Western Conference Finals: Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs Dallas Mavericks (5)

[Ed Hillel]

That’s a dirty shove by Gobert

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Some plays Luka literally doesn’t try on defense. Like actively just stands there as someone scores on him.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Some plays Luka literally doesn’t try on defense. Like actively just stands there as someone scores on him.

That KAT putback, to wit.

 

[Auger34]

Edwards is great. And he's fun. And he has upside even beyond what he is today. But the narrative on him is a bit ahead of his game---for now.

If the question were "who will be the best player in basketball in three years" he might be my first pick....he can get to places Tatum can't physically, and Giannis and i suspect Jokic will have slid back a bit by then. And while Wemby would be right there, his health projection has to be worse than Edwards.

I think it’s Wemby and Edwards, can’t go wrong with either. After that, probably SGA? I wouldn’t be surprised if Cooper Flagg is up there either

 

[Auger34]

Some plays Luka literally doesn’t try on defense. Like actively just stands there as someone scores on him.

There has to be more to the injury. I can’t imagine any coach putting up with that lack of effort. There are entire possessions where he basically doesnt move

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

That’s a dirty shove by Gobert

Siakim or whoever shoved Tatum in the back last night was much worse. The danger is shoving a guy low which Gobert didn't do.

 

[TrapperAB]

There has to be more to the injury. I can’t imagine any coach putting up with that lack of effort. There are entire possessions where he basically doesnt move

It’s particularly jarring when the narrative coming into the playoffs was that Dallas’s late season run was due in part to Luka playing solid D.

He’s banged up… yet seemingly can move reasonably well on offense, but can’t muster anything on the other end.

 

[timelysarcasm]

As an aside, I really likes these Wolves jerseys. JR Rider vibes and they're just clean and classic looking.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Siakim or whoever shoved Tatum in the back last night was much worse. The danger is shoving a guy low which Gobert didn't do.

Eh, you never can tell how bad a shove in the back like that could end up. I say it was pretty dirty.

 

[Auger34]

As an aside, I really likes these Wolves jerseys. JR Rider vibes and they're just clean and classic looking.

The Wolves really have a great uni set. These, the KG era black unis, and their current uniforms are pretty clean too

 

[lovegtm]

SVG, as McDaniels forces Luka into a tough, contested 17-foot stepback: "I hate this drop coverage so much"

what a moron

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Luka actually does not move on defense. Shot goes up and he prays the rebound falls either right to his hands or someone else. Just watches.

Edit: ok I see it has been covered upthread

 

[lovegtm]

Ant has the young Tatum thing of going 1-on-2 at the rim all the time without much of a plan.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Lol such a bad call come on

 

[Auger34]

Kind of hard to imagine that Edwards didn’t get fouled on that drive

 

[TrapperAB]

I want to root for Dallas to win the series, but my heart isn’t in it — I just hate Kyrie too much. And Luka being overrated (relative to Tatum) and an incessant whiner make it all but impossible.

 

[Auger34]

I want to root for Dallas to win the series, but my heart isn’t in it — I just hate Kyrie too much. And Luka being overrated (relative to Tatum) and an incessant whiner make it all but impossible.

Don’t forget who their coach is

 

[dhellers]

omg classic gobert pass up a dunk

 

[TrapperAB]

If Gobert had a bit more coordination he could just dunk on fools.

 

[Ed Hillel]

This is an ugly game. Last night’s play was superior.

 

[TrapperAB]

Don’t forget who their coach is

RIGHT!

GAWDAMMIT

I HATE THE MAVS

 

[Auger34]

It’s legitimately hilarious when Gobert runs down the lane with his hand up….dude, ain’t nobody passing you the ball unless there’s not a defender in sight. Put your hand down

 

[dhellers]

Ant has the young Tatum thing of going 1-on-2 at the rim all the time without much of a plan.

he is showing his raw youth

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Having to waste both challenges on easy OB calls.

 

[timelysarcasm]

Ant has the young Tatum thing of going 1-on-2 at the rim all the time without much of a plan.

This is so spot on.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Does Kidd not realize that was gonna be a jump ball?

 

[Captaincoop]

Why would you use a challenge in the 3rd quarter to turn a jump ball into your possession? Save it for when it's actually worth points.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Two way Naz

 

[timelysarcasm]

That was an incredible pass by Luka, sheesh. He gets on my nerves so much less when he's not complaining incessantly. He's really good (on offense).

 

[Ed Hillel]

That might be a very bad. He didn’t twist an ankle there and he’s holding the problem area.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Several guys have flat out slipped on this floor, odd

 

[TrapperAB]

Several guys have flat out slipped on this floor, odd

Yep, skating around a bit.

That last one looked bad, but I think he’s okay

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I bet TWolves fans feel the same about Naz Reid as C's fans do Derrick White.

 

[TrapperAB]

I bet TWolves fans feel the same about Naz Reid as C's fans do Derrick White.

Agreed — thought coming into this that he might be the difference in the series

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

"Well Rudy, you have two huge veins bulging out of your temples. How does Dallas defend that?"

 

[Auger34]

I bet TWolves fans feel the same about Naz Reid as C's fans do Derrick White.

I honestly think they like him more. They love that duse

 

[TrapperAB]

Lawler’s Law incoming?

 

[dhellers]

Agreed — thought coming into this that he might be the difference in the series

And DW might also be the difference?!?

 

[JCizzle]

Should be overturned. That was a light caress.

 

[Van Everyman]

That flop was a hostile act.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Obv flop but how can you reverse it when Conley’s hand is on his back? Should be interesting here

 

[Van Everyman]

Obv flop but how can you reverse it when Conley’s hand is on his back? Should be interesting here

Agree, can they just call it marginal? They love that word.

 

[TrapperAB]

And DW might also be the difference?!?

Hope so!

 

[timelysarcasm]

Luka is cooking.

 

[Auger34]

I’ve watched this game and I don’t understand how the Mavericks are winning. I also don’t understand how Reggie Miller has a job

 

[TrapperAB]

On that end, Luka is pretty good.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

Gobert is awful

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Luka’s just amazing. Not every basket is a failure, Stan. Contested 20-foot fallaways aren’t exactly gimmes.

 

[lovegtm]

Ant really doesn't generate advantages the way you'd expect. So much of his "breakout" was just a guy hitting every single jumper.

 

[Auger34]

The best 2 way player in the game hasn’t looked too great here

 

[TrapperAB]

Lively has highly kinetic hair