Rocco Zikarsky Is About To Change Everything…

So today we begin with Rocco Zekarski is about to change everything on today's Timberwolves Digest. We are going to discuss the likelihood that head coach Chris Finch actually plays Rocco in meaningful minutes in the upcoming NBA season. And I don't know about you, but I've actually been waiting for a reason to say the following since Rocco was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. So here it goes. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Rocco actually showed up this year in the NBA Summer League. Welcome back to the Timberwolves Digest as always North America. I'm Dave DeBaugh and I bring you daily Minnesota Timberwolves news, trade reports, trade rumors, and of course, a whole lot of commentary. So we're going to talk about Rocco today on the show, and I would love to get your thoughts and opinions on Rocco. A couple days ago, one of you actually put a comment in about Rocco. You said it's like watching a log run up and down the court. And I think definitely during the first couple of games of the Summer League, that was entirely true. But in the last three games in the Summer League this season, Rocco actually did show up. We're going to take a look at what Rocco actually did during the Summer League, as well as take a look back at what he did during his time with the Iowa Wolves. Look, North America. Look, Minnesota Timberwolves fans. I want to know what your thoughts and opinions are. Drop your comments in on Rocco. Do you think that Rocco will be on a two-way contract or do you think he's actually going to get a full contract during this upcoming season for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Also, if you are new to the Timberwolves Digest, well then, please go ahead and subscribe. So I wanted to start off just simply by pointing out the obvious. Rocco is a big man. He is 7'3". He's huge. When my wife saw him, she said, is he as tall as Wembley? And I said, he's actually just about an inch, inch and a half shorter than Wembley. So he's pretty close to the Wembley size. And what we saw out of Rocco last year during the summer league and what we saw out of Rocco in very limited minutes in this past season was really hard to sort of gauge exactly where he is. Now during the first couple games of the summer league, quite frankly, it wasn't terribly pretty, was it? No, it was not. But Rocco certainly turned things around as the summer league went on. And as you can see by the three games that I've actually highlighted for you, Rocco actually delivered at a pretty significant level, a strong enough level to actually open up the discussion about whether or not the Minnesota Timberwolves should actually consider Rocco on a standard contract for the upcoming season or do the Timberwolves actually keep him on a two-way contract. On a personal note, my guess is that the Timberwolves organization will probably fall on the fact that they're going to start with a two-way contract and then go from there with him. But if Rocco can keep improving the way he improved during the summer league, I do believe that head coach Chris Finch, I'm going to show you a picture of head coach Chris Finch right now, right here. I think head coach Chris Finch would find a way to actually give Rocco some meaningful minutes. He has improved significantly. I do believe Rocco still has a way to go. We're going to take a look at what he did during the G-League as well as a couple other quotes about Rocco in just a bit. But I did want to put a special shout out to our sponsor on the Timberwolves Digest. And that, of course, is PrizePix. They've been with us for six months now. PrizePix is America's number one sports pick app, and quite frankly, the best way to get in on the action. New users get $50 instantly when playing your first $5. Remember to check out the and use code Digest to sign up today. So look, I think what we know out of Rocco at this point is that his confidence levels during the summer league certainly were better. These are quotes actually coming from Rocco himself. Just knowing the system, being around the team for a longer period of time, you build trust and compatibility with the coaches. Physically, my wind is a lot better than it was last year. I'm stronger and I can move better as well. Now, I want to sort of take a quick look back at this particular picture here of Rocco. And just simply to say, I think one of the things that Rocco does need to do during the offseason now, between now and the start of the regular season, is get into the gym. Get into the weight room. You need to add some more muscle. I think if Rocco can do that, he has enough touch sort of around the basket. And I think he can continue to develop his touch around the basket where he could be definitely a serviceable big man in the National Basketball Association. I think there's still a lot of upside with Rocco. And the way we would kind of judge that upside, I think at this point, is simply by taking a look back at what he did during the G League and then taking a look at what he did during Summer League. Now, during the G League, Rocco, believe it or not, averaged just under 16 points. He averaged just under 10 rebounds. And he averaged almost three blocks per game. Now, he's not going to do that in the NBA. If Rocco played real meaningful minutes in the NBA, maybe a block, block and a half per game. But he certainly is a big tree that can sit there and clog things up in the middle. I think there is a lot of upside with Rocco. Love to get your thoughts, your opinions, North America. Where do you fall on Rocco at this point? Do you believe, like me, that there is a lot of upside with Rocco? Now, in case you forgot, he was the 45th overall pick in last year's NBA draft. And once again, he is seven foot three, unless he's grown since I started recording this podcast, which is entirely possible. He just turned 20. So, look, what do you think we should do with Rocco? Do we keep him on a two-way contract? Do we shift him to a standard contract? What is your overall take on Rocco at this point? Have you seen enough improvement from him to give him a standard contract? I think either way, regardless of the contract piece at this point, keep him on a two-way contract. And let's see if we can keep watching him continue to improve. I think by mid-season, he could actually truly be a key contributor to the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially at that five position. Drop your comments in. I want to know what your thoughts and opinions are about Rocco. Thanks so much for tuning into the Timberwolves Digest. Once again, if you're new to the Timberwolves Digest, please go ahead and subscribe. As always, for the Timberwolves Digest, I'm Dave DuBois, wishing you all a tremendous rest of your sports viewing day.