What would make this season a success?

[Wolvesfan21]

Just to clear, my hope is that the Wolves make the finals and win a championship. I also believe we have a roster capable of winning a championship this season. But in formulating my expectations at this point in the season, I factored in where we’re at in the standings and how this team has played over the court of the season, including the team’s inconsistency and what I consider underachievement relative to the team’s talent.

Here’s how I come out:

First, anything less than a 5th place finish ahead of the Lakers would be an entirely unacceptable (blow it up) regular season outcome for this team. Our roster is far superior to their roster and that fact shows in the Lakers paltry 0.1 point differential this season compared to the Wolves 5.0.

Second, failing to advance at least one round in the playoffs would be an entirely unacceptable (blow it up) playoff outcome for this team.

Third, I see regular season success as a 3rd place finish. We’re essentially in a four way tie with the Lakers, Rockets and Nuggets for 3rd place and we have the best point differential of all the four. Our roster is at least on par with their other three teams. Unfortunately we’re too far behind the Spurs and Thunder to have a realistic shot at 1st or 2nd place.

Fourth, a return appearance to the Conference finals and a real competitive showing in that series is my minimum standard of playoff success this season. We made the Finals last season so in my view a definition of success this season requires a return to the Conference finals. We were embarrassingly dispatched 4-1 in last season’s conference finals so I see going 7 games and losing as disappointing but still a success we can build on with our young core of Ant, Jaden, Naz and possibly Ayo just entering their prime.

In reference to your First and Second scenarios, what is your definition of "blow it up"? What does that look like to you?

Right now, blow it up in my mind means completely retooling around Ant and Naz. I used to include Jaden as a third player to re-build around if we blow it up, but if we fail to advance at least one round in the playoffs then we’ll need to put all our cards except Ant and Naz on the table. Note I have Naz as the only player other than Ant on my current don’t trade list. I don’t want to trade Jaden, but he’s bring a lot in return and I’m losing confidence in him as a foundational piece. I think Naz is on the verge of being really special. The things he can do with the ball at his size are quite amazing. He’s actually a better ballhandler and passer as well as a more versatile scorer than Jaden in my view.

I should add that my idea of retooling around Ant does not reflect approval of Ant’s play this season. His defensive lapses have been too frequent and serious and he has yet to demonstrate that he’s the star who lead a team to a championship. But we can’t give up on him. He’s the best hope we have so we’ll have to find a way to make it I work with him.

Another approach short of blowing it up would be simply moving Randle and bringing in a new head coach.

Naz is great but the difference is defense. Jaden is excellent and Naz isn't. I think Naz is perfectly situated as a 6th man gunner role. Give us 20 any given night, and we need the scoring pop off the bench.

[kekgeek]

Super interesting question. I honestly could care less about the regular season. I think the wolves are past regular season success to make me feel like the season was successful. This is with the assumption that they don’t miss the playoffs and I understand theoretically being the higher seed could mean an advantage in the playoffs even though I think being the 6 seed might be better than the 4 or 5 based on how the season turns out.

I also think some of the reason the season has been frustrating is because we have nothing new. We have 7 of our top 8 back. None of the younger guys have stepped up and mostly don’t look like nba players, so the wolves going through the motions and fan frustration does not surprise me.

To make the season a success, I think a trip back to the WCF or having a chance to eliminate the Thunder at any point I would consider a success. I’ll would be ok with a playoff win and a hard fought game 6 or 7 series in the second round that they lose I would be neutral on.

It’s a fail season if they don’t get to the second round (assuming not a big injury happens)

[Q-is-here]

Super interesting question. I honestly could care less about the regular season. I think the wolves are past regular season success to make me feel like the season was successful. This is with the assumption that they don’t miss the playoffs and I understand theoretically being the higher seed could mean an advantage in the playoffs even though I think being the 6 seed might be better than the 4 or 5 based on how the season turns out.

I also think some of the reason the season has been frustrating is because we have nothing new. We have 7 of our top 8 back. None of the younger guys have stepped up and mostly don’t look like nba players, so the wolves going through the motions and fan frustration does not surprise me.

To make the season a success, I think a trip back to the WCF or having a chance to eliminate the Thunder at any point I would consider a success. I’ll would be ok with a playoff win and a hard fought game 6 or 7 series in the second round that they lose I would be neutral on.

It’s a fail season if they don’t get to the second round (assuming not a big injury happens)

The problem Kek is that usually (not always) regular season success is directly correlated with post-season success. The vast majority of NBA title winners had one of the three best regular season records in the year(s) they won the title.

So while I agree that the Wolves are past being judged purely by regular season success, they're consistent underachievement against inferior competition doesn't bode well for the part of the season we all care most about.

[kekgeek]

Super interesting question. I honestly could care less about the regular season. I think the wolves are past regular season success to make me feel like the season was successful. This is with the assumption that they don’t miss the playoffs and I understand theoretically being the higher seed could mean an advantage in the playoffs even though I think being the 6 seed might be better than the 4 or 5 based on how the season turns out.

I also think some of the reason the season has been frustrating is because we have nothing new. We have 7 of our top 8 back. None of the younger guys have stepped up and mostly don’t look like nba players, so the wolves going through the motions and fan frustration does not surprise me.

To make the season a success, I think a trip back to the WCF or having a chance to eliminate the Thunder at any point I would consider a success. I’ll would be ok with a playoff win and a hard fought game 6 or 7 series in the second round that they lose I would be neutral on.

It’s a fail season if they don’t get to the second round (assuming not a big injury happens)

The problem Kek is that usually (not always) regular season success is directly correlated with post-season success. The vast majority of NBA title winners had one of the three best regular season records in the year(s) they won the title.

So while I agree that the Wolves are past being judged purely by regular season success, they're consistent underachievement against inferior competition doesn't bode well for the part of the season we all care most about.

What I completely understand. I’m just saying if they are the 7 seed but make the WCF I won’t care about them being the 7 seed, that’s all I’m saying.

[Wolvesfan21]

Super interesting question. I honestly could care less about the regular season. I think the wolves are past regular season success to make me feel like the season was successful. This is with the assumption that they don’t miss the playoffs and I understand theoretically being the higher seed could mean an advantage in the playoffs even though I think being the 6 seed might be better than the 4 or 5 based on how the season turns out.

I also think some of the reason the season has been frustrating is because we have nothing new. We have 7 of our top 8 back. None of the younger guys have stepped up and mostly don’t look like nba players, so the wolves going through the motions and fan frustration does not surprise me.

To make the season a success, I think a trip back to the WCF or having a chance to eliminate the Thunder at any point I would consider a success. I’ll would be ok with a playoff win and a hard fought game 6 or 7 series in the second round that they lose I would be neutral on.

It’s a fail season if they don’t get to the second round (assuming not a big injury happens)

The problem Kek is that usually (not always) regular season success is directly correlated with post-season success. The vast majority of NBA title winners had one of the three best regular season records in the year(s) they won the title.

So while I agree that the Wolves are past being judged purely by regular season success, they're consistent underachievement against inferior competition doesn't bode well for the part of the season we all care most about.

While that is true the Wolves I think are a pretty unique of an outlier as well. You can't just clump them in with any middling 7/8 seed. They are as capable and talented as anyone and really should be in competition for a top 2 seed. Not to mention already proving they can win 2 rounds each of the last two years to advance, even on the road if need be. Homecourt advantage blah, they don't care. They play better on the road!

Now saying that you're probably right too. OKC even the Spurs, no one really thinks the Wolves will win those playoff series.