "gritty" contributions of Mike Conley and Jaylen Clark.  * Radke Basketball Academy: Why Dan believes the "basics" are the secret to elite-level play. https://www.radkebasketballacademy.com/ Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Andrew Wiener of West Central United on AAU and Playing the "Right Way"

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, Steve Hartman covers everything from AAU, a look back at the 90s and early 2000s for inspiration and the college basketball transfer portal Featured Interview: Andrew Wiener & West Central United Our main segment features a deep dive into youth basketball with Andrew Wiener, Director of the West Central United AAU program based in Alexandria. Andrew pulls back the curtain on the "mystery" of AAU basketball, explaining how the circuit has evolved from an exclusive club for elite players into an inclusive environment for any player looking to improve their game. We discuss the unique logistical challenges of operating in Greater Minnesota, including how the program utilizes midpoint practice locations like Perham and Fergus Falls to support families traveling from across the northern part of the state. Andrew also shares his coaching philosophy of playing "the right way"—a ball-movement-heavy style inspired by the early 2000s San Antonio Spurs—and reflects on how the "Steph Curry effect" has led to a dramatic increase in shooting skill and athleticism among today's high school players.  Timberwolves Game 5 Breakdown Before the interview, host Steve Hartman breaks down the Timberwolves' tough Game 5 loss in Denver. We analyze the 25 turnovers that stifled the Wolves' rhythm and discuss the dominance of Nikola Jokic, whose 16 assists allowed the Nuggets' role players to find their stride in transition.  Transfer Portal & Local D1 News To close out the show, we look at the latest roster moves for the Minnesota Gophers and St. Thomas Tommies. Steve discusses the Gophers' high level of continuity with five returning players, including Isaac Osma and Bobby Durkin, and breaks down the potential impact of key portal additions like Winters Grady and Nolan Groves. Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].