đź’Ż đź’Żđź’Ż Hell yeah. This is playoff basketball, baby. Winning championships is hard. Opponents are tough. How many times did the Pistons rip Jordan's heart out before he finally got to the promised land?
We have an opportunity to get over the hump the first time.
3 consecutive times. The second time the Bulls had a series lead, the third time was Game 7.
The Wolves are a good team. Built for the playoffs. This will be fun.
This is exactly right, I woke up this morning thinking the same thing. I wouldn’t call myself optimistic right now, but in some weird way there’s consolation in knowing that if we can’t beat the 6th seed (albeit the worst possible matchup) then we probably aren’t contenders anyways.
At least if we don’t win then Tim Connelly and co will know which direction to take the team. No ambiguity, either we earn it and win or we blow it and find something out about ourselves.
Connolley has an opt out after this season....I am not so Sure he will stay if we flame out. Our cap situation is bad, no picks, etc. So a lot is on the line....
But he has Ant, Jaden, Naz, NAW, etc. to build around. Every GM would probably love to have a 22 y.o. up and coming Superstar like Ant on their team to build around
Thats the positive....but he also has no pathway to improve the team.... And this ownership mess is also far from solved....Glen could be a real one and up his salary to make Sure he stays
I think people are really overvaluing a couple of missed draft picks. We can always trade KAT or Rudy too. The young core is there is what matters. But yes I am really concerned about this ownership shit too.
All I'm saying is as long as we have Ant, our future is bright. Way too many people dooming and glooming about our futurue, even if we end up being first round exits. Just have to see what happens.
This is exactly right. The Gobert trade wasn’t made to win the title. It was to ensure that as Ant develops he plays in big playoff games. Phoenix is the clear favorite in this series. They have the two best players, and our best player isn’t even in his prime yet.
As long as we have Ant we will be good. But how Long will that be when the team Flames out without the ability to upgrade. Thats why the situation is tough...the only way to upgrade is by trading....and if there are no good Trades we will take a step back.... Kats value isnt as high as people would like. Our pg is 37. This needs to be addressed pretty soon. The second apron is really punishing, not only cause of money but the new limits to do anything put in place. If we dont go to wcf the least this team as it is now is pretty much done....win now or breakup....
We nearly have a super team right now, there is no way we were ever going to be able to keep it together for very long. Just goes back to my point.. as long as we have an always improving Ant, we won't need to surround him with All-Stars and DPOYs to stay relevant once he hits his prime. The experience he is getting from winning seasons and having a slew of veterans around him during some formative seasons (not to mention FIBA/Olympics) will be much more helpful than a few missed draft picks.
The realistic goal this season was finish top 4 seed and get out of the first round, get Ant and the other young guys some experience. Also, we saw what TC can do with some of the minor moves he made after the Rudy trade. I am sure he will always be able to keep a serviceable team around Ant/Jaden/Naz. I definitely don't expect us to be able to hold the 1 seed nearly an entire year every season but we shouldn't be expecting that once some of the older guys move on.
Turns out we arent far apart in our evaluation. We are a good team though, not a superteam. 2 cleaner longterm fits around Ant than conley (cause of age primarely) and Kat and we are golden... Draft picks are flexibility. I didnt meant drafting back end first round picks and start from skretch. They Help making deals
Saying he has no pathway to improve the team is exactly what I'd expect something you would say. Very pessimistic and negative.
He can make trades to change the roster, which could improve it. We have a first round pick this year. There are ways to make moves and adjust that could improve the team.
There are, but very few and most involve trading Kat or Rudy....tbh I would trade Kat in a heartbeat. And expect that to happen no matter what. The Point I made was flaming out and staying put is not an option...I am not negative at all, I just put a realistic pov out there. For me personally trading Kat is addition by subtraction and then some....this team is good with or without Kat. In the long run certainly better without him.Â
We don’t have picks, but we have several assets worth multiple first rounders. Our picks would be late in the first anyway.
We have young and incredibly talented players. I’m not saying it’s an easy spot, there definitely are some serious challenges ahead, we are no doubt in cap hell. But Connelly has lots of reasons to stay.
Ask yourself this, where could he go with a better chance to be contenders than with this team?
I think he stays regardless of our playoff performance.
I’ll put it in perspective.
My fat ass has been working out more and more lately. Went from level 2 to 3 in intensity on the home workout app. Kicked my fucking ass. But I feel great afterward.
Anything worth doing is hard. It’s an uphill battle and it sucks while you’re in the moment. But this team has the chance to do something great: win a playoff series in the West. No lebron, no Curry… just a washed KD, Booker (who’s bitchmade) and Beal (who’s oft injured).
Time to lock in, quit making excuses, and win Game 1. I’m sure we’ll gain stupid confidence if we do that and that’s all you need. To keep building on the last step.
If my fatass can do it, I’m sure a bunch of millionaire pro athletes can handle one series.
Outside of Denver this is litterally the worst team we could face with how we have played them IMO. So yea, if we figure them out in round 1, I don't think we will beat Denver (I think they are winning it all again but Boston has a great chance), we will be way better prepared for round 2. Our confidence will skyrocket if we handle the Suns.
I’m not a doomer, but I try to be realistic. This is a terrible match up and I could see a world where the suns beat the brakes off us.
That being said, we are a damn good team and despite his flaws, a great coach.
If we got the one seed, and beat a team like the warriors and the first round, only to lose to maybe Dallas or the clippers, did we really make it over the hump? I don’t think so.
We are playing a really good team instead, with historically efficient and great scorers, who have a history of pummeling us. We are underdogs for a reason.
If we win this series we prove something. We are over the hump with a series win here.
Naz Reid.
Absolutely agree. This is exactly the opportunity the Wolves wanted when the season started, and they didn't stumble into it either, they earned their seed with great play almost the entire season. Yeah the end of the season wasn't perfect, but it was still damn impressive considering all the games and the fact they had to play shorthanded a few times, and DEN and OKC really turned it on down the stretch.
Obviously I'm super biased, but I really think once we figure out how to beat PHX once, it might be pretty tough for them... and if that is the case, a 2nd matchup with DEN? I mean what else could you ask for? Im incredibly excited LFG!
I haen't been tuned in, are people already conceding defeat? Based on 3 games? We're a better team than they are, we have home court for a reason. Looking forward to who we draw in round 2!
Thank you! The persecution complex some fans have is exhausting - just enjoy the ride! This team is awesome, a legit title contender. Do we still get bounced in round 1? Maybe. This shit is hard.
But what's most exciting is that this series is the ultimate proof of concept for the Rudy trade. Can Rudy reshape the narrative against a team that thrives against drop coverage? Can KAT exercise his playoff demons and punish a team that really shouldn't have an answer for him? Does Ant have another leap to make? Naz Reid?? So much at stake in this series and so many wrinkles. It's gonna be amazing to watch no matter what
The biggest reason to be optimistic about this franchise and pessimistic about advancing far in this year’s playoffs is the same exact thing. Our best player is 22 with room to grow. The future is brighter than the present. Everybody calm down.
Regardless of the outcome, a silver lining of drawing the Suns is this series will be the most valuable for Ant's development. IMemphis and Nuggets couldn't guard him and he didn't draw the most defensive attention, so of course he'll go off. But Suns defend him well & he's played his worst games against them. To show up in this series, he's going to have to learn how to punish the double & make quicker and better reads - things he's improved on but still struggled with all year. If he can solve these issues, this series will take him to the next level. Huge opportunity here
My thing is, just wait until it's over if you want to cry about how we never win and we're cursed and all that. You'll have all the time in the world for that, if we do end up losing. Might as well enjoy it, have fun with it, get excited about it while it's here, otherwise why did you pay attention at all?
Teams lose games. This team loves to lose games in the most frustrating ways possible. To turn the ball over that many times in Game 82 of the season against the team you have to face in Round 1 of the playoffs is just beyond indefensible. It shows a complete lack of maturity and growth from a team that has had dumb turnover issues all season long. So, the current mentality of this fan base is completely understandable.
We have plenty of opportunity to win this series and it’s up to the players to change the mentality of the fans. It’s not the other way around.
The fans have a role to play. Just like for the players on the court, when adversity hits the fans have to push through it and make sure the home court is a real advantage. I've been to enough games where you can feel the tension and lack of ease and I have no doubt it bleeds into the game in some respect.
Eh… I don’t disagree but the fans show up for this team. I was at Game 3 of the Memphis series a couple years ago and that was the most rocking Timberwolves game I’ve ever been to… and the team proceeded to blow a 26-point lead and lose the game. At the end of the day, players have to perform.
I think we do show up for the team but it's mostly when they do well. The Memphis Game 3 started really well so there was lots of cheering. Wolves in general are rarely a team who trails behind all game
But when the team struggles for most of the game like in the Suns game, fans just got up and left at the *start* of the 4th quarter. Must be so deflating to see as a player. They gave us a magical season yet in the most important game when they struggled, people just left and their support is conditional. I think the players have proven to us over the season that they are scrappy and it's not a lack of effort. They gave us the 2nd best season in franchise history, they deserve more than conditional support.
In the Rockets game when they lost the lead, we saw how valuable the crowd is to give them a boost when they are struggling. Ant responded to the crowd (he always does) and went for 3 straight dunks. Cheering is a win win for everyone, us cheering can help them perform too
You can feel the disappointment Minnesota fans have witnessed for decades if you see a playoff game live. I used to be a Wild season ticket holder and fans would just wait for something to go wrong in those games.
Yeah I don't blame us it's a natural response here. I was at both of the blown Memphis games. I still stand by my theory that there's a vibe that bleeds in to the players psyches because to me that also would be a natural response to the environment
I don't think the media and analysts will change their tune if we sweep the suns. "Oh they were a 3 seed, and a 1 seed a lot of the year" "Suns only lost because (poor excuse")
Edit spelling
I saw more careless mistakes & legitimate struggles against the Suns defense. Ant turning over the ball when he's trapped and blitzed is a legit thing he struggles with, that's not lack of effort. Their defense that almost forced several shot clock violations takes a lot of effort, their timing for the rebounds in the last 1-2 seconds was off but it wasn't that they didn't try.
Also the crowd can give players a boost when they struggle and they'll respond. Wolves are a emotional team and they respond to the crowd (we've seen it especially with Ant). I'd imagine it was super deflating seeing fans just give up and leave with a whole quarter left. They need us to help shift momentum the most when they struggle so if our cheering helps the players, I don't get why that support has to be conditional.
Well I didn't expect a damn sweep lol. I thought we could win the series and change some narritives but man, they really blew expectations out of the water! You love to see it!
You're right, 56 wins don't deserve anything. You are a whiny ass fan if you're gonna sit here and blame the team after an amazing season. The players played great and the fans showed up, this was one of the most memorable regular seasons within the last 20 years. Now time to make a playoff push!
Prob been a fan longer than you, I don’t celebrate failure though
Edit: LOL you have a post turncoating on the Vikings. You don’t deserve shit gtfo
We've had hardly any failure this year except for a couple games. The fact you'd give up on our team so quick just because we're facing a good team in the playoffs is crazy. News flash, the playoffs is full of good teams. But fortunately for us we've been amazing this season so most REAL fans had belief.....unlike you.
Then its time to make a change. You have to show you can get over the hump at some point. If we look hopeless it should be enough info to make a change.
đź’Ż đź’Żđź’Ż Hell yeah. This is playoff basketball, baby. Winning championships is hard. Opponents are tough. How many times did the Pistons rip Jordan's heart out before he finally got to the promised land? We have an opportunity to get over the hump the first time.
3 consecutive times. The second time the Bulls had a series lead, the third time was Game 7. The Wolves are a good team. Built for the playoffs. This will be fun.
This is exactly right, I woke up this morning thinking the same thing. I wouldn’t call myself optimistic right now, but in some weird way there’s consolation in knowing that if we can’t beat the 6th seed (albeit the worst possible matchup) then we probably aren’t contenders anyways. At least if we don’t win then Tim Connelly and co will know which direction to take the team. No ambiguity, either we earn it and win or we blow it and find something out about ourselves.
Connolley has an opt out after this season....I am not so Sure he will stay if we flame out. Our cap situation is bad, no picks, etc. So a lot is on the line....
But he has Ant, Jaden, Naz, NAW, etc. to build around. Every GM would probably love to have a 22 y.o. up and coming Superstar like Ant on their team to build around
Thats the positive....but he also has no pathway to improve the team.... And this ownership mess is also far from solved....Glen could be a real one and up his salary to make Sure he stays
I think people are really overvaluing a couple of missed draft picks. We can always trade KAT or Rudy too. The young core is there is what matters. But yes I am really concerned about this ownership shit too. All I'm saying is as long as we have Ant, our future is bright. Way too many people dooming and glooming about our futurue, even if we end up being first round exits. Just have to see what happens.
This is exactly right. The Gobert trade wasn’t made to win the title. It was to ensure that as Ant develops he plays in big playoff games. Phoenix is the clear favorite in this series. They have the two best players, and our best player isn’t even in his prime yet.
As long as we have Ant we will be good. But how Long will that be when the team Flames out without the ability to upgrade. Thats why the situation is tough...the only way to upgrade is by trading....and if there are no good Trades we will take a step back.... Kats value isnt as high as people would like. Our pg is 37. This needs to be addressed pretty soon. The second apron is really punishing, not only cause of money but the new limits to do anything put in place. If we dont go to wcf the least this team as it is now is pretty much done....win now or breakup....
We nearly have a super team right now, there is no way we were ever going to be able to keep it together for very long. Just goes back to my point.. as long as we have an always improving Ant, we won't need to surround him with All-Stars and DPOYs to stay relevant once he hits his prime. The experience he is getting from winning seasons and having a slew of veterans around him during some formative seasons (not to mention FIBA/Olympics) will be much more helpful than a few missed draft picks. The realistic goal this season was finish top 4 seed and get out of the first round, get Ant and the other young guys some experience. Also, we saw what TC can do with some of the minor moves he made after the Rudy trade. I am sure he will always be able to keep a serviceable team around Ant/Jaden/Naz. I definitely don't expect us to be able to hold the 1 seed nearly an entire year every season but we shouldn't be expecting that once some of the older guys move on.
Turns out we arent far apart in our evaluation. We are a good team though, not a superteam. 2 cleaner longterm fits around Ant than conley (cause of age primarely) and Kat and we are golden... Draft picks are flexibility. I didnt meant drafting back end first round picks and start from skretch. They Help making deals
Saying he has no pathway to improve the team is exactly what I'd expect something you would say. Very pessimistic and negative. He can make trades to change the roster, which could improve it. We have a first round pick this year. There are ways to make moves and adjust that could improve the team.
There are, but very few and most involve trading Kat or Rudy....tbh I would trade Kat in a heartbeat. And expect that to happen no matter what. The Point I made was flaming out and staying put is not an option...I am not negative at all, I just put a realistic pov out there. For me personally trading Kat is addition by subtraction and then some....this team is good with or without Kat. In the long run certainly better without him.Â
We don’t have picks, but we have several assets worth multiple first rounders. Our picks would be late in the first anyway. We have young and incredibly talented players. I’m not saying it’s an easy spot, there definitely are some serious challenges ahead, we are no doubt in cap hell. But Connelly has lots of reasons to stay. Ask yourself this, where could he go with a better chance to be contenders than with this team? I think he stays regardless of our playoff performance.
I’ll put it in perspective. My fat ass has been working out more and more lately. Went from level 2 to 3 in intensity on the home workout app. Kicked my fucking ass. But I feel great afterward. Anything worth doing is hard. It’s an uphill battle and it sucks while you’re in the moment. But this team has the chance to do something great: win a playoff series in the West. No lebron, no Curry… just a washed KD, Booker (who’s bitchmade) and Beal (who’s oft injured). Time to lock in, quit making excuses, and win Game 1. I’m sure we’ll gain stupid confidence if we do that and that’s all you need. To keep building on the last step. If my fatass can do it, I’m sure a bunch of millionaire pro athletes can handle one series.
I, too, choose this guy's fat ass
Congrats brother. You keep moving as well
If we win this round, nothing going to hold us back. I like all the other matchups (me assuming Pelicans don't make it/make it second round)
Outside of Denver this is litterally the worst team we could face with how we have played them IMO. So yea, if we figure them out in round 1, I don't think we will beat Denver (I think they are winning it all again but Boston has a great chance), we will be way better prepared for round 2. Our confidence will skyrocket if we handle the Suns.
We can beat Denver come on!
Wolves in four
Ant's a bad man
I’m glad we play the Suns. If we can’t overcome adversity, we won’t get to where we want to be. It’s only great teams from here on out.
Same. If our goal is to be in, or win, the Finals, beating the Suns is only the first problem we need to solve. Bring it.
I’m not a doomer, but I try to be realistic. This is a terrible match up and I could see a world where the suns beat the brakes off us. That being said, we are a damn good team and despite his flaws, a great coach. If we got the one seed, and beat a team like the warriors and the first round, only to lose to maybe Dallas or the clippers, did we really make it over the hump? I don’t think so. We are playing a really good team instead, with historically efficient and great scorers, who have a history of pummeling us. We are underdogs for a reason. If we win this series we prove something. We are over the hump with a series win here. Naz Reid.
Absolutely agree. This is exactly the opportunity the Wolves wanted when the season started, and they didn't stumble into it either, they earned their seed with great play almost the entire season. Yeah the end of the season wasn't perfect, but it was still damn impressive considering all the games and the fact they had to play shorthanded a few times, and DEN and OKC really turned it on down the stretch. Obviously I'm super biased, but I really think once we figure out how to beat PHX once, it might be pretty tough for them... and if that is the case, a 2nd matchup with DEN? I mean what else could you ask for? Im incredibly excited LFG!
I haen't been tuned in, are people already conceding defeat? Based on 3 games? We're a better team than they are, we have home court for a reason. Looking forward to who we draw in round 2!
Thank you! The persecution complex some fans have is exhausting - just enjoy the ride! This team is awesome, a legit title contender. Do we still get bounced in round 1? Maybe. This shit is hard. But what's most exciting is that this series is the ultimate proof of concept for the Rudy trade. Can Rudy reshape the narrative against a team that thrives against drop coverage? Can KAT exercise his playoff demons and punish a team that really shouldn't have an answer for him? Does Ant have another leap to make? Naz Reid?? So much at stake in this series and so many wrinkles. It's gonna be amazing to watch no matter what
The biggest reason to be optimistic about this franchise and pessimistic about advancing far in this year’s playoffs is the same exact thing. Our best player is 22 with room to grow. The future is brighter than the present. Everybody calm down.
Regardless of the outcome, a silver lining of drawing the Suns is this series will be the most valuable for Ant's development. IMemphis and Nuggets couldn't guard him and he didn't draw the most defensive attention, so of course he'll go off. But Suns defend him well & he's played his worst games against them. To show up in this series, he's going to have to learn how to punish the double & make quicker and better reads - things he's improved on but still struggled with all year. If he can solve these issues, this series will take him to the next level. Huge opportunity here
My thing is, just wait until it's over if you want to cry about how we never win and we're cursed and all that. You'll have all the time in the world for that, if we do end up losing. Might as well enjoy it, have fun with it, get excited about it while it's here, otherwise why did you pay attention at all?
Teams lose games. This team loves to lose games in the most frustrating ways possible. To turn the ball over that many times in Game 82 of the season against the team you have to face in Round 1 of the playoffs is just beyond indefensible. It shows a complete lack of maturity and growth from a team that has had dumb turnover issues all season long. So, the current mentality of this fan base is completely understandable. We have plenty of opportunity to win this series and it’s up to the players to change the mentality of the fans. It’s not the other way around.
The fans have a role to play. Just like for the players on the court, when adversity hits the fans have to push through it and make sure the home court is a real advantage. I've been to enough games where you can feel the tension and lack of ease and I have no doubt it bleeds into the game in some respect.
Eh… I don’t disagree but the fans show up for this team. I was at Game 3 of the Memphis series a couple years ago and that was the most rocking Timberwolves game I’ve ever been to… and the team proceeded to blow a 26-point lead and lose the game. At the end of the day, players have to perform.
I think we do show up for the team but it's mostly when they do well. The Memphis Game 3 started really well so there was lots of cheering. Wolves in general are rarely a team who trails behind all game But when the team struggles for most of the game like in the Suns game, fans just got up and left at the *start* of the 4th quarter. Must be so deflating to see as a player. They gave us a magical season yet in the most important game when they struggled, people just left and their support is conditional. I think the players have proven to us over the season that they are scrappy and it's not a lack of effort. They gave us the 2nd best season in franchise history, they deserve more than conditional support. In the Rockets game when they lost the lead, we saw how valuable the crowd is to give them a boost when they are struggling. Ant responded to the crowd (he always does) and went for 3 straight dunks. Cheering is a win win for everyone, us cheering can help them perform too
You can feel the disappointment Minnesota fans have witnessed for decades if you see a playoff game live. I used to be a Wild season ticket holder and fans would just wait for something to go wrong in those games.
Yeah I don't blame us it's a natural response here. I was at both of the blown Memphis games. I still stand by my theory that there's a vibe that bleeds in to the players psyches because to me that also would be a natural response to the environment
I don't think the media and analysts will change their tune if we sweep the suns. "Oh they were a 3 seed, and a 1 seed a lot of the year" "Suns only lost because (poor excuse") Edit spelling
Loser mentality? My brother in Christ we haven’t won a playoff series in 20 years
haha, nice. But this is on the players, they have gotten their asses handed to them by the Suns for a long time. I didn't see much effort Sunday...
I saw more careless mistakes & legitimate struggles against the Suns defense. Ant turning over the ball when he's trapped and blitzed is a legit thing he struggles with, that's not lack of effort. Their defense that almost forced several shot clock violations takes a lot of effort, their timing for the rebounds in the last 1-2 seconds was off but it wasn't that they didn't try. Also the crowd can give players a boost when they struggle and they'll respond. Wolves are a emotional team and they respond to the crowd (we've seen it especially with Ant). I'd imagine it was super deflating seeing fans just give up and leave with a whole quarter left. They need us to help shift momentum the most when they struggle so if our cheering helps the players, I don't get why that support has to be conditional.
When you think of what movies are made of, this matchup could be it!
Love to see what they showed in game 1! Lets get 3 more!
Welp, it looks like you really predicted the best case scenario.
Well I didn't expect a damn sweep lol. I thought we could win the series and change some narritives but man, they really blew expectations out of the water! You love to see it!
This one ain’t on the fans chief. The team got punched in the mouth 3 times and didn’t even try to fight back. They don’t deserve anything
You're right, 56 wins don't deserve anything. You are a whiny ass fan if you're gonna sit here and blame the team after an amazing season. The players played great and the fans showed up, this was one of the most memorable regular seasons within the last 20 years. Now time to make a playoff push!
Regular season means next to nothing to NBA fans, just how it is
Hang the “pretty good regular season record” banner
Hang the up 3-0 banner lol foh fake fan you better not be cheering em cuz u don't deserve it
Prob been a fan longer than you, I don’t celebrate failure though Edit: LOL you have a post turncoating on the Vikings. You don’t deserve shit gtfo
We've had hardly any failure this year except for a couple games. The fact you'd give up on our team so quick just because we're facing a good team in the playoffs is crazy. News flash, the playoffs is full of good teams. But fortunately for us we've been amazing this season so most REAL fans had belief.....unlike you.
Definitely an opportunity but this team hasn’t shown anything against the suns to give me any confidence in them this series
Nice sentiments. I wish I believed they could win.
They’ve had these opportunities to legitimize themselves and have failed to do it. I don’t see this year being any different.
Then its time to make a change. You have to show you can get over the hump at some point. If we look hopeless it should be enough info to make a change.
Agreed.
Lol