There were plenty of topics being covered during this year’s media day. I could probably transcribe for a week. That’s how much stuff we got. But instead of doing that, I decided to highlight a few things that stuck out to me on the day.

I’m sure I missed something, but you better believe we’ll have it covered later this week with Training Camp starting tomorrow.

Andre Miller’s Relationship With Ryan Saunders

The two spent time together in 2013-14 when The Professor played for the Wizards and Saunders was an assistant coach. Miller said that his relationship with Flip over the years has also led to a few introductions with Ryan.

“I’ve been around Ryan since he was a youngster with USA Basketball,” Miller said. “He’s had the opportunity to be around his father, you know, one of the great coaches of my lifetime as far as following basketball. It’s rubbed off on him and is something he’s chosen as a career. He definitely knows what he’s talking about.”

How Will Jones Measure Success?

Wolves rookie point guard Tyus Jones looked to be the team’s backup point guard when he was drafted, but that might have changed with the team bringing in Miller. Still, Miller is 39 years old and probably shouldn’t be playing more than 15-20 minutes per night.

Jones told me that that’s not how he’ll measure his success, though.

“Just trying to improve as a player both on and off the court and be a better teammate by the end of the year,” Jones said. “Try to learn as much as I can. I don’t look at it as far as production. I’m going to try to help the team out as much as I can. But at the end of the day, I’m just trying to learn and get better throughout my rookie year.”

We’ll see how much Jones play as a rookie. Coach Sam Mitchell hinted that we could see Jones in the D-League for a stint to get some live-game action. It certainly helped Shabazz Muhammad a few years ago.

Pekovic Injury Update

Wolves center Nikola Pekovic said that his ankle feels a lot better, but he still hasn’t started running yet.

This offseason, Pekovic has received treatments nearly every day and was able to lift weights. He said that he estimates it will be six or seven weeks before he starts practicing with the team. Obviously that’s a very rough estimate, but at this point, Wolves fans probably shouldn’t expect him back until December at the earliest.

Until then, Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns will hold down the center position for Minnesota.

Bjelica Trying To Fit In Best He Can… Could Rudez Help?

Forward Nemanja Bjelica will enter his rookie season with the Wolves at 27 years old after playing internationally for the start of his career. New teammate Damjan Rudez played internationally before starting his rookie season with the Indiana Pacers last season at age 28.

Rudez should be able to help Bjelica transition to America and the NBA game, but Rudez doesn’t think Bjelica will need too much help adjusting.

“He’s got so much experience playing 10 years in Europe on a high level and over there you meet the high demands of everyday professionalism on a high level,” Rudez said. “I’m sure his transition will be as smooth as mine was and hopefully he’s going to have a great year for us here.”

Rubio’s Ankle “Feels Great”

The question everyone wanted answered regarding Rubio was whether he was fully healthy after offseason ankle surgery. The answer was yes.

Rubio said he was cleared for 5-on-5 play a month ago and it looks like he’ll be ready for the start of the season. It also helps that he’ll be around Arnie Kander, the team’s new Vice President of Sports Performance. Kander has already met with Rubio multiple times and the two seem to be on the same page.

“I like the chemistry we have between the both of us,” Rubio said. “He’s smart. His knowledge about not just what he does, but about life in general. It’s amazing. (I’m) really looking forward to working with him and learn from him.”

Gorgui For Three? Not So Fast

Gorgui Dieng tore it up for Senegal and this summer’s AfroBasket Tournament. He averaged 22.9 points and 14.9 rebounds per game, certainly getting Minnesota fans excited to see how that will translate to the NBA.

One thing that wasn’t so exciting? Dieng launched 25 3-pointers and connected on just five of them. Dieng admitted that he’s been working on that shot, but he doesn’t plan on it being a huge part of his game anytime soon.

“I don’t think it’s smart to see Kevin Martin or another great shooter next to me to force those 3s,” Dieng said. “If I’m there and it’s a last-second shot and the ball is in my hands, I’ll take it.”

I doubt Dieng will attempt 25 3-pointers throughout the whole season.

‘Baz Goes Back To Crazy Frank

After gaining some weight after the season, Muhammad spent the majority of June and July with Crazy Frank, the trainer he worked with last year in California. Muhammad dropped 25 pounds this summer, getting back down to 223. He looked great physically and can probably play the 2, 3 or 4 like he did last season.

“I love working out with my trainer that I’m working out with now,” Muhammad said. “I think it’s really intense training. I like doing that stuff… I’m really ready for the season.”

LaVine And Wiggins Bulk Up

While Muhammad was losing weight over the offseason, teammates Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins were bulking up. LaVine gained 11 pounds and is up to 191. And he actually has shoulders, so that’s a plus.

Wiggins, on the hand, told us he gained four pounds of muscle.

Both players said they wanted to gain weight going into this season and at age 20, it didn’t seem too hard for them. That should help on the wear and tear throughout the season.

Towns Wants To Make The Playoffs

Most experts believe the Wolves are probably a season or two away from the playoffs. Don’t tell that to Towns. Since being drafted, Towns has been very vocal that this team will make a playoff run.

For a guy who has won at every level, you can’t blame him for dreaming big.

“For me I’m just continuing to work on my game every day and just trying to be the best player I can be,” Towns said. “I'm also just trying to find ways to give back to the community and trying to find a way to make us a playoff team.”

If the Wolves are in the playoff hunt come April, chances are Towns will be a big part of it. And Wolves fans will be ecstatic.

Payne Has A Solid Relationship With Mitchell

Wolves second-year forward Adreian Payne shouldn’t have too much trouble adjusting to Mitchell. Payne said that Mitchell helped him warmup before games last season. Mitchell also did a lot of hands-on work with Payne at Summer League.

“Him and I got a good relationship,” Payne said. “He’s been around. He was the guy that I talked to when I got here last year.”

Payne hopes that relationship helps when it comes to playing time at the crowded power forward position.

Mitchell’s Goals Early In Camp

Mitchell knows there is plenty of work to do with such a young team. Training camp starts up on Tuesday, and Mitchell isn’t going to rush anything early.

“(We have) a lot of teaching to do,” Mitchell said. “A lot of teaching to do. We’re going to start off very basic. Obviously we’re going to start off building our defense and get better defensively and then offensively we’re going to see where they are and how much they can handle.”

That’s all I’ve got for now. Expect plenty of content from media day and training camp this week. Plenty of transcribing to do, that’s for sure.