Mega Thread Minnesota Timberwolves Thread - The Finch Era begins

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

The way we've flicked the switch from regular season to playoffs is actually unreal. Never seen anything like the last six games. Incredible.

I'm far too cynical to think we have a shot yet, but we have already blown my expectations out of the water. Gotta find a way to keep this roster ticking next season.

 

[Jupes]

was hoping for a bounce back but clapping them by 45?... yeesh

 

[mockingbeat]

Crazy series. Good look to anyone who can predict what happens in game 7. What a year it's been so far.

 

[Jupes]

if the officials allow us to play our D we're going to be hard to beat

 

[Brown Bottle]

Now that was special

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Surely need a title update - Western Conference Finalists

So so stoked.

 

[Brown Bottle]

Huge from KAT, Naz, Slim

 

[Jupes]

this is what movies is made of

 

[Jupes]

i owe KAT an apology. he can be absolutely stupid and infuriating but he really came to the party.
mcdaniels looking like kawhi lite. rudy like prime MJ. NAZ the GOAT.
ANT absolute dawg mentality (cannot believe this guy is 22!!).
what a season.

 

[Jupes]

when i thought we might actually have a chance:
View attachment 1716173602673226.webm

the moment i knew it was destiny:
View attachment 1716172676097486.webm

the cherry on top:
View attachment 1716173059190909.webm

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

i owe KAT an apology. he can be absolutely stupid and infuriating but he really came to the party.

I said in the main thread, he just wasn't ever meant to be the main guy, and that's OK. Having someone next to him that can take the offensive and defensive load allows him to play so much more in control.

Someone on Reddit posted the other day that they'd rather have an in-control KAT that scores 10 than an out-of-control 25 point game, and that was spot on I thought.

Heart in mouth stuff when he bottled that inbound pass though.

 

[Jupes]

I said in the main thread, he just wasn't ever meant to be the main guy, and that's OK. Having someone next to him that can take the offensive and defensive load allows him to play so much more in control.

Someone on Reddit posted the other day that they'd rather have an in-control KAT that scores 10 than an out-of-control 25 point game, and that was spot on I thought.

Heart in mouth stuff when he bottled that inbound pass though.

perfect way to put it. earlier in the year, or it might've been last year, finch called it 'stray voltage' which i like too.

 

[BEaston]

Mavs fan here. What you guys thinking about how this series will go?

Two lockdown defences I think it's going to be an absolute rock fight. I would not be surprised to see some 80-85 type scoring games.

I feel like two things will be harder for us compared to the OKC series. First I don't expect to dominate the glass like we did there. If anything you guys will dominate us on the glass. That will lead to less 2nd chance points. Two, I think your defenders will be better at closing out on our shooters than OKC.
Will be interesting to see if you guys blitz Luka (I think you will, which may be a mistake the way he's been playing). If you do and we find open shooters I think you have the length to close out to PJW/DJJ on the corner pretty well. We'll need to make those shots.

I think in our favour is that as a whole the OKC offence is stronger than yours, and we just shut that down pretty well. I'm a little worried about KATs (and Reids) outside shooting in a series where we don't have Kleber, and Ant is going to do Ant things regardless of coverage but apart from that I'm not too concerned about your other players on O. I could be wrong of course and Jaden or NAW get hot.

I think you'll see the Mavs stunting to the ball on drives and pushing into the help defence, then trying to recover quick enough to shooters in order to make them put it on the floor. I doubt we'll see any blitzes/doubles, at least initially. I think we'll be happy to give up contested mid-rangers.

I see a pretty strong advantage for Mavs on offence IF we can force switches for iso defence. I give Gobert and Conley no chance of defending Luka if left on an island. However if Minny can avoid switching and leave their defenders on their desired players (ie Jaden on Luka, Ant on Kyrie) then I think they can shut us down. I think blitzing Luka will be a mistake. DJJ/PJW/Gafford/Lively have all shown they can make the right play on the short roll.

One interesting wrinkle I see that might be pulled out this series is having Lively and Gafford in the corner to drag Rudy away. These guys have rarely shot 3s but it has been a huge focus in practice the last week or so. I think Kidd may play this card at some point in the series to give luka/kyrie more room in the lane.

Anyway, TWolves deserve to be favourites. Playing great ball right now and just beat the champs. My head says Wolves in 6 or 7 but hoping the Mavs can pull something out. One thing in our favour is we have the best player on the court - hoping Luka's knee feels a bit better with the extra rest (thank you Nuggs forcing game 7 haha)

Good luck, hopefully it's a close series.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

What you guys thinking about how this series will go?

not well

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Sad way to end it. Mavs played great, particularly Luka, and can't take anything away from them. We weren't up for the fight this series, though, and that's really disappointing. The team that turned up in the WCF looks more like last season's team than this season's. Not sure if we just ran out of steam.

Don't want this to take away from what was a phenomenal season, though. Gotta use it to get better. Interesting to see what happens with KAT in particular.

 

[X_box_X]

New thread title required to reference Minnesota's home record against Denver & Dallas.

 

[Jupes]

ANT seemed off after the fall in game 6. i think getting over denver took everything they had and there wasn't much left in the tank for the mavs. saying that they never really clicked yet with a whole lot less blown layups and some more composure down the stretch they could've been going into game 5 up 3-1.
a great year still. and ANT getting this kind of experience at only 22 can only be good.
the off season is going to be very interesting with the ownership debacle and the looming salary increase. looking forward to seeing tim connelly go to work on the roster. he built a team that can beat denver. now turn that into a team that can win the chip pls.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Ant and Rob could be one hell of a fun back court. Giving up an unprotected that far out is abit meh but I love getting Dillingham.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Still amazed this team can rip my heart out with some shithole trades, We were doing so well in the last 2 years. what an era

 

[Jupes]

as crazy as this is i'm gonna back tim connelly in that he knows what he's doing

 

[mickelboy182]

Only makes sense as a salary move, can't see how the Wolves aren't immediately worse.

 

[DJ75]

Randle’s only interested in a contract year. Outside of that he’s mostly going through the motions. Not a player I’d want.

 

[Upgrayedd]

as crazy as this is i'm gonna back tim connelly in that he knows what he's doing

"Im saving 27M in tax this year and freeing up 50M in 2 because my owner is a cheap prick and decided to keep the team and doesnt want to pay money"

 

[mockingbeat]

Think it's a great trade to be honest. Offload KAT's contract and pick up Divenceno and Randle. Fair amount of pressure on Reid/Gobert though.

 

[mockingbeat]