This is one of the best defenses ever.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have assembled one of the greatest defenses in NBA history, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil-Alexander Walker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid and more. Let's dive into how they've built such a special defense and specifically, how they've shut down Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets.
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[@Edwoonie]

That clip of twolves doubling Jamal is a nightmare 😂

[@calmdownbruh8518]

The clip of NAW smiling like a maniac as he antagonized Murray up the court too.💀

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

Truly 😮

[@Nor-wm7ur]

This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@BraydenGreens]

@@Nor-wm7uryea calm down buddy😂

[@Nor-wm7ur]

@@BraydenGreens Show me play by play how Warriors gonna beat T Wolves defense. Didn't KD just got shut down by T Wolves defense? So this is realistic that T Wolves would give Warriors a big headache. So this is not far from reality, is it? 😏

[@pemp9606]

Naz needs to be respected. He’s not just some big man shooter, he’s a 2 way, quick release shooter who is able to switch onto perimeter players, and take big men off the dribble

[@Phizzo4real]

No, Naz has definitely grown defensively this year. I see him rebounding better too.

[@dominic64tblightning24]

Quickly becoming a top like 60 player in the league

[@ragewayz900]

@@dominic64tblightning24naz a top 100 player itl

[@mrsasshole]

He might have the best handle of any big man in the league.

[@rakimhinds6388]

One of the greatest 6th men ever. Single handedly stopped Jokic a few times.

[@zain4070]

THEY GOT KD BUT WE GOT JADEN MCDANIELS

[@ToddPro]

NAZ REID!

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

Priceless 😢

[@traytyler9951]

They got jokic but we got naz Reid 🥶

[@nickwilson7241]

Minnesota has 8 of the top 50 players in defensive win share according to basketball reference. 5 of the top 20. Ant is ranked 4th, and he's the only SG in the top 20. Rudy Gobert deserves so much credit for not just being a good defensive player, but also creating a defensive culture in this team that's elevating literally everyone to an incredible level of play

[@sinxay5707]

No knock on Rudy, but he didn't create that culture

[@nickwilson7241]

@@sinxay5707 I mean, it was obviously a collective effort by the players and coaches, but whenever you hear the players talking about their defense and what made the difference between last year and this year they say "we trust Rudy" I would assume they don't just mean they trust Rudy the player, but they trust the entire process

[@SuperAngryWalrus]

@@sinxay5707 His teammates would disagree with you.

[@Matthew-xl5bc]

​@@sinxay5707The Timberwolves coach said that Gobert help put a defensive culture is Minnesota

[@stambo1983]

​@@sinxay5707KAT definitely didn't have it defensively before Rudy.

[@skinfluithero4885]

I noticed this last game every time the wolves started to lose that 20+ point lead and guys were missing shots. Ant immediately took over and scored. Every. Single. Time

[@jrob8891]

Yeah he's usually the guy that takes those kill shots, but on a night when the lead was pretty comfortable he's not out there gassing himself to push for 40 points which is smart

[@Nor-wm7ur]

​@@jrob8891 This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@lightbeforethetunnel]

That's what I love about Ant. His timing is impeccable for the team, consistently. Whenever the opposing team seems like they're starting a run or causing a momentum shift, Ant takes over and wills in a bucket. It's almost comical how consistent he is at doing that.

[@wemakecookie]

​@@Nor-wm7urEhh idk about that. They'd definitely give them problems, but idk about lock up.

[@BONAFIDEBENJI]

@@Nor-wm7uryea not happening

[@Colinkrauss1]

I don’t think it can quite be equal, but try to convince me defense of this caliber isn’t just as fun to watch as offense of the same caliber.

[@lightbeforethetunnel]

I place this D as better than the '04 Pistons because they're doing it during an era with tons of 3s and scoring, a spaced out floor, etc. It's way harder to shut down teams like this now than it was back then when the scoring totals were way lower on average.

[@goat3674]

Only thing is they cant guard shaq. Lol

[@GangsterofloveSpacecowboy]

@@goat3674 Shaq I shut down by Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace

[@joshschwarzbauer8155]

McDaniels navigating that double screen was actually fucking insane. Dude is the best we've seen in a long time.

[@Weebei]

Not to mention, when the Wolves' leader Anthony Edwards is in there leading the defensive intensity, really inspires a whole team to follow suit. So many reason why the Wolves have been clamps thus far into the playoffs. Great video!

[@Nor-wm7ur]

This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@Weebei]

@@Nor-wm7ur wouldn't go that far, but would compete for sure

[@Danny.0788]

As a Laker fan, cannot tell yall the amounts of times I've replayed that Jamal locked up in a box clip by McDaniels and Alexander-Walker 😁

[@TheEncouragementKid]

the wolves also seem to be fitter they run and run and run and run, it's a good way to appear to have more players on defence when every player is everywhere at once. it also tires out the nuggets because they never get a break

[@garnetttate8470]

Wolves ago to win the series 4-0 😅

[@garnetttate8470]

Anthony Edward’s remine my off MJ

[@MrBonethugs4lyfe]

If I'm not mistaken, Kevin Garnet was asked how he would guard Jokic if he were in his prime, and he essentially said he would run him down and hound him. KG had the length, the strength, and the insane conditioning to do so. We're essentially seeing the exact same thing happening real time spread across an entire team. Naz, KAT, and Gobert have the length and strength to not get bullyballed. NAW and Jaden have the conditioning and length to stop Denver's shooters. And the Antman has insane athleticism and clutch shotmaking to keep Denver on their toes on the offensive. Conley is the floor general the Wolves lacked last year so his teammates can focus on their actual strengths. As a Minny fan, I prayed for these days man

[@masons9541]

I've watched the wolves all season and one thing I've noticed is that Finch is good about going to his bench whenever they can afford to so guys can get some rest for the end of game. Seen them sacrifice some leads to rest people but in the end they have the energy to take their run.

[@bettynoel8497]

Unbelievable defense.

[@Nor-wm7ur]

This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@malasc12]

Will be interesting to see how far the refs will let them go physically on defense in the future playoff games. As long as they're consistent, thats my only concern. And preventing plays that will cause injury too (like throwing heat packs onto the court)

[@Phizzo4real]

I expect them to dial it back... Wolves still win game 3 tho... Which will get bad for Nuggets. Cuz o don't think they will be swept, but if they lose game 3, they are not winning game 4, they will be swept.

[@MallPeaMallCow]

The refs will let them. Especially after Jamal Murray only got a fine for how he acted towards the refs. Better believe that Jamal Murray is going to get that Allen Iverson treatment from the refs for the rest of the playoffs.

[@Nor-wm7ur]

​@@MallPeaMallCow This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@lightbeforethetunnel]

The free throw differential heavily favors the Nuggets in this series so far. Something not being talked about because the Wolves won both games anyway.

[@itsallaboutTheWild]

The McDaniel/Walker defensive play on Murray reminds me of “The Night at the Roxbury” 😂

[@pe3094]

Oml I been thinking that same thing and it kills me 😂

[@Nor-wm7ur]

​@@pe3094 This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@pe3094]

@@Nor-wm7ur If they become champs this year then they earned tf out of this one.

[@metalfacemoviereviews8979]

Great reference!

[@moety2]

What annoys me the most is when players think that got fouled, raising their hands, looking at the refs complaining while the ball is still in play. It’s even worst when the other team has the ball. Like dude, stop f’in crying and play. Complain to the ref on the next dead ball

[@Bryan-od7nv]

That’s because today’s NBA isn’t used to defense. Instead it’s who can shoot the most uncontested 3 pointers and win. I stopped watching around 10 years ago until this season. Hopefully, teams playing good defense spreads around the league and makes the games interesting again.

[@moety2]

@@Bryan-od7nv I stopped watching years ago too. I only watch highlights of interesting games. But I’ve noticed this in dam near every highlight.

[@WheresWaldo05]

I loved playong defense. In my opinion if you dont love doing both sides of the ball you do not actually love basketball. Also i was the type and would be the type to ignore stuff and keep playing through it. If you need fouls to win a game you simple are not good enough. Blow them out and try really hard. Put in effort. And it wont even matter come the ending minutes of the games. As you have seen by the wolves we have no been in late game scenarios at all.

[@WheresWaldo05]

​@@moety2Better go back and actually watch this game 2 vs Nuggets cause it is a thing of beauty. I have been watching nba going back to early early 90's. I havent seen anything like this game 2 game. Unreal defense.

[@Bryan-od7nv]

@@WheresWaldo05 I loved 80s early 90s NBA. Not sure we’ll ever have a chance to see that era of basketball again…

[@jcliu]

The “Twin Towers” approach to stopping Jokic and the Nuggets didn’t come out of the blue with the Wolves. When was the last time Denver was beaten in the playoffs with Jamal Murray-and thus the Murray/Joker two-man game-active? *2020 Western Conference Finals to the Bubble Lakers.* Who did that team have? DWIGHT HOWARD, who was still huge and competent enough as a Jokic shock-absorber to let Anthony Davis play PF roamer a la Gobert. Of the many, many acts of LA self-sabotage to squander its title window-dumping KCP *and* Caruso *and* Kuzma for Westbrook; then choosing DLo over Mike Conley in the tortuously long-awaited Westbrook divorce-an underrated one was underestimating Denver and thus never realizing the importance of low-usage, high-impact lineups featuring another legit big man to play next to AD. Christian Wood and Rudy Hachimura ain’t cutting it.

[@cwehden]

Gonna win the chip 🎉

[@timnic9242]

that defense by the Wolves was Monster. you cannot even imagine it when you did not see the full game, I did see the full game. The Nuggets got locked down.

[@johnshottie4415]

Jamal Murray is making a push for biggest whiny B in the league. Be careful Devin Booker you have some competition now.

[@user-fs9yv4hl5f]

Minnesota plays team basketball like no other NBA team this year. Everyone knows his role and plays it very well. It’s going to be hard to stop them from winning a championship tis year.

[@OziumG]

With great perimeter defense with the Wolves' 3 headed Cerberus: Edwards, Mcdaniels and Alexander-Walker, Denver had to solely rely on Jokic to become their main scorer. That meant he had to hustle himself on offense, then sprint himself back to defense. Wouldn't be a problem but Denver doesn't have a bench or a man to help him out, so he got exhausted by trying to work a 7-footer and 2 brickhouse forwards, gangly guards and an offensive, mid-range assassin who splits defenses like Kobe in his prime. Tough break for Denver.

[@lightbeforethetunnel]

Yeah man I feel for Jokic in this series, as a longtime Wolves fan. The matchup results in so much being asked of him in particular

[@youtubewatcher4955]

0:01 This is what keeps Devin Booker up at night.

[@JeanValljeann]

You're witnessing the beginning of a new Dynasty. Wolves are the 2024 champs.

[@SanityStick]

Timberwolves rebranding as The Chupacabras for these playoffs. That is some gory defense leaving a lot of husks in it's wake.

[@dylanleach5982]

Bro how did I not know slow-mo has a 7”3 wing span that is crazy💀

[@user-fs9yv4hl5f]

This is how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. If you play the game correctly with intensity, you may end up winning a championship.

[@landofodin]

Well said, damn good video.

[@lizizhu1843]

Let's hope Timberwolves is bringing back the old school 90's ball games. :) I cannot describe how much I hate a big man shooting threes. I don't have issues with Jokic. He seems a genuinely good guy, but I just don't like his playing style. Bring back the defense and mid-range jumper.

[@rickystackss]

that’s not gonna happen shooting 3’s is more efficient than the old way of playing with the rate their making them nowadays. also having a big man that can shoot is really nice to have for multiple reasons

[@DakahriGT]

Kat is a big man that can shoot 3s but lately been focusing g on his defense

[@chrisdragoonkevin384]

All because of Alexander Walker and his Tenacity in applying hard tight defense. Ala Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, Dennis Rodman, Kevin Garnett and JORDAN.

[@tzehuan]

7:07 Man it looks like a poor fly being surrounded by two huntsman spiders, the length and speed of the Wolves are terrifying.

[@ken58763]

great video

[@gxguy2906]

The way the Wolves played against Denver and the results as of game 2 now, the Suns deserve way more credit than what everyone is bashing them for. Unfortunately, they ended up playing Wolves, if it were any other team such as the Lakers or Denver, the Suns would crush it.

[@MrRoaringRiot]

What's even more insane of this game is that Minnesota's defense only hold Denver to shoot a 34.9% low from the FG and 30% from 3

[@bobbullethalf]

Suffering defense, I haven’t seen that in a while. I can’t way to watch tonight, it is must see TV! The Nuggets looked confused.

[@Colinkrauss1]

Excellent final point 11:32 “If you can do this against Denver, then you can do this to anybody.” There’s absolutely no reason to think this can’t be an all-time defense against any type of team. In fact, knowing how great Denver’s offense is and has been, the other teams in the playoffs might be even more vulnerable to this defense. Except Boston. They are very similar to MIN, having a starting unit of 5 2-way players that are all excellent on defense, and generate tons and tons of high quality three point attempts.

[@user-iy6wr4kk3m]

We might be seeing something great with this twolves team

[@Nor-wm7ur]

This T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@shadmalik5125]

Thee biggest weakness with Denver is they don’t have many on ball creator they only got Murray and Reggie , if u can double and run their shooters off the 3pt line they ain’t gon be able to score lakers did as well as they could with their much weaker defensive personnel, but minny has the best defensive personnel from top to bottom in the league

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

Sixers need to build a team like this. Grab Lauri and Klay and defensive role players

[@fluxszs]

yeah just "grab" an all star in lauri... and klay is washed up

[@Nor-wm7ur]

​@@fluxszsThis T Wolves would lock up 2018 Warriors with KD, Curry, Klay. No way Warriors gonna survive this suffocating defense

[@braindisorder5043]

As a new fan of this sport i always tought its so simple but its fkin not😂😂 Go wolves!! All the way from Finland!

[@Pepsolman]

I think it’s SUS that the refs allow the Twolves to play 90s defense while everyone else is only allowed to play 2024, no touch defense. Very SUS.

[@cmfrtblynmb02]

No. Others don't play this defense because they don't have the condition, personel, knowledge and hunger. Defense is hard work.

[@LeFemininDivin]

"There is no weak link!"

[@kbrewers]

greta breakdown

[@antonioleon3123]

This video is so much better than having yo hear these guys take a shot at America Ferrera unnecessarily

[@wzsmart2890]

He doesn’t ask for the like, so i give him the like 👍👍

[@DeepfriedBaby]

Didn’t the Lakers do this same roamed defense vs Jokic, with AD? I forget how Denver countered that

[@lessonlearned9399]

Love the Wolves the way they destroy the arrogant Nuggets ! Dynasty my axx.

[@djkido316]

Nuggets just won by 27, Nuggets aren't arrogant, You're just ignorant, watch them comeback from 2-0 to win the series in 6 :)

[@alankingchiu]

Not looking good for Denver. If Nuggets want to make this a series, they have to push the ball and get quality paint touches on every trip. Easier said than done.

[@trev9168]

As of rn it’s 4th on my list

[@mrloverman2.0]

Gobert and Wemby in 2024 Olympic is scary..

[@Mofoshow]

Kobe would be proud

[@KOHUNIT]

Kevin Durant needs a pass like the pass we are giving Jokic and being clamped down

[@andyhowat4624]

Like watching the Harlem Globetrotters

[@tileman454]

The NBA is back it has D.

[@oogabooga3323]

🔥🔥

[@Fugitiv3.]

If i were to counter this i would havr jokic set a phantom pick at the 3 line and then jamal pass it to him for those high efficiency floaters

[@Tougeryang85]

KAT has quick feet and has gotten stronger, whoever the ball carrier is, isn’t faster than Ant and McDaniels. McDaniels literally makes himself skinny to get through screen. If by chance they get through, you got Rudy to deal with.

[@Tougeryang85]

Also, two words… Naz Reid

[@DocMC86]

The Denver chicken nuggets are finished. They’re going to rebuild mode

[@djkido316]

Ahh the best defense ever just got blown out of their own homefloor, Nuggets in 6.

[@destinypirate]

No, not even close to all time great. But yes - 1. Wolves are engaged and have good hands. 2. Refs are letting the Wolves run MUCH more than other teams in this era. 3. Denver is used to teams playing like old men, spectating open lanes. 4. Denver is making foolish decisions - at least 6 times Jamal misses layups and forces shots into blocks, so much that it's wierd (is he taking a dive?) 5. Primary difference is in energy/conditioning. Wolves are just running their prey to death.

[@earlsanity]

But why do the refs let them play defense the way they do but when the suns did the same, refs calling it foul.

[@argentinacastillo3135]

Now you guys still believe that Howard on is prime would bullied joker all day look how naz locked him

[@JohnJFong]

This Wolves team could very well beat the Durant Ws champions. For sure they can beat the bubble Lakers fake championship and the 2022 and 2015 Ws champs.

[@Erero]

They were allowed plays that were not allowed in the last decade with 0 calls though, anyone would be surprised. The league needs a new face and apparently it will be the Antman. An early ring and finals MVP will kickstart him into taking the throne from LeBron.

[@djkido316]

Timberwolves about to fold like paper planes after that game 3, All the pressure on them now.

[@BONAFIDEBENJI]

U can tell jamal lost some explosiveness

[@HC-xk1iq]

Sorry, your best defense team was blown out so badly today, in the G3. It's not aged well.

[@bna441]

Defence wins game. Finally a team that play with intensity and great D. I like the Nuggets but the Wolves embarrassed them. If wolves continue this way they will sweep their way into an NBA title. The wolves are bringing '90's style intensity and D in this super soft league. Everybody puts up big numbers and looks good these days if nobody plays any D. Wolves are a knife cutting through butter now.

[@Luca-yb4sh]

Very few teams in the '90s could and did defend like this. Don't act as if the whole league was the Pistons.

[@skye2281]

A very high IQ basketball breakdown video. You earned another subscriber. 👍

[@djkido316]

Wassup?

[@joselitorazon4033]

Suffocating defense

[@sugarbear1225]

Smothering Defense

[@mrgantt3550]

Lakers exposed lazy diva defense

[@steve13191]

gobert and kat are the most disrespected players in the league. while the same clowns glorifying anthony davis defence and lebron 1 chase down block every 18 months as “he is a great defender when he locks in” 😂😂😂. or draymond is a great defender can defend all 5, no he doesnt. he is willing to switch to everyone but he doesnt defend all of them equally well in fact he always got rinsed in certain situations. unless you havent noticed i’m talking about these two geek and anime weeb and jason from timbuktu. agenda driven channel

[@FactsNReason]

Clearly you are a youngster who hasn’t seen top defense: eg - pistons of the 80s - bulls of the 90s

[@coleslawcollaged]

He said since the '04 Pistons. The 80's and 90's occurred before 2004

[@EverTruu]

Clearly you are a grandpa that can’t think

[@gustavomauriciocardenasgut9256]

Best defense???,,, Nahh,, there is a lot, and I meant a lot of fauls in every nuggets player,

[@johnshottie4415]

This was the cleanest aggressive defense you could ask for. You don’t know what you’re looking at.

[@mrlee9213]

Twolves winning it all baby 💙🤍🔥🏆 no one can stop us

[@kevinjustice9850]

Yes! This is our year! Born and raised in mpls so this hits much harder for me. We have been patient and finally we have a stacked roster that will pummel anyone in its path with elite defenders and efficiency on the offensive side of the ball.

[@mrlee9213]

@@kevinjustice9850 so excited 🙏 lesgooo 💙🤍

[@mrlee9213]

@@kevinjustice9850 Timberwolves baby 💙🤍🐺🔥🏆 No one can stop us