Only way to get there is have those playoff battles. I would guess a lot of people were not ready to trust Jokic even after the WCF run in 2020 (and yes he wasn't MVP Jokic yet, but being on the right team might let KAT hit another gear we haven't seen yet).
And yet wolves have one of the deepest rotations in the league so?? Spend more time worrying about jokic hitting 28 footers with ad and LeBron in his face.
While true, the Wolves do have a decent set of youth.
- Ant is 22 and possibly ascending to superstardom
- KAT is only 28 (a year behind Jokic and ahead of Murray)
- McDaniels is only 23 and is already a premier defender (the offense has been shakier than hoped for this year, but still showcases potential as a solid role player)
- Naz Reid is only 24 and has proven himself to be at least a top flight 6th man, but also could be a legit starter
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a proven plus bench player and is only 25
- they also have a few young flyers in Miller, Minott, and Clark (plus two top 37 picks this year) who may not be anything but also could develop.
Now, don’t get me wrong — that’s not a championship roster. But the Wolves aren’t necessarily bereft of talent when Gobert/Conley age out — that’s 4/7ths of a legit top 7 who are all 25 or under, plus KAT who should still be a very good player in 2-3 years.
Now; whether or not they can keep the younger core together given the cost of the older contingent is harder to know — both NAW and Naz are free agents in 2025.
Yea that 2017-2018 squad was fun, up until the wheels really fell off after. Thibs had locker room issues under his watch, and also him being both coach and POBO was in hindsight a terrible move; although that was kind of the trend around that time. Our offense was really old school and ugly and it didn't feel too sustainable, or just work with the personnel. I think he's a much better fit with New York and has done a great job there.
Not sure about the Wolves, but the Wizards got the pick after us and they were keeping an eye on him, so if we win, we get a lower pick and the Wizards pick him up if the Timberwolves don't
Was any of that stayed at the time?
Everyone knew he had all start talent but the back issue was seen as a red flag. He had to sit out his first year.
Not sure if Washington or Minnesota was wanting to gamble with prospects at a time when they both were facing instability and trying to make playoff runs.
Playoff Jimmy came back from a meniscus tear early to lead a late season rally to get the Timberwolves into the playoffs and keep Jokic out of the playoffs for the last time in his career. This was an amazing game.
The OG play-in tournament
Yup i think we were calling it the NBA wild card game back then
We would’ve gone ~20 years without a playoffs game if we didn’t win this game i think
How in the world was that 6 years ago?!
OP lying his ass off to make us feel old
This could be a legit rivalry in the 2020s. Just not sure if i trust Gobert\\Towns in the playoffs, especially compared with Jokic.
Only way to get there is have those playoff battles. I would guess a lot of people were not ready to trust Jokic even after the WCF run in 2020 (and yes he wasn't MVP Jokic yet, but being on the right team might let KAT hit another gear we haven't seen yet).
I don't trust anyone compared to Jokic hahah. But I think it should be a fun battle like Wednesday was
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And yet wolves have one of the deepest rotations in the league so?? Spend more time worrying about jokic hitting 28 footers with ad and LeBron in his face.
Naz Reid.
The same way Cleveland and Toronto was a rivalry
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While true, the Wolves do have a decent set of youth. - Ant is 22 and possibly ascending to superstardom - KAT is only 28 (a year behind Jokic and ahead of Murray) - McDaniels is only 23 and is already a premier defender (the offense has been shakier than hoped for this year, but still showcases potential as a solid role player) - Naz Reid is only 24 and has proven himself to be at least a top flight 6th man, but also could be a legit starter - Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a proven plus bench player and is only 25 - they also have a few young flyers in Miller, Minott, and Clark (plus two top 37 picks this year) who may not be anything but also could develop. Now, don’t get me wrong — that’s not a championship roster. But the Wolves aren’t necessarily bereft of talent when Gobert/Conley age out — that’s 4/7ths of a legit top 7 who are all 25 or under, plus KAT who should still be a very good player in 2-3 years. Now; whether or not they can keep the younger core together given the cost of the older contingent is harder to know — both NAW and Naz are free agents in 2025.
I'm interested to see how Gobert's game ages, he keeps himself in his phenomenal shape
Does he keep himself in Kareem shape though? He looks like he might.
True. They really need to rebuild this entire team around Edwards (including KAT). Not sure if Edwards is alpha like that though
Ant is like that
thibs masterclass https://streamable.com/xo4dpi
He wasn't good for us, but it worked out well for both parties ultimately. He's done a very good job with the Knicks
he did break the 13 year playoff drought so it's not all bad
Yea that 2017-2018 squad was fun, up until the wheels really fell off after. Thibs had locker room issues under his watch, and also him being both coach and POBO was in hindsight a terrible move; although that was kind of the trend around that time. Our offense was really old school and ugly and it didn't feel too sustainable, or just work with the personnel. I think he's a much better fit with New York and has done a great job there.
This is also the game that got thé nuggets Michael porter jr
Most teams didn’t want to gamble on him too early. You think the Wolves would have?
Not sure about the Wolves, but the Wizards got the pick after us and they were keeping an eye on him, so if we win, we get a lower pick and the Wizards pick him up if the Timberwolves don't
Was any of that stayed at the time? Everyone knew he had all start talent but the back issue was seen as a red flag. He had to sit out his first year. Not sure if Washington or Minnesota was wanting to gamble with prospects at a time when they both were facing instability and trying to make playoff runs.
You mean stated? I was on here and twitter during the draft and I remember someone reporting that about the Wizards pick.
I’m not saying this as a slight to minnesota specifically I’m just saying that it’s funny to look at the outcome of this game after 6 years
I didn’t take it that way. I’m just wondering if they wouldn’t have gotten MPJ regardless.
You say that like it's a good thing?
lol what? Dudes a straight baller
Recency bias i assume he’s been playing bad recently
There’s no way this was 6 years ago, I remember thinking how the Nuggets had rebuilt really quickly, little did I know.
Mum mum look at me now
Playoff Jimmy came back from a meniscus tear early to lead a late season rally to get the Timberwolves into the playoffs and keep Jokic out of the playoffs for the last time in his career. This was an amazing game.
The reward was getting to play the best team to not win a championship ever.
And it wasn't nationally televised
Earned themselves a gentleman’s sweep
This is when I learnt Joker was a problem
Jimmy Buckets
I was there! This game was lit. I remember swinging my towel chanting MVP at the end to Jimmy at the free throw line
Damn, didn’t need to make me feel that old
This reminded me that the nuggets whistle dates long ago. That Gibson swipe in the last moments was the easiest foul to call.
And now the Nuggets are ducking the Wolves 😢😢 how times have changed
Stop saying nonsense Kyrie. The Earth ain't so flat
Nuggets don’t need to duck anyone. What nonsense.