Wolves vs. Spurs

[FNG]

I guess I am the exception then. I don't want Ant coming back unless he is 100%. I don't see a path to a title without him full healthy.

What if I told you he's unlikely to be a Timberwolves player by the time he's 35, 32 or possibly even 29. That's just the nature of the game at this point.

Doesn't matter to me. If he ruins his knee(s) he will never be the same ANT again. I just don't see the upside in him coming back this season if not fully healthy.

I hear what your saying, mjs, but it could be that nobody (other than possibly Rudy) is "fully healthy" at this point of the season...everybody probably has something going on. I guess we have to trust the medical staff that while they have some concern that Ayo's bad calf could lead to a torn achilles, they're not as concerned that Ant's injury could lead to something worse.

[AussieWolf3]

Yeah, Jon K just posted also. Assuming Ayo is out, does Ant start next to Mike?

Line moved down 2 points to 11 1/2.

Yes. I think Conley is a staple in the starting lineup for now.

And I think TJ Shannon plays the Ant v2.0 role off the bench. (hopefully the spurs forget he's left handed at first or something...lol)

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Most of us have discussed some sort of affinity for the Wolves ethical style of play (compared to other players/teams). And we've discussed how the Wolves key guys seem to have fewer rest days than other big name guys. But Anthony Edwards is sort of becoming a bad ass with injuries. Multiple times, he's come back into a game earlier or returned earlier from an injury. I dig it. It's almost becoming part of his mystique. The caveat is what this means when he's 29 or 32 or 35. But as fans, we live more in the here and now... and damn it... I sort of love it.

I agree with Conley in the starting lineup. and especially if he truly handles the point and takes some pressure off Ant. I think Ayo and Ant would have been the backcourt if Ayo were playing though.

I can't disagree that it's really cool the way Ant bounces back from injury seemingly much faster than possible...kind of throw back of him. I have to admit I was quite happy (and surprised) to see he was going to go, although I honestly don't know how much he's going to help us tonight. But this is going to be a joyful board in 6 hours if he comes back strong and goes 7 for 10 on treys!

Maybe this is me being overly hopeful, but I have to wonder if part of the decision for him to play is because of him looking really good in workouts.

We'll see what happens, but it would be incredibly cool to see him storm back in good health

[Q-is-here]

Yes. I think Conley is a staple in the starting lineup for now.

And I think TJ Shannon plays the Ant v2.0 role off the bench. (hopefully the spurs forget he's left handed at first or something...lol)

------------

Most of us have discussed some sort of affinity for the Wolves ethical style of play (compared to other players/teams). And we've discussed how the Wolves key guys seem to have fewer rest days than other big name guys. But Anthony Edwards is sort of becoming a bad ass with injuries. Multiple times, he's come back into a game earlier or returned earlier from an injury. I dig it. It's almost becoming part of his mystique. The caveat is what this means when he's 29 or 32 or 35. But as fans, we live more in the here and now... and damn it... I sort of love it.

Yeah, pretty nuts that he's playing. But as FNG mentioned, his shot was off in the last series and I find it hard to believe that suddenly all the rust he showed is off. Knowing Ant, he will try to shoot his way back into a rythym, but that could be a very bumpy process.

It looks like Ayo is out, so Shannon will absolutely have a big role. I don't really see a role for Bones in this series and even Conley is on shaky ground but you know Finch will play him. All of the Spurs guards except for Fox are big, strong, and athletic.

Bones is a 3 point shooter and ball handler. This team is gonna need to score points so IMO Bones absolutely could have a role in this series especially since they aren't playing the no defense Nuggets.

Who does he guard though?

[AussieWolf3]

Yeah, pretty nuts that he's playing. But as FNG mentioned, his shot was off in the last series and I find it hard to believe that suddenly all the rust he showed is off. Knowing Ant, he will try to shoot his way back into a rythym, but that could be a very bumpy process.

It looks like Ayo is out, so Shannon will absolutely have a big role. I don't really see a role for Bones in this series and even Conley is on shaky ground but you know Finch will play him. All of the Spurs guards except for Fox are big, strong, and athletic.

Bones is a 3 point shooter and ball handler. This team is gonna need to score points so IMO Bones absolutely could have a role in this series especially since they aren't playing the no defense Nuggets.

Who does he guard though?

Wemby

[FNG]

Bones is a 3 point shooter and ball handler. This team is gonna need to score points so IMO Bones absolutely could have a role in this series especially since they aren't playing the no defense Nuggets.

Who does he guard though?

Wemby

Haha, very good Aussie!

Seriously, even though I'm one of the biggest Conley stans here, I don't know who he is going to guard. I'm afraid it has to be Fox, but he is way too quick for Mike. It's going to be a challenge. We might see Clark coming in for Mike and taking Fox if he struggles.

[Q-is-here]

Who does he guard though?

Wemby

Haha, very good Aussie!

Seriously, even though I'm one of the biggest Conley stans here, I don't know who he is going to guard. I'm afraid it has to be Fox, but he is way too quick for Mike. It's going to be a challenge. We might see Clark coming in for Mike and taking Fox if he struggles.

Yeah, the question applies to Conley too. This is not a Mike/Bones series, as while the Spurs' 3rd tallest player is only 6'7", all their guards except Fox are pretty big and strong and Fox isn't exactly tiny. Mike has proven that he is willing to battle guys, but Bones is plain and simple a weak defender even when he tries hard.

IDK though, Finch probably has to play them both given all the injuries.

[FNG]

Wemby

Haha, very good Aussie!

Seriously, even though I'm one of the biggest Conley stans here, I don't know who he is going to guard. I'm afraid it has to be Fox, but he is way too quick for Mike. It's going to be a challenge. We might see Clark coming in for Mike and taking Fox if he struggles.

Yeah, the question applies to Conley too. This is not a Mike/Bones series, as while the Spurs' 3rd tallest player is only 6'7", all their guards except Fox are pretty big and strong and Fox isn't exactly tiny. Mike has proven that he is willing to battle guys, but Bones is plain and simple a weak defender even when he tries hard.

IDK though, Finch probably has to play them both given all the injuries.

Yes, they have to play, and that's another reason I am again picking a gentlemens sweep for the Spurs (just like I did for the Nuggets, and the Lakers last year...you bettors should go the other way on everything I say!). Plus, I hear they have a pretty good center.

Both Mike and Bones will be targeted, but Mike's savviness on defense gives him the edge here. He will get beat off the dribble by Fox, but he will do his best to steer him toward Big Ru, and we can only hope Ju and Jaden are there with the help on Wemby when Rudy steps out. And Mike also recovers very well after he gets beat. Maybe it won't be a disaster...we'll have to see. Bones of course though gives us a better chance of putting up 20 points we might need if Ant isn't ready to produce like he normally does on offense.

I'm guessing it goes like this at the start...just changed my mind:

French on French
Ju on Champagnie
Jaden on Fox
Ant on Castle...oh.oh
Mike on Vassell

[AussieWolf3]

French on French

Ew

[Q-is-here]

Not a huge deal, but Carter Bryant is out. He is one of their bigger bench wings and would likely spend some time guarding Randle and/or Naz.

So to recap, their third tallest player is Harrison Barnes at 6'7" and now their fourth tallest guy is Champagnie at 6'6". Wemby and Kornet rarely play together. We will likely have a height advantage at the two forward spots almost 100% of the time.

[FNG]

French on French

Ew

Haha, sorry! But just to clarify, I mean Ru, not Joan!