Who wins a 7-game series: 2023-24 vs. 2024-25 Timberwolves?

[Klomp]

This question was brought up by Phil and Judd today on Flagrant Howls, and I thought it was an interesting thought exercise....

Who would win in a 7-game series between the two most recent iterations of the Minnesota Timberwolves?

[Klomp]

2023-24
Offensive rating: 114.6 (17th)
Defensive rating: 108.4 (1st)
Net rating: +6.3 (3rd)

2024-25
Offensive rating: 115.3 (9th)
Defensive rating: 110.7 (6th)
Net rating: +4.6 (5th)

[jscott]

Might be counterintuitive but I went with 24-25. Feel like we’re a deeper, more well-rounded team. A lot of the guys improved plus we added Jaylen Clark, Dillingham, and Shannon. Losing KAT, Kyle, and Monte does hurt but I think we’ve accounted for most of that.

[winforlose]

23-24 shuts down 24-25 and the better versions of Mike and Rudy cook their counter parts. Playoff Jaden vs current Jaden is edge to 23-24 Jaden. Ant might hit more 3s but drives less and gets to the line less. I take Naz and NAW last year over this year, and Karl is miles ahead of Randle. DDV won’t get enough minutes to bridge it.

[Klomp]

Karl is miles ahead of Randle.

I disagree that either is "miles ahead" of the other. That's why I've consistently held the stance that coming out of the trade with DiVincenzo and additional cap flexibility was a major benefit.

2023-24 Towns: 21.8 ppg (.504/.416/.873), 8.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.9 TOpg, 3.3 PFpg in 32.7 mpg
2024-25 Randle: 18.8 ppg (.481/.334/.812), 7.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.8 TOpg, 2.5 PFpg in 32.2 mpg

[winforlose]

Karl is miles ahead of Randle.

I disagree that either is "miles ahead" of the other. That's why I've consistently held the stance that coming out of the trade with DiVincenzo and additional cap flexibility was a major benefit.

2023-24 Towns: 21.8 ppg (.504/.416/.873), 8.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.9 TOpg, 3.3 PFpg in 32.7 mpg
2024-25 Randle: 18.8 ppg (.481/.334/.812), 7.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.8 TOpg, 2.5 PFpg in 32.2 mpg

The way that KAT plays with Ant vs Randle with Ant, and the way the defense functions better with KAT than Randle is hard to quantify. Also the lineups without Rudy or Naz where KAT would play 5 were also more viable. KAT and Naz also played quite well together in 23/24 and Rudy and Naz together was team leading with just about anyone else on the floor. DDV and this years Mike are not as good as last years Mike. I don’t see Clark as the godsend that a lot of you see him as either. He is good, but he is also capable of bad stretches and bad games. He is 9th man for a reason.

[younggunsmn]

All players fully healthy?

23=34 and it's NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Mike and Rudy younger.

KAT much much better and efficient on both ends than Randle and a much better defensive rebounder.

Randle and his awful defense can be hunted mercilessly in any number of ways.

Interior defense when Rudy sits is very good in 23/24 (KAT/Naz/Slo-Mo) and atrocious in 24/25 (Randle/Naz).

Zero PG depth (vets Mclaughlin/Morris vs an unplayable Dillingham) or center depth this year.

About the only advantages to this year's team are:
1. NAW is better and Jaden is slightly better
2. Donte can shoot better than Slo-Mo (while both have fairly equal value as roleplayers, Slo-Mo bringing more versatility defensively).

Jaden's offensive usage also falls off a cliff when Randle is healthy, and that's been a really disturbing trend since Randle and Rudy returned.

[cmoss84]

KAT was basically 19/10/2 in playoffs with 35% on 3s. Randle not up to his talent, but hard to argue Randle + DD is worse.

[Loaf_of_bread]

The problem is this team, this year, is emotionally fragile. It's not a lack of talent. It's a combination of a bunch of crap... all leading to Finch's ability to lead..

[Domejandro]

Assuming that the health of 2023-24 is the same as it actually was (kind of banged up), this year likely wins.

[younggunsmn]

I don't know how you can put this years team near last years team.
Last year's team had the #1 defense by a mile over their closest competition.
This year's is tissue paper.

We are struggling incredibly just to beat teams that are trying really hard to lose right now.

[guest81]

its a tough one because last years team was kinda so so to end the season but turned it up big time in the playoffs. This years team is doing the opposite by turning it up at the end of the year. It has yet to be seen if this year's team has the same gear.

I would probably learn last years team in 7. Donte is a huge X factor. I think he's a much better player then Anderson was. Ultimately I think the chemistry and defense of last years team wins out barely. Would like to see how Jaden defends Ant though

[Klomp]

We are struggling incredibly just to beat teams that are trying really hard to lose right now.

Last year, it was a one-point game with 8:30 left against the 15-65 Wizards. They lost to the sub-.500 Bulls and nearly lost to the sub-.500 Hawks. They had to fight all the way through to get two wins against the Jazz.

It's really not as different as you think....

[Guest84]

Tough to say but I think the decision-making this year is worse than last year. Especially Ant in crunch time...

[Klomp]

I don't know how you can put this years team near last years team.
Last year's team had the #1 defense by a mile over their closest competition.
This year's is tissue paper.

I look more at the other end of the court. Yes, the defense has regressed slightly, but last year's offense would still have an extremely difficult time scoring on this year's. The only possible advantage is Towns scoring on Randle.....but then they probably put Gobert on him anyways and have Randle guard Gobert.

I would love to see last year's Ant guarded by Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. That would be 48 minutes of pure bliss.

[shrink]

I would love to see last year's Ant guarded by Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. That would be 48 minutes of pure bliss.

What a concept!

[TimberKat]

I would love to see last year's Ant guarded by Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. That would be 48 minutes of pure bliss.

What a concept!

Yes, but who is going to guard KAT? He would destroy Randle and NAZ

[shrink]

I would love to see last year's Ant guarded by Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. That would be 48 minutes of pure bliss.

What a concept!

Yes, but who is going to guard KAT? He would destroy Randle and NAZ

Good point. Is Ant up for the defensive challenge of facing Ant, some of the time?

It would be fun to see them both turn to the ref on a close foul call!

[TimberKat]

What a concept!

Yes, but who is going to guard KAT? He would destroy Randle and NAZ

Good point. Is Ant up for the defensive challenge of facing Ant, some of the time?

It would be fun to see them both turn to the ref on a close foul call!

Both Ant would score 50+

[Klomp]

Yes, but who is going to guard KAT? He would destroy Randle and NAZ

Are you familiar with Rudy Gobert?