FNG wrote:I just completed a 2-day solo drive to Arizona. During my drive I probably listened to 10 hours of NBA Radio. Here are four words I never heard during those 10 hours: Edwards, Towns, Minnesota, Timberwolves. It's astonishing how our team is ignored on the national media. What is the reason for this?
Coastal bias? To some extent, as much of the conversation is centered around the Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Warriors and Clippers. But it's not entirely coastal bias, because Dallas, Utah, Phoenix, OkC, Sac-Town and New Orleans were also discussed a lot.
Focus on teams that have a chance of making and doing well in the playoffs? Somewhat. But I'm not sure why the Pelicans, Thunder, and Jazz were topics of conversation then...I think the Wolves are at least as good as these teams.
Intrigue around prominent injured players? Again somewhat. I get that the return (or not) of players like LeBron, Zion, Durant, Kyrie and PG are valid talkers. But I would think the injury and return status of Ant (and its impact on the playoffs) is a worthy conversation also.
So yeah, I'm a little butthurt about the absence of our squad from the conversation on NBA radio the past two days...it would have helped me pass the time better. Maybe it means that my optimism about the Wolves is misguided, and that we really aren't at the same level as the 8 teams still in the running for 5th place. I don't think so though.
The real question is whether anyone discussed Josh Okogie's shocking shooting slump.
As you alluded to there is a lot to talk about right now in the NBA. It is at the very least a little weird although quite frankly not surprising the Wolves weren't mentioned.
Come on, monster...Sharpshooter Josh was 2-4 on threes last night!
Nope, no mention of Josh at all during my drive...shocking! All kidding aside, Josh continues to get 20+ minutes per night despite his poor shooting. I think the fact that the Suns give up 6.1 fewer points per 100 possessions when JO is out there is the reason for that. It will be interesting to see who loses a starting role when Durant comes back...personally I would keep Josh in the lineup and move Craig to the bench.
This board is divided right now between those who are excited about the Wolves' prospects (if healthy) in the playoffs, and those who think the season is over. Frankly, the absence of any talk about the Wolves tells me the media is on the side of the pessimists.
Okogie missed all 5 of his 2 point shots. Is he taking long 2's?!?
Honestly I don't think the media not talking about the Wolves means anything in terms of whether they make the playoffs or what the Wolves chances are to get there or once the make it there. The west is nuts. A team in the play in could end up in the WCF and it wouldn't actually be THAT bonkers. I'm not expecting the Wolves (if they make it to a playoff series) to make a run but when there are over 12 teams just in the WC to consider in the playoff picture in just one conference and nobody on the radio talks about the Wolves? I don't see it as THAT big of a deal. Just enjoy the ride...or cry when the Wolves disappoint again. Lol
Great to see the Mavs get swept in back to back games by the Ball-less Hornets.
And the TimberLakers are doing their best to knock the Lakers below us in the standings...Vando and Beasley are a combined -37 (and DLo is out again) and the Lakers are down 17 to the Bulls in the 3rd quarter.
Lose back-to-back games vs. Charlotte... now the league's biggest whiner, Doncic, is out tonight (technicals).
NONE of this is Kyrie Irving's fault. Just ask him... if you dare calling out a professional athlete who's better at us plebes at literally everything.
Did anyone else read what Mark Cuban recently said about the Jalen Brunson extension and situation last year and the offseason? I think some of what he said is believable. I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle. I always thought it was a bit surprising that Brunson was really reportedly willing to sign the supposed 4 years 55 million extension in January or February and the Mavs were like no. I suppose he wasn't proven to be really good at that point but even if he ended up just being a 6th man that's not a significant overpay and if he was even just good versatile starting guard...that's a bargain.
Regardless Brunson is another example of finding really good players outside the lottery or even the first round of the draft.
The Pelicans beat the Grizzlies in overtime tonight. That's a bummer for the Wolves. But it looks like the Lakers will lose to the Clippers tonight. So when we wake up tomorrow, the Wolves should be in 8th place - 1 game behind both the Pelicans and Lakers who will be tied for 7th/8th.
The Wolves can't finish worse than 9th. Even if they lose their last two games and ended up tied with the Mavs and OKC, the Wolves have the tie-breaker over both teams.
The Wolves have some control over their own destiny. If they win their remaining two games, which they should, they'll be no worse than tied with the Pelicans for 8th. Winning that final game against the Pelicans will give the Wolves the tie-breaker over the Pelicans, which means a 8th place finish. That's a lot better than being 9th or 10th. The Lakers play the Suns and then the Jazz, both home games. The Lakers will likely beat Utah. They'll probably beat the Suns too since the Lakers will be more motivated and at home. But if the Lakers lose to the Suns while the Wolves win in their last two games as they should, the Wolves will finish in 7th place with a home play-in game against the Lakers or Pelicans.
The most likely scenario based on match-ups is the Wolves finishing 8th with a play-in game against the Lakers in LA. But I can easily see the Wolves losing one of their next two and ending up in 9th with a home play-in game against the Mavs. The odds of the Wolves beating the Mavs and then beating either the Lakers or Pelicans to make the playoffs are pretty slim.
monsterpile wrote:Did anyone else read what Mark Cuban recently said about the Jalen Brunson extension and situation last year and the offseason? I think some of what he said is believable. I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle. I always thought it was a bit surprising that Brunson was really reportedly willing to sign the supposed 4 years 55 million extension in January or February and the Mavs were like no. I suppose he wasn't proven to be really good at that point but even if he ended up just being a 6th man that's not a significant overpay and if he was even just good versatile starting guard...that's a bargain.
Regardless Brunson is another example of finding really good players outside the lottery or even the first round of the draft.
I saw where he mentioned the dad.
Good for the Knicks to hire a sexual predator just to lure his son in free agency. I guess.
What's wrong a little unsolicited groping if it leads to more wins...
