Minnesota Sports Forum

FNG wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 4:56 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 4:07 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 3:27 pm Losing Curry sucks for Golden State, but we've got way too much evidence of the Wolves falling short against opponents with injured stars to trust that their talent advantage will win the day. And now Golden State can really lean into their stifling defense. I'm not predicting anything one way or the other, but I certainly don't feel any more or less confident than prior to his injury.

Exactly on point. This teams lack of showing up to play is all on itself. Not having Curry could be more detrimental to us then to them! GSW in 4.

You guys bring up a legitimate concern based on how we didn't show up this year when an opposing star was missing. But there's one difference here...we just got embarrassed in game 1. Eddie Johnson just made the same point this afternoon on NBA Radio. After Termine asked if the Warriors' best hope was to only be down 3-2 with Steph returning for 6 and 7, Eddie said he didn't think Golden State had much of a chance to win another game...it's going to be 4-1. He said the combination of losing last night and Curry going down was the best thing that could have happened to the Wolves. I'm kind of leaning the same way. I didn't make a prediction for this series, but now I'm joining Tim with Wolves in 5.

That said, it's not going to feel as good as beating the Lakers or last year's 2 series victories. I was quite excited coming into this one, but Curry's injury and the Wolves' horrid shooting make me feel kind of cheated right now...it's just not going to be the series I was looking forward to. Don't get me wrong...I'll take a tainted advancement to the conference finals over a well-played series loss. It just won't feel as good as last year.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 5:46 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 4:56 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 4:07 pm

Exactly on point. This teams lack of showing up to play is all on itself. Not having Curry could be more detrimental to us then to them! GSW in 4.

You guys bring up a legitimate concern based on how we didn't show up this year when an opposing star was missing. But there's one difference here...we just got embarrassed in game 1. Eddie Johnson just made the same point this afternoon on NBA Radio. After Termine asked if the Warriors' best hope was to only be down 3-2 with Steph returning for 6 and 7, Eddie said he didn't think Golden State had much of a chance to win another game...it's going to be 4-1. He said the combination of losing last night and Curry going down was the best thing that could have happened to the Wolves. I'm kind of leaning the same way. I didn't make a prediction for this series, but now I'm joining Tim with Wolves in 5.

That said, it's not going to feel as good as beating the Lakers or last year's 2 series victories. I was quite excited coming into this one, but Curry's injury and the Wolves' horrid shooting make me feel kind of cheated right now...it's just not going to be the series I was looking forward to. Don't get me wrong...I'll take a tainted advancement to the conference finals over a well-played series loss. It just won't feel as good as last year.

Yeah, I'm with Cool on this one. Just win and advance. Injuries happen all the time in the NBA, including the playoffs. I mean, look at poor Cleveland. Most title teams benefitted somewhere along their journey by injuries to an opposing team. And may be if Golden State had closed out Houston sooner Steph wouldn't have strained a hamstring, so it's not just bad luck necessarily.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 6:10 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 5:46 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 4:56 pm

You guys bring up a legitimate concern based on how we didn't show up this year when an opposing star was missing. But there's one difference here...we just got embarrassed in game 1. Eddie Johnson just made the same point this afternoon on NBA Radio. After Termine asked if the Warriors' best hope was to only be down 3-2 with Steph returning for 6 and 7, Eddie said he didn't think Golden State had much of a chance to win another game...it's going to be 4-1. He said the combination of losing last night and Curry going down was the best thing that could have happened to the Wolves. I'm kind of leaning the same way. I didn't make a prediction for this series, but now I'm joining Tim with Wolves in 5.

That said, it's not going to feel as good as beating the Lakers or last year's 2 series victories. I was quite excited coming into this one, but Curry's injury and the Wolves' horrid shooting make me feel kind of cheated right now...it's just not going to be the series I was looking forward to. Don't get me wrong...I'll take a tainted advancement to the conference finals over a well-played series loss. It just won't feel as good as last year.

Yeah, I'm with Cool on this one. Just win and advance. Injuries happen all the time in the NBA, including the playoffs. I mean, look at poor Cleveland. Most title teams benefitted somewhere along their journey by injuries to an opposing team. And may be if Golden State had closed out Houston sooner Steph wouldn't have strained a hamstring, so it's not just bad luck necessarily.

I was thinking the same today, the wear and tear he took was probably a factor. I wouldn't write them off so fast though, they still have Jimmy and Draymond with a great system and coach. They out hustle, out tough and out physical us again, then we're doomed. I liked most of our defense till it came to actually getting the ball. Letting them get 18 offensive boards was pathetic and embarrassing.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 7:24 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 6:10 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 5:46 pm

Yeah, I'm with Cool on this one. Just win and advance. Injuries happen all the time in the NBA, including the playoffs. I mean, look at poor Cleveland. Most title teams benefitted somewhere along their journey by injuries to an opposing team. And may be if Golden State had closed out Houston sooner Steph wouldn't have strained a hamstring, so it's not just bad luck necessarily.

I was thinking the same today, the wear and tear he took was probably a factor. I wouldn't write them off so fast though, they still have Jimmy and Draymond with a great system and coach. They out hustle, out tough and out physical us again, then we're doomed. I liked most of our defense till it came to actually getting the ball. Letting them get 18 offensive boards was pathetic and embarrassing.

Oh, I'm not writing off Golden State whatsoever. I'm just saying I won't enjoy a series win any less if the Wolves do indeed pull it off because Steph is hurt.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 7:30 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 7:24 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 6:10 pm

I was thinking the same today, the wear and tear he took was probably a factor. I wouldn't write them off so fast though, they still have Jimmy and Draymond with a great system and coach. They out hustle, out tough and out physical us again, then we're doomed. I liked most of our defense till it came to actually getting the ball. Letting them get 18 offensive boards was pathetic and embarrassing.

Oh, I'm not writing off Golden State whatsoever. I'm just saying I won't enjoy a series win any less if the Wolves do indeed pull it off because Steph is hurt.

I feel different, Q...this series win will pale compared to the Suns, Nuggets, and Laker wins. We won by 24 last night, but I found myself somewhat bored during the game. And I woke up with a general feeling of dissatisfaction about the win. And if you read the GDT, it looks like I'm not alone...I didn't sense much joy in the posts. The fact of the matter is the Warriors are just not very good without Curry. Butler and Draymond are incredibly talented facilitators, but they need an alpha scorer to optimize their value...and he's gone for most of the series.

I see a likely 4-1 finish, or maybe one of the inconsistent Warrior role players goes on a heater for 1 game and they steal another game. But Steph will not be back in any condition to play the way he does. Again, don't get me wrong...I'll be thrilled with going to the conference finals two years in a row. I'll watch every game in this series and be pumped for the finals, but it just feels a little hollow.

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:01 am

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 7:30 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 7:24 pm

Oh, I'm not writing off Golden State whatsoever. I'm just saying I won't enjoy a series win any less if the Wolves do indeed pull it off because Steph is hurt.

I feel different, Q...this series win will pale compared to the Suns, Nuggets, and Laker wins. We won by 24 last night, but I found myself somewhat bored during the game. And I woke up with a general feeling of dissatisfaction about the win. And if you read the GDT, it looks like I'm not alone...I didn't sense much joy in the posts. The fact of the matter is the Warriors are just not very good without Curry. Butler and Draymond are incredibly talented facilitators, but they need an alpha scorer to optimize their value...and he's gone for most of the series.

I see a likely 4-1 finish, or maybe one of the inconsistent Warrior role players goes on a heater for 1 game and they steal another game. But Steph will not be back in any condition to play the way he does. Again, don't get me wrong...I'll be thrilled with going to the conference finals two years in a row. I'll watch every game in this series and be pumped for the finals, but it just feels a little hollow.

Talk about counting your chickens before the eggs hatch?!?

Assuming a Wolves win, I agree that the Curry-pelt on ANT's wall just won't have the same type of value it would have if he had not been hurt. But the Butler and Draymond pelts would be sweet!

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:01 am

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 7:30 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 7:24 pm

Oh, I'm not writing off Golden State whatsoever. I'm just saying I won't enjoy a series win any less if the Wolves do indeed pull it off because Steph is hurt.

I feel different, Q...this series win will pale compared to the Suns, Nuggets, and Laker wins. We won by 24 last night, but I found myself somewhat bored during the game. And I woke up with a general feeling of dissatisfaction about the win. And if you read the GDT, it looks like I'm not alone...I didn't sense much joy in the posts. The fact of the matter is the Warriors are just not very good without Curry. Butler and Draymond are incredibly talented facilitators, but they need an alpha scorer to optimize their value...and he's gone for most of the series.

I see a likely 4-1 finish, or maybe one of the inconsistent Warrior role players goes on a heater for 1 game and they steal another game. But Steph will not be back in any condition to play the way he does. Again, don't get me wrong...I'll be thrilled with going to the conference finals two years in a row. I'll watch every game in this series and be pumped for the finals, but it just feels a little hollow.

Talk about counting your chickens before the eggs hatch?!?

Assuming a Wolves win, I agree that the Curry-pelt on ANT's wall just won't have the same type of value it would have if he had not been hurt. But the Butler and Draymond pelts would be sweet!

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:19 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:01 am

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 7:30 am

I feel different, Q...this series win will pale compared to the Suns, Nuggets, and Laker wins. We won by 24 last night, but I found myself somewhat bored during the game. And I woke up with a general feeling of dissatisfaction about the win. And if you read the GDT, it looks like I'm not alone...I didn't sense much joy in the posts. The fact of the matter is the Warriors are just not very good without Curry. Butler and Draymond are incredibly talented facilitators, but they need an alpha scorer to optimize their value...and he's gone for most of the series.

I see a likely 4-1 finish, or maybe one of the inconsistent Warrior role players goes on a heater for 1 game and they steal another game. But Steph will not be back in any condition to play the way he does. Again, don't get me wrong...I'll be thrilled with going to the conference finals two years in a row. I'll watch every game in this series and be pumped for the finals, but it just feels a little hollow.

Talk about counting your chickens before the eggs hatch?!?

Assuming a Wolves win, I agree that the Curry-pelt on ANT's wall just won't have the same type of value it would have if he had not been hurt. But the Butler and Draymond pelts would be sweet!

FNG, keep in mind we were down 0-1 and lost homecourt advantage, so it was a MUST win. And with Ant's status uncertain for a period of time and us fans rightfully on edge about our tendency to underperform and melt down, it's hard to be joyful in the moment of game like that.

Plus we didn't see any Ant explosions or highlight reel type stuff, so despite having a comfortable lead most of the night it was kind of a slog.

I think we're also weighed down by the expectation to win with Steph out. So any sign of self-inflicted harm (which the Wolves are really good at) and potential big run by the Warriors leads to a sense of dread. That's just the way it is.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 9:19 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:19 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 8:01 am

Talk about counting your chickens before the eggs hatch?!?

Assuming a Wolves win, I agree that the Curry-pelt on ANT's wall just won't have the same type of value it would have if he had not been hurt. But the Butler and Draymond pelts would be sweet!

FNG, keep in mind we were down 0-1 and lost homecourt advantage, so it was a MUST win. And with Ant's status uncertain for a period of time and us fans rightfully on edge about our tendency to underperform and melt down, it's hard to be joyful in the moment of game like that.

Plus we didn't see any Ant explosions or highlight reel type stuff, so despite having a comfortable lead most of the night it was kind of a slog.

I think we're also weighed down by the expectation to win with Steph out. So any sign of self-inflicted harm (which the Wolves are really good at) and potential big run by the Warriors leads to a sense of dread. That's just the way it is.

Fair comments, Q. I'm not too worried about Ant though...he looked healthy to me in the second half. As for the Warriors, I saw a desperate team in Game 1 that overachieved, but that came to realize in Game 2 that they are not good enough without Steph. Two great facilitators and good coaching, but overall not that good. Draymond's behavior last night shows me that he knows it. We're 5 1/2 point favorites tomorrow night and I expect we will cover that spread. Let's see if there's a little more joy in the GDT tomorrow.