Bruce Brown on the Nuggets/Wolves series

[Sundog]

“I would say our toughest series was Minnesota… Phoenix was just blowouts each game.. (The Lakers) It never felt like we were gonna lose any game. Even when they went on a little run all series hitting threes it never felt like we were gonna lose"

(via Run Your Race Podcast, @TidalLeague)

[FNG]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

[KG4Ever]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

Screw the "inevitable"! If the Wolves make it to conference finals or beyond, maybe we can run it back again again. Lore has money to burn.

[Monster]

There was also this video from that same podcast with Brown praising Edwards.

https://twitter.com/thedailywolves/stat ... vZFquP67pw

[kekgeek]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

Screw the "inevitable"! If the Wolves make it to conference finals or beyond, maybe we can run it back again again. Lore has money to burn.

Once again it’s not about the actual money it’s about roster construction going over the 2nd tax level. Like not being able to trade picks, no MLE, no buyout guys, no adding acquiring salary to trades, the scary one is if you are over for back to back years your 1st in 7 years goes to the end of the first round and Ant and Mcdaniels are not under contract in 2032.

Right now the projected 2nd tax line next year is 190 million according to spotrac and the wolves are at 172 million and that does not include Jaden new contract, Conley, slow mo, or possible 10 million more a year to Ant contract if he makes All NBA.

It’s not a lore won’t spend money thing it’s a you can’t build a roster/fuck your future thing

[KG4Ever]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

Screw the "inevitable"! If the Wolves make it to conference finals or beyond, maybe we can run it back again again. Lore has money to burn.

Once again it’s not about the actual money it’s about roster construction going over the 2nd tax level. Like not being able to trade picks, no MLE, no buyout guys, no adding acquiring salary to trades, the scary one is if you are over for back to back years your 1st in 7 years goes to the end of the first round and Ant and Mcdaniels are not under contract in 2032.

Right now the projected 2nd tax line next year is 190 million according to spotrac and the wolves are at 172 million and that does not include Jaden new contract, Conley, slow mo, or possible 10 million more a year to Ant contract if he makes All NBA.

It’s not a lore won’t spend money thing it’s a you can’t build a roster/fuck your future thing

If we run it back and have a great team, it might be better to accept those restrictions and pay the tax and keep our core together. Can't we just extend SLOMO and Jaden and whoever we want to keep and just bring in minimum guys. I'd be very fine with that if the team is a top four team, if owners who signed off on Rudy trade accepted paying the tax. Eventually, Rudy's contract is up and he will leave or accept a much smaller deal and then we are out of tax hell.

[Lipoli390]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

If the Wolves contend for the title, i.e., they make the NBA finals or at least the Conference Finals, it will be Rudy rather than KAT who gets traded. You can trade Rudy and still stay at that high level. But if we’re that good next season it will inevitably mean KAT was back to his 2021-22 level and the team would take a significant step backwards by trading him. If the Wolves don’t make it past the 1st or even the 2nd round next season, then I think it’s more likely the Wolves trade KAT (assuming he’s healthy).

The Wolves won 46 games and almost beat the Grizzlies in the first round two seasons ago with a healthy KAT, but with no Slo Mo, NAW or Conley and with versions of Ant and McDaniels that weren’t nearly as good as the versions we saw last season. Ant and Jaden should be even better next season and, if healthy, KAT is still in his prime and should be at least as good as he was two seasons ago. Put all that together and this team SHOULD be a 50+ win team with a good chance of advancing to the Conference Finals or beyond without Rudy. If the Wolves figure out how to make things work with Rudy, that makes it even better. Unfortunately, there will be a reckoning with CBA reality next summer even if the Wolves have a great season. That makes Rudy the odd man out if the Wolves do really well next season and KAT the odd man out if the Wolves falter assuming KAT is healthy next season.

There’s no question in my mind that either KAT or Rudy will be gone by the start of the 2024-25 season. I’ve accepted that. So the important questions for me are: (1) will Jaden be with the team after next season; and (2) who will replace Mike Conley as he turns 38 years old.

[kekgeek]

Great find, Sundog! I know I'm a homer, but I also thought that we gave Denver a better fight than any other team. The Lakers series had slightly tighter final scores, but I agree with Brown...I never felt like the Nuggets were in any danger of losing. It almost seemed to me like they were toying with the Lakers (although Jokic did seem very focused in that series), while the intensity level against us was much higher as a whole.

You know that players chat in the locker room about stuff like this, so this likely reflects the general consensus of the Nuggets players. The Heat, Suns and Lakers are all talented teams, so to hear a guy like Brown say we were their toughest opponent is one of the strongest and most objective arguments I've heard for running it back. Let's go out and challenge for a championship this season, and worry about the inevitable (dumping KAT or Rudy) in a year! In fact if KAT plays really well and the Wolves excel next year, his trade value will skyrocket. That's what we have to hope for.

If the Wolves contend for the title, i.e., they make the NBA finals or at least the Conference Finals, it will be Rudy rather than KAT who gets traded. You can trade Rudy and still stay at that high level. But if we’re that good next season it will inevitably mean KAT was back to his 2021-22 level and the team would take a significant step backwards by trading him. If the Wolves don’t make it past the 1st or even the 2nd round next season, then I think it’s more likely the Wolves trade KAT (assuming he’s healthy).

The Wolves won 46 games and almost beat the Grizzlies in the first round two seasons ago with a healthy KAT, but with no Slo Mo, NAW or Conley and with versions of Ant and McDaniels that weren’t nearly as good as the versions we saw last season. Ant and Jaden should be even better next season and, if healthy, KAT is still in his prime and should be at least as good as he was two seasons ago. Put all that together and this team SHOULD be a 50+ win team with a good chance of advancing to the Conference Finals or beyond without Rudy. If the Wolves figure out how to make things work with Rudy, that makes it even better. Unfortunately, there will be a reckoning with CBA reality next summer even if the Wolves have a great season. That makes Rudy the odd man out if the Wolves do really well next season and KAT the odd man out if the Wolves falter assuming KAT is healthy next season.

There’s no question in my mind that either KAT or Rudy will be gone by the start of the 2024-25 season. I’ve accepted that. So the important questions for me are: (1) will Jaden be with the team after next season; and (2) who will replace Mike Conley as he turns 38 years old.

Think you are making a lot of assumptions here Lip. If the wolves would make a run next year I’m assuming Ant became a top 10 guy, the defense remained elite with Rudy anchoring it and the wolves figured out offense around Rudy and of course Kat returned to form and didn’t no show half of the playoff games he plays in.

Rudy makes a huge impact on defense. Once again Wolves number 2 defense in the nba with Rudy and 28th without him. Just think you are undermining the impact of Rudy because our ceiling of defense is league average with Kat at center

[worldK]

I think KAT deserves a lot more credit for our run towards the end and in the matchup with the nuggets. Yes, Kat didn't exactly lit up the nuggets but his mere presence and availability in the game makes us better and more dangerous. I have said that KAt is the perfect complimentary big next to edwards. Their games compliment each other really well. I am confident that a healthy KAT next year will mean a top 4 seed for us.

I do understand that we can't afford the max salaries of ant/towns/gobert and impeding extention of jaden. But I am with lip in that if we do really well next season, then we should look to trade rudy instead of towns. If its another 1st round exit and bottom 8/playin finish for us. That is when we should trade towns over rudy.

[Monster]

The hand wringing about something that’s a year away is getting old. Oh no we can’t add anyone other than the vet min. The Wolves next season are likely to have infinitely more depth than say the Suns have this year. Meanwhile the Suns have signed a guy like Eric Gordon for the vet min. KDB ain’t a bad signing for that price either. Contender types have an even better ability to sign guys cheap and it’s not just older vets. The Lakers are an example of a contending roster that’s signed young guys for vet min deals too. I get where people are coming from but are we really in such a hurry to trade a player like Gobert for some decent assets coming back so we can sign the next sorta decent FA to help depth? I get Gobert is expensive and we gave up too much to get him but he certainly might be REALLY valuable going forward. I’d potentially rather have that than the moves that typically help more on the margins. Why not see how this roster plays out for idk like half the season and go from there?

Something else to consider. Gobert could opt out of the last year of his deal and sign a multi year deal which would lower his number that season…and that could happen whether he is here or on another roster.