Before Thursday night's high-profile matchup with the Golden State Warriors, Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell carried on a little longer than usual in his pregame interview session.
The subject was how to develop young players while still trying to win.
Mitchell said he wasn't foolish enough to think the Wolves were a playoff-caliber team right now, even though they had beaten quality opponents and despite the talent of budding stars such as Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Talk to him 60 games into the season about being that good, he pleaded.
"Young teams can get sky high when you win," Mitchell said, "but when you lose it's like a free fall.