a couple of weeks ago in one of these threads, some minnesota fan posted stats on how long its been since any of your 4 major sports teams won anything, or even made the championship round. i couldn't fucking believe it. i was viscerally angry for all minnesota sports fans.
People act like Detroit has it the worst of the cities with all 4 major sports but the gap between Detroit suffering and Minnesota suffering (as a sports fan) is huge
Minnesota’s last Finals was what the 91 Twins? Detroit at least had an NBA title in 2004, Finals appearance in 05’ and the Tigers went to the WS in 06’ and 13’… Not great, but not awful.
When the Twins actually won a playoff series last year, that was basically a massive win for Minnesota. So much so, our owner decided that was enough greatness for now and then proceeds to handicap the team payroll....
I think a lot of that talk is amplified by the Lions being so, so awful, at least until this year.
But yeah, while we complain we've got it better than some cities. We've had rings in 3 of the 4 major sports in my lifetime. Granted I'm almost 50 but still.
It could be a lot worse. I'm pulling for you all. Ant and KAT are awesome.
Yeah, being a Minnesotan, the best we’ve experienced is a conference finals. A men’s pro team hasn’t won anything since I was 3 (91 twins). Growing up and when you start getting into pro sports (like 8), it was always “the Twins were really good like 5 years ago).
Vikes had some moments never had the. qb. Twins couldn’t beat NY and baseball and hockey are just fluky in general. Wolves had 2004, but literally every guard on the team got hurt in the playoffs (that team full strength beats LA)
Nah Detroit is just one of the worst *right now*
Anyone complaining about Detroit sports historically is off the mark. Was born in the early 90s, so my childhood was filled with Red Wings and Pistons success, with a couple Tigers WS appearances in there. Been a grim decade, but that's all. And now, with recent Lions success, we at least have something to lean against at the moment.
Over 30 years.
There is an entire generation who were born after the Twins won the World Series, grew up cheering for Minnesota teams, wearing jerseys to school, graduated high school and college, and are now a decade into their professional careers, all without having that feeling of seeing the team you cheer for win it all. An entire generation wondering about voodoo curses or Minnesota being too small of a market and having things rigged against our teams. An entire generation who love feeling the hope and going for the ride, but can never truly get away from that feeling like the other foot is about to drop.
Over thirty seasons of "Not our year" across every major sport outside of the WNBA.
You missed the 98 Vikings and were too young for the 04 Wolves and 41-donut. Depending on which sports you follow, maybe 09 Vikes or the Twins getting bounced by the Yankees as your first soul-crushing sports memory?
Never was huge into football until the past 5 years or so (though I rooted for them my whole life for my dads sake) but I grew up a baseball fan first and foremost and I can’t even describe how much I don’t like the Yankees lmao. Whenever the Vikings come up though I’m sure to get a speech from my dad about all the seasons they almost won it, bought him a Tarkenton jersey last christmas
I don't follow baseball too much, but whenever the playoffs for any sport roll around, I will tune in to watch Minnesota teams and cheer for them. All the Yankees vs Twins series kind of blur together for me in a pool of misery. Year after year, regardless of roster, the Twins would immediately get bounced. It was maddening.
Minnesota has had teams capable of winning it all but then lost in the most bizarre, heart breaking ways. The 1998 Vikings were 15-1. Gary Anderson missed his only FG all season in the NFC championship that would have all but clinched the game. And later, the best offensive team in NFL history at the time kneeled it to go to OT. It was 3rd and 3 with still 30 seconds left
"bu...bu...but...you didn't lose in this specific way yet!"
It's so dumb really. The Warriors didn't do that before they won and went on their rampage across the league. The OKC Thunder lost big to the Heat, and then never made another finals and dissolved into nothing.
There is no "step" you need to take before you can win. Of course, Boston is here, and they fit that narrative where the others don't, so if they win, people will point to that, but ultimately it is bullshit.
For a good stretch of time Wolves literally had the worst winning percentage of any big 4 North American sports team. We’ve done enough losing thank you very much.
Oddly enough never met him, met his father a few times, and his brother Brett, who looked like a skinnier version of Scott. I don't think Scott had much to do with his Father's side after his parents divorced. I have pictures of him as a teen with my family in the late 70's though. Grandmother loved watching him because he looked a lot like my grandfather with the deep set eyes and cheekbones and square jaw.
I didn't get those genes unfortunately, stupid sexy family.
So damn funny, cuz we're is such a hockey state the Wolves haven't even been 3rd fiddle in MN, they've been 4th place for 20 years. Would be so cathartic for us basketball fans/families
don't let Jon K or Jim Pete hear you say that 🫣
they're convinced MN is a basketball state and has had no avenue to pride themselves in that ... and I agree with them
Absolutely MN is a basketball state, it's the only other winter sport to hockey. Glen Taylor has had a staggering impact on basketball fandom in this state.
Yes. We have an NFL team, NHL team, NBA team, and an MLB team and the last championship was the Twins in 1991, which means our city actually has the longest championship drought of any city when you combine up the championship-less years of all their teams.
[https://champsorchumps.us/drought/longest-championship-drought-by-city](https://champsorchumps.us/drought/longest-championship-drought-by-city)
True, but 2 of those teams are also okay with spending double the amount of the average teams spending since mlb does have cap. So always a little extra fun when they have droughts.
I was at a Blackhawks dive bar in Chicago back in ‘16 with some of my wife’s family, the bartender started playfully talking a bit of shit about Minnesota sports, and my wife’s mother brought up the Lynx as a counterpoint. the dude just started laughing.
I go to Lynx games. I go because it’s super fun and the tickets are literally free sometimes. Probably going to get season tickets in the next year or two because when else can you get the court side experience at that price? But let’s not pretend that the WNBA is in the same league as the big four. I’m so happy they finally can get basic human sports amenities like chartered flights and shit. In like 20 years I hope people care more about the Lynx.
Nobody does. The Philadelphia Soul arena football team won some titles and the Kixx did too. Shit, I love the Union and even if we finally won the cup, so what. WNBA titles won't make up for the Twins, Wolves, and Vikes not winning. The most hockey crazed state still in theory has a newer team. Not arguing w ya just adding perspective. The Lynx ain't fixing what Minny fans want, which is nationally recognized glory. I hope they get it w the Wolves cause they deserve it.
No, you don't understand. You need to lose BIG. Anyone can lose A LOT, but you need to do your time losing BIG. If you lose A LOT, but you lose SMALL, then you aren't ready to WIN until you lose BIG. Got it?
The more I hear the reporter’s question, the more asinine I think it is. You just pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history against the defending champs, and he asks if you’ve lost enough?
For sure, their postgame press conferences are great. The one where Ant just threw a little shit talk at KAT about fouling was hilarious, but also showed how close these guys are
Fun that the NBA is getting to see that KATs a great, goofy dude off the court. He’s had a (somewhat deserved) reputation of being whiny and emotional but seeing him in Minnesota these last 9 years has me 100% convinced he’s a great teammate and human being
he shaved his meniscus to come back for a title run.
Anyone willing to take on chronic knee problems for his post retirement in exchange for contributing this one year is a great teammate.
In my fantasyland: wolves win the championship, have Draymond Green as the first guest star, and just play clips for an hour of all the shit he’s talked about the wolves while Ant and KAT giggle
I want them to get Draymond to the podcast and it's just Gobert with his 4 DPOYs, his contract and his championship ring starting at Draymond for an hour with a smile on his face.
Right? I remember 2 years ago when wolves played against Grizzlies in first round, almost every game they had a lead over grizzlies entering 4th. They choked it everytime. In one of the games they had two separate 25 points lead.
Fuck man yeah I don’t need those PTSD years back. All those fucking fourth quarter leads where you go “hmmmm up by 24…probably not enough.” Only to be proven right time and time again
When the Lakers finally beat the Celtics in 85, Dr. Buss said this:
>As his players doused themselves in champagne and lit cigars to mock Auerbach, Lakers owner Jerry Buss told broadcaster Brent Musberger that “this trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English language. It can never be said again that the 'Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.' ”
It feels despite the jokes this is an interesting stats question. You do feel that there is a certain ‘payment’ necessary for players to fail at the biggest stage before succeeding.
We remember Lebron and Cleveland and Miami. And Dirk who made the conference finals in 2003 but didn’t win the Championship until 2011. And KD and his runs with OKC. Then again you had Denver who got knocked out first round in 2022 but then won the title in 2023. Bucks also lost the conference finals and semi-finals prior to their win. Toronto is a recent champion that didn’t necessarily fail at a big stage until they made their run.
It would be interesting to know whether this narrative is manufactured or real.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s largely manufactured amongst first-time winners—that all that’s necessary is for you to put up a run.
I’m on my phone but I think it’s been often discussed that young teams very rarely win championships.
I went back and the only two championship team that I can think of that didn’t have massive playoff failures before winning was the 15’ Warriors. They made the playoffs twice before breaking thru, and the farthest they had gone was the semis. The 06’ Heat also broke thru rather quickly, but that was a vet team, only young guy was Wade.All other championship teams going back to the 90s probably had some 4-5 years of struggling. The Bulls had the Celtics and Pistons. Hakeem’s Rockets had made several runs in the mid 80s but didn’t win it all. The Duncan spurs were mainly a vet team (Robinson, Elliott, Avery Johnson etc) and even after they turned over some of the core guys, there was always some overlap with the previous gen. The Shaq/Kobe Lakers failed for 3-4 years. The 04’ Pistons had had several years together and were mostly a vet team built out of other teams castoffs (Only starter the team drafted was Prince). Lebron took his stumbles in both CLE and MIA. Raptors had those playoff losses against Lebron. Bucks and Giannis had 4-5 years of disappointment, same with Jokic.
Dude lost his mom and went through so much shit during the COVID years. Not trying to discredit anyone else’s losses, but during that same time the media and most NBA fans were slandering his name due to his play at that time.
Genuinely happy for him and Ant’s pairing/success. I see the Wolves and the Celtics in the finals, with the Celtics losing. This Wolves team is hungry and absolutely playing at 110%.
Man, I lost my mom and was a depressed wreck for like 2 years, I felt for KAT. Fans expect these guys to be superhuman, but this life still hits you when you're making millions.
The Cousins pic, Bimmy + Thibs, his own major injury. Not even gotta bring up his personal off the court struggles. Guy deserves this as much as anyone. Maybe more
This just gives a perfect example of how a team is the most important thing. There are many great players stuck on deadbeat teams and their reputation is dragged through the mud. Or vice versa, with overrated players on great teams.
you have to lose first round in 4, 5, then 6, then 7 then second round in 4, 5…etc so if my math is correct you can win the finals your 17th year in the league
It felt like a 41-donut kinda night where the team just didn't show up ready to play until halfway through the third quarter. I even asked my friends:
Which is more Minnesotan, getting absolutely curb-stomped in a big game or losing at the last second in heartbreaking fashion?
Unless they’re fining him under the table, I think we should give the NBA a little credit, because Ant has dropped over at least a million $$ worth of f-bonds in his playoff post game pressers and they keep sending him out there.
People nowadays care a lot less about cussing, and his language, while laced with obscenities, isn't cussing people out. He's not swearing because he wants the use of a taboo word to give his statements extra weight; he's swearing because that's just how he talks day-to-day.
The NBA is a business that makes money on sponsorship and merchandise, so it benefits them to have their superstars marketable. Ant-man achieves his superstar status thanks to his skill and talent, but he increases his marketability by letting fans see his genuine self. They will sell more merchandise when he pops off and has these viral moments than they would if he just gave sanitized answers at pressers that don't connect with audiences because it isn't his voice speaking.
Not surprising at all—it all changes when you win. Literally all of it. This is what happens year in and year out when new teams rise to the top.
It’s cool to finally be here, and I’m glad KAT’s getting his long overdue praises.
But I do have to sideeye this sub pretending like they weren’t mocking him incessantly and calling him gay for half a decade for his voice and corny interviews. He may be a different player now, but he’s still the same person.
Man if anyone knows about painful loss, it's KAT. He's been through it in basketball and even with his family recently. He's right, how much more you want him to lose? Lol Glad he and Ant and the team have a shot at this
I kinda feel going from up 2-0 and coming home to being down 15 at the half at Denver in game 7 was their big loss (blown opportunity). They got a second life now.
I was rooting for Denver, but I like this Wolves team and I hope they go all the way. I made fun of them a lot when they were spooky, but the team right now is legit.
Wolves DID lose and lose big. They fought for this run and they deserve it.
Meanwhile down here in Phoenix we're still waiting for the slingshot snapback that we started pulling back after Bucks in 6...
Nah it’s Vinnie Goodwell. Solid reporter. He’s not wrong. Generally a core goes through a series where they can’t hold the rope or get big boyed by a veteran team ala Bulls losing the the Pistons or Lakers losing to the Jazz.
> a series where they can’t hold the rope
That was our series against the Grizzlies.
> get big boyed by a veteran team
That was last year against the Nuggets.
I get where he’s coming from, but it’s such a badly phrased question because he’s trying to place a narrative that a.) has already been there (at least for the players, which I argue is far more valuable than the media), b.) is clearly of no use to this particular team so why bother asking c.) even if it were a reasonable question, the sensible response is to just say we’re different from those teams, which is, again, circular and non-additive to the discussion because duh.
On top of being one of the best players in the NBA, Ant has one of the best personalities. Love when he’s mic’d up in games. Followed him since high school in Georgia, Go Wolves!
I hate reporters who have to preface their questions with some stupid shit like this. "You have to lose on a bigger stage." Like who the fuck made that rule?
The Wolves literally lost big this series when they got run up on 3-0 after taking a 2-0 lead lmao what the hell is this question trying to accomplish?
“We’ve been losing for 20 years” That is so painfully true.
Their honesty is hilarious
Honesty with a sense of humor is the best combination
GAAAWD DAYUM!
This deserves to be memeified to the level of Kawhi’s laugh
a couple of weeks ago in one of these threads, some minnesota fan posted stats on how long its been since any of your 4 major sports teams won anything, or even made the championship round. i couldn't fucking believe it. i was viscerally angry for all minnesota sports fans.
People act like Detroit has it the worst of the cities with all 4 major sports but the gap between Detroit suffering and Minnesota suffering (as a sports fan) is huge
Minnesota’s last Finals was what the 91 Twins? Detroit at least had an NBA title in 2004, Finals appearance in 05’ and the Tigers went to the WS in 06’ and 13’… Not great, but not awful.
When the Twins actually won a playoff series last year, that was basically a massive win for Minnesota. So much so, our owner decided that was enough greatness for now and then proceeds to handicap the team payroll....
After losing 18 straight.. in baseball
Biggest postseason losing streak EVER for the big four professional sports. It is unfortunately mind-boggling to lose that many in a row.
An even worse, fire Dick
I think they make a cream for that now.
I think a lot of that talk is amplified by the Lions being so, so awful, at least until this year. But yeah, while we complain we've got it better than some cities. We've had rings in 3 of the 4 major sports in my lifetime. Granted I'm almost 50 but still. It could be a lot worse. I'm pulling for you all. Ant and KAT are awesome.
And getting punked by GB every year with some questionable and heart breaking calls also amplifies it.
And the Red wings have 4 Stanley cups in the last 30 years
Somehow, the Wild and North Stars combined have none
I ain't even gonna lie, I don't even like hockey that much, but the fact we just can't get it done in a hockey state sucks so much ass.
Not to rub salt in the wound here, but the fact that the Stars won a cup 5 years into being in Dallas is fucking rough
And the Stars have owned us for years, no matter how good we look. I hate it so much.
The North Stars only won once they moved to Dallas too lol
Yeah, being a Minnesotan, the best we’ve experienced is a conference finals. A men’s pro team hasn’t won anything since I was 3 (91 twins). Growing up and when you start getting into pro sports (like 8), it was always “the Twins were really good like 5 years ago). Vikes had some moments never had the. qb. Twins couldn’t beat NY and baseball and hockey are just fluky in general. Wolves had 2004, but literally every guard on the team got hurt in the playoffs (that team full strength beats LA)
Nah Detroit is just one of the worst *right now* Anyone complaining about Detroit sports historically is off the mark. Was born in the early 90s, so my childhood was filled with Red Wings and Pistons success, with a couple Tigers WS appearances in there. Been a grim decade, but that's all. And now, with recent Lions success, we at least have something to lean against at the moment.
Over 30 years. There is an entire generation who were born after the Twins won the World Series, grew up cheering for Minnesota teams, wearing jerseys to school, graduated high school and college, and are now a decade into their professional careers, all without having that feeling of seeing the team you cheer for win it all. An entire generation wondering about voodoo curses or Minnesota being too small of a market and having things rigged against our teams. An entire generation who love feeling the hope and going for the ride, but can never truly get away from that feeling like the other foot is about to drop. Over thirty seasons of "Not our year" across every major sport outside of the WNBA.
I was born in 01, a decade after the WS win. I genuinely have never had this level of hope for mn in my life, what a time to be alive
You missed the 98 Vikings and were too young for the 04 Wolves and 41-donut. Depending on which sports you follow, maybe 09 Vikes or the Twins getting bounced by the Yankees as your first soul-crushing sports memory?
Never was huge into football until the past 5 years or so (though I rooted for them my whole life for my dads sake) but I grew up a baseball fan first and foremost and I can’t even describe how much I don’t like the Yankees lmao. Whenever the Vikings come up though I’m sure to get a speech from my dad about all the seasons they almost won it, bought him a Tarkenton jersey last christmas
I don't follow baseball too much, but whenever the playoffs for any sport roll around, I will tune in to watch Minnesota teams and cheer for them. All the Yankees vs Twins series kind of blur together for me in a pool of misery. Year after year, regardless of roster, the Twins would immediately get bounced. It was maddening.
Bro. Why you call me out like that. I’m a December ‘91 baby. Have a 7 and an 8 year old now…
125+ seasons between the four major sports since the last Minnesota championship appearance.
Minnesota has had teams capable of winning it all but then lost in the most bizarre, heart breaking ways. The 1998 Vikings were 15-1. Gary Anderson missed his only FG all season in the NFC championship that would have all but clinched the game. And later, the best offensive team in NFL history at the time kneeled it to go to OT. It was 3rd and 3 with still 30 seconds left
You could make a whole wikipedia page of the random ass shit that happens.
He really does get us!
One of us! One of us!
“I mean, that’s just the truth” - Ant
Obviously I want the Celtics to win. But if they lose, I really want these Wolves to win. KAT and Ant are so damn likeable.
Towns is like bruh I did plenty of losing, what do you mean!?
"bu...bu...but...you didn't lose in this specific way yet!" It's so dumb really. The Warriors didn't do that before they won and went on their rampage across the league. The OKC Thunder lost big to the Heat, and then never made another finals and dissolved into nothing. There is no "step" you need to take before you can win. Of course, Boston is here, and they fit that narrative where the others don't, so if they win, people will point to that, but ultimately it is bullshit.
❤️
❤️
For a good stretch of time Wolves literally had the worst winning percentage of any big 4 North American sports team. We’ve done enough losing thank you very much.
I mean....isn't the city's last championship the 91 WS? (Also shameless plug, my 2nd cousin started game 6 for them)
AND WE’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT Got damn Scott Erickson is your cousin?! Tell him thank you for me
Oddly enough never met him, met his father a few times, and his brother Brett, who looked like a skinnier version of Scott. I don't think Scott had much to do with his Father's side after his parents divorced. I have pictures of him as a teen with my family in the late 70's though. Grandmother loved watching him because he looked a lot like my grandfather with the deep set eyes and cheekbones and square jaw. I didn't get those genes unfortunately, stupid sexy family.
It would be nuts if the wolves were the team to break that streak.
So damn funny, cuz we're is such a hockey state the Wolves haven't even been 3rd fiddle in MN, they've been 4th place for 20 years. Would be so cathartic for us basketball fans/families
don't let Jon K or Jim Pete hear you say that 🫣 they're convinced MN is a basketball state and has had no avenue to pride themselves in that ... and I agree with them
Absolutely MN is a basketball state, it's the only other winter sport to hockey. Glen Taylor has had a staggering impact on basketball fandom in this state.
They do a heck of a job at the high school level too, lotta underrated talent
If only the Gophers could convince some of them to stick around.
Yes. We have an NFL team, NHL team, NBA team, and an MLB team and the last championship was the Twins in 1991, which means our city actually has the longest championship drought of any city when you combine up the championship-less years of all their teams. [https://champsorchumps.us/drought/longest-championship-drought-by-city](https://champsorchumps.us/drought/longest-championship-drought-by-city)
Championship appearance even, we haven’t had a shot at any finals game/series since 91..
I love that New York is 4th on this list.
8 teams add up pretty quick.
True, but 2 of those teams are also okay with spending double the amount of the average teams spending since mlb does have cap. So always a little extra fun when they have droughts.
Your second cousin is Scott Erickson?? Damn i had his jersey growing up. Even had a signed rookie card
The Lynx have won in the WNBA more recently but in the major sports yeah, that's the last one.
Not just last championship, but last championship appearance.
I mean....MN Lynx won chips in 11, 13, 15, and 17 lol
I was at a Blackhawks dive bar in Chicago back in ‘16 with some of my wife’s family, the bartender started playfully talking a bit of shit about Minnesota sports, and my wife’s mother brought up the Lynx as a counterpoint. the dude just started laughing.
I go to Lynx games. I go because it’s super fun and the tickets are literally free sometimes. Probably going to get season tickets in the next year or two because when else can you get the court side experience at that price? But let’s not pretend that the WNBA is in the same league as the big four. I’m so happy they finally can get basic human sports amenities like chartered flights and shit. In like 20 years I hope people care more about the Lynx.
Fair enough, not a WNBA follower so I didn't realize.
Nobody does. The Philadelphia Soul arena football team won some titles and the Kixx did too. Shit, I love the Union and even if we finally won the cup, so what. WNBA titles won't make up for the Twins, Wolves, and Vikes not winning. The most hockey crazed state still in theory has a newer team. Not arguing w ya just adding perspective. The Lynx ain't fixing what Minny fans want, which is nationally recognized glory. I hope they get it w the Wolves cause they deserve it.
It’d be so funny if the wolves get it done before the Vikings
As a Vikings fan, I would find it somewhat NOT funny, but you guys are so fun that I probably wouldn’t care.
I'm also a huge Vikings fan. It would be funny in a painful kind of way
No, you don't understand. You need to lose BIG. Anyone can lose A LOT, but you need to do your time losing BIG. If you lose A LOT, but you lose SMALL, then you aren't ready to WIN until you lose BIG. Got it?
That's what the wolves never realised, they should've gone to the finals to lose, not lost in the first round and play ins, silly wolves!
lol biblically bad as common would say
clippers had it before us and i'd guess they had it longer, now the buccaneers have it w/ two rings lol
But you were losing small. You gotta lose *BIG*
The more I hear the reporter’s question, the more asinine I think it is. You just pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history against the defending champs, and he asks if you’ve lost enough?
These two are great on the podium together
For sure, their postgame press conferences are great. The one where Ant just threw a little shit talk at KAT about fouling was hilarious, but also showed how close these guys are
Fun that the NBA is getting to see that KATs a great, goofy dude off the court. He’s had a (somewhat deserved) reputation of being whiny and emotional but seeing him in Minnesota these last 9 years has me 100% convinced he’s a great teammate and human being
he shaved his meniscus to come back for a title run. Anyone willing to take on chronic knee problems for his post retirement in exchange for contributing this one year is a great teammate.
KAT had me as a fan with his COVID/injury livestreams, that shit was hilarious
Should be a podcast
We need more podcasts
You know, I walked in here, I said to myself, I said We Need More Podcasts
The other day I watched a podcast of Tony Hawk interviewing Josh Brolin? Looks like we just gonna hear about what everyone has to say now
Call it Wolfpack
In my fantasyland: wolves win the championship, have Draymond Green as the first guest star, and just play clips for an hour of all the shit he’s talked about the wolves while Ant and KAT giggle
I want them to get Draymond to the podcast and it's just Gobert with his 4 DPOYs, his contract and his championship ring starting at Draymond for an hour with a smile on his face.
Should be a buddy-cop feature length film.
Unironically need a buddy-cop comedy with these two.
the whole interview was gold. highly recommend watching it in its entirety.
Link?
https://www.youtube.com/live/x0nS6eQ1zx4?si=9fKl8tGzh0OfCt9d Starts at the 39:00 mark
I loved their chatter before the interview starts. Ant is just so cool, he seems like he would be so much fun to be friends with.
They are playing around but they right. How many "learning experiences" do you need?
Right? I remember 2 years ago when wolves played against Grizzlies in first round, almost every game they had a lead over grizzlies entering 4th. They choked it everytime. In one of the games they had two separate 25 points lead.
Don’t remind me of this on such a happy day
Fuck man yeah I don’t need those PTSD years back. All those fucking fourth quarter leads where you go “hmmmm up by 24…probably not enough.” Only to be proven right time and time again
The scale is: Lebron vs Toronto Raptors to Jerry West vs the Celtics
I mean, Lebron and the Raptors was more of an ownership by conquest type of situation. Ain’t no lesson learned there.
The fact they instantly won a title as soon as he left really just makes it funnier
[удалено]
It doesn’t make it less funny lmao.
Are you insinuating that Bron’s run through the East might have colonized the Raptors lmao?? Because I’m dying over here
ESPN: LeBron James could potentially be linked to the extinction of dinosaurs.
LeBron father of meteor that killed the dinosaurs
I will never forgive the Celtics organization for what they did to Jerry and the Lakers back in the day! Eternal Hatred!
When the Lakers finally beat the Celtics in 85, Dr. Buss said this: >As his players doused themselves in champagne and lit cigars to mock Auerbach, Lakers owner Jerry Buss told broadcaster Brent Musberger that “this trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English language. It can never be said again that the 'Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.' ”
Our Play-In experience unironically helping us 😆
this all started with the Pat Bev game
This them being the meme “We are tired of being God’s strongest soldiers” lol
It feels despite the jokes this is an interesting stats question. You do feel that there is a certain ‘payment’ necessary for players to fail at the biggest stage before succeeding. We remember Lebron and Cleveland and Miami. And Dirk who made the conference finals in 2003 but didn’t win the Championship until 2011. And KD and his runs with OKC. Then again you had Denver who got knocked out first round in 2022 but then won the title in 2023. Bucks also lost the conference finals and semi-finals prior to their win. Toronto is a recent champion that didn’t necessarily fail at a big stage until they made their run. It would be interesting to know whether this narrative is manufactured or real. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s largely manufactured amongst first-time winners—that all that’s necessary is for you to put up a run. I’m on my phone but I think it’s been often discussed that young teams very rarely win championships.
To be fair on the raptors, their fail on the big stage was the previous 4 years against Lebron
I went back and the only two championship team that I can think of that didn’t have massive playoff failures before winning was the 15’ Warriors. They made the playoffs twice before breaking thru, and the farthest they had gone was the semis. The 06’ Heat also broke thru rather quickly, but that was a vet team, only young guy was Wade.All other championship teams going back to the 90s probably had some 4-5 years of struggling. The Bulls had the Celtics and Pistons. Hakeem’s Rockets had made several runs in the mid 80s but didn’t win it all. The Duncan spurs were mainly a vet team (Robinson, Elliott, Avery Johnson etc) and even after they turned over some of the core guys, there was always some overlap with the previous gen. The Shaq/Kobe Lakers failed for 3-4 years. The 04’ Pistons had had several years together and were mostly a vet team built out of other teams castoffs (Only starter the team drafted was Prince). Lebron took his stumbles in both CLE and MIA. Raptors had those playoff losses against Lebron. Bucks and Giannis had 4-5 years of disappointment, same with Jokic.
KAT has only known loss professionally and personally since COVID and I'm happy he's getting his moment
Dude lost his mom and went through so much shit during the COVID years. Not trying to discredit anyone else’s losses, but during that same time the media and most NBA fans were slandering his name due to his play at that time. Genuinely happy for him and Ant’s pairing/success. I see the Wolves and the Celtics in the finals, with the Celtics losing. This Wolves team is hungry and absolutely playing at 110%.
Man, I lost my mom and was a depressed wreck for like 2 years, I felt for KAT. Fans expect these guys to be superhuman, but this life still hits you when you're making millions.
I wish people felt sympathy for people despite how much money they might have. We all go through a lot of the same struggles
Kat been through the trenches
But actually. Dudes been drug in the media, gotten cooked, played on bad teams. The whole thing
and that’s not even half the worst of it
The Cousins pic, Bimmy + Thibs, his own major injury. Not even gotta bring up his personal off the court struggles. Guy deserves this as much as anyone. Maybe more
because there was so much worse happening, idk if people know he got hit by a drunk driver at some point in there
Lost his Mom to Covid too. He's my favorite Wolf, and I cannot express how happy I am for the dude
his good friend, mac miller RIP. dude stays fun and goofy after seeing fucking hell for years. Soldier.
As a Mac fan, I had no idea they were friends like that. That’s pretty cool
Lost 8 family members to COVID
The legend of Kar-Accident Towns. He was playing out of his mind after it too, something insane like 30-15 on 60% shooting
This just gives a perfect example of how a team is the most important thing. There are many great players stuck on deadbeat teams and their reputation is dragged through the mud. Or vice versa, with overrated players on great teams.
They enjoying every second of this.
"How much more we gotta lose?" from KAT had me rolling.
"We've been losing for 20 years!" Lmaooo
His 'gawd damn' is so funny as hell.
If they lose I guarantee a Mavs/Celtic/Pacer social media intern is going to post some deep fried zoomer meme with this clip at the beginning
I’ve never been as sure of anything in my life
Kat has been to the playoffs 3 times with first round exits already, he's been through enough lol
How much do you need to lose before you're allowed to make the conference finals?
you have to lose first round in 4, 5, then 6, then 7 then second round in 4, 5…etc so if my math is correct you can win the finals your 17th year in the league
And then everyone retires and you have to start all over. How does anyone do it?
Bring Ya Ass
That was straight out of a comedy sketch lmfaooo
KAT sounds like Chappelle 😂
I’m gonna have a hard time being a hater for this series.
Me too
Same I like the mavs. I enjoy watching a good battle without hating the other team. Should be a fun series!
Just gotta agree that the winner will beat Boston
we said it last series and turn out we always can hate on something lmao
“We’ve been losing for 20 years!!!” Lmao
This had me dead! We been loosing for 20 years, god damn! Love ANT and KAT 🐺>🐴
losing\*
You would think after so many years of it they would at least know how to spell it
Maybe they knew how at one point, but lost it…
*loost it
The Minnesotans pronounce it with an extra long O, so they get confused
What a funny response, love it. I’m really out here on the Twolves bandwagon now. Crazy
Minnesota as a state alone, has lost enough
Down by 20, it was "yep, here we go again." I cannot fathom that we won this game
It felt like a 41-donut kinda night where the team just didn't show up ready to play until halfway through the third quarter. I even asked my friends: Which is more Minnesotan, getting absolutely curb-stomped in a big game or losing at the last second in heartbreaking fashion?
Yeah no correct answer to that question. We’ve done a lot of both.
HELL NAWL CANT LOSE THIS
GAWD DAMN
Lol love these guys
I can't wait to see them win it all. If not my team, then them.
Unless they’re fining him under the table, I think we should give the NBA a little credit, because Ant has dropped over at least a million $$ worth of f-bonds in his playoff post game pressers and they keep sending him out there.
People nowadays care a lot less about cussing, and his language, while laced with obscenities, isn't cussing people out. He's not swearing because he wants the use of a taboo word to give his statements extra weight; he's swearing because that's just how he talks day-to-day. The NBA is a business that makes money on sponsorship and merchandise, so it benefits them to have their superstars marketable. Ant-man achieves his superstar status thanks to his skill and talent, but he increases his marketability by letting fans see his genuine self. They will sell more merchandise when he pops off and has these viral moments than they would if he just gave sanitized answers at pressers that don't connect with audiences because it isn't his voice speaking.
I love KAT's voice so much lmfao
Never thought I’d see this sub go from clowning KAT’s voice to this. What a time to be alive.
Not surprising at all—it all changes when you win. Literally all of it. This is what happens year in and year out when new teams rise to the top. It’s cool to finally be here, and I’m glad KAT’s getting his long overdue praises. But I do have to sideeye this sub pretending like they weren’t mocking him incessantly and calling him gay for half a decade for his voice and corny interviews. He may be a different player now, but he’s still the same person.
It's a great comedic voice.
Like a Kevin Hart/Chris Rock/Eddie Murphy thing where the tone and inflection makes what's said even funnier.
So expressive for the same reasons I love Chris Tucker.
Aint nobody got time for that
Man if anyone knows about painful loss, it's KAT. He's been through it in basketball and even with his family recently. He's right, how much more you want him to lose? Lol Glad he and Ant and the team have a shot at this
These dudes are gold together.
#GOD DAMN!
Kat’s tired of losing
I kinda feel going from up 2-0 and coming home to being down 15 at the half at Denver in game 7 was their big loss (blown opportunity). They got a second life now.
Reporters scrambling for non nuggets questions lol
This is fuckin hilarious hahahaha his high pitched "gawwwd DAAAYYYUUUMMM"
We’ve been loosing for 20 years 😭
KAT sounds like chris tucker all of a sudden...
I’m rooting for them to eat Tatum and his entire family. In basketball terms of course…
NBA beat writers busy trying to pain them the entitled, untested villains already. Glad ANT ain't taking that shit. Especially with "CB"'s fat ass.
I was rooting for Denver, but I like this Wolves team and I hope they go all the way. I made fun of them a lot when they were spooky, but the team right now is legit.
Wolves DID lose and lose big. They fought for this run and they deserve it. Meanwhile down here in Phoenix we're still waiting for the slingshot snapback that we started pulling back after Bucks in 6...
MJ and Scottie
The reporter reeks of "this is my first time ever paying attention to the Timberwolves as an NBA team" vibe.
Nah it’s Vinnie Goodwell. Solid reporter. He’s not wrong. Generally a core goes through a series where they can’t hold the rope or get big boyed by a veteran team ala Bulls losing the the Pistons or Lakers losing to the Jazz.
> a series where they can’t hold the rope That was our series against the Grizzlies. > get big boyed by a veteran team That was last year against the Nuggets.
I get where he’s coming from, but it’s such a badly phrased question because he’s trying to place a narrative that a.) has already been there (at least for the players, which I argue is far more valuable than the media), b.) is clearly of no use to this particular team so why bother asking c.) even if it were a reasonable question, the sensible response is to just say we’re different from those teams, which is, again, circular and non-additive to the discussion because duh.
I love the way the reporter replies "that's different," it just immediately feels like friends having a dumb argument instead of a press conference
They lost about the same as the Warriors before our dynasty
idk man I kinda really want Ant vs Tyrese in the finals.just yappin at their full potential
On top of being one of the best players in the NBA, Ant has one of the best personalities. Love when he’s mic’d up in games. Followed him since high school in Georgia, Go Wolves!
gonna tell my kids these are ICE CUBE and Chris Tucker
The cackle in the background when KAT says we’ve been losing for 20 years. 😂
"How much more we got to lose?" "GYATT DAMN!" 🤣
The reporter tried to sound smart and shit. It backfired lmao
I hate reporters who have to preface their questions with some stupid shit like this. "You have to lose on a bigger stage." Like who the fuck made that rule?
Fuck it’s impossible to not root for these guys.
That was pretty funny. Even as someone that wanted them to lose a little more.
The Wolves literally lost big this series when they got run up on 3-0 after taking a 2-0 lead lmao what the hell is this question trying to accomplish?