2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs #7 Golden State Warriors (MIN leads 2-1)

[EmpireFalls]

I think Silver will try to make it so Steph has at least a chance to come back. I’d expect one or both of these games to be officiated heavily in favour of the Dubs, with an eye on getting Curry back for Game 6.

[DonaldSanders]

Is there a fan base that doesn't complain refs are helping the other team? Ant and Wolves fan always complaining about not getting big market calls. Why would NBA fix it for Twolves? Isn't Curry/Butler's last playoff run more intriguing and sell more tickets? Warriors do commit a lot of cheap fouls and jersey grabbing

Every fanbase complains about calls. That game was a weird game with Foster blowing the whistle like 3 seconds late -- unusually late. I think the implication here isn't an NBA fix but a Scott Foster fix. With his connection to Donaghy I can never rule stuff like this out unfortunately, but I'm also not saying it was fixed at all. I didn't see either team being favored, but the calls were randomly ticky tack and then they'd let intense contact go. They didn't lose control of the game, but it was just kind of funky.

[xdrta+]

I think Silver will try to make it so Steph has at least a chance to come back. I’d expect one or both of these games to be officiated heavily in favour of the Dubs, with an eye on getting Curry back for Game 6.

Neverending conspiracies.

[f4p]

Edwards will be entering the START of his prime in 3 years.

Can we slow down on judging him as a finished product?

Well, his prime has started now. 22 or 23 is pretty typical. Maybe his absolute peak will start at 26 or 27 and last for a few years, but this should be his prime right now.

I’ve been reading this board for a long time and this is the first time i’ve seen someone say a player’s prime is 22-23.

Maybe we're just using different words and you are saying prime where I would say peak (which usually is a 3 or 4 year stretch around age 27). Prime to me is the 10 to 12 year run of consistent great play that most players have. It usually starts around 22 or 23 (as my other post showed) and goes to the early 30's. Obviously slightly different for every player.

[EmpireFalls]

I think Silver will try to make it so Steph has at least a chance to come back. I’d expect one or both of these games to be officiated heavily in favour of the Dubs, with an eye on getting Curry back for Game 6.

Neverending conspiracies.

Is it your first time following the NBA playoffs?

[xdrta+]

I think Silver will try to make it so Steph has at least a chance to come back. I’d expect one or both of these games to be officiated heavily in favour of the Dubs, with an eye on getting Curry back for Game 6.

Neverending conspiracies.

Is it your first time following the NBA playoffs?

Nah, I've heard conspiracy theories for years. Usually about how the Warriors cheat and the refs bend over backwards for them. Still amusing.

[EmpireFalls]

Neverending conspiracies.

Is it your first time following the NBA playoffs?

Nah, I've heard conspiracy theories for years. Usually about how the Warriors cheat and the refs bend over backwards for them. Still amusing.

Oh I see, you think this is specific to the Warriors.

No it’s about extending series and getting eyeballs on games, especially the big stars. The same would be true for LeBron especially with the Lakers, it’s happened for Boston and New York, etc etc.

Extending series is the NBA’s MO

[Sandy333]

Is Randle in the top 5 strongest players currently? Him and Adams have to be up there for sure. Green is strong too, Randle handling him inside is no joke.

That's why 4th foul on green when Randle went shoulder first into greens chest was so disturbing. It was not overturned on review also. It's a proper fix job by ref. Ant was getting free throws even when he was not inthe act of shooting.
Every time warriors expended energy and went on a run, Minnesota would get cheap fouls without expending any energy.

Is there a fan base that doesn't complain refs are helping the other team? Ant and Wolves fan always complaining about not getting big market calls. Why would NBA fix it for Twolves? Isn't Curry/Butler's last playoff run more intriguing and sell more tickets? Warriors do commit a lot of cheap fouls and jersey grabbing

League is desperately to unearth the next Jordan (Antman ) , but curry has never been favoured as his win will escllipse Nike agent Lebron.
Generalization is not the answer. Had this specific foul been called, Randle would have been tentative going forward. Instead he was given the message that refs are with him and he can bull rush the rim knocking out people.

[xdrta+]

Is it your first time following the NBA playoffs?

Nah, I've heard conspiracy theories for years. Usually about how the Warriors cheat and the refs bend over backwards for them. Still amusing.

Oh I see, you think this is specific to the Warriors.

No it’s about extending series and getting eyeballs on games, especially the big stars. The same would be true for LeBron especially with the Lakers, it’s happened for Boston and New York, etc etc.

Extending series is the NBA’s MO

According to conspiracy theorists. Like yourself.

[TimberKat]

Is it your first time following the NBA playoffs?

Nah, I've heard conspiracy theories for years. Usually about how the Warriors cheat and the refs bend over backwards for them. Still amusing.

Oh I see, you think this is specific to the Warriors.

No it’s about extending series and getting eyeballs on games, especially the big stars. The same would be true for LeBron especially with the Lakers, it’s happened for Boston and New York, etc etc.

Extending series is the NBA’s MO

Funny how it's didn't happen for Lakers vs Wolves with LeBron and Luka. Wondering what is going on with NBA front office. It must be another conspiracy when there is no conspiracy.

[TimberKat]

That's why 4th foul on green when Randle went shoulder first into greens chest was so disturbing. It was not overturned on review also. It's a proper fix job by ref. Ant was getting free throws even when he was not inthe act of shooting.
Every time warriors expended energy and went on a run, Minnesota would get cheap fouls without expending any energy.

Is there a fan base that doesn't complain refs are helping the other team? Ant and Wolves fan always complaining about not getting big market calls. Why would NBA fix it for Twolves? Isn't Curry/Butler's last playoff run more intriguing and sell more tickets? Warriors do commit a lot of cheap fouls and jersey grabbing

League is desperately to unearth the next Jordan (Antman ) , but curry has never been favoured as his win will escllipse Nike agent Lebron.
Generalization is not the answer. Had this specific foul been called, Randle would have been tentative going forward. Instead he was given the message that refs are with him and he can bull rush the rim knocking out people.

That is creative but sorry not true. Randle knocks out people since first day in NBA. The next Jordan is Luka and he is gone fishing already. Why don't you just go with the simpler conspiracy that Curry is faking the hamstring injury instead ?

[Howard Cosell]

Well, his prime has started now. 22 or 23 is pretty typical. Maybe his absolute peak will start at 26 or 27 and last for a few years, but this should be his prime right now.

How long have you been watching NBA? Name me how many 23 year olds or younger who leads their team to NBA championships. There is not many Magic Johnson’s around on this planet.

23 years old is not part of NBA players prime years. Athletic?….yes. But definitely not prime years in a career for All-NBA players. Not even close.

Uhh, Duncan was 23 when he won his championship. Hakeem was 23 when he got the rockets to the finals. Bird was a 23 year old rookie who almost won MVP. Jordan was 23 when he scored 63 in the Garden. Shaq was 23 when he made the finals and had been dominant the year before. LeBron was 22 when he made the finals and was great before. Wilt was a 23 year old rookie MVP. Russ a 23 year old rookie champ. Kareem a dominant 23 year old rookie. And these are ages in the playoffs, so some of these are actually age 22 seasons on BBRef.

And none of the names you listed were in their prime at 22-23.

Incredibly odd take.

[Wolfgang630]

Murray show up come on!

[firedavidkahn]

Well, his prime has started now. 22 or 23 is pretty typical. Maybe his absolute peak will start at 26 or 27 and last for a few years, but this should be his prime right now.

How long have you been watching NBA? Name me how many 23 year olds or younger who leads their team to NBA championships. There is not many Magic Johnson’s around on this planet.

23 years old is not part of NBA players prime years. Athletic?….yes. But definitely not prime years in a career for All-NBA players. Not even close.

Uhh, Duncan was 23 when he won his championship. Hakeem was 23 when he got the rockets to the finals. Bird was a 23 year old rookie who almost won MVP. Jordan was 23 when he scored 63 in the Garden. Shaq was 23 when he made the finals and had been dominant the year before. LeBron was 22 when he made the finals and was great before. Wilt was a 23 year old rookie MVP. Russ a 23 year old rookie champ. Kareem a dominant 23 year old rookie. And these are ages in the playoffs, so some of these are actually age 22 seasons on BBRef.

So we are comparing Ant to all-time great standards now?



Just to put into context what Ant has done. This franchise has never advanced in the play offs in back to back years and now we are on the verge of back to back WCF's and Ant is only 23 years old!

Ant may be immature off the court but he is already one of the best leaders in the NBA ON the court. Always pumping up his teammates and encouraging them no matter what. Dude never blames his teammates which is pretty typical for most stars. His leadership trait is very undervalued because it never gets talked about. To be quite honest, Ant is the very last person I would have guessed possessed that trait given how immature he is off the court. Yet here we are.

Edit: Another great thing about Edwards? Dude never flops at all. He whines too much for my liking but he never flops

[f4p]

How long have you been watching NBA? Name me how many 23 year olds or younger who leads their team to NBA championships. There is not many Magic Johnson’s around on this planet.

23 years old is not part of NBA players prime years. Athletic?….yes. But definitely not prime years in a career for All-NBA players. Not even close.

Uhh, Duncan was 23 when he won his championship. Hakeem was 23 when he got the rockets to the finals. Bird was a 23 year old rookie who almost won MVP. Jordan was 23 when he scored 63 in the Garden. Shaq was 23 when he made the finals and had been dominant the year before. LeBron was 22 when he made the finals and was great before. Wilt was a 23 year old rookie MVP. Russ a 23 year old rookie champ. Kareem a dominant 23 year old rookie. And these are ages in the playoffs, so some of these are actually age 22 seasons on BBRef.

So we are comparing Ant to all-time great standards now?

I'm just answering the question of when primes start. Dude said no one is winning or great at 23 because not everyone is magic, then I listed 2 champions, 2 finalists and an MVP at 23 or younger and somehow those weren't "prime" seasons. Lots of stars are putting up something like 90% of their future peak stars by the time they are 23. Maybe Edwards is still far from his peak but it wouldn't be weird if this is his general level for the next 10 years with a few peak years thrown in at some point.

[CS707]

Just about every fan base thinks Scott Foster is out to get them. I think the answer is simply that he’s a dogsh*t referee. He also definitely lets his emotions affect his calls.

[Wingy]

Uhh, Duncan was 23 when he won his championship. Hakeem was 23 when he got the rockets to the finals. Bird was a 23 year old rookie who almost won MVP. Jordan was 23 when he scored 63 in the Garden. Shaq was 23 when he made the finals and had been dominant the year before. LeBron was 22 when he made the finals and was great before. Wilt was a 23 year old rookie MVP. Russ a 23 year old rookie champ. Kareem a dominant 23 year old rookie. And these are ages in the playoffs, so some of these are actually age 22 seasons on BBRef.

So we are comparing Ant to all-time great standards now?

I'm just answering the question of when primes start. Dude said no one is winning or great at 23 because not everyone is magic, then I listed 2 champions, 2 finalists and an MVP at 23 or younger and somehow those weren't "prime" seasons. Lots of stars are putting up something like 90% of their future peak stars by the time they are 23. Maybe Edwards is still far from his peak but it wouldn't be weird if this is his general level for the next 10 years with a few peak years thrown in at some point.

…and close to those peak years is your prime. You’re conflating two things that are different. 22/23 isn’t all that near a guy’s prime. Doesn’t mean some stars don’t win early before they hit it though.

[f4p]

So we are comparing Ant to all-time great standards now?

I'm just answering the question of when primes start. Dude said no one is winning or great at 23 because not everyone is magic, then I listed 2 champions, 2 finalists and an MVP at 23 or younger and somehow those weren't "prime" seasons. Lots of stars are putting up something like 90% of their future peak stars by the time they are 23. Maybe Edwards is still far from his peak but it wouldn't be weird if this is his general level for the next 10 years with a few peak years thrown in at some point.

…and close to those peak years is your prime. You’re conflating two things that are different. 22/23 isn’t all that near a guy’s prime. Doesn’t mean some stars don’t win early before they hit it though.

No, you're just using a more restrictive definition of prime than something like the Top 100 project or Backpicks Top 40 would use, which is where I'm coming from.

[life_saver]

A problem for Wolves so far this post-season has been how awful NAW & Donte have been shooting...both have been 2 worst shooters so far in playoffs. Donte is shooting like 20% from 3. Bench was supposed to be a strength for Wolves but it hasn't been the case so far...lack of production from NAW & Donte hasn't hurt Wolves yet but will be needing it if Wolves wanna make a deep run, especially Donte on whom I had higher expectations

[cgf]

Randle is too big, strong, and not to be messed with for Draymond to get into his head with the antics. Saw so many times Randle made him look like a little kid tryna bang with him.

And this isn't the draymond he once was. KAT & OG were able to push him around like a middleschooler as well...it's why I never bought them as a contender, even before Steph got hurt.