2024 NBA Playoffs - West 1st Round: #3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. #6 Phoenix Suns (MIN SWEEPS 4-0)

[Chuck Everett]

Only problem is how many times Jokic has already cooked him in playoffs lol

I think theyll market Ant more as superstar, next Mj type of stuff

I'm pretty sure we're going to see DeAndre Jordan a lot in the next series because asking Jokic and Gordon to bang with Rudy, KAT and Naz with no help is asking a lot. Malone absolutely does not trust Zeke Nnaji now that the games matter.

That will create quite the challenge for Denver.

define "alot"?

we're gonna see him more that's for sure but..he's almost 36, he looks totally gassed after just a couple of mins of play,I doubt he can handle more than 12-15 mins, if that

moreover, the Wolves are playing 3 of their 7 footers (Gobert,KAT,Mcdaniels) together
Nuggets can't play Jokic and DAJ together and seeing as Jokic will probably see 38-39 mpg in this series barring foul trouble - it doesn't leave many mins for DAJ nor would that be a viable option to begin with, if i'm honest

They're probably going to need him to play some minutes in every game (8-12). As of right now, he's only played in one of the three Lakers games. Minnesota is too big to expect Jokic/Gordon to never have foul trouble or need a breather.

[Exp0sed]

They're probably going to need him to play some minutes in every game (8-12). As of right now, he's only played in one of the three Lakers games. Minnesota is too big to expect Jokic/Gordon to never have foul trouble or need a breather.

ah, I see what u mean. for sure, he's going to see mins in every game no doubt. it's not just issues of size, it's also much more likely for either of Jokic or AG to get into foul trouble in this series and that would def spell 10 mpg for DAJ, which ofc is really bad news for the Nuggets

they might have to experiment in bursts, seeing if Watson can check KAT for a few mins here and there. stuff like that

they're basically facing a team with 3-4 legit Centers with only one legit Center in the rotation. it's not like this came from nowhere either, it was pretty foolish of them not to have legit backup big or even a legit 3rd stringer that could have been had on a min. deal or the buyout market etc.

[garrick]

PHX is just unbalanced. Too much perimeter talent and no size or presence in the paint. Nurkic has been worse than Ayton for the team

Stop blaming role players for the loss of the superteam. Nurkić doesnt have anything to do with Ayton and it wasnt his fault that his former team where he sacrificed everything for them including his health traded him in bad situation where toxic Ayton fans took every chance to trash Nurkic and use him as a scapegoat.Even in that situation he gave more effort than any other player on the team.Vogel tried small ball multiple times during season and PO and it NEVER WORKED so blaming Nurkić is totaly misguided and dishonest.

Of course Nurkic can't control where he's traded but the fact that he is a net zero in this series means he has some blame just much less than the big 3.

Minnesota absolutely is ecstatic for him to try and attempt some shots near the rim because he's gonna miss most of the shots even 1 foot away from the rim and if you isolate Nurkic on a PnR he can't keep anyone in front of him. On an already bad defensive team his slowness just adds to the problem.

[Exp0sed]

I

I became a believer after watching their regular
season games against the nuggets. This is the WCF for sure. For the wolves to win Ant will have to deliver. Jokic is the best player in the series and will bring his A game. Ant had a few duds in the last month which obvs happens as a young player. But he can’t do that in the next series. It’s gonna be awesome. Overall, I still think the nuggets big game experience will win out and the Wolves may rue that final game loss to give Denver HCA for a game 7

the bolded is entirely possible but just possible and imo even more likely, is that the Nuggets will rue blowing that game to the Spurs up 23, that sent them into this 2nd rd collision with the Wolves. they would have been better off having another team have a crack at them first, you never know how a series can develop

[thinktank]

These wolves are trying to be the bad boy grizzilies

Anthony Edwards is taking Ja morants role
Mcdonaiels is brooks

We’ll see what happens next round

Lmao. Edwards is just having fun. Ja tries too hard to be gangster. And none of these players are as dirty and unbearable as Brooks. Try again.

I like what KAT said yesterday.

“We ain’t worried about narrative.”

And they aren’t. All we have to do is be ourselves as much as we can be.

[TimberKat]

Read on Twitter

?

Now he knows...

[Exp0sed]

It was Beal or corpse of CP3 for 61.5 mio. It looks pretty solid gamble, knowing that they were all in anyway.

it was the corpse of CP3 for one year, they have Beal on the books for like 3-4

[BeiBeau]

My least favorite team, 2 least favorite players, and least favorite fan base are collapsing and will be an irrelevant team for the next decade. This post season is awesome.

[Bob8]

It was Beal or corpse of CP3 for 61.5 mio. It looks pretty solid gamble, knowing that they were all in anyway.

it was the corpse of CP3 for one year, they have Beal on the books for like 3-4

1 year is a lot with KD being pretty old and they are over apron with or without Beal, so they wouldn't be able to get someone good anyway.

[TimberKat]

They're probably going to need him to play some minutes in every game (8-12). As of right now, he's only played in one of the three Lakers games. Minnesota is too big to expect Jokic/Gordon to never have foul trouble or need a breather.

ah, I see what u mean. for sure, he's going to see mins in every game no doubt. it's not just issues of size, it's also much more likely for either of Jokic or AG to get into foul trouble in this series and that would def spell 10 mpg for DAJ, which ofc is really bad news for the Nuggets

they might have to experiment in bursts, seeing if Watson can check KAT for a few mins here and there. stuff like that

they're basically facing a team with 3-4 legit Centers with only one legit Center in the rotation. it's not like this came from nowhere either, it was pretty foolish of them not to have legit backup big or even a legit 3rd stringer that could have been had on a min. deal or the buyout market etc.

Funny how the narrative had changed. It was all about small ball a few years ago. Everyone thinks Wolves were crazy making the Gobert trade. When the trade happened, Connelly and Finch said they see the new trend coming and other teams are going to have to figure out how to play big to match up with us and everyone laughs including Chuck and Shaq.

[shrink]

Will be funny to see how the NBA markets:

Minnesota vs. Denver
Oklahoma City vs. Dallas

Can't wait for the "what's next for the Lakers and Warriors" segments throughout the remainder of the playoffs lol.

I hope the networks slide a little coverage in of the teams that are still alive in the playoffs.

[Dadouv47]

They're probably going to need him to play some minutes in every game (8-12). As of right now, he's only played in one of the three Lakers games. Minnesota is too big to expect Jokic/Gordon to never have foul trouble or need a breather.

ah, I see what u mean. for sure, he's going to see mins in every game no doubt. it's not just issues of size, it's also much more likely for either of Jokic or AG to get into foul trouble in this series and that would def spell 10 mpg for DAJ, which ofc is really bad news for the Nuggets

they might have to experiment in bursts, seeing if Watson can check KAT for a few mins here and there. stuff like that

they're basically facing a team with 3-4 legit Centers with only one legit Center in the rotation. it's not like this came from nowhere either, it was pretty foolish of them not to have legit backup big or even a legit 3rd stringer that could have been had on a min. deal or the buyout market etc.

Funny how the narrative had changed. It was all about small ball a few years ago. Everyone thinks Wolves were crazy making the Gobert trade. When the trade happened, Connelly and Finch said they see the new trend coming and other teams are going to have to figure out how to play big to match up with us and everyone laughs including Chuck and Shaq.

I still don't know if a KAT/Gobert duo was the best idea (at least at the price Minny paid) but mostly I don't see how it kills small ball narrative. At one point, talent is talent and you guys have a GREAT team. Naz Reid is an above average big so having him on your bench is crazy. McDaniels/NAW can defend on everybody so it helps defending elite guards even if you play two centers. So yeah overall you basically have great defenders at each position and some great offensive players.

[shrink]

Wow Anthony Edwards just did the DX suck it. Didn't even think he would know what that is as he was like negative 15 while that was going on lol.

I don’t think the broadcast knew what it was either given how long they left the camera on him doing it

Watch on YouTube

Check out the bit at 32:00! This typifies these guys so well!

They both like each other, but Ant is the fun-loving kid, and Rudy is the older professional.

[GeorgeSears]

One thing that goes unnoticed is KAT's commitment. When he tore his MCL in March, the timetable for return was early second round if lucky. He worked his way back into game shape in a month and was ready for round 1. He knows how important this playoff run is for this team. His improved defense is also an example.

[azcatz11]

I heard this on the Simmons pod and I honestly agree with it. The KD iso right kills the offensive flow. It’s just not sustainable anymore in a playoff series considering his age.

[winforlose]

Read on Twitter

?

Ant respectfully answers

Watch on YouTube

[winforlose]

I didn't see this coming at all. Nuggets-Wolves gonna be crazy.

Nuggets-Wolves is the NBA finals. People just haven’t told the other teams yet.

[TimberKat]

Ant jumping for a block

Come on, that is obviously KAT.

[winforlose]

The Superteam/Big3 model no longer works in the modern league.

This is what people don’t seem to get. The Wolves have a Superteam big 3. Rudy Gobert has scored 14, 18, and 19. He is shooting 72.7% from the floor and 86.4% from the line. He also has 13 rebounds a game. Rudy has outplayed Bradley Beal. The other thing the Wolves have is the best bench in the NBA. Naz is the 6th man of the year, and NAW should be NBA 2nd team all defense. Monte Morris might not be scoring well, but he doesn’t turn it over and makes good passes. Finally, the Wolves have Jaden and Mike in the starting 5. Either guy can go off for 20+, and both have massive impacts on the game even when they don’t score. The Wolves have a big 3, a complete team, and an elite defense. That is a championship waiting to happen.

[Pachinko_]

The Wolves have a big 3, a complete team, and an elite defense. That is a championship waiting to happen.

But they don't have experience. I don't know why, but championships in the NBA typically come after a few playoff attempts for some reason, with very few exceptions.
It's a bitter lesson.