2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads 1-0)

Moderators: cupcakesnake, bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid

Who wins and advances to the NBA Finals?

Poll ended at Wed May 21, 2025 10:04 pm

Thunder in 4
5
2%
Thunder in 5
55
21%
Thunder in 6
88
34%
Thunder in 7
30
11%
Wolves in 4
5
2%
Wolves in 5
7
3%
Wolves in 6
54
21%
Wolves in 7
18
7%
 
Total votes: 262

PushDaRock
RealGM
Posts: 14,769
And1: 10,995
Joined: Jun 22, 2011

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#61 » by PushDaRock » Mon May 19, 2025 12:33 am

Randle is the X Factor. If he keeps playing like he has, they have a chance. If not, I don't really see how they win.
tamaraw08
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,781
And1: 2,174
Joined: Feb 13, 2019
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#62 » by tamaraw08 » Mon May 19, 2025 12:39 am

TheGOATRises007 wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:
TheGOATRises007 wrote:
Well no, because Ant hasn't been better than SGA the past 2 playoffs. It's close between the 2, but there's no real evidence supporting Ant being clearly more resilient in the playoffs.


Resiliency doesn't mean better statistically. You know that right?


What exactly does it mean then :lol:

he means you can’t go to facts/stats to base your opinion.
you canNot brand a player a choker even if he shoots below 35% and his team loses.
Soonercrazy84
Junior
Posts: 294
And1: 226
Joined: Aug 27, 2020

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#63 » by Soonercrazy84 » Mon May 19, 2025 12:42 am

___Rand___ wrote:Regular season series was tied at 2-2. This should be an interesting match-up. Two young teams meeting in conference finals. Lots to like about Wolves. Home court, depth, better defense, and consistency favors OKC. OKC in 6.
In what world does the Wolves have home court?

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk
Movics
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,632
And1: 1,727
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
       

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#64 » by Movics » Mon May 19, 2025 12:51 am

Wolves in 6
Run n point that .32 make em sicker than magic
Slim Tubby
Veteran
Posts: 2,927
And1: 2,545
Joined: Jun 03, 2017
         

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#65 » by Slim Tubby » Mon May 19, 2025 12:57 am

Soonercrazy84 wrote:
___Rand___ wrote:Regular season series was tied at 2-2. This should be an interesting match-up. Two young teams meeting in conference finals. Lots to like about Wolves. Home court, depth, better defense, and consistency favors OKC. OKC in 6.
In what world does the Wolves have home court?

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk
Stop hyperventilating because you think someone had the audacity to besmirch your favorite team and reread the post from Rand again.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app
Glen Taylor: "Is this moron #1 (Layden)? Put moron #2 (Thibs) on the phone."
web123888
Senior
Posts: 524
And1: 480
Joined: Feb 26, 2024

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#66 » by web123888 » Mon May 19, 2025 1:52 am

Wolves are a great team but don’t match up well. Edwards will struggle mightily. Would be surprised if it goes past 5 games.
thinktank
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,303
And1: 2,641
Joined: Jul 02, 2010
Location: Mpls

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#67 » by thinktank » Mon May 19, 2025 2:03 am

ibraheim718 wrote:Wolves in 6

Better coach
More resilient superstar
More physical which bodes better in playoffs
Randle is going to abuse the soft OKC front line

give me the most synergistic big dawg little dawg combo since Shaq and Kobe to be the difference here over the GenZ metrosexuals


This is pretty much where I’m at.

If Wolves limit turnovers (ie big OKC runs), I think we’ll be victorious.

Wolves just play so physical.
thinktank
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,303
And1: 2,641
Joined: Jul 02, 2010
Location: Mpls

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#68 » by thinktank » Mon May 19, 2025 2:05 am

duppyy wrote:I’m saying OKC wins just cause Minnesota couldn’t even blow out a Curryless warriors.


I think a lot of people are about to realize how absolutely **** insanely well the Wolves play up to their competition.
syrus3
Rookie
Posts: 1,054
And1: 1,192
Joined: May 19, 2013

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#69 » by syrus3 » Mon May 19, 2025 2:07 am

The Wolves should feel confident. A team with no depth or bench AND injured took OKC to 7 games. Not as mighty as they think they are.
User avatar
WestbrookGOATed
Analyst
Posts: 3,164
And1: 2,884
Joined: Apr 16, 2016
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#70 » by WestbrookGOATed » Mon May 19, 2025 2:21 am

ibraheim718 wrote:
MoneyTalks41890 wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:Wolves in 6

Better coach
More resilient superstar
More physical which bodes better in playoffs
Randle is going to abuse the soft OKC front line


This but everything in the other direction I think


Because you're an OKC fan. I'm neutral
I don't see it. You think Randle is gonna abuse Chet and Hartenstein? Also calling Ant the more resilient superstar is weird because he hasn't done anything SGA hasn't except for get his butt whooped in the conference finals lol.
User avatar
jc23
RealGM
Posts: 27,482
And1: 12,266
Joined: May 31, 2010
Location: 1901 W.Madsion St
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#71 » by jc23 » Mon May 19, 2025 2:37 am

Ant vs SGA is an awesome match up.
"Showing off is the fool's idea of glory"

-Bruce Lee
User avatar
Optms
RealGM
Posts: 23,864
And1: 20,325
Joined: Jun 11, 2009
 

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#72 » by Optms » Mon May 19, 2025 2:48 am

Who would have guessed Caruso on Joker would have been the game changer in game 7.

This series is a sweep if OKC did that from game 1. Can't believe the Bulls and Lakers let this man go.
rolling_91
Sophomore
Posts: 199
And1: 199
Joined: May 27, 2019

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#73 » by rolling_91 » Mon May 19, 2025 2:58 am

So how is Minnesota going to score enough against this Thunder defense? Did everyone forget about the offensive lulls that happen every game for the Twolves? I think the guard play of Conley, DiVincenso, Alexander-Walker will struggle against the perimeter defense of OKC.

Jalen Williams will matchup with Randle. Dort on Ant. Are Ant and Randle going to drop 25-30 pts?

I think Ant will have to carry the Twolves a lot with his solo act. And I don’t think it will be near enough. I see a couple of 80 pt games for the Twolves where they brick a lot of jumpers and really struggle to score in the half court.

Yes Minnesota’s size and defense will give OKC problems too but the Thunder have a depth of players to plug in to find a solution. Naz Reid is always the X factor for the Twolves so that’s a variable that could work in their favor. But I don’t see the even matchup that others portend. I have OKC in 5.
User avatar
Mrakar
Analyst
Posts: 3,108
And1: 3,910
Joined: Sep 01, 2010

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#74 » by Mrakar » Mon May 19, 2025 3:13 am

When my team is out im rooting for an underdog always. Would like this to be a long series and Minny to win but i just dont see it. If OKC is allowed to guard Edwards like they guard Murray and Jokic, Minnesota will not be able to score. OKC in 5 or 6.
tamaraw08
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,781
And1: 2,174
Joined: Feb 13, 2019
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#75 » by tamaraw08 » Mon May 19, 2025 3:15 am

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:Wolves in 6

Better coach
More resilient superstar
More physical which bodes better in playoffs
Randle is going to abuse the soft OKC front line


This but everything in the other direction I think


Mike deserved that COTY award for the RS....
but I must admit, I was a bit disappointed that a team with very shallow bench and Russ being such a Negative was able to push them to Game 7.
Yes, he shouldn't be blamed for his team's atrocious 3pt shooting but Denver's Jokic, Braun, MPJ and Russ also struggled shooting from there.
So I think Finch might have a slight advantage but overall, OKC's depth esp their perimeter defense might just tilt the balance.
I'm still an Ant doubter but if he manage to dominate and score efficiently vs Dort, Caruso,JDub etc, then I will probably be a fan of his.
MikRay
Senior
Posts: 643
And1: 211
Joined: May 27, 2024

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#76 » by MikRay » Mon May 19, 2025 3:19 am

There should be light work for Oklahoma City. I think they take this in five.
User avatar
azcatz11
RealGM
Posts: 31,532
And1: 35,185
Joined: Apr 13, 2017
Location: Phoenix
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#77 » by azcatz11 » Mon May 19, 2025 3:33 am

Optms wrote:Who would have guessed Caruso on Joker would have been the game changer in game 7.

This series is a sweep if OKC did that from game 1. Can't believe the Bulls and Lakers let this man go.


Read on Twitter
?s=46
Praying for Burrow
Ballings7
RealGM
Posts: 24,194
And1: 2,027
Joined: Jan 04, 2006

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#78 » by Ballings7 » Mon May 19, 2025 3:34 am

~ ~ Wolves in SIX ~ ~
The Playoffs don't care about your Analytics
tamaraw08
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,781
And1: 2,174
Joined: Feb 13, 2019
     

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#79 » by tamaraw08 » Mon May 19, 2025 3:59 am

rolling_91 wrote:So how is Minnesota going to score enough against this Thunder defense? Did everyone forget about the offensive lulls that happen every game for the Twolves? I think the guard play of Conley, DiVincenso, Alexander-Walker will struggle against the perimeter defense of OKC.

Jalen Williams will matchup with Randle. Dort on Ant. Are Ant and Randle going to drop 25-30 pts?

I think Ant will have to carry the Twolves a lot with his solo act. And I don’t think it will be near enough. I see a couple of 80 pt games for the Twolves where they brick a lot of jumpers and really struggle to score in the half court.

Yes Minnesota’s size and defense will give OKC problems too but the Thunder have a depth of players to plug in to find a solution. Naz Reid is always the X factor for the Twolves so that’s a variable that could work in their favor. But I don’t see the even matchup that others portend. I have OKC in 5.

The 6-6 220 lb JDub is probably too small to guard the 6-9 250 lb Randle who has been unbelievably great so far in this playoffs averaging 24/6/6 so far while having an incredible 59TS%. :o
NiceLikeChrist
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,904
And1: 1,885
Joined: Mar 16, 2012
 

Re: 2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves 

Post#80 » by NiceLikeChrist » Mon May 19, 2025 4:09 am

duppyy wrote:I’m saying OKC wins just cause Minnesota couldn’t even blow out a Curryless warriors.

You realize it just took OKC 7 games to beat one of the worst teams to make the playoffs right?

I’m confused. Do people suddenly think Denver is a good team now?
NiceLikeChrist wrote:We are going to deeply regret this. We traded away the best player in the trade and still had to give up a great role player AND a pick?

so many people are going to eat their words about randle

Return to The General Board