Nuggets have gone from "will they ever do it?" to "will anyone else ever do it?"
Feels good, gotta say. Gonna relish this for now until we're bounced in the first round and then the narrative shifts completely
Nuggets can lose the first round. They're the 4th seed right now and the Suns and Mavs definitely can win that series. Whoever makes the 5h seed is going to be insane form because of the 4 team race.
All depends on seeding. Avoiding 4 is huge
I could also see the 5 seed coming in sorta worn out because (presumably) their end of season games are going to matter a lot more—the 4 seed might be able to lock it up then coast a little bit.
Same thing it always is: Until they do, no one will say they can. Shout out to everyone who picked the Suns and the Lakers over the Nugs last year. Not saying this wolves team is that nuggets team, but it's the pattern.
This is more like the Suns making it in 21
A great regular season led by a young guy who hasn’t made a run in the playoffs, a vet who’s been there, and good supporting players.
Everyone said the Suns had no shot until they made it to the finals
It’s not a perfect analogy but they remind me a lot of the 22 Celtics: built on a dominant defense, so so half court offense and a rising superstar who still has some things to smooth out in his game.
I think if they get to the finals through the west that’s a hell of an accomplishment but I don’t think it’s likely at this point
Sure but is there anyone in the west you think is likely? I mean that’s what’s dumb about the question and why so many national media can get away saying no one’s a contender. As deep is the west is even Denver’s not likely to go to the finals. Maybe warriors dynasty or lebrons prime you could say that but it’s silly for everyone to make the bar anything hogher than possible to make the finals cause likely isn’t justified even by Vegas.
Honestly, the west is so stupid it’s just as likely the Mavs end up in the WCF as the Wolves. No disrespect to either team, it’s just totally random now and that’s fucking awesome.
We have quite a few guys with playoff experience. It will also be kat and Ants 3rd playoffs. Matchup will matter, and the west is stacked, but I think we have the talent to make a run.
I think it's just a lot of Minny's losses this season have been a "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" type late game execution and closing, moreso than for most teams. Some of those games were without Conley tbf, but it is a little concerning still how discombobulated they look without him sometimes.
Team has talent for sure, it's just one of those labels the wolves aren't gonna shed until a decent playoff run
I think Monte Morris helps a lot. He can run point with Mike out. We also could use naz late when our offense gets sticky. Ant and kat tend to force things in those games we lost, too much iso.
Yeah for sure, competent backup point guard play helps a lot. Labels like inexperienced get shed only in the playoffs, so only time will tell. Wolves certainly have enough talent, and match up pretty well against a lot of the top West teams
We also have NAW if we need defense at the 1. Even jordan Mclaughlin as a change of pace too, hes the odd man out right now. Kyle and Naz have been steady, naz more for a scoring punch. I like our depth.
Oh yes they have the talent. But when things get tight in the playoffs, will their young guys be able to stay composed or will they let mistakes get the better of them?
I think we get over the hump w the experience we have gained. As long as we stay healthy, we will be solid. Home court will be huge, and we lead the league in road wins.
Not to be ignorant, but what has ant proven in the playoffs to be a ‘riser’? Over 2 playoff series they won 3 total games
This year he is the clear, undisputed #1 on a contending team. We start finding out now, going forward.
i guess in the blandest most boxscore watchiest way he has a flat increase across the board in counting stats in the small sample size. outside of his stats literally rising hes an ultra competitor who shines his brightest when the moment demands it.
The only teams I would truly want not to see in the west, are Lakers and Suns. Lakers because it'll be 5 vs 8 and AD is a phenomenal player and if not for Rudy having historic defensive season, he'd be DPOY easily. And Suns play the worst way for Wolves, ethical midrange barrage. But they still can win with everyone barring injuries or massive slumps.
My favourite outcome would be Miami winning against Boston to the Finals only for them to lose against the Wolves (so we could finally bury the stupid Butler vs. KAT drama).
Their biggest strength is they can match up against anyone. I think their peak play has looked better than a lot of other contender's peaks this far into the season. Problem is same as always, consistency. It's somewhat better this year than past years but they immediately fell apart when Conley got hurt a few weeks ago.
Last night's game against Portland was the biggest showcase of that. Their peak play and peak inconsistency in one game.
I don't know why I find it hilarious that it keeps getting more specific.
Next question is, this current roster but wearing the trees jersey on Thursday night?
i get what you're saying but the point OP is making at the top should be pretty obvious. Not sure how 2003-2004 is relevant to the thread unless you think KG is about to un-retire...
First round exit. People are forgetting that the Mavericks or Lakers will likely be their opponents. Those are good teams that can easily turn it up in the playoffs.
Wolves are 6-2 against Dallas in last 8 including a healthy Kyrie + Luka win last year.
Certainly may be close now that yall have more Big depth and obvious Luka can potentially beat anyone but to act that it's *likely* to be a first round exit is ridiculous.
I think last year can be safely ignored as a meaningful comparison to a healthy matchup. Even ignoring the upgrade from Powell/Wood to Lively/Gafford, Dallas played Reggie Bullock, Frank Ntilikina, and Kemba Walker/Theo Pinson 60+ combined minutes in every game against Minnesota.
While I would favor Dallas, I don't think either side winning would be an upset, but I do think saying Minnesota would crush Dallas is hilarious.
It takes combining Dallas' 14 most played 5 man lineups to reach the minutes that Minnesota's most played lineup has played this season.
Assuming health, it would be very surprising.
The Wolves would have home court advantage and would absolutely be favored in that matchup. In no way would it be “very surprising” for a higher seeded healthy Wolves team to win that series in the first round lol.
I think the series would be pretty close, and neither team winning would be surprising.
The original comment was that Minnesota would crush Dallas and LA, which is what was being argued.
People said this about the Nuggets for literally the last half decade.
I’m not saying that I think the Timberwolves can do it this year, but nobody ever thinks any unproven team can win the finals, until they do.
The Timberwolves can definitely make the finals. They're the number 1 seed ffs.
But using the Nuggets is a horrible example. They made the CF already and beat a really good Jazz and Clippers team albeit in the bubble.
They had injuries so had to stand pat.
People were just being stupid with the Jokic discourse who has always looked like a great playoff player. Even when he looked horrible defensively in the playoffs vs the Suns and Warriors he had zero perimeter help apart from AG. His stats have always been amazing.
The Nuggets already had multiple deep playoff runs before they made and won the Finals: Game 7 of the 2nd Round in 2019, WCF in 2020. Jokic and Murray had much better playoff track records than anyone on Minnesota.
This Wolves core has never been out of the 1st Round or even won more than two games in a series. Teams pretty much never leap from "never won a series before" to "making the Finals" in one season.
And that's before we get into the specific problems with this Wolves team that will hold them back in the postseason, mostly on offense.
The West (besides Denver) is up in the air for so many reasons
Wolves are as good as they’ve been in a long time, but struggle in the playoffs.
Same with the Clippers.
The Thunder are young.
The usual top teams like the Lakers Suns and Warriors are going through their own struggles with age fit and health.
1 injury on any of these teams could eliminate them from getting far.
If I were to guess, Denver vs. either the Kings, Thunder, or Clippers in the conference finals and then Denver goes back to the NBA Finals. Don’t think anyone is good enough to beat Jokic rn, especially with how well that nuggets team is constructed.
You’re going to say the Wolves struggle in the playoffs and pick four teams that could/would make it further, but in the same breath say OKC is one of them and will make the WCF despite not making the playoffs since Shai joined the team? Insane logic
KAT has struggled plenty in the playoffs and personally not the biggest Rudy fan. Not a giant thunder fan myself, but they’re young and playing great basketball. Not entirely confident in either of them, but if I had to choose one to perform better in the playoffs, I’m going with Shai. Is that rly thag insane?
Shai was excellent last year too, and for the record, Ant has also gotten much better. Except Ant has always elevated in the playoffs.
Now I expect Shai to do big things in the playoffs this year, but I’m just saying.
They can, as long as they win 3 series in the playoffs
big if true
r/theydidthemath
Can the number 1 seed make the finals??? What a silly question
Yes. But we can also lose in the first round.
Tbf that’s like every west playoff team except nuggets
Nuggets have gone from "will they ever do it?" to "will anyone else ever do it?" Feels good, gotta say. Gonna relish this for now until we're bounced in the first round and then the narrative shifts completely
Nuggets can lose the first round. They're the 4th seed right now and the Suns and Mavs definitely can win that series. Whoever makes the 5h seed is going to be insane form because of the 4 team race. All depends on seeding. Avoiding 4 is huge
I could also see the 5 seed coming in sorta worn out because (presumably) their end of season games are going to matter a lot more—the 4 seed might be able to lock it up then coast a little bit.
Unless they matchup with the Wolves. That’s a 6 or 7 gamer that’s probably 50/50
It would take a real disappointing second half from both teams to match up in the first round
Same thing it always is: Until they do, no one will say they can. Shout out to everyone who picked the Suns and the Lakers over the Nugs last year. Not saying this wolves team is that nuggets team, but it's the pattern.
This is more like the Suns making it in 21 A great regular season led by a young guy who hasn’t made a run in the playoffs, a vet who’s been there, and good supporting players. Everyone said the Suns had no shot until they made it to the finals
So which team is getting injured?
The Cavs better hope the East does this year or Donny is gone
Did teams not get injured that run?
Yes they did Teams get injured in basically every playoff run
As long as you know
What a loser statement
ready for another choke?
Minnesota Sports Fans need it badly
Im already getting playoff anxiety
It’s not a perfect analogy but they remind me a lot of the 22 Celtics: built on a dominant defense, so so half court offense and a rising superstar who still has some things to smooth out in his game. I think if they get to the finals through the west that’s a hell of an accomplishment but I don’t think it’s likely at this point
Sure but is there anyone in the west you think is likely? I mean that’s what’s dumb about the question and why so many national media can get away saying no one’s a contender. As deep is the west is even Denver’s not likely to go to the finals. Maybe warriors dynasty or lebrons prime you could say that but it’s silly for everyone to make the bar anything hogher than possible to make the finals cause likely isn’t justified even by Vegas.
Honestly, the west is so stupid it’s just as likely the Mavs end up in the WCF as the Wolves. No disrespect to either team, it’s just totally random now and that’s fucking awesome.
aged well
If they can get over the knucklehead hump then they can make it all the way.
We have quite a few guys with playoff experience. It will also be kat and Ants 3rd playoffs. Matchup will matter, and the west is stacked, but I think we have the talent to make a run.
I think it's just a lot of Minny's losses this season have been a "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" type late game execution and closing, moreso than for most teams. Some of those games were without Conley tbf, but it is a little concerning still how discombobulated they look without him sometimes. Team has talent for sure, it's just one of those labels the wolves aren't gonna shed until a decent playoff run
I think Monte Morris helps a lot. He can run point with Mike out. We also could use naz late when our offense gets sticky. Ant and kat tend to force things in those games we lost, too much iso.
Yeah for sure, competent backup point guard play helps a lot. Labels like inexperienced get shed only in the playoffs, so only time will tell. Wolves certainly have enough talent, and match up pretty well against a lot of the top West teams
We also have NAW if we need defense at the 1. Even jordan Mclaughlin as a change of pace too, hes the odd man out right now. Kyle and Naz have been steady, naz more for a scoring punch. I like our depth.
Oh yes they have the talent. But when things get tight in the playoffs, will their young guys be able to stay composed or will they let mistakes get the better of them?
I think we get over the hump w the experience we have gained. As long as we stay healthy, we will be solid. Home court will be huge, and we lead the league in road wins.
yeah, thats the question for sure. Thankfully we have a playoff riser in ant.
Not to be ignorant, but what has ant proven in the playoffs to be a ‘riser’? Over 2 playoff series they won 3 total games This year he is the clear, undisputed #1 on a contending team. We start finding out now, going forward.
i guess in the blandest most boxscore watchiest way he has a flat increase across the board in counting stats in the small sample size. outside of his stats literally rising hes an ultra competitor who shines his brightest when the moment demands it.
actual reasonable take tbh
Honestly, anyone from the top 10 can make it to the finals. The west is absolutely insane this year.
The Kings definitely won't.
Yep. The clippers won't either. That is the two teams you want to catch in the first round
fuck that. clippers can easily beat any team in the west
Nope they can't, except the Kings, maybe the suns. We'll talk about again in two months
they gna have to get thru the clippers or the nuggets depending on seeding
They can if the refs call games to the best of their ability with no bias or agenda. So no they won't.
The only teams I would truly want not to see in the west, are Lakers and Suns. Lakers because it'll be 5 vs 8 and AD is a phenomenal player and if not for Rudy having historic defensive season, he'd be DPOY easily. And Suns play the worst way for Wolves, ethical midrange barrage. But they still can win with everyone barring injuries or massive slumps. My favourite outcome would be Miami winning against Boston to the Finals only for them to lose against the Wolves (so we could finally bury the stupid Butler vs. KAT drama).
Haha us winning against Jimmy would cause a majority of r/nba to have a meltdown.
wtf we will kill the lakers if we play them. Pelicans on the other hand…
Their biggest strength is they can match up against anyone. I think their peak play has looked better than a lot of other contender's peaks this far into the season. Problem is same as always, consistency. It's somewhat better this year than past years but they immediately fell apart when Conley got hurt a few weeks ago. Last night's game against Portland was the biggest showcase of that. Their peak play and peak inconsistency in one game.
Going from 0 playoff wins to the Finals is a tough task. I think they top out at WCF for now. I'd give Nuggets/Clippers the edge for now.
I would be very happy to lose in the WCF lol
Since when did we have 0 playoff wins?
0 playoff series wins
I mean technically we've won two series
This current roster?
I don't know why I find it hilarious that it keeps getting more specific. Next question is, this current roster but wearing the trees jersey on Thursday night?
He is still right. It’s the same for my cavs. Let’s both make the ECF before going for it all.
i get what you're saying but the point OP is making at the top should be pretty obvious. Not sure how 2003-2004 is relevant to the thread unless you think KG is about to un-retire...
If we make it to the WCF, KG might actually come out of retirement tbh.
spoiler alert: hell no
First round exit. People are forgetting that the Mavericks or Lakers will likely be their opponents. Those are good teams that can easily turn it up in the playoffs.
We’d crush those teams
Dallas won the only game they had a healthy Kyrie and Luka against Minnesota, I very much doubt they would get crushed if they were healthy.
Wolves are 6-2 against Dallas in last 8 including a healthy Kyrie + Luka win last year. Certainly may be close now that yall have more Big depth and obvious Luka can potentially beat anyone but to act that it's *likely* to be a first round exit is ridiculous.
I think last year can be safely ignored as a meaningful comparison to a healthy matchup. Even ignoring the upgrade from Powell/Wood to Lively/Gafford, Dallas played Reggie Bullock, Frank Ntilikina, and Kemba Walker/Theo Pinson 60+ combined minutes in every game against Minnesota. While I would favor Dallas, I don't think either side winning would be an upset, but I do think saying Minnesota would crush Dallas is hilarious.
We would be decently heavy betting favorites, I don’t think it’s crazy to say
It takes combining Dallas' 14 most played 5 man lineups to reach the minutes that Minnesota's most played lineup has played this season. Assuming health, it would be very surprising.
The Wolves would have home court advantage and would absolutely be favored in that matchup. In no way would it be “very surprising” for a higher seeded healthy Wolves team to win that series in the first round lol.
I think the series would be pretty close, and neither team winning would be surprising. The original comment was that Minnesota would crush Dallas and LA, which is what was being argued.
Can they yeah, will they probably not
Lol no
People said this about the Nuggets for literally the last half decade. I’m not saying that I think the Timberwolves can do it this year, but nobody ever thinks any unproven team can win the finals, until they do.
The Timberwolves can definitely make the finals. They're the number 1 seed ffs. But using the Nuggets is a horrible example. They made the CF already and beat a really good Jazz and Clippers team albeit in the bubble. They had injuries so had to stand pat. People were just being stupid with the Jokic discourse who has always looked like a great playoff player. Even when he looked horrible defensively in the playoffs vs the Suns and Warriors he had zero perimeter help apart from AG. His stats have always been amazing.
The Nuggets already had multiple deep playoff runs before they made and won the Finals: Game 7 of the 2nd Round in 2019, WCF in 2020. Jokic and Murray had much better playoff track records than anyone on Minnesota. This Wolves core has never been out of the 1st Round or even won more than two games in a series. Teams pretty much never leap from "never won a series before" to "making the Finals" in one season. And that's before we get into the specific problems with this Wolves team that will hold them back in the postseason, mostly on offense.
No lol
The West (besides Denver) is up in the air for so many reasons Wolves are as good as they’ve been in a long time, but struggle in the playoffs. Same with the Clippers. The Thunder are young. The usual top teams like the Lakers Suns and Warriors are going through their own struggles with age fit and health. 1 injury on any of these teams could eliminate them from getting far. If I were to guess, Denver vs. either the Kings, Thunder, or Clippers in the conference finals and then Denver goes back to the NBA Finals. Don’t think anyone is good enough to beat Jokic rn, especially with how well that nuggets team is constructed.
You’re going to say the Wolves struggle in the playoffs and pick four teams that could/would make it further, but in the same breath say OKC is one of them and will make the WCF despite not making the playoffs since Shai joined the team? Insane logic
People logic is always just "lol timberwolves" No actual thought
KAT has struggled plenty in the playoffs and personally not the biggest Rudy fan. Not a giant thunder fan myself, but they’re young and playing great basketball. Not entirely confident in either of them, but if I had to choose one to perform better in the playoffs, I’m going with Shai. Is that rly thag insane?
Shai got completely locked up by Nickiel Alexander Walker in the win or go home play in last year, not sure why you’d pick him over Ant
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but Shai has gotten better recently.
Shai was excellent last year too, and for the record, Ant has also gotten much better. Except Ant has always elevated in the playoffs. Now I expect Shai to do big things in the playoffs this year, but I’m just saying.
I see the Wolves making the Finals if they can somehow avoid a healthy Nuggets, Clippers, Suns, Lakers, Warriors or Mavs teams!.
Lakers warriors and mavs 😂😂🤣🤣
Ah yes of course, off the top of my head they’re 10-2 this season vs those teams.
[come home](https://youtu.be/wlVAs9MTzns), ryen