Timberwolves-Nuggets Reaction: Edwards & Wolves DOMINATE, Jokic & Denver done? | Hoops Tonight

[@adampepin9944]

This is good for the NBA. Bringing back physical, tough basketball is scratching everyone's itch. NBA fans are so ready for this. Go Wolves!!!!!

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

Why aren't more people mentioning this? It's the clear, obvious difference from last year. The physical, tough basketball clearly favor the Wolves.

[@M7md_n29er]

Why isn't this the same when knicks and sixers played ? Jalen is still getting 16 free throws with soft contact.

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

@@M7md_n29er It's crazy how different the whistle was in that series vs this series.

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

As European I have to admit that attacking the rim is great to watch. I can't wait for more action like "The Ant Rules"

[@nikolacvejic7270]

This was an nfl match. Minnesota will not win the title because against bigger market teams like Boston, Dallas, Minnesota will not be allowed by the referee to play like this. This is shit what nba did in the last 3 months. This was an nfl match and fans will soon react to this. The NBA wants a guy like Ant American player to be the face of the league above EU players. All Kudos to Minnesota but Jokic had 2 guys beating the shit out of him hole match. I hope Dnvr plays Jokic brother Strahinja next match to kill all and then we will see what you will say then...This was shit from the nba referee....

[@paulleclaire8252]

Speed kills. Wolves have so much more athleticism and speed all over the floor and have sped the nuggets up

[@emoneyizhereson]

I also think the Nuggets weren't fully prepared for how physical the Wolves have been so far in this series. Murray looks overwhelmed and Jokic looks unsure of himself at times, two things I did not expect to see before the series started. Kudos to the coaching staff for a great game plan.

[@mithicash1444]

They also have the drive and the endurance to defend.

[@Colinkrauss1]

Watching a defense this good has been basketball heroin. Up and down the roster, excellent defenders with large frames and high motors. Didn’t even have Rudy, the DPOY favorite. What a damn good couple of games to watch defense

[@muyisco007]

I find interesting that this is exactly how the lakers beat the nuggets in the bubble. They had Dwight Howard and the second big

[@kyliedadify]

This defense is generational.

[@melodymaker135]

This Nuggets fan grudgingly agrees. I was mad, I was sad, but I was also marveling at the best defense I’ve ever seen

[@Colinkrauss1]

@@muyisco007 good point. I think MIN is even a level above 2020 LA. The size and athleticism of NAW, McDaniels, Ant is crazy when compared to KCP, Caruso, Danny Green

[@jriv6]

@@Colinkrauss1 I’m a Lakers fan .. this Minnesota defense clears the 2020 Lakers (even though that team was special)

[@melodymaker135]

Jason owning his wrong take is strong . And too rare among commentators, for most of whom their last-week wrong opinions simply don’t exist

[@jon-quijano]

Except he didn’t own it.

[@g-money3766]

​@jon-quijano looks like you didn't listen to what Jason said. He admitted his opinion formed from the regular season play skewed his prediction drastically and that he couldn't be any more wrong on how this series has turned out. That's admitting, what more do you want?

[@bpina2170]

It won’t matter bc he’s just gonna keep doubting the wolves

[@jon-quijano]

@@g-money3766 And then gave himself a gigantic out by claiming the refs handed them the game by painting this picture that their defense only became a thing after mid-season officiating changes.

[@Whyypreeeeeeeeee]

​@@g-money3766he's the same guy that said he can't use what happens in the regular season to make playoff predictions, but alas here we are 🫴🏿

[@nicoalexander774]

As a Dubs fan, I can’t believe how great this Twolves team is! My sincere apologies to GM Tim Connolly for the Rudy trade criticism! ❤ 🤩

[@nicoalexander774]

And, of course I spelled his name Wrong 😅 *Connelly.

[@robgreene9680]

They still haven’t over paid but ant making it alright 😂

[@elihg3827]

They are better without him, much faster and more explosive.

[@jaydot4956]

@@elihg3827they are not better without Gobert, he has the second highest plus minus on the team behind Ant.

[@gyutaridaki1393]

You can criticize them again 😆😆😆

[@am3818]

It’s crazy cause the blueprint to beat Denver with 3 legit bigs was there with the Lakers. Minnesota just took it to a whole nother level. They’re gonna win it all

[@tiredbasketballfan]

If tonight is sustainable, maybe even 2

[@WLJ1287]

Nah, okc or Bos will be better matchups for min. They’re just the best matchup for den

[@kelnazzi3407]

They not Winning nothing Celtics are gonna win it all no one can stop Tatum brown white and holiday with porzingis

[@WLJ1287]

@@kelnazzi3407 no guarantee KP comes back this year; and Bos might win but that isn’t for sure. Although I’m also against people saying they for sure won’t as if this isn’t a different Bos team from the past with white playing his best.

[@justinbrennan9819]

Yes sir ski ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ryanwall1780]

Time to put respect on the Timberwolves. They were never pretenders.

[@johnbarkley925]

I believe they will lose against the Celtics. Boston had way more shooting than Denver. They are going to exploit the twin tower concept.

[@gyutaridaki1393]

Like nuggets , never pretender 🎉

[@ryanwall1780]

@@gyutaridaki1393 I never said they were. My prediction coming into the series was that the Wolves would have to win in 6, otherwise the Nuggets would win in 7.

[@ryanwall1780]

@@gyutaridaki1393 How does Wolves in 7 taste?

[@gyutaridaki1393]

@@ryanwall1780 hahaha 🤣 don't know. I don't know how wolves taste like too in game 5 vs horse 😂

[@salmax23]

T Wolves, Tim Connolly, KAT, GOBERT apology form ---->

[@MeBihhhh]

They just needed dudes to play elite around them😂 who knew lmao no apology form issued

[@gyutaridaki1393]

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆apology for what ??????????? 😂

[@bandoogiemanz]

I was saying to myself during the lakers series, the nuggets weren't playing up to their capabilities even though they managed to close out the games with selective stretches of excellent execution. Now, they've run into a team that is elite and on top of that, is a particularly bad matchup for them, likely the worst team they could have faced. It's their own fault for losing out on the first seed when they blew that game against san antonio. They could have forced the thunder and timberwolves to duke it out amongst each other. Don't want to jump to conclusion, but this wolves team is looking really complete and looking like they could win it all.

[@travonmayo2121]

Yes nuggets have been sloppy all playoffs

[@gunny-lneck4352]

Jokic is finally getting exposed by a team that is willing to attack the rim and not go away from it, he is a defensive liability this series “Jokic isn’t the reason they’re losing!”🤓 Guys HE IS APART OF THEM LOSING the team is struggling and he is apart of the problem the wolves half court offense is mid at best don’t let these two series confuse you they are abusing Jamal and jokic terrible defense to stay afloat

[@drazzzpoppp5022]

U are genius 👏

[@RMusing]

He has always been a defensive liability, but they won the chip last year and people tried to say otherwise

[@aduad]

​@@RMusingincluding Jason...Jokic is on fraud watch as far as I'm concerned

[@justtimes9257]

jokic is not the problem but lets be real; jamal & mpj . I’ve been nonexistent in this series & the perimeter. Defense in Denver is so bad that it’s just allowing so many open lanes to the basket for these walls players; everybody is beating their defender all day;

[@SirNickyT]

Exposed is a tough word... Maybe exploited? Your point is correct I just feel like exposed is a bit harsh.

[@joshwhite2764]

Jason - I've been watching your stuff for a few years now. Just wanted to say I really appreciate your knowledge and expertise, and I wish The NBA season was year-round so I'd get to hear your analysis all the more. I wish you all the success in the world man! Keep up the amazing work

[@taylor7264]

this was one of the greatest defensive performances ive seen in the postszn

[@Christopher._M]

I agree, i honestly couldn't believe a team as level headed as the nuggets became a team full of Devin bookers

[@alex24mamba]

​@@Christopher._M 100% greatest defensive performance I've ever seen.

[@sportschool3537]

​@@alex24mamba This shows that this Minnesota team is actually a great team... good teams take the away W and are happy about it... GREAT teams go for the throat... they play all out, make it 2-0 and tell the other team, "good luck... come take 2 in our home if you can" Also Ant while being the best player is the driving force of this team mentally... other teams need to rely on role players with killer mentality to push the stars who are a little bit lazy and whiny like Tatum and Brown... Ant is THE ALPHA MALE in there... he's the one that leads by example, busting his ass on defense and killing them on offense... a lot of guys say that they wanna be like Kobe or MJ (like Booker for example), but this kid actually understands that it's not about raw skill... it's about MENTALITY... you need to be confident that NOBODY will stop you and make them know that no matter what they do you'll keep coming and coming for more until they are mentally sucked dry... This Wolves team is SCARY when even the laziest player (KAT) plays so hard.

[@alex24mamba]

@@sportschool3537 yeah man. This is why I never rooted for le Bron, because he typical quits or makes excuses when he loses. The heart of this kid is top knotch. I've been screaming from the roof tops to all hoop fans since last year about what this kid can do. It's just frustrating that so called basketball analysts are just seeing this now. It kinda shows you how little these people play ball or breakdown film. I play 5 times a week and every week I look at the top guys and see what I can add to my game. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

[@i2ambler2002]

@@Christopher._M Some of it is the fact that the refs were just letting the Wolves be as physical as they wanted. Nuggets should have responded in kind, but instead, bitched and moaned about it.

[@dvdv8197]

Remember when Jason claimed Lakers might be "the toughest opponent Nuggets will face en route to another championship" AFTER that series was done? 😅😂 Props to hin for admitting he couldn't have been more wrong. 😊

[@cmac392]

The Lakers & the Nuggets were the two biggest contenders according to Timpf. Now he will call the Timberwolves the best NBA team. He will call Ant MJ...The guy is a Hot Take Bot that uses his Bron/Laker fandom to skew his view

[@dre3607]

@@cmac392why are you on his channel then fam if you’re just going hate

[@dvdv8197]

@@cmac392 yoooo that was not my point. 😅😂

[@cmac392]

@@dre3607 If spitting facts is hate then maybe he shouldn't post under Hoops Tonight. He should just go back to "Lakers Tonight" since ALL of his opinions have a Bron/LAL bias. Sorry it's true, and he doesn't OWN it

[@dvdv8197]

Denver is simply nowhere near the powerhouse they were last year. If they don't step it up IMMEDIATELY, this series won't even come back to Denver! 🤯🤯😱😱

[@thee_legendary1]

It’s Muray your point guard shooting 3-18 won’t win you alotta games

[@bandoogiemanz]

I don't think it's that. The starters played heavy minutes last year, too. I think it's just a case of the wolves being a really bad matchup for them.

[@TheGreatness-gg1jx]

They called themselves "stepping it up" tonight. They have NO ANSWERS for anything Minnesota is doing defensively and barely offensively.

[@MeBihhhh]

Y’all got hyped off of their hospital ring from last yr 😂

[@joeym3425]

They weren't challenged last year.

[@evelsize]

That was a beat down

[@cisosantiago]

As Nuggets fan, We made fun of Phoenix when they got swept by TWolves....hahaha....Now it's our turn to get swept! LOL

[@gyutaridaki1393]

Get swept alone

[@utkarshkaniyar6210]

One point: charge circle is irrelevant for the verticality rule. If u jump, it doesn’t matter if u are in or out of the circle. Circle is only when u try to take a charge (without jumping)

[@donaldpratt2296]

The restricted area extends to the ceiling.

[@treylcashflowking5398]

As a Laker fan, I fucking LOVE THIS. They finally get to be in a position that they put us in but being BLOWNOUT is INSANE 😂🤣 SWEEP INCOMING 🧹 💀

[@DystopianUtopia8]

We got you cousin.

[@Journeyman2585]

Same. This game was so fun to watch. Watching Malone lose his shit and Jamal throwing stuff I was laughing so hard.

[@MeBihhhh]

As a laker fan it’s sad that a team that gentleman swept is is about to get swepted…we are bad bad

[@lukaszwojciechowski9070]

I'm loving it too bro💜💛

[@joshuafult84]

@@MeBihhhh to be fair we shouldn't be shocked we were a play in team

[@jethrojacinto2798]

The Wolves deserve all the flowers they're getting right now but some of the glazing from other NBA fans is crazy.

[@kalenmarshall8692]

Bro there is fans right now saying they knew the series would go like this like stop the cap 🧢 😂. Even if they knew the wolves could win, to act like it would be this convincing is a damn lie. Everyone expected a war and Denver to climb out on the other side

[@Ewach21]

Suddenly everyone a T-wolves fan. And if they win a title suddenly next year they’ll all be a fan of whoever can challenge the wolves. At least half are lakers fans that just want to see Denver lose.

[@dustrunnels7886]

I’ve been watching the Timberwolves since I was nine years old since they first came to Minnesota as a franchise. And when I say this isn’t something as a wolves fan to take for granted, I mean it. It’s true good things come to those who wait go wolves.

[@gyutaridaki1393]

Keep waiting coz nuggets getting the wins 🎉

[@basedswoop]

Tatum and Brown scored a combined 80 against them last time they match up lol

[@GluckGluck300]

Dude isn’t a fan of Boston or their play style

[@InternalAmbition]

They also got their ass beat and broke their 12 game win streak early in the season. By Timberwolves

[@basedswoop]

@@InternalAmbition They won in OT after having to come back down double digits in the 4th quarter.

[@kamonie3331]

​@@GluckGluck300thats because Boston falls apart in the playoffs every year as soon as they play a competent team.

[@cheerioss-9121]

suns had like a 3-1 advantage over them in the regular season none of that matters

[@Esteban_Narvaez_MD]

Jockic is tall but he's a bad defender, he never tries to block other players, he doesn't play with that physicality required to defend, and he never jumps in front of another player who is shooting from mid-rage or from a three-point zone, he's smart in the offensive but defending is not really good, the entire team has performed lower comparing it with last season, they are going to be eliminated for sure!

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

He's a good defender except for his ability to contest layups. He looked elite last year's playoffs except for the Minnesota series. Edwards just makes him look bad.

[@user-nk4ho3kh9d]

@@user-qv7fs6ut2f… JOKIC IS NOT A GOOD DEFENDER, where have you been?

[@MeBihhhh]

@@user-qv7fs6ut2flast yrs playoffs when they went through injured teams in their way to their hospital ring? Y’all hyped him up off of a fluke

[@bobbymladenovic1152]

He needs good perimeter defense that’s for sure. He can’t jump. He’s a good team defender

[@vikings_fans_anonymous]

MN better be careful. Last time Jokic started losing in the playoffs, he started with the hard fouls and dirty plays. Also curious what sort of punishment Murray is gonna get for throwing that heat pack onto the court during a live ball situation

[@MeBihhhh]

And he did the money sign to the refs

[@danielday3374]

They laughed when I said Wolves can SWEEP the Nuggets and Jokic is lowkey unplayable due to his horrible defense this playoffs… The Lakers series exposed flaws when they held the Nuggets below season averages in points every game, while being up at half damn near every game and they said I was coping lmao. Wtf did they think a better Wolves team would do? People who know basketball knew this wasn’t a surprise 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@kalenmarshall8692]

Maybe you did have that prediction but to say this wasn’t a surprise is a complete and utter lie lol. Nothing in the regular season the wolves did was convincing enough to make you believe they would be this overwhelmingly great. They are also playing well offensively which was not the case in the regular season. This is easily one of the greatest upsets I have seen in recent memory

[@danielday3374]

@@kalenmarshall8692 I wasn’t going off the regular season though. Didn’t even watch one Wolves game during the season. I was going off the poor defensive and offensive play they had against a weak Lakers offense and defense. Not only that, I’ve not seen Jokic or Murray play defense in this playoffs for some reason. When has a championship team given up multiple double digit leads to a 7th seed team at the half? I haven’t seen it. Logic states a much better team in the Wolves in all ways, will close the deal in very very easy fashion. I’ve played enough basketball at a decent level to sniff out these things.

[@RIPZSmoke420]

Spot on mate. Nuggets getting pushed to their limits. T-wolves are the real deal and have been all year long

[@GrandTerr]

I said as a joke to my friends Wolves in 4. I believed in wolves and thought the media was doing with the nuggets what what dumb media does. But I didn't expect in 4 to be possible

[@moeron13]

If he is so horrible on defense how does he have 3 mvps, a finals mvp, a Championship and more conference finals appearances than 1st round losses?

[@Musso8771]

I'm sure Jason is familiar with the following pattern: when a team/player has a reputation for being hard nosed, physical, and right on the line, they're usually able to get away with more. This happens at every level, even in pickup and street ball. Minnesota has that bad boys-ish play style going, so refs are more lenient. If another team starts to do a lot of that border line fouling, overly physical stuff, they will almost certainly get more calls against them. That's why Denver is toast, meeting their physicality in that way will just be another meltdown. I guarantee that won't get the same pass that Minnesota gets, because that's not how they play. I want Denver to win but there's no answer here.

[@LonghornsLegend]

They've been calling every game like this since late reg season it isn't new. Plus they are playing discipline and not fouling

[@Young_Star]

I was just thinking the same thing. If Nuggets try to over correct by hacking away, hoping refs will let it go, they will foul out. Literally happened to Beal in game 4. Booker even admitted their game plan was to foul Ant and hope refs would let it go.

[@kyliedadify]

Ok. I don't hear you talking about what Jokic has been getting away with for years. Same as Embiid.

[@denigster]

you re right - but he only gets this reputation when he plays really good defense over a long stretch after that he will get away with more

[@Nugschris]

​@@LonghornsLegendthey got away with a lot of fouling tonight let's be real.

[@indugoo62298]

Jason, you weren’t wrong about the Timberwolves you were wrong about the nuggets. They had 1 run, and yall started acting like they the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[@taylor7264]

Boffum

[@mariorovira3639]

If kat doesn’t get hurt that month the timberwolves finish number 1 seed by at least 5 games

[@kyleelpel9402]

Murray missed time too

[@kyleanderson9738]

Wolves played defense like this at the beginning of the season too. More so than they did at the end of the regular season. The rule emphasis plays a part but it is possible to play with physicality and without fouling and that is what the Wolves are doing so well. Totally agree when Malone lost his cool and went into crazy psycho mode his team followed him and it led to their demise.

[@jon-quijano]

Exactly this.

[@lucasgoodman9696]

Malone was trying to protect his players most of and and do what he could to stop the 8 on 5 advantage. He came out because Murray got destroyed by an uncalled the offensive foul the the possession before. Malone is extremely measured, if he is in psycho mode he had a good reason.

[@ian_ford]

Denver doesn't have last year's motivation. 1. Disrespected as the "worst #1 seed ever." 2. Jokic denied MVP. 3. Laker-centric media picking Lakers before WCF. They were "Hangry". This year, they look complacent.

[@kgar5String]

Trust me, it was not Denver's motivation. It was Timberwolves defense by way good defense will take the motivation out of you

[@ian_ford]

@@kgar5String MN defense is elite, but Denver looked listless out there. I saw none of the ferocity from the WCF last year. This team looks defeated. And Malone blowing up when he did, felt like he was trying to get his team going. And then MN went on a 39-18 run.

[@_truthBtold]

No excuse bro after GSW first finals they damn near never stopped going for a decade. They were motivated enough.

[@johnbarkley925]

I am not an excuse maker for no team and I am not surprised at the Wolves dominance given these factors 1) they have a superstar 2) they have a top 3 power forward in the game 3) they have the best paint defender of this era 4) they have the best two perimeter defenders in the league 5) well coached 6) incredibly deep 7) they were built by Connelly to stop the Denver offense by taking away all passing lanes for Denver Having said this I don't think the Nuggets players are at fault but more so the front office. Bruce Brown was arguably the fourth most important player on the team last year as he guarded players like Ant and Jimmy Butler. He also was crucial offensively because he was the only ball handler playmaking guard we had besides Jamal. So when teams like the Heat pressured Jamal full court we had Bruce to pretty much cover his role. Now that we have no shot creation from the perimeter, we have limited ways to keep up with Minnesota. The national media last season picked Phoenix and LA to beat Denver and the Nuggets punched them in the mouth. This year we have no Bruce (whom we didn't replace) and Jamal has been injured for the third year in 4 years. If Lebron and Jordans number 2 options (pippen, Davis, wade) were absent or compromise I don't believe they would have won the title. Jokic deserves some understanding. Minnesota is clearly a better team this season

[@ian_ford]

@@_truthBtold Golden State is a generationally great team with an inordinate level of motivation. Comparing Denver to them doesn’t scan. Denver looks visibly less urgent than last year. I don’t doubt they want to win again. But this year’s playoffs they play with this, _”Wake us up when the Finals are here”_ urgency. If they’re not careful, the only place they’ll wake up in is Cancun with the Lakers.

[@bennyharderguitar]

The Wolves are for real.

[@cheerioss-9121]

maybe because im on the younger side but im absolutely shocked with the way anthony edwards has looked in these playoffs at such a young age too. he legit looks like the best player in the world right now and that isn’t hyperbole.

[@virgil4221]

The officials are a problem except when they're officiating Lakers games huh?

[@dryiyce5347]

This has to be one of the funnest playoffs I've seen in a long time. It's great to see basketball be good again

[@delcastilloian]

This guy is the one who said Suns will win against the twolves, got swept, didnt learn, and said the nuggets will win against the twolves

[@T-eee-L]

Casuals, also, the disrespect to the Wolves idols crazy. Us Wolves fans knew this was coming.

[@dcrews100]

Most physical playoffs except when anyone looks in Jalen Brunson's general direction

[@SojiRo23]

Malone needs to play Deandre Jordan next to Jokic.

[@anycoveryoulike7510]

Great idea! Media is not talking about it but I can definitely see this as the adjustment moving forward

[@dariag505]

lol Deandre jordan would basicly end their offense

[@joshuafult84]

Deandre Jordan is too slow and stiff now to play big minutes lol

[@elizaschaeffer34]

It PAINS Jason that the nuggets and Jokic he’s been glazing all season have dropped their first 2 home games lol

[@austincarlson9270]

Im a Wolves fan and honestly did npt see this coming 😂. I thoughr it was gonna be close at least. I was happy with just one win in denver lmao.

[@therockneverstops8261]

The Lakers created the blueprint for how to beat the Nuggets, size with a defensive focus, ball control to maximize possessions, two elite shot creators with the depth to sustain it.

[@gyutaridaki1393]

Wolves need to make another one for Denver's next opponent 🎉

[@therockneverstops8261]

@@gyutaridaki1393 The Wolves just aren't there yet, or I should say Karl Anthony-Towns isn't there yet. You still have to play great to beat them and KAT is getting outplayed by Aaron Gordon.

[@roselelouch3038]

This is 2 games now the Knicks have won this playoffs off officiating it’s disgusting

[@willault9120]

Mike Malone was obviously upset about the previous call that was an obvious offensive foul on KAT over Murray.

[@razkable]

You picked the suns

[@matthewjimenez3556]

Jamal Murray is injured. That calf is keeping him from playing normally. That’s the biggest difference in the series. Denver does not have a chance without a healthy Jamal Murray.

[@johnbarkley925]

It stuns ne how media and so called experts don't get this. With a healthy Murray it is a series. He averaged 27 against Minnesota last playoffs.

[@moeron13]

Malone wasn’t upset over the Ant charge he was upset that KAT bum rushed Jamal and there was no call

[@laredolassoo]

Flop. Have you seen what Jokic gets away with pounding guys in the post? Nuggets lost their minds.

[@mateosworld8280]

This is the physicality I missed in NBA basketball. I had switched more to football over the last 5 years. But I’m glad I came back to watch this.

[@MikeyWestide]

You are surprised by the Wolves? You clearly haven't watched them this season enough. Those of us that watched aren't surprised. You should listen to Perk. He seems to be the only talking head that knows basketball.

[@reprogrammer45]

Facts Perks the only one who really watched Wolves this year

[@GTA-5plus1]

Special special special team. Glad people are finally seeing it. One thing I’ll admit I thought we were gonna lose to the suns because I did watch wolves all season and I saw those suns games and they would DESTROY us. I knew we could match up with anyone. I was just scared of the suns bc of the seasonal results. But I’m so unbelievably impressed and proud of the boys for locking in and playing hard in the playoffs. We were 1 seed most of the year for a reason

[@DeMortuisAutNilAut]

I know there's a lot of wolves fans showing out now, but saying Perk knows ball is crazy talk 😂

[@JD-ny3vz]

​@@DeMortuisAutNilAutLowkey outside of Lakers takes Perk has been pretty spot on this playoffs

[@InternalAmbition]

@@DeMortuisAutNilAut he makes accurate calls. Just because you dont like him, doesnt mean that hes wrong. You trippin with your feelings. Instead of common sense

[@garrettclayton4741]

Im so glad a team is finally pressuring these centers/forwards bringing the ball up the court. Been watching this for years while high school/aau coaches would never allow that.

[@tompratt7125]

Nuggets fan but an NBA fan uppermost that has lived in 5 NBA cities and followed a number of teams over 50 years. That was the most gutless and pathetic performance by a defending champion that I've ever seen in a game they had to win at home. Grotesque and shocking. There is no way to analyze this other to say the Nuggets just laid down and clearly had nothing left in the tank to try to repeat. In this case not Cancun. Sombor! Sombor!! Sombor!!!

[@DripSirius]

Wolves in 4!

[@tompratt7125]

@@DripSirius I'd be shocked if the Nuggets win a game.

[@mirkovujovic4324]

Nuggets would be a lottery team without Nikola.You should kissing his feet forvputting them on the map.

[@troyelam8978]

I’m glad someone’s finally said it! These players have been carrying the ball egregiously for over a decade now! I remember thinking sometimes back in my day, if I knew we could get away with caring the ball as much as I see these players doing, I would’ve been a much better player!

[@kapilagarwal9244]

Dang i'm a better analyst than you, i predicted this as a Lakers fan. It was obvious to me. The wolves are younger, longer, more athletic and more skilled down the roster. Denver's whole thing is gaining an advantage off the two man game with Jokic Murray and athletes on the corners. Having a second big and guards who can rebound changes the math. It was always gonna be impossible to win unless the officiating was one sided. I disagree with your assessment on the officiating; i think if it's called soft they get blown out the building by the wolves athleticism. There's no way Denver can guard the rim or dribble penetration. For Jokic to even function in this series they have to let him bully ball so they have to allow this kind of physicality. Denver fell apart because they know they are bested. They know they aren't the bigger, longer more athletic team which was always their trump card. Denver got away with not putting in much effort vs the lakers. The've always been a team that trys to win in the second half through attrition (via their size) and end of game execution with their two man game. The finals is always called with this kind of physicality so as long as the wolves win in the next round which i think they should, they'll win the Finals. Your take that they are just getting away with fouling is also off the mark. They are just allowing them to play physical and handsy with the ball denial and that sort of thin but thats normal playoff basketball in most series. The only thing that the've changed is allowing the "backdown" meta where you can bully ball. But this is really because of Jokic. If Jokic isn't allowed to bully ball in this series he just has no advantage against the wolves length so they have to allow it on both sides. As far as the other series: Yeah screen was bad call, it's not within the "spirit" of the game. The screener has a brace time and also if the defender is stationary it's allowed to not give them the one step if you're not in their blind side. I think its the classic the road team gets first half advantage and then second half the home team gets the advantage. Pacers need to ironically "pace" themselves better to make their run in the second half. They ran out of steam. Also they should save some of TJ's minutes for crunch time, i think he was the one that gave Brunson the most problems. In the second half they should collapse the paint instead of denying 3's. They are giving up way too much space for isolation at the end of the game or for dribble penetration.

[@alanandersonAU]

Bro wrote a full thesis paper holy shit, we are not reading all that

[@josephtoombs305]

Well, said

[@Wladislav]

I wish I could say I'm surprised, but we've been through this a few times now. As long as the starting 5 are in top shape, they are great. But if even one of them is injured or absent, the team can't function properly. As soon as that calf strain news broke, my confidence took a massive hit. Malone has to have the balls to bench Murray, or he can go down with the ship, his choice.

[@taylor7264]

min has been this good all yr its not the rule changes that changed things.

[@tiredbasketballfan]

I don't think he's saying the rule changes made them good, but that they unlocked another level of dominance. Not trying to discredit anything they are doing, but it is interesting to consider that the rule changes made less physical teams from a team that has a disavantage to a team that has pretty much no chance to win a playoff series

[@ryanwall1780]

​@@tiredbasketballfan Wolves were actually playing their best defense at the beginning of the season, before the change on emphasis. I do agree with you though that allowing more physicality makes Wolves defense leagues better than any other team in the league.

[@jon-quijano]

EXACTLY. This whole speech is just CYA from this guy.

[@tiredbasketballfan]

@@jon-quijano There are some elements of that, but it's not like he's saying crazy things that have zero truth in them

[@jon-quijano]

@@tiredbasketballfan By the end of that speech, he was absolutely leaning into the “officials are granting MN the ability to do this” narrative.

[@tysonclarke012]

I want Minnesota tested. For meth. I'm a Nuggets fan, and I went to bed at half time. There's no WAY Nuggets are beating that defense! It was amazing dude. Great basketball. Hustle play. Incredible defense. Great to see!

[@greyklopstock7155]

I think this timberwolves team looks so much like the 06 heat. Just a bunch of physical ass athletes surrounding a young superstar. KAT is old man Shaq. Not a number one guy, but accepting his role. Edwards is like if Wade shot 40% from 3. This team can beat ANYBODY playing like this, and I am so impressed, cause I didn't think they'd have it in them. I thought KAT would fold again. I thought gobert would get exposed again. I thought they'd fall apart. I trust Edwards, but I didn't know if he'd be enough for his crazed confidence to rub off on everyone else. Denver has always had the excuse the last few years of being young or unhealthy. Somebody was always hurt, or more experienced. But now, they're public enemy number one. They've got the target on their back. My warriors had to deal with this for YEARS. Everybody played more physical against us, and everything was allowed cause we were the big bad wolf. The warriors had to learn to keep cool heads. The warriors lost in 2016 cause they weren't completely healthy and weren't completely ready to get punched in the mouth on the throne. That caused them to be maniacal about the little things. Time will tell if the nuggets can shake this off, or if this is their 2016 finals.

[@johnbarkley925]

I am not an excuse maker for no team and I am not surprised at the Wolves dominance given these factors 1) they have a superstar 2) they have a top 3 power forward in the game 3) they have the best paint defender of this era 4) they have the best two perimeter defenders in the league 5) well coached 6) incredibly deep 7) they were built by Connelly to stop the Denver offense by taking away all passing lanes for Denver Having said this I don't think the Nuggets players are at fault but more so the front office. Bruce Brown was arguably the fourth most important player on the team last year as he guarded players like Ant and Jimmy Butler. He also was crucial offensively because he was the only ball handler playmaking guard we had besides Jamal. So when teams like the Heat pressured Jamal full court we had Bruce to pretty much cover his role. Now that we have no shot creation from the perimeter, we have limited ways to keep up with Minnesota. The national media last season picked Phoenix and LA to beat Denver and the Nuggets punched them in the mouth. This year we have no Bruce (whom we didn't replace) and Jamal has been injured for the third year in 4 years. If Lebron and Jordans number 2 options (pippen, Davis, wade) were absent or compromise I don't believe they would have won the title. Jokic deserves some understanding. Minnesota is clearly a better team this season

[@jan279]

They remind me more of the Kobe & Pau Lakers. They got the superstar volume scorer at the starting SG spot, the skilled big who used to get criticized for being soft at the starting PF spot, the skilled big off the bench who is a fan favorite, the starting center who is an Ewing Theory candidate because of how well the team plays when he is sidelined, the lockdown perimeter dude starting at SF, and the veteran steadying presence at the starting PG spot. The parallels are really insane when I think about it. 👀

[@greyklopstock7155]

​@@jan279THAT'S a fantastic comp. Amazing pull. Lines up low-key perfectly. It's a modern Kobe Pau Lakers. Ant is Kobe, KAT is pau, Reid is Bynum, McDaniels is Artest, Conley is Fisher, Gobert is Odom. It's almost identical in construction. Minnesota is long, athletic, smart defensively, highly physical, and since they're so dang young, they're audacious and full of energy. They just never stop.

[@jan279]

@@greyklopstock7155 Reid is Odom, Gobert is rich man's Bynum.

[@onaaap]

As a wolves fan for 20 years thank you for admitting it

[@vladimirsempio2134]

Jason what happened to your Denver. Jokic and Denver got exposed. They can't handle pressure. Reid, CAT, and Gobert are Jokic's Dads😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JaMal-oo1tx]

Laughing cuz it takes 3 players to keep one down?😭

[@MeBihhhh]

@@JaMal-oo1txlaughing because yall hyped Jokic after a hospital ring 😂 Jokic can’t beat a team with more than 47wins

[@jamariowilkins8418]

The last time we saw the nuggets struggle like this was the bubble. Lakers had 3 rotating bigs that could all guard him

[@ParisPK]

Lakers stopped that and to this day, I don’t get why they did this man. They better go back to that again

[@bossaudio12]

To say wolves will win verse any team because they just foul is crazy and horrible take

[@jon-quijano]

And he said it with such reasonable tone, just pure deceit.

[@Nugschris]

He didn't say it's bc they JUST foul come on man. But let's be real they were fouling on basically every possession he's right about that.

[@davidpieper95]

This is some of the best basketball analysis and breakdown I've ever seen.

[@jon-quijano]

That’s a slick way to shift blame, pointing to “midseason” officiating changes. The T-Wolves led in defense the entire season, not just since midseason. You simply let anti-MN bias lead you to underrate the team. Look in the mirror, then go purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.

[@ryanwall1780]

Yeah. The Wolves played their best defense at the beginning of the season.

[@dunningkruger5823]

😂

[@amitaiuriarte4094]

Lights out perimeter shooting (Like the Warriors did in their prime) can beat that in the paint physicality. Murry, Jokic, and Porter Jr. can do that, but can they do it for 4 out of 5 games? I'm not so sure. I was dead wrong about Denver and Minnesota, too.

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

This series is being reffed like a football game. And Minnesota is the stronger, more athletic team. The only way a team can stop Jokic is if he's allowed to be held and pushed every play. It's night and day from last postseason and it's reminiscent of Lakers with Dwight and what he was allowed to get away with. They clearly don't want Jokic to be an all time great. They are pushing Edwards as the new face now.

[@fishsticks7257]

Hater

[@drazzzpoppp5022]

Not hater ,look at the fouls Edwards is getting this series ticky tack shit and everyone else is getting mauled

[@bossaudio12]

Nah casual cope take

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

@@drazzzpoppp5022 And Edwards offensive fouls a lot with his forearm.

[@Corey41929]

Pathetic excuse

[@The-Gospel.]

nuggets need to replace kcp with a ball handler, they miss the bruce brown lineup. need another ball handler to handle the twolves defensive pressure

[@adriftwoodking]

Jamal Murray left without speaking to the media again lol his head's gone, if he doesn't get suspended. Denver won't win a game, today was their only shot with Rudy out, Jokic literally gave up in this game. This series is over. The Wolves ARE the best team in the league right now and it's not even really close.

[@g-money3766]

Healthy Celtics competes with them

[@gyutaridaki1393]

😂😂😂😂😂 say what ???????? 😂😂😂😂😂 Again , nuggets proving everyone wrong 😂

[@adriftwoodking]

@@gyutaridaki1393 45 pt Timberwolves win 🤣😋

[@gyutaridaki1393]

@@adriftwoodking celebrate now , cry tomorrow lol 😂

[@adriftwoodking]

@@gyutaridaki1393 What was that? WHO'S CRYING NOW? 😂😂😂 Wolves won in 7, sit yo ass down and be humble lol

[@dedrickhill2238]

I just hope the league continues to trend in this direction of balancing out the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. I’d love to see teams be able to win with championship offense or championship defense and also be able to watch the regular season again.

[@cmac392]

I'll repeat myself: Denver hasn't won a playoff series against a team with more than 47 regular season wins since the bubble (Minnesota won 56 games this year). They've got the best player and the best crunch time offense in the league, and the lazy analysis is that that is all you need to be the best team. They're gonna get tested in this series in a way that no one has done so during this run of theirs, I don't think they can keep going down big against a defense like the Wolves'.

[@greyklopstock7155]

Agreed. In 2022, the warriors had to beat the grizzlies, mavericks, and Celtics who all had over 50 wins. In 2021, the bucks had to beat the Suns who had 51 wins. The Raptors in 2019 had to beat the Sixers, Bucks, and Warriors, and while the warriors weren't healthy, they still had Steph and Klay for most of the series. Jamal Murray is a playoff riser, but he's figuring out the hard way what it's like when you're one on one in the playoffs with a physical guard who can even remotely keep up. Steph had to get around and through Delly, Pat Bev, even someone like Russ. Later on, it was Marcus Smart, Jalen Brunson, it was Dillon Brooks. And Jokic has had trouble before with guys like DeAndre Ayton in 2021. Well, Kat is very similar to Ayton in build. Heck, the warriors were running him off the floor with Looney, Draymond, and Otto Porter back in 2022! The nuggets are very good, but this is the first real test that they've had against a team that has a physical advantage and can score. They've always been bigger than the scorer teams and faster than the big teams. But when teams are YOUNG, they can be both.

[@djdoc06]

At some point, aggregate high level athleticism and size, gives you a tremendous advantage that some skills and teamwork can’t overcome. Denver has a perfect chemistry and blend of players with Jokic to play sublime basketball, but Minnesota’s athleticism and size at every position just disrupts everything. In the regular season, Twolves won the only game that everyone was healthy. Then the Nuggs won 2 of next 3 with Wolves more shorthanded than Denver every game. I love that there is now more contrasts in styles between the best teams, especially in the west.

[@taylor7264]

I 100% agree. N Jason is gonna love this comment bc you used the word aggregate lol

[@johnbarkley925]

I am not an excuse maker for no team and I am not surprised at the Wolves dominance given these factors 1) they have a superstar 2) they have a top 3 power forward in the game 3) they have the best paint defender of this era 4) they have the best two perimeter defenders in the league 5) well coached 6) incredibly deep 7) they were built by Connelly to stop the Denver offense by taking away all passing lanes for Denver Having said this I don't think the Nuggets players are at fault but more so the front office. Bruce Brown was arguably the fourth most important player on the team last year as he guarded players like Ant and Jimmy Butler. He also was crucial offensively because he was the only ball handler playmaking guard we had besides Jamal. So when teams like the Heat pressured Jamal full court we had Bruce to pretty much cover his role. Now that we have no shot creation from the perimeter, we have limited ways to keep up with Minnesota. The national media last season picked Phoenix and LA to beat Denver and the Nuggets punched them in the mouth. This year we have no Bruce (whom we didn't replace) and Jamal has been injured for the third year in 4 years. If Lebron and Jordans number 2 options (pippen, Davis, wade) were absent or compromise I don't believe they would have won the title. Jokic deserves some understanding. Minnesota is clearly a better team this season

[@taylor7264]

@@johnbarkley925 i agree that the nuggets roster does have flaws. and you can blame the front office for that. i do think losing bruce hurts a little bit. but a role player is not going to swing the series to this extent. superstars get the love when they win they deserve the blame when they lose. the roster flaws are also the players flaws so they are to blame too. jokic doesnt deserve criticism for losing. min is the better team. but he deserves criticism for bad rim protection and not being able to punish naz n kat in the few 1v1 opportunities he got in a game the dpoy missed. last yr nuggets caught a lot of breaks. phx was never a good team. wolves were missing naz n mcdaniels. lakers were never a good team. theyre a playin team. and the heat rode injuries and insane shooting variance to the finals and then cooled off. not to say they dont deserve a ring thats part of basketball. but i think we prematurely called the nuggets a dynasty level roster. i never viewed them that way. they are overhyped. i think the same is true of jokic. sure he has a legit claim to the the title of best in the world over the last couple yrs (i always thought it was giannis ftr). but the top 15 all time conversations and takes like hes the best offensive player of all time i think are v premature. longevity is a big part of it and its clear there are limitations to his game. joker is like a package thats big but not that heavy. so its too awk to carry alone but with two ppl its easy...for instance guys like zubac or KAT are not known as great defenders but they have the size strength and mobilty required to slow jok down. so jok is unstoppable unless you have the prerequisite traits to slow and/or counter him in which case he has a much lower impact on winning. hes an all time great for sure stamped. but i think hes in the steve nash - kg range not the shaq range

[@taylor7264]

@@johnbarkley925 n to be clear the nuggets vulnerability isnt all on jok. hes jus 1 of a few guys in their starting lineup that aren't real two way guys. thats a roster flaw n on the front office but its also on those players for not being real pluses on defense i think nuggets' two major flaws are that their guys aren't all two-way and theyre not all dibble-pass-shoot guys teams like bos okc n min are all built w those boxes checked for the most part. thats why im highest on them for the next 5 yrs

[@djdoc06]

@@taylor7264 I never thought “dynasty level roster”. Gotta win 2 chips at least before you can even talk that way. And I always said Jokic was very good, but benefits from a metagame that lacks size. Makes you appreciate the magnitude of difficulty of Steph’s 4 or Lebron’s 4, when you see how hard it is just to get 2… how easily it can all slip away, Giannis, Jokic. Or Embiid being derailed in the “process”. Or KD just trying to get one outside of GSW. Or Tatum facing possibility of coming so close and yet so far… For all we know Tatum’s last best chance might have been 2022. So hard to climb the mountain.

[@zukusenryu]

Tim Connelly gotta be in consideration for best GM at this point

[@lukaradje792]

he built the nuggets, they won a chip. he may repeat with minnie this year

[@MeBihhhh]

What drugs are you on? This team was put together before he arrived 😂

[@zukusenryu]

@@MeBihhhh You have no idea what you’re talking about kid

[@zukusenryu]

@@lukaradje792 exactly

[@MeBihhhh]

@@zukusenryu other than trading for Rudy, what did he do?

[@christiancantu3413]

On the broadcast they said that Malone was heated yelling at the ref about the previous play where KAT ran over somebody, not the play at the rim between KCP and Ant.

[@dvdv8197]

Whoever wins this series (most likely Wolves now), will be the champ. No single doubt about that in my mind.

[@kellykcombination]

Agreed. Said the same thing.

[@deadkennedyrolls21]

I'm loving this. I saw the Wolves potential all season long. Glad all the analysts have caught up 😂

[@gyutaridaki1393]

I'm glad nuggets proving analysts wrong 😂

[@kamohelozibisi2315]

Wolves in 4😂

[@loudblazer]

Wolves are a modern version of 9-10 Lakers. Kobe with 3 bigs (Gasol, Bynum, Odom) , veteran PG (Fisher), and defensive wing (Ariza/Artest).

[@vladimirsempio2134]

Whattttt Denver will win game 3 in Minnessotta. They can't even win in their home court without Daddy Gobert. 😂😂😂

[@ryanwall1780]

Denver won't win game 3. Ant will have fresh legs, get ready for more pure jumpers.

[@readysteadycrew]

Holiday was their best defender against Edwards. Their starting 5 can’t stop him and they play slow in pace that’s why their young bench was able to somehow make a run by playing faster.

[@1of196]

i haven’t even watched, and i bet mister jason mentioned the lakers. am i right? lmao

[@smookes91]

Nah, you are wrong!!

[@elihg3827]

I knew Jokic couldn’t handle real bigs defending him since Dwight bent him over his knee 😂 Nice to see y’all catching up

[@sy12]

This reminds me of 2011 lakers coming off back to back title who ran into a buzzsaw Mavs team in second round and got swept. Mavs saw a heavy favored heat in finals and finished the job. This wolves team will do the same vs Boston imo. The togetherness of this team reminds me of them. Andrew Bynum had a meltdown in game 4 when they got down by 40. This was Murray’s meltdown.

[@kevinmunroejr3390]

I can't see that. I don't know why you think the Celtics can't play physical defense against the Timberwolves. If both teams play physical defense, it'll come down to who can make their tough contested shot at a higher clip. With Kristaps healthy, the Celtics have 4 guys who can hit tough shots and go for 25-30 in a game. The Timberwolves only have 2. I guess we'll see, though.

[@sy12]

@@kevinmunroejr3390 same reasons Celtics haven’t been able to do it for the past 5yrs. Brown/tatum not coming through when it counts. And wolves are playing their best now. They have gone to another level.

[@kevinmunroejr3390]

@sy12 That stupid logic. If Tatum and Brown haven't been able to break through yet, what's the evidence that Ant Edwards can? The Timberwolves are playing well, but let's see if they continue to play well straight through the playoffs before putting them over a team that has had a lot more post season success.

[@sy12]

@@kevinmunroejr3390 LOL you’re seeing the evidence now and refusing to believe it.

[@kevinmunroejr3390]

@sy12 That doesn't make any sense. The evidence should be them holding up the trophy. If they lose 4 games straight to the Nuggets or lose in the next round, what does it matter? Nothing matters unless they win it all. Until then, they are in the same position as the Celtics. Until they win 16 games this post season, they haven't proven anything.

[@angelaquino6755]

I don’t think Mike Malone jumped into the court because he lost it, to me it felt like an early wake up call to the team saying “this is how intense we gotta be about this game”, but the team missed it. I can be wrong, but that’s what it felt like to me when I watched it live. Because getting into the court like that, going across court felt like he wanted everyone to see him complain like that

[@Reecesavage-Alwayswin]

This is the same way the Knicks beat Denver multiple times during the season.

[@i2ambler2002]

They played 2 times this season, and each team won a game.

[@bumiangkara5669]

sadly no joker slander.. BOOO> where you said, you should high standard for best player??? BOO

[@roselelouch3038]

I don’t wanna hear another Jokic is the best offensive player ever take this is never happening to 2018 LeBron. Jokic lacks the physical advantages of some all time greats

[@Jason-cu6wx]

People talk about how beautiful great offense is… man let’s talk about how BEAUTY lock down defense is.

[@gyutaridaki1393]

Now let's talk about the beauty of offense crushing defense.

[@genlea9490]

Go easy on Jason Timpf guys. His credibility as an up-and-coming commentator lives and dies with his preposterous position that the Nuggets are invincible and as perfect a team that you can assemble. He'll start pivoting to Minnesota as the hacks before him would do.

[@kyleelpel9402]

Exactly. Only logic for a Lakers fan: Darvin Ham and DLo are terrible, the Nuggets are unbeatable and Jokic is the GOAT. Better than peak Curry. Playoff Jamal is top 10

[@jordancieslak6491]

I have not thought Minny was a serious contender all season, but Holy Crap, that performance last night was the best I’ve ever seen a team locked in against a good team in years! Their defense had Denver completely frustrated all game. If they play that way they are unbeatable! I’m shocked that KAT will be a member of a team wins a title 😂

[@doug7von]

Maybe Denver not as good as y’all thought they were.

[@moeron13]

They went 16-4 last postseason to a championship

[@jaydot4956]

@@moeron13bro they beat 40 year old Lebron on a bad foot, a suns team without cp3, a young inexperienced 8th Timberwolves and an injured 7th seed Heat team. That title run wasn’t impressive.

[@TheGreatness-gg1jx]

The fact that you didn't see Minnesota's team construction would neutralize Jokic, along with the rest of the league, makes me wonder what games are you watching? Jokic isn't SHAQ or prime Hakeem or even David Robinson. He's crafty but he relies on a wide open lane and going against smaller players. Minnesota's matchup ability was clearly going to at least make him one dimensional and make him WORK for every point. And you still try to call Jokic the best player in the world? Are you serious? Maybe you didn't notice how weak Denver's run was last year. Maybe that's what you missed. The physicality of the rules isn't the difference. Jokic got outplayed on offense and defense by NAZ REID. Don't ever talk about best player unless you're talking about ANTHONY EDWARDS. No one who is a liability on defense should ever be talked about as best player. Maybe best OFFENSIVE PLAYER. Sure.

[@Obiamajoyisrmd]

Quite a weird and emotional comment

[@ryanwall1780]

​@@Obiamajoyisrmd Just a Wolves fan who saw this coming. This guy said the Wolves would have less of a chance than the Lakers to win the series.

[@mimicmage]

I'm a Lakers fan and talking with other fans .. wolves been the team to beat before the playoffs started. And this guy supposed to be an expert and he's surprised... congratulations on having a young hungry team that energy is everything

[@Nugschris]

Imo if Denver and jokic are trash then this Minnesota run is GREATLY diminished and will be looked at as maybe a mediocre accomplishment at best fyi.

[@ryanwall1780]

@@Nugschris Always moving goalposts

[@donaldw12318]

Props to Jason for owning his wrongness. Minnesotans love humility. You’re welcome to hop on the wagon

[@92KM1]

“Best player in the world” can’t contest layups at the basket while being 7ft is sad 😂 If they get swept that championship run will start to look real fluky considering the played 3 injured play-in teams and an injured Suns team

[@bandoogiemanz]

I don't remember who was injured on the suns?

[@Nugschris]

Well then that REALLY diminishes this Minnesota run

[@TheGreatness-gg1jx]

Thank you. Nobody who DISAPPEARS on defense can ever be called or even mentioned in the sentence of "best player" of anything. That's the dumbest shyt I've ever heard and I'm so glad he's being exposed by Minnesota while also showing who the TRUE Best Player On The Planet is.

[@92KM1]

@@Nugschris 1. Not necessarily, both things can be true 2. It’s not over, the nuggets could win this series (not likely) 3. Minnesota could lose in 6 in the WCF

[@92KM1]

@@bandoogiemanz CP3, and we obviously saw what they look like this year without a floor general 😂

[@jaecrawford9691]

So who was the last team to beat Denver fully healthy in the playoffs?…The Lakers in the bubble. And the Lakers played two bigs Dwight and AD, now the Wolves have…Rudy, Kat and Naz. The two big lineup is the lineup to beat Denver

[@yaboyyasin]

Mailbag Question: Hey Jason In your opinion, given that the playoffs seem to have a raised level of “urgency and intensity”, what are three skills and attributes to look for in upcoming prospects that are usual indicators that their game would translate into the playoffs. Love the breakdowns, keep it up!

[@markturcotte6443]

My question is, you don't think Boston's defense is on this caliber? Because I do, literally BOS defense RTG is 110 and the Wolves are 108.

[@onielbailey845]

Wolves coach is the only coach who can design special plans for great players.

[@jaecrawford9691]

The one adjustment I see Denver making is having Aaron Gordon bring the ball up because Ant, NAW and Jaden are picking up full court and wearing down Murray. Rudy or Kat is usual matched up with AG so I can see them letting him bring it up because those bigs aren’t gonna pick him up full court and if they try to pick him up with one of your guards it’s gonna create a cross match. Jamal Murray will play better I suspect too 3-19 is nasty work as B Jennings would say lol. Yeah I say let Aaron Gordon bring the ball up and let him get into a DHO with Jamal Murray into a screen from Jokic (zoom action) and then start the play from there because MIN is making them use so much clock to bring the ball up that it speeds up their actions or blows them up altogether

[@800lbgorillainc]

🤔The 2020 Lakers Beat Denver In The Bubble With This Formula, With Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis And JaVale McGhee… Gobert, Towns And Reid Are Actually What The Lakers Had, A Mirror Image, The Lakers Created The Blue Print!!!…

[@SoundslikeLogic]

Regarding the Myles Turner screen, they called it cuz Turner straddled Divincenzo's leg before setting the screen, right? Not because it was moving. So I imagine the way he set it is more illegal than just kinda lurching/nudging, which everyone does all the time. Still, your point stands, it dominated the flow of the game and turned it into a free throw contest instead of a shot-making game.

[@brandonhearn2922]

For all the people who hated on the Gobert trade and Minnesota going with two 7 footers plus you add in Naz, this is exactly why they did it. You have to counter Jokic with physical bigs and the Wolves have three of them.

[@trytv7716]

My boy yall gotta stop saying they made this trade because of the joker like the nuggets are a dynasty 😂😂. They won 1 championship now yall thinking teams making trades to beat them like cut it out

[@Christopher._M]

While the defense has been amazing the offense is what has suprrised me. They have created so many high quality shots, finished great layups ans bank shots, and just made their open shots all playoffs. I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting them to shoot much worse. That said the defense they had against the nuggets was probably the most demoralizing 2 quarters of defense i have ever seen a team play. They had one kf the most composed teams and Superstars to ever play whining like Booker and Playing like Jordon pool when he sees pressure from real defensive teams

[@diegobromfield]

Series is not done yet. But I have been saying it since round 1. Even as a Lakers fan. I said the Wolves are playing the best along with OKC. Those were the 2 most enjoyable teams to watch. Which is why I was shock when so many people still had all the hype placed on Nuggets. And the frustrating thing is this should have been Lakers vs Wolves. Idiotic coaching and dumb defense cost us vs the Nuggets when we lead by double digits in every game.

[@patrick_m_GA]

It’s true that Ant-man has been the best player in the post season so far, but honorable mentions to Mr. Brunson of NYK and Mr. Mitchell of the Cavs.

[@ryanwall1780]

True that, they are balling!