@_JasonLT Agreed. Harper kept immediately passing in the 4th when he touched the ball. Doubt he’s scared to shoot but probably was too concerned getting a good shot. So it turned into hot potato on offense.
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James Rhoads
568 posts
Hate to be the “the Spurs are too young” guy, but they have definitely *looked* young in the last two games.
Still a lot of basketball left, it’s just that this series feels like it will be decided by a handful of key possessions, and mistakes kill you in a series like that.
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The biggest thing that has had me feeling better about OKC as this series has gone along is just how much more sharp and disciplined they are.
They just don’t make nearly as many mistakes, take nearly as many bad shots as the Spurs do. A HUGE deal in a series *this* close.
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For the 2nd straight game of the WCF, the biggest winner (outside of the team that actually won the game) was the Knicks.
This is going to be a 7 game war that finds the victor operating at far less than 100% going into the Finals.
A Knicks title is a very real possibility.
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At the level they’re playing now, I think they’re within the margin of error for these West teams. Underdogs with a real chance, especially if they make it through Cleveland quickly and the Thunder and Spurs kill each other for seven games.
Raheem Palmer@iamrahstradamus
The Knicks championship equity has increased with the Spurs winning Game 1 against OKC. People are claiming that the Western Conference Finals is the true NBA Finals but the Knicks match up well with the Spurs and should they meet in the Finals, I think the Knicks are going to win the title.
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@joelvmoran NAW was not good in the playoffs just like he was in MN. Sad to see him go but he was not worth the second apron. Ayo was a great pickup.
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If you’re Anthony Edwards you are rightfully frustrated
Over the last 2 years you’ve seen:
- KAT traded
- Rob Dillingham flop
- NAW walk
- Julius Randle stink it up
From his perspective how is he suppose to feel confident in the organization building a championship contender?
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Loved what Mark Daigneault had to say about enjoying the problem solving element of a series. Full expect OKC to find some counters. Gonna be a fantastic series
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@WembyAlienEra @WolvesInVI can’t substitute your way to a title
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Zach Lowe gives Mitch Johnson credit on his in-season adjustment:
“Moving Harrison Barnes to the bench in favor of Julian Champagnie.. it’s one of the most important mid-season adjustments a coach has made in a long time. It completely changed the Spurs.”
#GoSpursGo #PorVida
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@WolvesInVI I mean… Ant and Donte doesn’t get hurt, Rudy doesn’t potato, and Randle becomes the second coming of LeBron James, I think we’re right there with them.
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Yeah yall got it I’ll see yall in 2028
Wolves In 6@WolvesInVI
This shit ain’t even fun anymore
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@Tysingerlaw @JRD_1000 Absolutely. They won in 2007 and not again until 2014 even though they had the same 3 core. I remember them being losing to 8th seed MEM in 6 games like it was yesterday.
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@JRD_1000 Especially when Ant was playing hurt the whole series. He clearly was not himself.
Also the whole title window closing this is just stupid. It looked like the Spurs' title window had closed any number of times. All it takes is a little new blood and you're back in it.
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Ant is 24
Jaden is 25
Naz is 26
Top 10 trio in the league all locked down for years. Plus Beringer & Shannon.
MIN isn’t a title roster; but the idea that their window is closed akin to DEN whose star is over 30 and only rotation players under 28 are Braun and Jones… is crazy.
Tom Haberstroh@tomhaberstroh
Denver and Minnesota’s windows closed just like that. It happens so quick in this league.
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@MichaelRedd_ Been cheering for MN since Jordan retired the second time. Couldn’t agree more. And we’re not 100% done yet. OKC and SA are rare. It’s takes a ton of attempts to get to the top. Look at Boston. It was Tatum’s 7th playoff run before they won.
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Saw someone else already said this, but winning a ring isn't the only definition of success.
If you asked Minnesota fans three years ago if they'd take the run they've had, most would say yes. It's some of the best seasons in history, even without a ring.
I'm sure Sacramento fans would take the early 2000s back if they could, too, even though they didn't win a ring.
Hardwood Paroxysm@HPbasketball
I really hate how when a team loses we relitigate everything. The Wolves gave up a bunch of picks for Rudy and he had a bad Game 6 against a better team. They traded KAT because of the CBA for Randle and he had a bad series. They made two WCFs and got to the second round, for a team that has been a historical joke since KG in 2004, TWENTY years ago. They built a good team, they couldn't get it to put it together. It doesn't mean it wasn't worth it.
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@JonKrawczynski Is the next step in Ant’s game learning how to deal with double teams like Luka and other players do? Luka’s able to get someone on his hip and punish people for blitzing. Saw a little of that against the Spurs because Any didn’t have his burst.
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Recording a post mortem episode of the Jon Krawczynski Show this morning. Send in your questions.
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@SamQuinnCBS Stars don’t sign with MN. The picks were meh. Is Kessler or George winning a title?
A winning culture with good vets huge for young players. Rudy is one of the best defenders of his generation. Beat Denver twice, who won a title and this year was considered a serious contender.
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Failure is too strong a word. Imo they crossed the “good enough to win a title” threshold in 24 at least. But the opportunity cost was enormous. Ant opens doors so few players can in that market. I think they ultimately could’ve done better with their assets if they’d waited.
Hardwood Paroxysm@HPbasketball
Curious on other Wolves fans' thoughts on this. Maybe I'm too kind in celebrating good teams that give exciting memories that you can be proud of.
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@adukeMN Bill Simmons talked about this on his podcast. Between that and his recent injuries, probably best to look elsewhere as Bucks’ll never do it if Jaden isn’t included and he’s on our team.
Sadly no one’s taking Julius without picks. He’s a negative asset currently.
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They also have a 2032 swap and Joan that could be thrown in…
Hypothetically both Julius and Randle could be re-routed in a trade as well.
Not impossible for the Wolves to get to a place where they are offering 5 first round picks and a couple swaps for Giannis.
FanDuel Sportsbook@FDSportsbook
It might be time for the Timberwolves to make a SPLASH 😳 Should Milwaukee & Minnesota make this trade to unite Giannis & Anthony Edwards? 🤔
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@AshNicoleMoss We really going to put Flagg ahead of Ant already? Outstanding rookie but Ant was likely 5th or 6th in voting if he’s not hurt. He was considered right there with Brown and Cade until he did.
That’s a LONG way to go for a 19 year old.
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Jaylen Brown’s best shot was this season (unless he leaves Boston) and Anthony Edwards might have to leave Minnesota to give himself his best shot. he’s in a conference with Wemby, SGA and Cooper. that’s crazy competition just to even get a look without comparison.
Lil-King👑@ny_Lilking1
@AshNicoleMoss Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown??
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@Realrclark25 Kobe quit halfway through a game 7. LeBron shook hands in the Finals with over 4 mins left when pulled. People still ridicule the Pistons for that.
Edwards blew out Luka the year after. He came back early with a bad hyperextension and played anyways. Chill.
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I’m all for sportsmanship, but not surrender. Anthony Edwards sharing congratulatory hugs with 8 minutes to play wasn’t a good look.
The Bad Boys walked past MJ, Kobe full court pressed in the 4th Q of a 4-1 series blow out because competitors compete. First Luka, then Shai, & now Wemby. Ant has been bested by his peers & they aren’t concerned with shaking hands. Something has to give… Will it be Ant or the Timberwolves?
@ThePivot pivotal points
#RCconfessionals #ThePivot #PivotalPoints #AntMan #Wemby
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@REichten People forget at this time of year that injuries matter. Wemby played 71 games, then 46, then 64. The whole narrative that OKC and SA do it for 10 years hinges on players staying happy and all the players staying healthy let alone the 7’5” guy who’s at a height they never do.
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I disagree that the Wolves window is closed. Their superstar is 24
If the Wolves window is closed, then it’s closed for nearly 28 of the 30 teams in the league
Tom Haberstroh@tomhaberstroh
Denver and Minnesota’s windows closed just like that. It happens so quick in this league.
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Might as well just say his name
Dane Moore@DaneMooreNBA
Asked Naz Reid about being knocked out by Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the last two postseasons and what they need to do to be able to overcome those two teams. Reid said it's about eliminating their moodiness as a team because that's not something the Thunder and Spurs are.
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@ChristopherHine Feel like he’s saying he’s needed to start Mike, play him more, and not play the young guys as much
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Chris Finch discusses the butterfly effects of moving Donte DiVincenzo into the starting lineup just before the regular season. How it helped DiVincenzo, but came with consequences other places.
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@SheaSerrano Congrats bro. That one hurt a little but I’m happy for you and SA fans. Loyal to your players and right attitude.
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making the western conference finals this early in insane
we were supposed to be the 6th seed this year and a be authors out in the first round for someone 😭😭😭 we’re so far ahead of schedule 😭😭😭
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@KevinOConnor Ant is 24. Took Spurs to a game 6 banged up and Donte out. OKC’s wonderful payroll situation will catch up soon. Wemby is a height in which players often don’t stay healthy. MN’s chances aren’t as high but it’s not a reach. Look at Orlando in 95. Young teams break up too. Chill.
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Moving to the Eastern Conference might be the only hope for Minnesota to get to the NBA Finals.
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@Tjonesonthenba He’s bad off ball. Coming from a Wolves fan who loves the kid. Hes talked about falling asleep in post game convos, and he has said it even in this series.
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