Game 6 Celtics and Timberwolves 11/6 7PM

[MN7725]

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

I wonder what % of big games (playoffs, top teams in regular season) has KAT come through in
I would guess its about 20% in his career

Yeah, maybe.

He was horrible in the Memphis series in 2022. He was bad in the playoffs in 2018.

He was good against Denver in game 82 in 2018.
He was horrible against the Clippers in the Play-In in 2022 (3-11, fouled out).

But yeah, the theory is Towns is something I have grasped for a while. However, the issue now is he isn't the same unicorn at PF as he was Center. At Center, Towns drew the Porzingis/Jokic/Gobert/Embiid, ect out of the paint. As a PF, the team just puts their shot blocker on Gobert, puts a strong wing on Towns and makes Towns try to beat the smaller man [He never does].

thats true to a point, but teams would put their PF on KAT a decent amount even back when he played with Taj

I think the main difference is that so many "PF" today are what were SF back even 5 years ago

Aaron Gordon used to play with Vuc and J Isaac for example

[Nick K]

Signature win. Beat DEN, MIA, and BOS to start the season. Maybe national media was right, Towns/Gobert doesn't work but because Towns sucks. He needs to stay cool and figure it out. We need him for the remainder of the season.

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

Great post. Couldn't agree more.

Towns just had a bad night. He'll have great nights too.

[Calinks]

Read on Twitter

[shrink]

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

I wonder what % of big games (playoffs, top teams in regular season) has KAT come through in
I would guess its about 20% in his career

Yeah, maybe.

He was horrible in the Memphis series in 2022. He was bad in the playoffs in 2018.

He was good against Denver in game 82 in 2018.
He was horrible against the Clippers in the Play-In in 2022 (3-11, fouled out).

But yeah, the theory is Towns is something I have grasped for a while. However, the issue now is he isn't the same unicorn at PF as he was Center. At Center, Towns drew the Porzingis/Jokic/Gobert/Embiid, ect out of the paint. As a PF, the team just puts their shot blocker on Gobert, puts a strong wing on Towns and makes Towns try to beat the smaller man [He never does].

He was tremendous in the Lakers-Wolves Play In game in 2023, where Gobert, Jaden and Naz were out and Ant was like 4-20. He just tired in the fourth quarter. Ant’s problems made me think of KAT’s Play In the previous year. And Towns was good in the 2023 DEN series.

What do you think this year against DEN and MIA? I’d hoped that last year’s playoffs meant he was improving, but this last game makes me wonder.

Also I wanted to point out Towns played for so many tanking Wolves teams, with bad young players, that KAT has less experience with big games than most players his age. I am glad we are giving Ant important, winning, opportunities, so early in his career.

[Dalvin]

Signature win. Beat DEN, MIA, and BOS to start the season. Maybe national media was right, Towns/Gobert doesn't work but because Towns sucks. He needs to stay cool and figure it out. We need him for the remainder of the season.

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

I'm taking the position of even if KAT had a subpar game, we still won because we have other players that are good to pick up the slack. WE'RE DEEP

[shrink]

One last thought - this is just going to magnify casual fans narrative that “KAT sucks” because they see so few Wolves games.

[Murphs56]

Those of you who want the National media to talk about us more, well, I think this game will force their hand. Unfortunately a big part of that story is going to be talking about how awful Towns was. Still, they can't deny Ant.

It will have to be a grass roots deal with very little national games. Ant is going to have to be undeniable. So far so good.

[Neeva]

We have a fun young core, ant, jaden. naz, we need to keep them as wolves for life.

[Calinks]

Something I noticed. When Rudy was on the bench late in the game and we got a couple of huge stops, he looked absolutely giddy. I think he was realizing just how great this team is on defense and this is the kind of team he has been wanting to play for all his career. Though Utah was always really good on defense, it was mostly on him. Here he is just a major piece among many other great defensive pieces. He has other defenders he can count on and that means he can do more in many ways. It's got to be incredibly exciting.

[Calinks]

One last thought - this is just going to magnify casual fans narrative that “KAT sucks” because they see so few Wolves games.

Is what it is man. Towns is the only one who can change that. He has an opportunity with this team. It will ask him to once again change his game and find a new role but if he can somehow manage to do that and keep a cool head, his stock will go up too. It's similar to Wiggins, this version of the Timberwolves needs him to be something he hasn't been yet because we asked him to do so much. If he can find a way to alter his game so it fits, he will be looked at in a new light. Its a big challenge for him.

[shrink]

Something I noticed. When Rudy was on the bench late in the game and we got a couple of huge stops, he looked absolutely giddy. I think he was realizing just how great this team is on defense and this is the kind of team he has been wanting to play for all his career. Though Utah was always really good on defense, it was mostly on him. Here he is just a major piece among many other great defensive pieces. He has other defenders he can count on and that means he can do more in many ways. It's got to be incredibly exciting.

You’re killing it in this thread!

This is another great point, and I’ve noticed how much happier and more excited Gobert is in every interview too.

[karch34]

Think this might have been THE Ant game. McDaniels showed a lot too. Lots of nits to pick but WooHoo!!!!!!

[KGdaBom]

Amazing win! Only downside is a lot of the talk will be about how bad KAT was. Don't let that take the lead, this game was about the Timberwolves breaking through to become a good team. This is a SIGNATURE win. This is what you need to do to get to where we want to be. Took out undefeated Denver, took out undefeated Boston. Incredible.

ARRRRRRROOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absofreakinglutely.

[SuperCoolBeas8]

Signature win. Beat DEN, MIA, and BOS to start the season. Maybe national media was right, Towns/Gobert doesn't work but because Towns sucks. He needs to stay cool and figure it out. We need him for the remainder of the season.

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

I'm taking the position of even if KAT had a subpar game, we still won because we have other players that are good to pick up the slack. WE'RE DEEP

Some logic on a message board? You love to see it.

Then again, what can we trade KAT for? Hahaha…he just needs to hit 3’s and not commit offensive fouls. Finch! Teach him!

Best non-playoff Wolves game since the KG era. #WolvesBack

[Nick K]

I wonder what % of big games (playoffs, top teams in regular season) has KAT come through in
I would guess its about 20% in his career

Yeah, maybe.

He was horrible in the Memphis series in 2022. He was bad in the playoffs in 2018.

He was good against Denver in game 82 in 2018.
He was horrible against the Clippers in the Play-In in 2022 (3-11, fouled out).

But yeah, the theory is Towns is something I have grasped for a while. However, the issue now is he isn't the same unicorn at PF as he was Center. At Center, Towns drew the Porzingis/Jokic/Gobert/Embiid, ect out of the paint. As a PF, the team just puts their shot blocker on Gobert, puts a strong wing on Towns and makes Towns try to beat the smaller man [He never does].

He was tremendous in the Lakers-Wolves Play In game in 2023, where Gobert, Jaden and Naz were out and Ant was like 4-20. He just tired in the fourth quarter. Ant’s problems made me think of KAT’s Play In the previous year. And Towns was good in the 2023 DEN series.

What do you think this year against DEN and MIA? I’d hoped that last year’s playoffs meant he was improving, but this last game makes me wonder.

Also I wanted to point out Towns played for so many tanking Wolves teams, with bad young players, that KAT has less experience with big games than most players his age. I am glad we are giving Ant important, winning, opportunities, so early in his career.

To follow up shrink, you are right to defend him. Let's remember Kat is being asked to do different things at a different position. He's struggling to get it there.

Give him time and cut him some slack. You guys are brutal.

What are you going to say next game when Kat kills it? You'd sound pretty pathetic ten.

I'm not saying your points aren't valid either. Just put them in perspective.

Kat is an upper echelon player no doubt.

[KGdaBom]

Signature win. Beat DEN, MIA, and BOS to start the season. Maybe national media was right, Towns/Gobert doesn't work but because Towns sucks. He needs to stay cool and figure it out. We need him for the remainder of the season.

I don't want to turn this amazing victory into a Towns discussion, this game was bigger than that, but I really don't think it doesn't work, I think we have shown it can. Towns' defense has been good and we just beat the best team in the NBA with what might be the worst game of Towns' career. Towns will absolutely play better than this for 90 percent of the rest of the games, this was a disaster game for him and we still won. He played horrendously on offense and was a net negative, yet he still showed up on defense. That is a major positive.

Look at this game and imagine how it would have went if Towns was average? Conversely, this should also show you that what we are building is sustainable without Towns if it does come to that. Either way, this was one of the best wins we have ever earned.

Great post. Couldn't agree more.

Towns just had a bad night. He'll have great nights too.

Absofreakinglutely.

[guest81]

Yeah, maybe.

He was horrible in the Memphis series in 2022. He was bad in the playoffs in 2018.

He was good against Denver in game 82 in 2018.
He was horrible against the Clippers in the Play-In in 2022 (3-11, fouled out).

But yeah, the theory is Towns is something I have grasped for a while. However, the issue now is he isn't the same unicorn at PF as he was Center. At Center, Towns drew the Porzingis/Jokic/Gobert/Embiid, ect out of the paint. As a PF, the team just puts their shot blocker on Gobert, puts a strong wing on Towns and makes Towns try to beat the smaller man [He never does].

He was tremendous in the Lakers-Wolves Play In game in 2023, where Gobert, Jaden and Naz were out and Ant was like 4-20. He just tired in the fourth quarter. Ant’s problems made me think of KAT’s Play In the previous year. And Towns was good in the 2023 DEN series.

What do you think this year against DEN and MIA? I’d hoped that last year’s playoffs meant he was improving, but this last game makes me wonder.

Also I wanted to point out Towns played for so many tanking Wolves teams, with bad young players, that KAT has less experience with big games than most players his age. I am glad we are giving Ant important, winning, opportunities, so early in his career.

To follow up shrink, you are right to defend him. Let's remember Kat is being asked to do different things at a different position. He's struggling to get it there.

Give him time and cut him some slack. You guys are brutal.

What are you going to say next game when Kat kills it? You'd sound pretty pathetic ten.

I'm not saying your points aren't valid either. Just put them in perspective.

Kat is an upper echelon player no doubt.

Naz is being asked to do the same thing and is killing it

[Nick K]

This one got to be a top 5 best Wolves win. Maybe the second best regular season win besides beating MJ in Target center?

It ranks up there for sure.

To be a good team the Wolves have to win these games especially at home.

It's especially good to win without great performances from one of your best players.

[m2002brian]

He was tremendous in the Lakers-Wolves Play In game in 2023, where Gobert, Jaden and Naz were out and Ant was like 4-20. He just tired in the fourth quarter. Ant’s problems made me think of KAT’s Play In the previous year. And Towns was good in the 2023 DEN series.

What do you think this year against DEN and MIA? I’d hoped that last year’s playoffs meant he was improving, but this last game makes me wonder.

Also I wanted to point out Towns played for so many tanking Wolves teams, with bad young players, that KAT has less experience with big games than most players his age. I am glad we are giving Ant important, winning, opportunities, so early in his career.

To follow up shrink, you are right to defend him. Let's remember Kat is being asked to do different things at a different position. He's struggling to get it there.

Give him time and cut him some slack. You guys are brutal.

What are you going to say next game when Kat kills it? You'd sound pretty pathetic ten.

I'm not saying your points aren't valid either. Just put them in perspective.

Kat is an upper echelon player no doubt.

Naz is being asked to do the same thing and is killing it

It’s more of the same excuses from all those years of losing. “Be patient” “they’re adjusting” “give it time”

No matter your position; hooking is an offensive foul, pushing off is an offensive foul, not starting vertical and slapping opponents wrist is a foul. Throwing outlet passes to nobody is a turnover.


What does any of this have to do with “position change”?

[guest81]

To follow up shrink, you are right to defend him. Let's remember Kat is being asked to do different things at a different position. He's struggling to get it there.

Give him time and cut him some slack. You guys are brutal.

What are you going to say next game when Kat kills it? You'd sound pretty pathetic ten.

I'm not saying your points aren't valid either. Just put them in perspective.

Kat is an upper echelon player no doubt.

Naz is being asked to do the same thing and is killing it

It’s more of the same excuses from all those years of losing. “Be patient” “they’re adjusting” “give it time”

No matter your position; hooking is an offensive foul, pushing off is an offensive foul, not starting vertical and slapping opponents wrist is a foul. Throwing outlet passes to nobody is a turnover.


What does any of this have to do with “position change”?

If Kat is just average in these games, wolves are a legit championship contender. I just can't see Kat lasting 4 rounds in big playoff games