Playoffs discussion

[FNG]

Well, my time to eat some crow. I predicted a Gentleman's Sweep in this series, and when I turned off the game with OkC up double digits midway through the 4th quarter and responding every time Indy scored, it sure felt a lot like our series against the Thunder. This has been the most bizarre season and playoffs I can ever remember in terms of huge comebacks (heck, our Wolves were on both sides of these comebacks...Milwaukee and OkC), and I am feeling really stupid for choosing sleep over another stirring comeback. Looks like we could have a real series here (although I still wouldn't be surprised if OkC pulls off a 4-1).

[60WinTim]

Well, my time to eat some crow. I predicted a Gentleman's Sweep in this series, and when I turned off the game with OkC up double digits midway through the 4th quarter and responding every time Indy scored, it sure felt a lot like our series against the Thunder. This has been the most bizarre season and playoffs I can ever remember in terms of huge comebacks (heck, our Wolves were on both sides of these comebacks...Milwaukee and OkC), and I am feeling really stupid for choosing sleep over another stirring comeback. Looks like we could have a real series here (although I still wouldn't be surprised if OkC pulls off a 4-1).

After watching Indiana beat the Wolves in Indiana, I came away thinking "at least we won't see them in the playoffs unless it's in the Finals!". With the comebacks they have had in the playoffs, they really are a Cinderella team. I wouldn't mind seeing them knock the Thunder off the top of the hill.

[FNG]

Well, my time to eat some crow. I predicted a Gentleman's Sweep in this series, and when I turned off the game with OkC up double digits midway through the 4th quarter and responding every time Indy scored, it sure felt a lot like our series against the Thunder. This has been the most bizarre season and playoffs I can ever remember in terms of huge comebacks (heck, our Wolves were on both sides of these comebacks...Milwaukee and OkC), and I am feeling really stupid for choosing sleep over another stirring comeback. Looks like we could have a real series here (although I still wouldn't be surprised if OkC pulls off a 4-1).

After watching Indiana beat the Wolves in Indiana, I came away thinking "at least we won't see them in the playoffs unless it's in the Finals!". With the comebacks they have had in the playoffs, they really are a Cinderella team. I wouldn't mind seeing them knock the Thunder off the top of the hill.

I'm still cheering for the Thunder to take them out, only because it makes us look better. But I like both teams. I think OkC is the far better team, but you wouldn't know it by the way our Wolves played the two teams during the regular season...we played the Thunder pretty even, and a shorthanded Pacers team beat us twice!

One thing we are learning for sure: NBA players may be great athletes, but they are really stupid in evaluating their peers. Gobert and Haliburton always appear on the "most overrated by players" list, and Tyrese was voted most overrated this season. Based on how much better the Wolves are with Rudy on the court compared to off (during the regular season and the playoffs) and Tyrese's absurd clutch shooting, I think we can ignore this survey from now on...if we aren't already.

[Phenom]

I remember there were reports that Rosas and crew were big fans of Haliburton. He was probably their trade down target. Or imagine if he could have swung a trade to get he and Ant together

[AbeVigodaLive]

I remember there were reports that Rosas and crew were big fans of Haliburton. He was probably their trade down target. Or imagine if he could have swung a trade to get he and Ant together

Don't tease me.

I advocated for a trade down to get Haliburton at the time...




[Note: To be fair... I also missed on how good Edwards and McDaniels would become, respectively.]

[Q-is-here]

I remember there were reports that Rosas and crew were big fans of Haliburton. He was probably their trade down target. Or imagine if he could have swung a trade to get he and Ant together

Don't tease me.

I advocated for a trade down to get Haliburton at the time...




[Note: To be fair... I also missed on how good Edwards and McDaniels would become, respectively.]

We talk about how vital the draft is to team building, so it's interesting that both SGA and Haliburton, the two best players in the Finals, were both traded for and not drafted by their respective teams. Having said that, I think the same talent scouting skills that make those front offices good at drafting guys probably came into play when making those trades.

I've mentioned this before, but the Pacers have been a sneaky dominant franchise. They have been in a third of the Eastern Conference Finals over the past 30 seasons. That's nuts! They just can't get over the hump and win a title. May be that will change this time.

[Lipoli390]

I remember there were reports that Rosas and crew were big fans of Haliburton. He was probably their trade down target. Or imagine if he could have swung a trade to get he and Ant together

Don't tease me.

I advocated for a trade down to get Haliburton at the time...




[Note: To be fair... I also missed on how good Edwards and McDaniels would become, respectively.]

We talk about how vital the draft is to team building, so it's interesting that both SGA and Haliburton, the two best players in the Finals, were both traded for and not drafted by their respective teams. Having said that, I think the same talent scouting skills that make those front offices good at drafting guys probably came into play when making those trades.

I've mentioned this before, but the Pacers have been a sneaky dominant franchise. They have been in a third of the Eastern Conference Finals over the past 30 seasons. That's nuts! They just can't get over the hump and win a title. May be that will change this time.

Yes. The key is outperforming your rival GMs is spotting and acquiring young talent via the draft or through trades. Of course then the organization needs to be patient with the young talent they get - giving them the opportunity and staying with them. I often think of the Wolves Kevin McHale being smart enough to acquire a young Chauncey Billups who other teams had prematurely given up on but then stupidly letting him go in favor of the aging fairly injury-prone Terrell Brandon. SGA and Haliburton are great examples of the trade route. From a GM perspective, it’s the same skill — identifying young talent better than or before your rivals. The savvy GMs in my view don’t chase 30+ year old stars; instead they take advantage of the GMs who do and get a return that includes a talented young player who eventually makes them championship contenders. That’s certainly what OKC did trading Paul George for SGA.

[Wolvesfan21]

Well, my time to eat some crow. I predicted a Gentleman's Sweep in this series, and when I turned off the game with OkC up double digits midway through the 4th quarter and responding every time Indy scored, it sure felt a lot like our series against the Thunder. This has been the most bizarre season and playoffs I can ever remember in terms of huge comebacks (heck, our Wolves were on both sides of these comebacks...Milwaukee and OkC), and I am feeling really stupid for choosing sleep over another stirring comeback. Looks like we could have a real series here (although I still wouldn't be surprised if OkC pulls off a 4-1).

After watching Indiana beat the Wolves in Indiana, I came away thinking "at least we won't see them in the playoffs unless it's in the Finals!". With the comebacks they have had in the playoffs, they really are a Cinderella team. I wouldn't mind seeing them knock the Thunder off the top of the hill.

My feeling was before last series I had us beating OKC because I'm a homer, but had us losing to Indiana in the Finals because I just thought they were that good (I couldn't write it because of a jinx). I didn't like the thought of their offense just cashing 3's like they've been doing for the last 3 months.

[Lipoli390]

OKC is really fun to watch. And so is Indiana. But OKC is definitely the better team. Indiana might win one more game in this series, but that’s it. The Wolves lost to a great team.

[Lipoli390]

Watching this two teams tonight further convinces me that we can’t win a championship as currently constructed. The Wolves current construction can’t match the space and pace of the best teams in the League. OKC is the best of the best but the Rockets are another young, highly athletic up-and-coming team similar to OKC. Indiana’s not as good as OKC, but they’re similar to OKC and very good. In addition to the speed and athleticism of these teams like OKC, Houston, and Indiana, all five of their players on the court are a threat to score from anywhere on the floor and all of them can guard the perimeter.

In light of the competition and current nature of the NBA, the Wolves players who could potentially be part of a championship team are Ant, Jaden, Naz, Donte, TSJ, Dilly, and Clark - maybe Miller and Minott. Rudy’s defense has been huge for us and would be difficult to replace, but I’m not sure we can become a championship team with him as our starting center. Randle cold possibly be part of a championship Wolves team with those other guys because he is at least a very formidable threat to score but we can’t pair him with Naz defensively. Maybe we can win the prize with Rudy as our starting center. He’s still a great defender and he’s good at keeping the ball moving and helping the offensive flow with his screens. I just can’t envision the Wolves winning the championship or even making the finals with Rudy and Julius as our starting bigs playing 30+ minutes per game.

Anyway, just a few thoughts prompted by what I’m watching tonight. Now back to just enjoying the game. .