Subsequent to the OKC Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA marketing campaign. They’ve been answerable for or hovering close to first place within the Western Convention for a lot of the season. However we could have seen slightly little bit of foreshadowing dropped at us by Clippers star Paul George lately when he crossed up Anthony Edwards, finally sending the younger man to the canvas in a rush. Let’s simply maintain it actual, that’s very more likely to be all the squad come playoff time once they’re bounced unceremoniously early from postseason rivalry.
It’s not that the Timberwolves aren’t good, however they really feel very Utah Jazz-ish circa 2021. Utah ended with one of the best report within the Affiliation that 12 months and located themselves ousted by the Clippers within the second spherical with Kawhi Leonard lacking most of that sequence. Anytime a No. 1 seed goes out earlier than the convention finals it’s a disappointment. This 12 months’s Timberwolves give off these vibes.
Regardless of crumbling to the ground within the clip above and knocking over his teammates like dominos, Edwards is one of the best participant in Minnesota and has essentially the most upside. Karl-Anthony Cities is admittedly good, however he’s too involved with taking pictures threes and different ill-advised pictures off-balance for no good cause.
Then there’s Rudy Gobert. One of many best rim protectors of his period as a three-time Defensive Participant of the Yr, however as soon as we cross that threshold from common to postseason, all the pieces modifications. Groups get Gobert out on the perimeter, run that pick-n-roll, and put his ass on ice skates. He’s fully ineffective at that time and rendered a non-factor. Since he’s not an enormous scoring risk, as soon as that occurs it’s onerous to maintain him on the courtroom too lengthy.
Primarily based on present play-in standings, Minnesota would face both the Mavs, Kings, Lakers or Warriors within the first spherical. Golden State and LA have each struggled this season, nevertheless it isn’t inconceivable to say both a kind of groups may “sneak up” and put the boots to Minnesota within the first spherical. The identical goes for the Kings and Mavs. It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Wolves thrash any of those groups.
However let’s say Minnesota will get previous the opening spherical as all No. 1 seeds ought to. The 4-5 matchup within the West at the moment options the Nuggets and Suns. If it’s the Nuggets who advance, Minnesota would possibly get swept again up north in a snow flurry. If Phoenix was to one way or the other make it previous Denver (uncertain), Minnesota would nonetheless be in for a tricky sequence and eventual exit.
Through the 2021 common season, Utah was one of many higher three-point taking pictures groups within the NBA. In reality, they led the league in makes an attempt (43) and makes (16.7) per sport whereas ending fourth in share. Minnesota isn’t taking pictures as many threes because the Jazz just a few years in the past, however they’re ranked second within the league, making 39.3 %. That Jazz crew was first in level differential (+9.3) whereas these Wolves are third (+6.7).
The actual fact is, this Minnesota crew doesn’t have that participant (but) that groups worry in a seven-game format. Neither did the Jazz throughout the ’21 playoffs. There’s no Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, LeBron James or anybody close to that stature in Minnesota. Edwards is good, but he still has a ways to go. A lot of you’ll view this as hating, nevertheless it’s merely the reality. Rudy and KAT aren’t pumping worry into the hearts of opponents the evening earlier than an enormous postseason showdown.
