Playoff picture thread

[KGdaBom]

Pelicans thrashing the Warriors at the half. 63-46.

[KGdaBom]

As expected the Warriors coming back. Within 8 halfway through the 3rd quarter.

[shrink]

Watch on YouTube

(Wolves talk at 5:55)

I’m surprised ESPN realizes that the Timberwolves are in the NBA. I thought they only covered four teams and six players.

[Murphs56]

Well the Pelicans look cooked. Not the worst result. I like putting some space between us and the other play-in teams. 5 or 6 is still right there for us.

[KGdaBom]

Warriors up 8 with less than 4 minutes to go. FUDGE.

[Worm Guts]

Well the Pelicans look cooked. Not the worst result. I like putting some space between us and the other play-in teams. 5 or 6 is still right there for us.

The teams were only 1/2 game apart. For the most part it really didn’t matter who won.

[Calinks]

I wanted the Warriors to lose for some separation. They could easily win a bunch of these last handful of games. Pelicans could too but their schedule is tough. Them getting a win tonight and then collapsing would have been ideal.

[KGdaBom]

I wanted the Warriors to lose for some separation. They could easily win a bunch of these last handful of games. Pelicans could too but their schedule is tough. Them getting a win tonight and then collapsing would have been ideal.

Yep Warriors schedule too nice for them the rest of the way. Pels schedule tougher. We just have to take care of business.

[Guest84]

As a long-time Wolves fan, it feels good but nerve-wracking to finally watch some meaningful games this late in the season, regardless of the final outcome.

[Klomp]

I’m surprised ESPN realizes that the Timberwolves are in the NBA. I thought they only covered four teams and six players.

Ready to have your mind blown?

Watch on YouTube

[urinesane]

Watch on YouTube

(Wolves talk about 40 minutes in)

That's a difficult listen. And unfortunately, the question is not whether a Towns-Gobert partnership works offensively, but rather can it function on the other side of the ball.

When it comes to the defensive side just take a look at how they played vs Golden State. Which in theory is the kryptonite team to this experiment.

I don't think KAT will ever be a GREAT defender, but I also think that he's had terrible defenders around him for the most part his entire career in MN (outside of a few guys). I really think that DLo was a horrible fit for this roster and what they were trying to do, they simply had to plugin a guy that is no longer the All-Defensive PG he used to be, but also isn't a liability and doesn't need to be hidden on defense.

Everyone else that KAT will play major minutes with is a decent to above average defender, so it's not that you have to hide KAT like they did DLo, but you also don't have to count on him to anchor a defense like he was asked to do in the past (while also being the top guy on offense). What a HUGE difference it makes to have Conley, Edwards, McDaniels, and Gobert around KAT than EVERY OTHER combination they've had around him since he was drafted.

Outside of gelling, this team was always going to be limited on defense by DLo, not by KAT imo, so I'm actually pretty encouraged at the potential of KAT becoming a decent defender for the role he will be asked to play on that end going forward.

Long post longer, it definitely can function on the defensive end, not only that imo it can thrive. Just like KAT has never had +defenders around him, neither has Gobert (which is the main reason he's been called a liability blah blah blah in the playoffs).

Rudy had to do SO MUCH to make those Utah teams decent on defense it was really unfair (and bad design) on their part to put all of that on him. They were built for regular season success (where a high octane offense can overcome deficiencies on defense), but in the playoffs everybody knows that defense wins championships (though your offense can't be horrible).

If this core stays together (and remains healthy) it's actually a sky is the limit type situation with their balance on offense/defense and the depth/talent they have on the roster.

[TimberKat]

Come on man, they won 5/6 and THAT'S WHAT YOU FOCUS ON!?!

That was a very bad loss. I'm greedy.

Wasn't talking to you, but in a nutshell it's one of the reasons this forum is hard to read at times. The goalposts are constantly shifting and as soon as there's some success all people can do is point out the flaws.

It's like neck-bearded virgins talking on the internet about a super model's pointy elbows.

I am just a GPT chatbot that is devoid of human emotions. The fact is the GSW game is worth 2 games and we p*s it away. We expected this team to finish anywhere from 2 to 5 after the Gobert trade. For one reason or other, every time we take 2 steps forward, we follow with 2 steps backward. The Conley trade finally seem to set us on the right path.

It’s only with the basketball god’s grace that we are still in striking distance of 4th seed. It’s not about moving goal post, but do greater things when you have the chance. Miguel, you must seize the moment. We are all enjoying the games but no more puppy cheerleading feeling good about being mediocre. We do have a feel good thread too

https://www.vanityfair.com/video/watch/cocos-miguel-siezes-his-moment

[moss_is_1]

Of course Jokic is resting against the Pels tonight.

[TimberKat]

Of course Jokic is resting against the Pels tonight.

They supposed to have the most difficult schedule for the remainder of the season. The next game with Clippers should be big. The last game with Wolves maybe decide who's 6th instead of 10th. We should be ahead of Dallas and get the 10 seed minimal.

[Colbinii]

Of course Jokic is resting against the Pels tonight.

They supposed to have the most difficult schedule for the remainder of the season. The next game with Clippers should be big. The last game with Wolves maybe decide who's 6th instead of 10th. We should be ahead of Dallas and get the 10 seed minimal.

10 seed makes it extremely difficult to get into the post-season. Winning two road games in hostile environments against good teams is extremely unlikely.

[Klomp]

10 seed makes it extremely difficult to get into the post-season. Winning two road games in hostile environments against good teams is extremely unlikely.

Still more preferable than 11

[cmoss84]

Where does 42-40 get us?

[Klomp]

Where does 42-40 get us?

All depends on what other teams do.

[TimberKat]

Where does 42-40 get us?

All depends on what other teams do.

It's a crazy season. I think: 43-39 will land on 6 (or 5); 42-40 will be 7 (or 8); 41-41 9 (or 10), 40-42 still a chance at 10.

[Guest84]

I hate to say it but I think we split the last four games