Chris Finch believes Timberwolves ‘traded moodiness for giddiness’ with LaMelo Ball

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch expresses enthusiasm about acquiring LaMelo Ball for his team. During a preseason game at Madison Square Garden, Finch compared Ball to a gifted, talkative student, praising his ability to relieve pressure from star guard Anthony Edwards and his exceptional shooting skills. What drew the most attention from reporters, however, were Finch's comments on Ball's personality.

"He's always in a great mood. Always comes in smiling," Finch noted. Finch added that Ball and Edwards share a quality of being difficult to anger, and that they have a contagious joy. Finch described the team as having traded moodiness for giddiness, aiming for a happy equilibrium. Last season, the Timberwolves were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Playoffs' second round, while the year before, they were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

After the second elimination, Naz Reid commented that Minnesota was overly moody, suggesting they needed to be less moody and more selfless. The Timberwolves traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets and subsequently exchanged Reid for Ball, sweetening the deal with two first-round picks. Ayo Dosunmu was re-signed, and the Timberwolves secured Jonathan Kuminga through an auction.

The new roster is expected to strike a balance between focus and enthusiasm, which may contribute to their success. Edwards recently expressed his happiness with the changes in the locker room, though Finch did not reveal his own preference. The team's newfound atmosphere remains to be seen if it leads to improved performance on the court, ultimately determining the futures of Edwards, Finch, and Ball in Minnesota.