MIN will never get to NBA Finals with this Starting 5. They have peaked out.

[gengiskhan]

2024 WCF backdoor swept.
2025 WCF backdoor swept.

trading randle for KAT is just trade of "equals". nothing changed.

bench led with Naz has "peaked" out.

2025 MIN was worst than 2024 MIN. Reason they were ranked #6 with no HCA even in 1st round.

Mike C is too old. Ant is too trolly, immature, buffoon and energy-less deep in playoffs.

Randle alone is the true muscle they got and he cant "go" it alone. impossible.

2025 MIN actually should've been knocked out by HCA opponent 2025 LAL, so they ended up over accomplishing this year. by getting to WCF.

2026 MIN with 24 YO ANT edwards will be out in 1st Round or WCSF (sweep) at best. this is the end of the road for them with this "peaked" out line up.

[Xiao Yao You]

Ant and mcdaniels will only get better. Randle pulled a kat in finals and didnt show up. See ya. Finch was out coached in every round. See ya. If reid and nickeil get starter money see ya.

[gengiskhan]

Ant and mcdaniels will only get better. Randle pulled a kat in finals and didnt show up. See ya. Finch was out coached in every round. See ya. If reid and nickeil get starter money see ya.

Nope!

2025 DAL and 2025 LAL clearly REGRESSED.

only reason 2025 MIN made it to WCF despite REGRESSING with #6 spot.

ANT got worst since 2024 season. ANT KAT duo is same as ANT Randle duo.

2026 MIN could be 1st round and out. look out!.

Had 2025 DAL stayed healthy and gotten even #8 spot, MIN could've been knocked out in WCSF vs DAL.

ANT-Randle duo will not be able to handle healthy AD and healthy Kyrie duo. impossible.

2025 MIN got very very lucky and all that caught up to them in WCF.

[Meticode]

At this point they have to figure out what to do with Conley and Gobert in my opinion. They're overpaying Gobert at $36 million. He's not the DPOY threat he's been the last several years. He's still great defensively, but he's useless on offense.

I'm not sure what to do about Randle. I thought trading Towns for Randle was stupid.

[SouBeachTalents]

That Gobert contract is gonna be an albatross around their neck. Nearly $40 million and he puts up Joel Anthony production.

Once they upgrade the center position, I think they'll be capable of taking the next steps.

[Xiao Yao You]

Nope!

2025 DAL and 2025 LAL clearly REGRESSED.

only reason 2025 MIN made it to WCF despite REGRESSING with #6 spot.

ANT got worst since 2024 season. ANT KAT duo is same as ANT Randle duo.

2026 MIN could be 1st round and out. look out!.

Had 2025 DAL stayed healthy and gotten even #8 spot, MIN could've been knocked out in WCSF vs DAL.

ANT-Randle duo will not be able to handle healthy AD and healthy Kyrie duo. impossible.

2025 MIN got very very lucky and all that caught up to them in WCF.

They regressed in regular season because they made a major trade just before the season. 1 of 3 teams in top 10 in ortg and drtg. Great finish.

Healthy davis and kyrie. Good luck!

Lakers were certainly better this year than in a while.

[Meticode]

That Gobert contract is gonna be an albatross around their neck. Nearly $40 million and he puts up Joel Anthony production.

Once they upgrade the center position, I think they'll be capable of taking the next steps.

Yea with his playoff performance and specifically his performance in against the Thunder, I don't see how they can legit move him when he's got potentially 3 years and over $100 left on his contract.

[Xiao Yao You]

At this point they have to figure out what to do with Conley and Gobert in my opinion. They're overpaying Gobert at $36 million. He's not the DPOY threat he's been the last several years. He's still great defensively, but he's useless on offense.

I'm not sure what to do about Randle. I thought trading Towns for Randle was stupid.

Useless on offense but led them in ortg, ftr, off reb etc. also best defender. 35 mill for one of two centers who have started in conference finals the past two years is fine. Randle making 30 and doing nothing is a problem. Finch getting out coached is a problem. Got donte in towns deal as well. He started at pg at one point which you say is a problem

[Xiao Yao You]

That Gobert contract is gonna be an albatross around their neck. Nearly $40 million and he puts up Joel Anthony production.

Once they upgrade the center position, I think they'll be capable of taking the next steps.

Who they getting while remaining a top 10 offense and d with little flexibility mr. Gm?

[Meticode]

Useless on offense but led them in ortg, ftr, off reb etc. also best defender. 35 mill for one of two centers who have started in conference finals the past two years is fine. Randle making 30 and doing nothing is a problem. Finch getting out coached is a problem

All those things don't mean anything in the end. The Timberwolves only have one true big man which is him. They lost anyway. He should lead them in those things, but he regressed in so many other places. Congrats to him though. My opinion the Wolves have these problems in order...

1.) Gobert
2.) Finch
3.) Conley
4.) Randle

[SouBeachTalents]

All those things don't mean anything in the end. The Timberwolves only have one true big man which is him. They lost anyway. He should lead them in those things, but he regressed in so many other places. Congrats to him though. My opinion the Wolves have these problems in order...

1.) Gobert
2.) Finch
3.) Conley
4.) Randle
This is by far the biggest one imo

[Meticode]

This is by far the biggest one imo

That's why he's number one to me. He's their biggest net negative. His contract horrible for his output. Is he a great defender? Absolutely. Is he a great rebounder? Yes. But he's too inconsistent now and he's not the shot blocker he used to be. When the Timberwolves are on offense if he's not setting screens it legit looks like it's 4 on 5 out there a lot of times because he can't create any offense unless he's setting a screen or it's a lob to the basket.

He got exposed in the Thunder series.

I don't know how they move him though. I can't see a team looking at him and going, "You know what, I think we want a 33 year old 7 footer on the decline of his career getting $36 million the next three years."

[Xiao Yao You]

All those things don't mean anything in the end. The Timberwolves only have one true big man which is him. They lost anyway. He should lead them in those things, but he regressed in so many other places. Congrats to him though. My opinion the Wolves have these problems in order...

1.) Gobert
2.) Finch
3.) Conley
4.) Randle

Gobert should lead them in ortg and ftr while never getting the ball passed to him? Gobert and conley were doing what they are paid to do. Randle didnt. Player option. Needs to go either way

[Meticode]

Gobert should lead them in ortg and ftr while never getting the ball passed to him? Gobert and conley were doing what they are paid to do. Randle didnt. Player option. Needs to go either way

I disagree. Gobert was the biggest thing that got exposed in the playoffs. Especially the Thunder series. The reason Randle isn't higher on the list is exactly what you said. Player option. He's way easier to move than Gobert with one year left on his contract that's a player option.

[Xiao Yao You]

This is by far the biggest one imo

Shocking!:facepalm

What is the answer?

[Xiao Yao You]

That's why he's number one to me. He's their biggest net negative. His contract horrible for his output. Is he a great defender? Absolutely. Is he a great rebounder? Yes. But he's too inconsistent now and he's not the shot blocker he used to be. When the Timberwolves are on offense if he's not setting screens it legit looks like it's 4 on 5 out there a lot of times because he can't create any offense unless he's setting a screen or it's a lob to the basket.

He got exposed in the Thunder series.

I don't know how they move him though. I can't see a team looking at him and going, "You know what, I think we want a 33 year old 7 footer on the decline of his career getting $36 million the next three years."

Blocked shots is one of the worst stats out there. Gobert learned a long time ago altering shots and being able to rebound the misses is usually better. 4 on 5 except he is getting open looks for his teammates by screening. Getting them extra opportunities by crashing the offensive glass. Getting fouls on the other team because they have to deal with his presence.

[SouBeachTalents]

That's why he's number one to me. He's their biggest net negative. His contract horrible for his output. Is he a great defender? Absolutely. Is he a great rebounder? Yes. But he's too inconsistent now and he's not the shot blocker he used to be. When the Timberwolves are on offense if he's not setting screens it legit looks like it's 4 on 5 out there a lot of times because he can't create any offense unless he's setting a screen or it's a lob to the basket.

He got exposed in the Thunder series.

I don't know how they move him though. I can't see a team looking at him and going, "You know what, I think we want a 33 year old 7 footer on the decline of his career getting $36 million the next three years."
Agreed, any team would have to be absolutely fvcking insane to trade for a player of Gobert's caliber with that kind of contract. That GM would replace Nico as the most hated in the league.

Sadly, I think they're stuck with him.

[Xiao Yao You]

I disagree. Gobert was the biggest thing that got exposed in the playoffs. Especially the Thunder series. The reason Randle isn't higher on the list is exactly what you said. Player option. He's way easier to move than Gobert with one year left on his contract that's a player option.

Gobert more valuable still. At his age 3 more years isnt ideal but hes still playing at a high level and is one of the best conditioned players in the league. Again who are they getting to replace him and how while remaining one of the top teams?

[Meticode]

Agreed, any team would have to be absolutely fvcking insane to trade for a player of Gobert's caliber with that kind of contract. That GM would replace Nico as most hated in the league.

Sadly, I think they're stuck with him.

Him winning DPOY in 2024 and the Timberwolves getting to the WCF the first time is what did it. He declined his $46 million player option which was for this season and they extended him which will cost them more money over the years because of the Timberwolves success last year. Unfortunately they handcuffed themselves and it limits how much they can change the team to get over the hump of the WCF.

[Xiao Yao You]

Agreed, any team would have to be absolutely fvcking insane to trade for a player of Gobert's caliber with that kind of contract. That GM would replace Nico as the most hated in the league.

Sadly, I think they're stuck with him.

Most hated until he makes them a better team like he has for more than a decade

[SouBeachTalents]

Can't quit me

[Xiao Yao You]

Him winning DPOY in 2024 and the Timberwolves getting to the WCF the first time is what did it. He declined his $46 million player option which was for this season and they extended him which will cost them more money over the years because of the Timberwolves success last year. Unfortunately they handcuffed themselves and it limits how much they can change the team to get over the hump of the WCF.

The 46 million was for next year. They save 11 mill next year and get two more years at a discounted price. Not much more than his 2nd contract when salaries, cap, tax were much lower

[Xiao Yao You]

Can't quit me

Never tried

[Overdrive]

Useless on offense but led them in ortg, ftr, off reb etc. also best defender. 35 mill for one of two centers who have started in conference finals the past two years is fine. Randle making 30 and doing nothing is a problem. Finch getting out coached is a problem. Got donte in towns deal as well. He started at pg at one point which you say is a problem

What use is leading a team in ortg and orebs when said player can't create for others and scores 5ppg? It's nice that he gets the most minutes while others score, but that's about the gist of his impact.

[Xiao Yao You]

What use is leading a team in ortg and orebs when said player can't create for others and scores 5ppg? It's nice that he gets the most minutes while others score, but that's about the gist of his impact.

Everyone cant score. Everyone doesnt need to create. You need guys to help your team score. You need someone to get you extra possessions. You need someone to draw fouls. You need rim gravity. It is a team sport. Everyone has their roles . He plays his role as well as anyone. Did randle fill his role? No he didnt. I realize most of you dont watch the games. Not sure how you could watch and think gobert was their biggest issue

[warriorfan]

Everyone cant score. Everyone doesnt need to create. You need guys to help your team score. You need someone to get you extra possessions. You need someone to draw fouls. You need rim gravity. It is a team sport. Everyone has their roles . He plays his role as well as anyone. Did randle fill his role? No he didnt. I realize most of you dont watch the games. Not sure how you could watch and think gobert was their biggest issue

Spacing?

[Xiao Yao You]

Cant skip me

[ImKobe]

Everyone cant score. Everyone doesnt need to create. You need guys to help your team score. You need someone to get you extra possessions. You need someone to draw fouls. You need rim gravity. It is a team sport. Everyone has their roles . He plays his role as well as anyone. Did randle fill his role? No he didnt. I realize most of you dont watch the games. Not sure how you could watch and think gobert was their biggest issue

He doesn't space the floor. He was not a play finisher for their offense almost the entire Playoffs, even when open. Call it bad coaching or bad decision-making by Ant and co. but he's just not as effective as he should be. So if you're not going to feature him in your offense and you bench him in the Playoffs, one does wonder why he was the highest-paid player on the team for the last 2 years?

You're telling me ORTG and Net Rating this & that but when push comes to shove he gets benched in the Playoffs every year. I won't even buy into his Net Rating in the WCF because he barely played in two of their blowout losses and got 28 minutes in a blowout win where OKC rested their starters, and OKC is just that good where MIN were a negative with Toody on the court but benched him as the offense wasn't working & still got blown out without him because the team is just not good enough. The blowout win probably just skewed his stats heavily and in the end doesn't really matter when the games weren't even competitive outside of 1 game. Naz Reid was also pretty damn horrible in this series even though he's supposed to be the better fit for their offense so that didn't help either.

[RRR3]

He doesn't space the floor. He was not a play finisher for their offense almost the entire Playoffs, even when open. Call it bad coaching or bad decision-making by Ant and co. but he's just not as effective as he should be. So if you're not going to feature him in your offense and you bench him in the Playoffs, one does wonder why he was the highest-paid player on the team for the last 2 years?

You're telling me ORTG and Net Rating this & that but when push comes to shove he gets benched in the Playoffs every year. I won't even buy into his Net Rating in the WCF because he barely played in two of their blowout losses and got 28 minutes in a blowout win where OKC rested their starters, and OKC is just that good where MIN were a negative with Toody on the court but benched him as the offense wasn't working & still got blown out without him because the team is just not good enough. The blowout win probably just skewed his stats heavily and in the end doesn't really matter when the games weren't even competitive outside of 1 game. Naz Reid was also pretty damn horrible in this series even though he's supposed to be the better fit for their offense so that didn't help either.
ORTG has Rudy top 2 all time that's why he loves it so much. Of course Jarrett Allen is first. GOAT?

[ImKobe]

ORTG has Rudy top 2 all time that's why he loves it so much. Of course Jarrett Allen is first. GOAT?

Yeah the offensive numbers are heavily skewed with these big men. Nic Claxton had a 130 ORTG on the Nets when they were competitive with KD in '23 and had the best Net Rating on the team. He wasn't making no damn 40 million a year.

[Xiao Yao You]

Cant quit me

[Xiao Yao You]

He doesn't space the floor. He was not a play finisher for their offense almost the entire Playoffs, even when open. Call it bad coaching or bad decision-making by Ant and co. but he's just not as effective as he should be. So if you're not going to feature him in your offense and you bench him in the Playoffs, one does wonder why he was the highest-paid player on the team for the last 2 years?

You're telling me ORTG and Net Rating this & that but when push comes to shove he gets benched in the Playoffs every year. I won't even buy into his Net Rating in the WCF because he barely played in two of their blowout losses and got 28 minutes in a blowout win where OKC rested their starters, and OKC is just that good where MIN were a negative with Toody on the court but benched him as the offense wasn't working & still got blown out without him because the team is just not good enough. The blowout win probably just skewed his stats heavily and in the end doesn't really matter when the games weren't even competitive outside of 1 game. Naz Reid was also pretty damn horrible in this series even though he's supposed to be the better fit for their offense so that didn't help either.

You can space the floor without being on the perimeter. He has defenders around him at the rim which is spacing them from players on the perimeter. His team may not be effective if they arent passing it to an open player. That is on them not him. He played 27 minutes a game. That isnt exactly being benched. Hes their highest psid player because of his impact which again was apparent. Okc was the better team. If randle shows up maybe they could have made a series of it? They were 10 pts better with him on the court than off so im not sure what more is expected from him. Wolves need changes. Hes hardly the 1st guy id be looking at

[Xiao Yao You]

Yeah the offensive numbers are heavily skewed with these big men. Nic Claxton had a 130 ORTG on the Nets when they were competitive with KD in '23 and had the best Net Rating on the team. He wasn't making no damn 40 million a year.

No because as you saw this year claxton cant make a bad team good which gobert has. It isnt just ortg. Dfrtg, ftr, oreb%, dreb%, reb%, fg+, 2pt fg+, efg+, ts +, ftr + fg add, ts add, fg%, 2pt fg %. 2nd in on/off.

I bet shai numbers arent great with gobert guarding him. Only guy that had any luck against him was hartenstein with his push shot.

[ShawkFactory]

No because as you saw this year claxton cant make a bad team good which gobert has. It isnt just ortg. Dfrtg, ftr, oreb%, dreb%, reb%, fg+, 2pt fg+, efg+, ts +, ftr + fg add, ts add, fg%, 2pt fg %. 2nd in on/off.

I bet shai numbers arent great with gobert guarding him. Only guy that had any luck against him was hartenstein with his push shot.

The FTr one in particular is getting me :lol

[Xiao Yao You]

The FTr one in particular is getting me :lol

Drawing fouls has no impact on offense! :facepalm

[ShawkFactory]

Drawing fouls has no impact on offense! :facepalm

Didn’t say that…

It’s a function of shots taken as well, of which Rudy took 4 in this series. Kinda skews that stat wouldn’t you think? Kind of like how only shooting when wide open under the basket might make FG% look a little better?

And I won’t even get into how badly he shot free throws, meaning OKC was more than happy to put him on the line.

[Xiao Yao You]

Didn’t say that…

It’s a function of shots taken as well, of which Rudy took 4 in this series. Kinda skews that stat wouldn’t you think? Kind of like how only shooting when wide open under the basket might make FG% look a little better?

And I won’t even get into how badly he shot free throws, meaning OKC was more than happy to put him on the line.

67%. Hes not shaq. Foul him all you want. Get in the penalty. Get in foul trouble. Helps team. 10 points better with him on the floor than off despite supposedly playing 4 on 5 offensively because supposedly he does nothing to help the offense. Pretty amazing

[ShawkFactory]

67%. Hes not shaq. Foul him all you want. Get in the penalty. Get in foul trouble. Helps team. 10 points better with him on the floor than off despite supposedly playing 4 on 5 offensively because supposedly he does nothing to help the offense. Pretty amazing

He made exact 1 FT per game. No one was getting into foul trouble because of him.

[Xiao Yao You]

He made exact 1 FT per game. No one was getting into foul trouble because of him.
He was getting fouled to keep him off the boards as well.. 10 points better with him on the floor deapite gim supposedly having no impact. Imagine of the whole team was 10 points better when theyvwere on the floor. They would be western conference champs

[Wardell Curry]

They only got to the WCF this season because of luck with the seeding. No shit.

[Xiao Yao You]

They only got to the WCF this season because of luck with the seeding. No shit.

Supposedly lakers and gs were going to sweep them. Now they lucked out. Would have been luckier if denver had veat okc

[Meticode]

Denver would've been a harder matchup for the Timberwolves than the Thunder were.

[Xiao Yao You]

Beat denver last year and gobert has played him them about even fir his career. Denver not as good defensively.

[Meticode]

Beat denver last year and gobert has played him them about even fir his career. Denver not as good defensively.

Doesn't matter.

[Meticode]

Beat denver last year and gobert has played him them about even fir his career. Denver not as good defensively.

Doesn't matter.

[90sgoat]

They need some more brains, they already have the physique.

Incidentally, Luka instead of Ant would be perfect.

[Xiao Yao You]

They need some more brains, they already have the physique.

Incidentally, Luka instead of Ant would be perfect.

Dallas offered them luka for ant. They thought otherwise

[Meticode]

They need some more brains, they already have the physique.

Incidentally, Luka instead of Ant would be perfect.

Well that ain't happening since the Timberwolves shot that down.