Wolves at Suns R1G4

[Q-is-here]

This team is special.

Phoenix had no answer for our size, length, defense and Anthony Edwards.

And we match up well against Denver. Plus Murray is battling a calf strain, which are known to linger and take a while too fully heal.

Kiwi, I think the #1 priority against Denver is to make Jamaal Murray's life absolute hell. Jokic is like a next-level Durant. He literally can't be stopped AND he's a better passer and rebounder. The good news is that we can train almost all of our perimeter defenders' attention on Murray, as Denver really needs him to play well along with Jokic to beat us.

[Q-is-here]

Abe's Next Day Commentary:

- We've seen it more and more... but Edwards' drive with 7:30 left in the 3rd quarter is what many of us have been waiting for. He got into the paint... he was surrounded... and he maneuvered his body and the ball NOT to shoot... but to hit the wide open guy in the corner for a three pointer. It seemed more premeditated. Obviously, he knows a guy (usually NAW or McDaniels) is standing there wide open and he seemed to invite the defense to manipulate a pass to the corner.

Wonderful.

- I'm pretty sure at this point that the TNT crew doesn't even watch the games they're commenting on. It can be a fun show with the unique personalities that drive it... but it's not the place for any sort of meaningful (or accurate) basketball discussion. That part of it is terrible.

- I wrote down the defensive sequence late that ended in the NAW's steal. Good to see it getting the attention it deserves from others. But beyond that... it's fun watching this team when it's dialed in defensively. Teams have to take so many tough shots. Even when the game is close, you know shot-making on those is unsustainable. It's a role reversal for the better part of 35 years that I've been watching the Timberwolves. They would be in a close game, but it required such tough shots. It's been fun watching an elite defense and what it means.

- Nice game for Towns.

- Edwards is a star. If he keeps this up, he might be a superstar by the time summer hits.

- Feel for Finch. Having a coach hobbled isn't ideal, but probably not the end of the world either. They'll have plenty of time to prep for Denver.

- Quiet game for Gobert. No problem. Someone else keeps stepping up. Towns was wonderful... and if we're going to rip him for whining about calls when he does it... kudos for him staying into it mentally (mostly) despite an embarrassingly awful non-whistle a couple of times in the game. Durant clearly fouled him FOUR times on one play without a whistle.

- Gordon, Beal, and Allen (when healthy) were mostly invisible. I think that also says something about the TImberwolves. Thos guys are usually matched up with lesser defenders on other teams. The Wolves don't have many weak links right now defensively.

- Great day to be a Timberwolves fan. It's been a long 35 years.

Good stuff Abe.

One thing I'd add is that Devin Booker really became unlikeable in this series. Holy hell was he a dirty, foul-baiting troll by the end of the Series. And the Scott Foster crew was letting him get away with all sorts of shit that KAT would be put in jail for with the keys thrown out. I found it funny that by late in the game, suddenly they got him on a couple ticky tack fouls. Did they not see the shit he was doing earlier as they rewarded him with one trip to the line after another!?!

I think living through all the doubters and ref chicanery (perceived or otherwise) has really thickened their skin and we are a better team for it. But man, that was frustrating to watch through 3.5 quarters.

[60WinTim]

This team is special.

Phoenix had no answer for our size, length, defense and Anthony Edwards.

And we match up well against Denver. Plus Murray is battling a calf strain, which are known to linger and take a while too fully heal.

Kiwi, I think the #1 priority against Denver is to make Jamaal Murray's life absolute hell. Jokic is like a next-level Durant. He literally can't be stopped AND he's a better passer and rebounder. The good news is that we can train almost all of our perimeter defenders' attention on Murray, as Denver really needs him to play well along with Jokic to beat us.

The Wolves played Denver really tough when they could put KAT on Jokic and Rudy on Gordon, allowing Rudy to hang around the paint. Jaden/NAW on Murray is favorable. I am cautiously opTIMistic in the matchup with Denver.

[FNG]

I got back home from my night in Phoenix at about midnight and slept in before going to baseball this morning, so didn't get a chance to write my in-arena report. So here goes.

When I bought one ticket on StubHub a week ago, I anticipated being in the arena for a critical game 4...never did I imagine being there for a close-out game! Then as I drove up I-10 to the game yesterday, I was a little concerned about wasting a few honeybees on a game the Wolves weren't motivated to win...preferring to close out the season at home. But right from the start I could tell both teams were playing with intensity, and I was lucky to be there for the best game of the series.

Footprint Center is a terrific venue to watch a game...wide corridors make it much easier to navigate your way around than Target Center. Despite being down 3-0, the crowd was as energized as the Wolves' crowd was in the Game 2 I was able to attend. And being a close game, they stayed engaged the entire game...at times the noise level was deafening. I tried to keep a low profile, but was quickly outed in my section as a Wolves fan. Didn't matter...the Wolves couldn't have been any more gracious.

We know we need Ant's supporting cast to contribute if we are going to continue this run, and Jaden and KAT did not disappoint...providing early scoring as Ant had his customary slow start. We needed that. The game was very physical, and I appreciated the referees allowing some contact. The Suns fans were not happy with the referees though...at one point I thought the refs would need a police escort to get out of the arena alive!

i know some don't like Booker, but it was really fun to watch him last night. NAW is an exceptional on-ball defender and was putting in his usual energetic defensive effort, but there was no stopping Booker last night. I've never seen NAW unable to stay in front of his man so often. And the help defense was disappointing at times as Booker too often didn't experience much resistance getting to the hoop. But hats off to him...he's an offensive star.

But last night was all about Ant. I'm normally a fan of ball movement and working the ball around to get an open shot. But the Wolves have settled into a unique offensive style...not always pretty, but quite effective. It's interesting to watch Ant dribbling at the top of the key trying to draw one or even two defenders in as his teammates work to get to an open space. And invariably Ant would make the right decision. When he was doubled or tripled, he would find the open man...sometimes with a cross court pass that might seem ill-advised at first but worked more often than it didn't. And when his defender didn't get help, Ant would beat him with either a drive to the basket or a jumper using a screen. It was quite impressive.

I sat across from the bench, so I was able to watch the interaction on the bench. I know Lip has pointed out a couple times that there might be a little too much joviality on the bench, and guys like Nix, Clark and Moore Jr. do have a lot of fun. But I give them a pass. They know they aren't going to get in the game, so they are really just cheerleaders...and their teammates who are in the rotation seem to really enjoy them. This is a fun-loving tight-knit group.

I'm not getting back to Minnesota until June, so this is likely my last in-person playoff game this season. I hope to read some personal reports from Lip, Kek or others who are able to attend a home game. Let's keep this going!

[Q-is-here]

I got back home from my night in Phoenix at about midnight and slept in before going to baseball this morning, so didn't get a chance to write my in-arena report. So here goes.

When I bought one ticket on StubHub a week ago, I anticipated being in the arena for a critical game 4...never did I imagine being there for a close-out game! Then as I drove up I-10 to the game yesterday, I was a little concerned about wasting a few honeybees on a game the Wolves weren't motivated to win...preferring to close out the season at home. But right from the start I could tell both teams were playing with intensity, and I was lucky to be there for the best game of the series.

Footprint Center is a terrific venue to watch a game...wide corridors make it much easier to navigate your way around than Target Center. Despite being down 3-0, the crowd was as energized as the Wolves' crowd was in the Game 2 I was able to attend. And being a close game, they stayed engaged the entire game...at times the noise level was deafening. I tried to keep a low profile, but was quickly outed in my section as a Wolves fan. Didn't matter...the Wolves couldn't have been any more gracious.

We know we need Ant's supporting cast to contribute if we are going to continue this run, and Jaden and KAT did not disappoint...providing early scoring as Ant had his customary slow start. We needed that. The game was very physical, and I appreciated the referees allowing some contact. The Suns fans were not happy with the referees though...at one point I thought the refs would need a police escort to get out of the arena alive!

i know some don't like Booker, but it was really fun to watch him last night. NAW is an exceptional on-ball defender and was putting in his usual energetic defensive effort, but there was no stopping Booker last night. I've never seen NAW unable to stay in front of his man so often. And the help defense was disappointing at times as Booker too often didn't experience much resistance getting to the hoop. But hats off to him...he's an offensive star.

But last night was all about Ant. I'm normally a fan of ball movement and working the ball around to get an open shot. But the Wolves have settled into a unique offensive style...not always pretty, but quite effective. It's interesting to watch Ant dribbling at the top of the key trying to draw one or even two defenders in as his teammates work to get to an open space. And invariably Ant would make the right decision. When he was doubled or tripled, he would find the open man...sometimes with a cross court pass that might seem ill-advised at first but worked more often than it didn't. And when his defender didn't get help, Ant would beat him with either a drive to the basket or a jumper using a screen. It was quite impressive.

I sat across from the bench, so I was able to watch the interaction on the bench. I know Lip has pointed out a couple times that there might be a little too much joviality on the bench, and guys like Nix, Clark and Moore Jr. do have a lot of fun. But I give them a pass. They know they aren't going to get in the game, so they are really just cheerleaders...and their teammates who are in the rotation seem to really enjoy them. This is a fun-loving tight-knit group.

I'm not getting back to Minnesota until June, so this is likely my last in-person playoff game this season. I hope to read some personal reports from Lip, Kek or others who are able to attend a home game. Let's keep this going!

Thanks for the in person recap FNG. Ant said they started guarding him in isolation more in the 4th quarter, so he just attacked.

Yes, Booker is an impressive talent, but I thought he became a first class troll in this series. He was getting a ridiculously generous whistle in all directions for 3/4ths of this game. As he was pushing, shoving, and flopping his way to the basket, Jaden would get called for making marginal contact with him. It was absurd.

[FNG]

I got back home from my night in Phoenix at about midnight and slept in before going to baseball this morning, so didn't get a chance to write my in-arena report. So here goes.

When I bought one ticket on StubHub a week ago, I anticipated being in the arena for a critical game 4...never did I imagine being there for a close-out game! Then as I drove up I-10 to the game yesterday, I was a little concerned about wasting a few honeybees on a game the Wolves weren't motivated to win...preferring to close out the season at home. But right from the start I could tell both teams were playing with intensity, and I was lucky to be there for the best game of the series.

Footprint Center is a terrific venue to watch a game...wide corridors make it much easier to navigate your way around than Target Center. Despite being down 3-0, the crowd was as energized as the Wolves' crowd was in the Game 2 I was able to attend. And being a close game, they stayed engaged the entire game...at times the noise level was deafening. I tried to keep a low profile, but was quickly outed in my section as a Wolves fan. Didn't matter...the Wolves couldn't have been any more gracious.

We know we need Ant's supporting cast to contribute if we are going to continue this run, and Jaden and KAT did not disappoint...providing early scoring as Ant had his customary slow start. We needed that. The game was very physical, and I appreciated the referees allowing some contact. The Suns fans were not happy with the referees though...at one point I thought the refs would need a police escort to get out of the arena alive!

i know some don't like Booker, but it was really fun to watch him last night. NAW is an exceptional on-ball defender and was putting in his usual energetic defensive effort, but there was no stopping Booker last night. I've never seen NAW unable to stay in front of his man so often. And the help defense was disappointing at times as Booker too often didn't experience much resistance getting to the hoop. But hats off to him...he's an offensive star.

But last night was all about Ant. I'm normally a fan of ball movement and working the ball around to get an open shot. But the Wolves have settled into a unique offensive style...not always pretty, but quite effective. It's interesting to watch Ant dribbling at the top of the key trying to draw one or even two defenders in as his teammates work to get to an open space. And invariably Ant would make the right decision. When he was doubled or tripled, he would find the open man...sometimes with a cross court pass that might seem ill-advised at first but worked more often than it didn't. And when his defender didn't get help, Ant would beat him with either a drive to the basket or a jumper using a screen. It was quite impressive.

I sat across from the bench, so I was able to watch the interaction on the bench. I know Lip has pointed out a couple times that there might be a little too much joviality on the bench, and guys like Nix, Clark and Moore Jr. do have a lot of fun. But I give them a pass. They know they aren't going to get in the game, so they are really just cheerleaders...and their teammates who are in the rotation seem to really enjoy them. This is a fun-loving tight-knit group.

I'm not getting back to Minnesota until June, so this is likely my last in-person playoff game this season. I hope to read some personal reports from Lip, Kek or others who are able to attend a home game. Let's keep this going!

Thanks for the in person recap FNG. Ant said they started guarding him in isolation more in the 4th quarter, so he just attacked.

Yes, Booker is an impressive talent, but I thought he became a first class troll in this series. He was getting a ridiculously generous whistle in all directions for 3/4ths of this game. As he was pushing, shoving, and flopping his way to the basket, Jaden would get called for making marginal contact with him. It was absurd.

Q, I think I come from a different perspective. I understand why fans get annoyed when an opponent does something we don't like and gets away with it, but to be perfectly honest, it's the way I always played the game...if I could grab onto the shorts of the guy I was guarding without the ref seeing it (and you have to be judicious about picking your spots), I would do it. I admire guys who want to win, and why wouldn't a player do something that the referees are allowing if it gives him an edge? I had no problem with the way Booker played Game 4. In fact I was in a unique position during the game. Simultaneously I would be hearing the Suns' fans angrily booing the refs loudly for favoring the Wolves, while also reading the GDT saying we were getting jobbed by the refs! Both things couldn't be true! It's the nature of the passionate fan...we see things our way, and it's understandable that the other team sees it exactly the opposite way. The answer has to lie somewhere in the middle...the refs do the best job they can, but have a difficult job where they are always going to piss off one (or both) sets of fans.

Where I draw the line though is if a player does something that potentially could injure a player...I'm talking about guys like Draymond Green and Grayson Allen, and to some extent the dangerous tackling move Embiid made last week on Robinson I think. That's why I'm surprised there hasn't been more discussion here about the play that injured Chris Finch. I frankly didn't see it...It was on the other side of the court from me, and I was in the middle of a celebratory text to my girlfriend (I had lit the ceremonial victory cigar up 6 with a minute to go and the ball in Conley's hands). For those who had a good view of it on TV, is there a chance an overly-competitive Booker was enraged about the game slipping away, and did something with the intent to injure Conley and Finch? If so, that would totally alter my view of Booker irreparably. What about it...might it have been intentional?

[Coolbreeze44]

Did anybody see the video clip immediately after game 4 of Jaden trying to get in Booker's grill? He ran toward him pointing at the scoreboard before Nurkic stopped him from getting all the way. He was talking smack as Booker tried to ignore him. It's probably not what you want to see your guy do after a big win, but he was clearly annoyed with Booker's BS all series. We've heard snippets that Jaden has a bit of a streak in him, and he demonstrated that piss and vinegar Sunday.

[ItsJustSoSab]

Did anybody see the video clip immediately after game 4 of Jaden trying to get in Booker's grill? He ran toward him pointing at the scoreboard before Nurkic stopped him from getting all the way. He was talking smack as Booker tried to ignore him. It's probably not what you want to see your guy do after a big win, but he was clearly annoyed with Booker's BS all series. We've heard snippets that Jaden has a bit of a streak in him, and he demonstrated that piss and vinegar Sunday.

As long as he doesn't punch any walls!