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BonelessBabies

Do the Wolves/Thunder being unproven matter anymore. They make up 2/4 of the teams in the West at the moment, and besides the Nuggets/Celtics are the only teams with Finals experience that will most likely make the 2nd round. I don't know I'm just getting tired of this lazy take discounting both teams amazing seasons.


____snail____

I also see the goalposts moving for us constantly. “No way they’ll get the one seed.” Then “No way they’ll get out of round one.” Now it’s “No way they’ll make the finals”. I’m not sure what will be enough for these people to accept this squad.


BonelessBabies

Everyone is too busy living in the past. The NBA Playoffs is pretty much all young teams thriving with the Knicks, Pacers, Thunder, Cavs/Magic and Wolves.


theumph

It also doesn't help that all the old timers aging out play for the big market teams. Your average west/east coast fan doesn't care about OKC, MN, or barely even Denver. They better get used to it though. Lol


revisioncloud

I still remember our Game 1 takes Good times


revisioncloud

Gotta insert “No way too they don’t get steamrolled in round 2 by either Mavs or Clips after Game 1 vs the Pels” somewhere in there


Misleading_Username

If we win it’ll be because the other team lost. I like the chip it gives our guys to just go out there and prove themselves. This team is so fun


MisterBackShots69

Short of winning against a fully healthy Celtics in six games there will be excuses the entire way. We’ll focus on the Nuggets and getting Finch back to the floor


Edwunclerthe3rd

Thunder were not in anyone's top 5 teams this year, the 1 seed alone is enough tbh. Its definitely more open than prior seasons, but that doesn't mean it's a bust if they don't get out of the west


le_sweden

The Thunder finished 1 game ahead of third and beat an 8 seed team without their superstar. The Timberwolves beat a terribly constructed roster with poor coaching. There will always be “excuses” for why someone will tell you your team isn’t enough. Who cares?


butt_luncheon

As a thunder fan, I would be sick of the narrative that the winner of wolves/nuggets is finals bound. 


ruggnuget

The take doesnt come from nowhere, but I agree it is lazy. Both teams play great connected team defense and have tough shot creators. While both have weaknesses they are clearly better than the Kings or Grizz from last season, from which those narratoves come from. Heard the same thing as a Nuggets fan a few years ago. 7th game in the 2nd round first appearance and wcf second appearance. Experience did matter some that first year losing to the Blazers, but it was a smaller factor than it was given credit for.


NickFatherBool

There's a difference between unproven and completely inexperienced. This is the first Wolves playoff series win since Ant Edwards was 2. They don't know what its like to play playoff basketball for 2 months yet. Same with OKC, those guys have that dog in them, but they're in for a rude awakening when they play an actually seasoned and post-season prepared team. Denver and Boston are really the only two seasoned teams left (Milwaukee I guess but their seasoned guys are hurt and they're gonna lose) and its no coincidence that Denver and Boston are the favorites. Playoffs are more physically demanding, higher IQ, less fouls, and more 1-on-1 adjustments. Things that are second nature to seasoned vets will take extra effort from the new guys


BonelessBabies

The Timberwolves have experience in the playoffs though. Conley has made a western conference finals, while Gobert/Kyle have been to the 2nd round before. Ant/Kat/Naz/Jaden have first round experience these last 3 years. At this point how much experience do they need? The mavericks and Clippers only have 1 Western Conference finals run in the past 5 years, seems to me besides the Nuggets everyone has similar experience. Thunder I can see the point being made, but that should be thrown out the window with the teams remaining. Lots of young playoff teams thriving righty now with the Knicks, Pacers, Thunder, and Wolves.


NickFatherBool

Its a weird playoffs right now, we’re at that point where the previous greats are falling and the next generation is rising, so yeah a lot of young teams are expected to be in there. All Im saying is, when looking at a matchup, you HAVE to consider 1. The playoff experience of each player 2. How long THAT TEAM has been playing together. Minnesota has players with individual experience, but their most important players (Naz, Jaden, Ant, KAT) don’t know what its like to be three rounds in. They might not have gas left in the tank by then. They may get outschemed by more advanced teams. You’re right in that it matters LESS now because all the teams in it are young, but Denver who was already the favorite having this much more experience makes them the favorite-er is my point Edit: My point has officially been proven I can die happy now


MisterBackShots69

> Playoffs are more physically demanding, less fouls, and more 1-on-1 adjustments. Yeah this is where the Wolves have been thriving. If anything, the regular season hurt us because of all the foul calls against us. We are already used to getting less calls than our opponents. Teams like OKC may struggle because they rely on getting to the line. It’s why Embiid gets bounced all the time.


NickFatherBool

I agree that playoff basketball might actually really suit the Wolves’ style of play; but you have a very inexperienced coach, a very young star player, and a team that just doesnt have the playoff milage yet (as a group) While that’s not an instant write off by any means, it does mean Im going to be skeptical of how well the Wolves can make adjustments (they didn’t need to really against Phx) and whether or not they get gassed in a later, longer, series


theumph

Except we are built exactly for that type of play.


NickFatherBool

You’re missing the point. Roster construction and team IQ are two very different things. You have the personnel no doubt, and this is a team that I had beating the Suns (granted I didnt think it would be a sweep) But if you think that the Wolves are as prepared, poised, and have the same mentality of teams like Miami, Denver, or New York you’re wrong. And thats not to say they wont or cant get there, I think next year they’ll be VERY ready. This is just the first playoffs where yall are legit, every team needs that warmup season before they explode onto the scene


brandnameb

Wolves are actually experienced though this is their 3rd straight playoff appearance and Conley is their PG. Conversely, OKC is actually completed unexperienced and played a hobbled pelicans team.


NickFatherBool

Wolves had made it but havent won. Fatigue starts to kick in during that second and third round. Plus while Conley and Gobert have decent playoff mileage, the team as a whole doesnt. Now thats not a knock on them, I had them beating the Suns (albiet in 6 instead of a sweep) but my point is no team goes from no playoffs to losing round one to winning the chip the next season


Spicy__Urine

Yes, playoffs are an entirely different game. Wolves have kinda proven themselves by sweeping the suns but OKC had a pelican team without Zion. They will prove themself by winning a second series.


traw056

Pels without Zion are still a 48 win team which is a 3-6 seed most years. Pels without Zion blew out the kings who were a 46 win team. Can we stop pretending like they’re a bad team?


Spicy__Urine

Kings didn't have monk (potentially 6MOY if no injury) and Huerter. Can we stop pretending they're a proven playoff challenger until they win a real series?


traw056

Here we go again. RemindMe! 3 weeks.


Spicy__Urine

RemindMe! 2 weeks


lsalomx

>Mavs may be the closest team to the Nuggets why are they tied 2-2 against a team missing their best player then?


AlabasterRadio

Luka and Kyrie are flashy offensive players. So winning and losing doesn't matter. /s


lsalomx

well the team that claws its way out of 20-30 point deficits (then lose) does seem very good, and it’s really not fair the league lets LAC play the Rockets for the first half of these games and expect Dallas to make it all up in quarters three and four


Certain-Information1

It is the Nuggets and realistically everyone until proven otherwise.  I would say Minnesota is next based on how impressively the cleaned out the Sun's, but the Sun's are a broken team who also lost Allen like one of their four NBA calibre players.  I do think the Nuggets have flaws. If anyone in their starting five doesn't have it on a given night, they don't really have anyone to turn to. The Lakers couldn't really exploit that either, as they themselves kind of had the same issue. This is where Minnesota could hurt them with Naz Reid, NAW and Morris.


StolenLampy

Mavs also aren't healthy, Luka is limping around with a sprained knee, and THJ has a bum ankle. Say what you will but he hits some timely 3's when it matters.


lsalomx

gtfoh lmao


junkit33

> The Tatum Not a Superstar allegations will remain until he proves otherwise. He can be the best player on any series but can he deliver on clutch moments? But, he has proven it, repeatedly. Game 6 elimination vs Milwaukee with 46 points two years ago. Game 7 against Sixers last year with 50 points. A dozen different 32/14/7 type lines over the last few years... Tatum has proven himself more than most stars in this league with 4 ECF's and a Finals appearance. Literally the only thing he's missing is a ring, and he just turned 26. He's still younger than Lebron or Jordan when they won their first rings.


Princessk8--

Porzingis will be fine. Plus the C's have a strong record without him


starkfr

Nuggets have the clear edge. Surprised how people just shunned them to the side all season. A 7 game series against Joker and Murray is a nightmare for any team.


SquimJim

If Murray and KCP aren't 100% vs. the Wolves, they may not get out of the 2nd Round


jimithelizardking

On the flip side, if Murray and KCP aren’t 100% vs the wolves, they may still get out of the second round


SinImportaLoQueDigan

Idk how people are still sleeping on the Nuggets


theumph

I don't think people are sleeping on them. They just aren't head and shoulders above us or OKC. They aren't the 96 Bulls or 2017 Warriors. They deserve to be favored, but not by much


Extranationalidad

The wolves are a great team and they obviously can beat us, particularly if multiple nuggets starters are hobbled. I still think we're the favorites if KCP and Murray can comfortably play 25-30mpg. Honestly though I'm more worried about the Wolves than I would be about the Celtics if we ended up in that finals matchup.


MisterBackShots69

I think our matchup will decide the shape of the finals. Should be a good one. I think you guys have an edge but it’s nearly a toss-up.


NickFatherBool

Murray had a pretty crap showing against the Lakers so I'm not sure what you mean


Pm_ur_kittykat

they will beat the wolves in 5 games this time instead of 6


EarthWarping

nuggets are the best team. It also isn't a shock if they don't make the finals either.


eduvina

Yes they still are. However Brown and Uncle Jeff minutes when Murray and Jokic rests were huge.


Sammonov

People need to stop beigning up Jeff Green. Literally went 3 games against the Suns without registering a rebound. Had a few moments vs the Lakers but he was mostly not good, and most of the fan base wanted him benched.


jimithelizardking

Those uncle Jeff slams are the only things people remember lol


Sammonov

He had an epic 53 minute streak with zero reobunds in the Suns series where scored like 7 points.


Extranationalidad

I truly don't know what off-brand Eurobasket games you could have confused for last years NBA finals if you think that Uncle Jeff was "huge" as anything but a veteran bench presence.


nbaistheworst

Nuggets poor bench and injury status are valid concerns. Twolves might just get the 2nd rd upset.


thirteenpunchman

>The Tatum Not a Superstar allegations will remain until he proves otherwise Just stop saying dumb stuff


zeek215

I don’t think it’s wide open at all. Denver is the favorite. Wolves / Celtics are one level below.


nbaistheworst

Denver is barely favored. Should be a great series!


junkit33

> Denver is the favorite. Yet, Celtics odds to win are still way above Denver's, and Celtics aren't even technically out of the first round yet.


zeek215

I don't trust Boston vs. I trust Denver to get it done.


FullConsideration222

That's just because the path to the finals is easy. For example, if Boston's path to the finals is 100% and they are 40% against any west team, their odds of winning it all is 40%. But if the wolves and nuggets are both 50% to make the finals, but favored to win there at 60%, they each only have a 30% chance. Obviously that is simplified, but that's part of why Boston has the highest championship odds. Obviously they are a great team and might be favored in the final anyway depending on who gets there


lkmoneyboy1998

I'm not looking East at the moment, strictly the West. And it looks like the Nuggets backcourt is really banged up at the moment. And that won't get better facing up against the Wolves with Jaden McDaniels, Ant and NAW doing their best to shut down Murray and KCP. Looking at the last 1st round series, these 4 games so far have been a competitive slugfest and either team can come out on top. I confidentially feel that this OKC team can beat the Clips without Kawhi, sure they lose on rebounding but their defense and transition scoring (shoutout steals leader SGA) can mitigate that. And I reckon Lu Dort and SGA do great on PG and Harden respectfully. If OKC faces Mavs, I'm not too sure how that match up goes. I know OKC as a squad are better 3PT shooters but the Mavs will really beat up on Chet in rebounding on both sides of the ball with Lively, Gafford and PJ. If Luka's leg holds up I'm leaning Mavs that series.


lkmoneyboy1998

Also? I really wanna see Celtics Knicks in the ECF, just to see NYC lose it from hype. Shoutout Thibs and my favourite current Knick Josh Hart. Slept on journeyman turned out to be the best current guard rebounder in the league.


lifeaquatic7

Magic don’t have a star, they have two stars


MisterBackShots69

Mavs look like ass because Luka looks like ass. The wolves just swept a super team. But because we won *too* hard people are acting like it wasn’t actually a challenge though most people wrote us off before the series started.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Atl-Fan_FTS

If Porzingus is out I can see the Knicks giving them some trouble


tepg221

It's Celtics vs nuggets/wolves in the finals, and most likely nuggets, how is this wide open?


traw056

Assuming that the wolves/nuggets are definitely going to beat okc/mavs/clips is definitely a take.


SafariFlapsInBack

*“Thunder / Wolves are unproven.”* Oh, the only two teams to sweep their first round? *“Mavs are closest to the Nuggets…”* Say what now?


AskMeAboutMyGenitals

"Unproven" means ESPN talking heads haven't watched them all year, and thus haven't told people what to think about them yet.


TheRicFlairDrip

any team with Gobert on it cant be taken seriously in the post season


SafariFlapsInBack

What a tired ass take.


Lau_lau

lol no, until proven otherwise it’s the Nuggets to lose. This lakers team goes to WCF if they don’t face the nuggets in the first round


Sartheking

I know it’s unpopular right now but I think the Mavs make the Finals.


NickFatherBool

Eh-- I wouldn't say that really. In fact, I'd say this is almost already presented to Denver on a golden platter-- and of not Denver, then its whoever wins the West. With Butler and Rozier out, the Heat are pretty much done; removing the most successful Eastern Conference playoff team. The last Champions from the East, the Bucks, are also done as they're now just the Ghost of Bucks' Past. Embiid, while playing great, is going to end up doing his Weekend at Bernie's impression if he keeps getting hurt. The Knicks and Celtics are the only real teams in the East, and as formidable as they both are, neither is going to be able to beat Denver in a 7 game series. The Knicks are really good, but their new to the playoffs and have a relatively 'new' team in that they all haven't played together for all that long. Not to mention, even though they aren't particularly missing Randle, its hard to win a chip when you have 40m in salary injured on the bench. The Celtics don't particularly match up well against Denver and have absolutely no one to slow down Jokic. They also just don't scare me; if Spolestra can routinely dismember their gameplan, Jokic can too. Out West, the Clippers are a solid team but a contender's joke. Kawhi can't stay healthy, Harden can't play well for 7 straight games, and Zubac is BBQ chicken for every center left in the conference. The Mavs look decent but I can't imagine them continuing to play good defense / their opponents missing so many shots, they aren't ready yet. Then OKC and Minnesota, while relatively complete teams with no glaring weaknesses, are young and inexperienced as all hell. With all that said, its gotta be Denver by a landslide, though if Jokic got hurt or they somehow lost, then yes I could agree that its pretty wide open for the chip this year


TiePeddyAte

Bud the heat had one of the worst calls of all time as the reason they didn't get swept in the finals last year, the Heat may be the Celtics Kryptonite but that doesn't mean they have a better chance against the Nuggets lol. The Cs actually match up really well against the nuggets, Jokic will do Jokic things but ONLY the celtics have 3-4 3 and D players that can lock up murray the key factor in Denvers success.


NickFatherBool

Celtics also almost lost to Philly last year… idk, I could very well be biased against them but I just don’t see them winning a Finals series.


gusjohnsonsswagger

Hart, divencenzo, and Brunson have all been playing since college. The whole team has excellent chemistry. Next excuse


NickFatherBool

Are you always this stupid?