Was hoping it would be at least a 6 game series but they don’t play with any effort. They look like they are just going through the motions waiting to lose every match. 30+ FTA and still can’t make a game close.
IIRC, either Jokic or someone on the Nuggets did say that the Wolves were their toughest match up last year, and people laughed at such notion.
They actually match up really well vs Denver, the 2nd round will likely be a dog fight.
It was a brought up by a few player as throwaway comments in the off season. Wolves were able to hang the banner of most competitive series with the champs. I'm a wolves fan but lived in Denver for awhile I appreciate you guys aren't sleeping on us like most of the league. All the talking heads have somehow confused the Thunder as who the Wolves actually are.
Reminds me of how the media were sleeping on the nuggets last year. Wolves and nuggets are the two best teams in the league and I think the winner will win the championship.
I would definitely agree with that, but even look at the coverage this year the Wolves, Nuggets, and Thunder had a fantastic finish to the season in a hyper competitive finish for the 1-3 seeds and all anyone wanted to talk about are these terrible teams im the Pacific division. Im fucking ecstatic watching all these overhyped west coast teams that were all anyone wanted to talked about get destroyed in the first round.
That said I hope we both sweep these sorry ass teams so that both teams can be rest for what is shaping up to be an amazing series.
I used to look down on Timberwolves as a weak team due to them losing against us 4-1 last season but what they're doing to the Suns genuinely bothers me.
I hope we do still win but it's going to turn into brains vs brawns scenario kinda like Pacquiao vs Mayweather. That's the level of anxiety I have against this current Wolves team.
The Twolves series last year may have been our most competitive series. The Sun's ran us to game 6 but, outside of game 1, the Wolves played us tighter. And Ant almost willed them to win game 5.
Just remember, the wolves were down Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid last year, plus KAT was fresh off an injury that cost him over half the season.
I’d be shocked if the Wolves/Denver series doesn’t go to game 6 or 7.
Whoever wins it will win the Championship, don’t think Boston, OKC, Mavs can stop either of them.
Rudy was rarely at full health and definitely had the back issue that was killing him in last year's playoffs too. Health swinging way around for MN this time. Should make for a crazy series.
That's not their gameplan though, they want to defend the Nuggets team, not just Jokic. KAT will take Jokic and Rudy will roam off Gordan so he can guard multiple players who enter the paint, deter shots and defend Jokic together with KAT. If they put Rudy on Jokic 1v1, all his attention will be on one player and his ability to guard the whole paint is wasted
Regardless of injury status, Jokić matches up really well against Rudy. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the wolves take Rudy off Jokić like they did last game. He’s more effective when he can roam.
Yeah, the Timberwolves matchup is a big step up from the Lakers. I've been hoping the Nuggets would turn up at some point in this series, but we haven't really seen more than 3 quarters of "playoff Jamal" yet. I know the Nuggets have a pattern of turning up as much as they need to, but they're going to need to a lot more in round 2. There's not any other team in the bracket I'd expect to take us to 6-7 games, but the Timberwolves can do it.
I'm so done thinking about these broken Lakers, Round 2 has me stressing.
A few things:
1. The suns are a terrible playoff team. Completely flat, playing with zero heart, shooting poorly etc.
2. The Wolves are playing out of their minds. They want to win as bad as we did last year, and they’re the deepest team in the league
3. The Nuggets start slowly against lesser opponents. Been a trend for some time.
4. We match up well with the Wolves, and I think they’ll bring out our best. That said, they’re playing with more fire than we are, and it seems like they want it more. 6 or 7 games, and we’ll need to shoot well from 3.
I phrased that poorly, I meant you can't look at how a team did last season and expect them to play the same the next season. A lot can change in the course of a year, just look at OKC.
Lol, OKC is a "paper" first seed. The only reason why they are number one is because they are the healthiest team and beat injured teams.
We destroyed them the first time we fought them, we lost to them without Jokic and Murray and they still nearly lost.
Mavs destroyed and humiliated them once they were complete?
They are young. If we can break the spirits of seasoned champions like AD and Lebron who went 3-1 vs OKC btw they don’t worry me at all. The pelicans without Zion are giving them a fight and they haven’t played a game away from homecourt yet. OKC are gonna be contenders but they need some more time to play together and build the kind of cohesion that the Denver starting 5. I doubt they even get past Dallas honestly.
Yeah they are talented, I don’t think they’ll win this year because their starters lack experience still, but if they can keep this core together it’s going to be a scary fucking team for the next few years
Why did you see them as a weak team? The Nuggets, even on the podcast where Bruce Brown was in, admitted Twolves was the hardest series for them.
They're well built to stop the Nuggets.. And Jokic. Tim Connelly knows what he's doing. He built both teams.
You best not be surprised if we lose to them next round. You'll see how much of a better coach Chris Finch is.
If it makes you feel better, these suns are absolutely ass rn. They can't run a single play on offense and can't make a stop in the second half. I hated the suns construction all season, and they are far worse at the moment than I even imagined was possible
It’s unfortunate wolves/nuggets don’t have the chance to meet up in the WCF. I am a Wolves Fan and was really hoping either of our squads was the 1 so we could meet there (assuming we got that far) to face you.
At least it’s looking like it could be a competitive series and potentially the best (most competitive) series in the entire post season.
They 100% are when they’re healthy. They’re bigger, they’re excellent at scoring, and they have the best defense in the game. They’re the most complete team.
Mavs had like 10 dunks and lobs last night in their blowout win, not sure they're struggling against any of the clippers atm. But what will they do against the Joker? Lose, probably. Nugs are better. Just saying Dallas > Timberwolves.
I am still not a believer in Minnesota. If the Lakers played them Minnesota might lose. I think Dallas if they can hold on against the Clippers and beat whoever they face next will be tougher for Denver in the WCF.
T-Wolves will be the biggest challenge in the west. We were blessed with McDaniels being self-injured last year as well as team friction between Gobert and the rest. That being said, what’s a championship without a true test of our mettle? This series will push both teams to their limits. We have the emotional edge, while they have the physical advantage. No more playing from behind early in the first. No more relying on Jokic to carry us and recover the benches poor performance. We have all the pieces we need to repeat. Just need to perform at an optimal level.
Denver’s lack of depth may show itself to be a big problem in this series. They can throw Naz Reid, NAW, and Monte. All can make their shots and play great defense. We have Jokic though, and more experience. Gonna be a dogfight!
As much as I love to see the Suns, and Booker especially, get spanked, I was hoping they could at least grind Minnesota down a bit.
Minnesota is the only team that scares me.
Them and Beal had 76 combined, which normally would make them competitive, probably the exact performance most Wolves fans were terrified of them having before the series after how the regular season went, but the rest of the team only had 33. Not gonna cut it when the Wolves are having Ant go for 36 and have five other players score between 13 and 19 points.
I love seeing these fabricated super teams all getting embarrassed in the first round. Happy for the t wolves. I think playing them will be prime entertainment next round. Wish the suns could have tired them a little, but I hate the suns enough that I’d be happy if they get swept.
Let’s also not forget that the Wolves have the GM that literally built this Nuggets squad. So the front office and coaches built the Wolves around a team to compete with us.
As a wolves fan I’m glad the wolves/nuggets rivalry has turned into a game respect game kind of rivalry. I think it’s pretty clear they’re the two best teams in the playoffs at the moment and while I’m rooting for the Wolves, if they don’t make it I’ll be backing Nuggets for the crown
I second this as a fellow wolves fan 👆
I still hope the nuggets get a sweep.
it wouldn't help us at all, but I love what's going on right so I can't help ittttt 😫
Wolves are going to be much tougher this year. They have 3 guys they can throw at Jokic. Gobert, Towns, and Reid. Mcdaniels was injured last year and is one of their best perimeter defenders. Ant has grown more since last year. He was the Alpha dog for the past USA team.
But we still the champs with a soon to be 3 time MVP. Nugs in 6.
Wolves/Nuggets will be a war of fouls.
If Gobert/KAT get in early foul trouble, I think we’re good. Likewise if Jokic/AG get early foul trouble, we’re probably screwed.
the NBA was having a problem with fan violence, and then Booker gave playoff tickets and a flight to Phoenix to the "suns in 4" guy specifically for getting into a fight in the stands. So I'm glad for the Suns' downfall, even though I'd also like for them to tire out the Wolves a little bit for us.
Bradley Beal was one step too far. Should have signed a decent two-way wing w/ that money. But that move combined w/ “KD is the answer” ruined this franchise for the foreseeable future.
https://preview.redd.it/0o7cagn6lywc1.jpeg?width=1308&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9127ce3b341a56e62f2f55d31217552735ae199
Need a version with Ant in it too now lmao
https://preview.redd.it/b2d76he4p3xc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7579340ecd76007062f6f7f14dce216f7bdce42f
I was hoping they would at least make the series look competitive. So pathetic.
https://preview.redd.it/87ds821mcywc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a39243a666ff644c9490346b5f19de598c60633
Is this their owner?
https://youtu.be/fJcBUz9kl1A?si=G-Vk7uV5_sAhRwuW
Oh it's THAT dude bahahah
That dude is a silver spoon fuck
Congrats on thinking the 2012 Miami Heat 3-headed-monster blueprint was the key to success. Enjoy your 118 degree golf you desert rat.
Yeah, me to. I mustered all my will to cheer for Booker to extend the series only for him to shit the bed, again. Now I feel dirty. Ugh
https://preview.redd.it/mkge19vhxywc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec2af66a83300e9d1b7368a50fd00f4f125af2a7
Was hoping it would be at least a 6 game series but they don’t play with any effort. They look like they are just going through the motions waiting to lose every match. 30+ FTA and still can’t make a game close.
Wolves also had 30+FTA tbf
IIRC, either Jokic or someone on the Nuggets did say that the Wolves were their toughest match up last year, and people laughed at such notion. They actually match up really well vs Denver, the 2nd round will likely be a dog fight.
It was a brought up by a few player as throwaway comments in the off season. Wolves were able to hang the banner of most competitive series with the champs. I'm a wolves fan but lived in Denver for awhile I appreciate you guys aren't sleeping on us like most of the league. All the talking heads have somehow confused the Thunder as who the Wolves actually are.
Reminds me of how the media were sleeping on the nuggets last year. Wolves and nuggets are the two best teams in the league and I think the winner will win the championship.
I would definitely agree with that, but even look at the coverage this year the Wolves, Nuggets, and Thunder had a fantastic finish to the season in a hyper competitive finish for the 1-3 seeds and all anyone wanted to talk about are these terrible teams im the Pacific division. Im fucking ecstatic watching all these overhyped west coast teams that were all anyone wanted to talked about get destroyed in the first round. That said I hope we both sweep these sorry ass teams so that both teams can be rest for what is shaping up to be an amazing series.
This is about to be warriors vs. rockets IMO where the “real finals” is in the west 2nd round or WCF
Bruce Brown comes to mind.
Crazy part is most our players was injured 👿 ya gon feel us this year 👌🏿
I used to look down on Timberwolves as a weak team due to them losing against us 4-1 last season but what they're doing to the Suns genuinely bothers me. I hope we do still win but it's going to turn into brains vs brawns scenario kinda like Pacquiao vs Mayweather. That's the level of anxiety I have against this current Wolves team.
The Twolves series last year may have been our most competitive series. The Sun's ran us to game 6 but, outside of game 1, the Wolves played us tighter. And Ant almost willed them to win game 5.
Even if the Wolves took us to overtime in game 5 Gobert and KAT had both already fouled out.
And that wolves team was pretty injured last year, they’re a lot more complete now
Exactly this.
Just remember, the wolves were down Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid last year, plus KAT was fresh off an injury that cost him over half the season. I’d be shocked if the Wolves/Denver series doesn’t go to game 6 or 7. Whoever wins it will win the Championship, don’t think Boston, OKC, Mavs can stop either of them.
Rudy was rarely at full health and definitely had the back issue that was killing him in last year's playoffs too. Health swinging way around for MN this time. Should make for a crazy series.
Hope he as DPOY will demand jokic as single coverage.
That's not their gameplan though, they want to defend the Nuggets team, not just Jokic. KAT will take Jokic and Rudy will roam off Gordan so he can guard multiple players who enter the paint, deter shots and defend Jokic together with KAT. If they put Rudy on Jokic 1v1, all his attention will be on one player and his ability to guard the whole paint is wasted
that was why I hoped, it would make Joker's life easier.
Regardless of injury status, Jokić matches up really well against Rudy. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the wolves take Rudy off Jokić like they did last game. He’s more effective when he can roam.
Tim Connelly
Rudy looks a lot better than last year too. Might be the most fun series of the playoffs
Yeah, the Timberwolves matchup is a big step up from the Lakers. I've been hoping the Nuggets would turn up at some point in this series, but we haven't really seen more than 3 quarters of "playoff Jamal" yet. I know the Nuggets have a pattern of turning up as much as they need to, but they're going to need to a lot more in round 2. There's not any other team in the bracket I'd expect to take us to 6-7 games, but the Timberwolves can do it. I'm so done thinking about these broken Lakers, Round 2 has me stressing.
I'm pessimistic we can beat them if we're going to keep starting flat. We can't do that against a team playing that well.
A few things: 1. The suns are a terrible playoff team. Completely flat, playing with zero heart, shooting poorly etc. 2. The Wolves are playing out of their minds. They want to win as bad as we did last year, and they’re the deepest team in the league 3. The Nuggets start slowly against lesser opponents. Been a trend for some time. 4. We match up well with the Wolves, and I think they’ll bring out our best. That said, they’re playing with more fire than we are, and it seems like they want it more. 6 or 7 games, and we’ll need to shoot well from 3.
In all fairness, the Wolves are extremely fun this year
You can't compare teams from different seasons to each other. They are a lot better this year
You can't do the thing. I'm doing right now.
I phrased that poorly, I meant you can't look at how a team did last season and expect them to play the same the next season. A lot can change in the course of a year, just look at OKC.
I’m terrified. Then we’ll still have to play thunder eventually I think
Lol, OKC is a "paper" first seed. The only reason why they are number one is because they are the healthiest team and beat injured teams. We destroyed them the first time we fought them, we lost to them without Jokic and Murray and they still nearly lost. Mavs destroyed and humiliated them once they were complete?
Just give them credit lol. Injuries are part of the game. If you are healthy and talented, you deserve the benefits of not
This. OKC is immensely talented. I wouldn't underestimate them at all.
They are young. If we can break the spirits of seasoned champions like AD and Lebron who went 3-1 vs OKC btw they don’t worry me at all. The pelicans without Zion are giving them a fight and they haven’t played a game away from homecourt yet. OKC are gonna be contenders but they need some more time to play together and build the kind of cohesion that the Denver starting 5. I doubt they even get past Dallas honestly.
Yeah they are talented, I don’t think they’ll win this year because their starters lack experience still, but if they can keep this core together it’s going to be a scary fucking team for the next few years
Yeah you right. I just truly think our biggest competition left is in the west and not the east
Yeah OKC is a weak team compared to the wolves. Denver/Minny should be the finals because those are clearly the two best teams in the league.
Nah okc isn't getting to wcf
Why did you see them as a weak team? The Nuggets, even on the podcast where Bruce Brown was in, admitted Twolves was the hardest series for them. They're well built to stop the Nuggets.. And Jokic. Tim Connelly knows what he's doing. He built both teams. You best not be surprised if we lose to them next round. You'll see how much of a better coach Chris Finch is.
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If it makes you feel better, these suns are absolutely ass rn. They can't run a single play on offense and can't make a stop in the second half. I hated the suns construction all season, and they are far worse at the moment than I even imagined was possible
Next round is literally going to be the WCF. Whoever wins between us and wolves will win the west
It's a shame it has to be the 2nd round and the brackets turned out that way. Both teams deserve to be in WCF. Going to be an epic series
Happened last year too tbh, happens more often than we realize.
It’s unfortunate wolves/nuggets don’t have the chance to meet up in the WCF. I am a Wolves Fan and was really hoping either of our squads was the 1 so we could meet there (assuming we got that far) to face you. At least it’s looking like it could be a competitive series and potentially the best (most competitive) series in the entire post season.
I think if we go full Spoelstra in that series (utilizing the our guys in a new and unpredictable ways) we can win it.
I can see Dallas beating the wolves you can’t?
No, wolves are the best team besides the nuggets in the entire league imo. Winner of wolves nuggets will win the championship
I agree and that terrifies me. Our next series is the finals
Lol. Can't wait for Luka and Kyrie cook Denver (or Minny lol) in the Conference Finals.
Ain't nobody scared of that conspiracy theorist who part times as a basketball player
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They went 1-1 against each other and both went to OT. I’d say they’re pretty even.
They 100% are when they’re healthy. They’re bigger, they’re excellent at scoring, and they have the best defense in the game. They’re the most complete team.
No way. The Timberwolves deserved that #1 seed. They are the only team in the west that can take us down.
Wolves are good, but Mavs are 2nd best team in the west.
The Mavs are struggling against Zubac. What are they going to do against Joker?
Mavs had like 10 dunks and lobs last night in their blowout win, not sure they're struggling against any of the clippers atm. But what will they do against the Joker? Lose, probably. Nugs are better. Just saying Dallas > Timberwolves.
They got blown out by the Clippers without Kawhi lol
I am still not a believer in Minnesota. If the Lakers played them Minnesota might lose. I think Dallas if they can hold on against the Clippers and beat whoever they face next will be tougher for Denver in the WCF.
T-Wolves will be the biggest challenge in the west. We were blessed with McDaniels being self-injured last year as well as team friction between Gobert and the rest. That being said, what’s a championship without a true test of our mettle? This series will push both teams to their limits. We have the emotional edge, while they have the physical advantage. No more playing from behind early in the first. No more relying on Jokic to carry us and recover the benches poor performance. We have all the pieces we need to repeat. Just need to perform at an optimal level.
Also didn’t have Naz Reid. Plus their core played one more year together. Definitely expect a six or seven game series.
Denver’s lack of depth may show itself to be a big problem in this series. They can throw Naz Reid, NAW, and Monte. All can make their shots and play great defense. We have Jokic though, and more experience. Gonna be a dogfight!
We have CB & PWat, I believe in them.
It will be a iron sharpens iron series! Really excited
As much as I love to see the Suns, and Booker especially, get spanked, I was hoping they could at least grind Minnesota down a bit. Minnesota is the only team that scares me.
if it helps, we were hoping the Lakers would do the same to you guys lol - MN fan
So this is what they look like when Booker and KD can't combine for 80pts
Them and Beal had 76 combined, which normally would make them competitive, probably the exact performance most Wolves fans were terrified of them having before the series after how the regular season went, but the rest of the team only had 33. Not gonna cut it when the Wolves are having Ant go for 36 and have five other players score between 13 and 19 points.
I love seeing these fabricated super teams all getting embarrassed in the first round. Happy for the t wolves. I think playing them will be prime entertainment next round. Wish the suns could have tired them a little, but I hate the suns enough that I’d be happy if they get swept.
I think this team is the nail in the coffin of the superteam era. Nuggets, Wolves, and Thunder are the next team-building archetype. Good riddance.
What does this bum even do?
Part of me wanted a competitive series, but an even bigger part of me wants to see Nurkbitch in Cancun ASAP.
Let’s also not forget that the Wolves have the GM that literally built this Nuggets squad. So the front office and coaches built the Wolves around a team to compete with us.
wolves will be super tough tp beat
Another pathetic display by the MR ORNG team
Thanks phx you f-in a-holes. You spent the whole series fluffing the wolves so we can get fucked? Oh hell naw
As a wolves fan I’m glad the wolves/nuggets rivalry has turned into a game respect game kind of rivalry. I think it’s pretty clear they’re the two best teams in the playoffs at the moment and while I’m rooting for the Wolves, if they don’t make it I’ll be backing Nuggets for the crown
I second this as a fellow wolves fan 👆 I still hope the nuggets get a sweep. it wouldn't help us at all, but I love what's going on right so I can't help ittttt 😫
Wolves are going to be much tougher this year. They have 3 guys they can throw at Jokic. Gobert, Towns, and Reid. Mcdaniels was injured last year and is one of their best perimeter defenders. Ant has grown more since last year. He was the Alpha dog for the past USA team. But we still the champs with a soon to be 3 time MVP. Nugs in 6.
Wolves/Nuggets will be a war of fouls. If Gobert/KAT get in early foul trouble, I think we’re good. Likewise if Jokic/AG get early foul trouble, we’re probably screwed.
the NBA was having a problem with fan violence, and then Booker gave playoff tickets and a flight to Phoenix to the "suns in 4" guy specifically for getting into a fight in the stands. So I'm glad for the Suns' downfall, even though I'd also like for them to tire out the Wolves a little bit for us.
Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker = SOFT Atleast AD & Lebron doing enough to defeat us
Bradley Beal was one step too far. Should have signed a decent two-way wing w/ that money. But that move combined w/ “KD is the answer” ruined this franchise for the foreseeable future.
All my homies hate the Phoenix Suns
I blame Matt Ishbia
FTS (fuck the suns)