The Wolves seem so much bigger, longer, more athletic and more physical than both teams and when you get into the playoffs and the intensity ratchets up to 11 that's tough to beat. Obviously combined with the good defense the were already playing and they aren't a slouch on offense. Just killed the Suns on the boards and last night they totally got into Denvers head with their defense. Alexander-Walker and McDaniels are terrors on the perimeter and KAT is even playing good defense
Well this is… a take. Why do you consider that Nuggets team that went 16-4 in the playoffs, one of the worst championship teams ever?
Is this an analytical deal? I never really understood this opinion. They have the best player currently in the game and the supporting cast is solid enough. Not too different than Jordan's Bulls with Pippen (Jamal Murray) as the trusty 2nd option to the star, surrounded by a several supporting pieces that fit well together.
That depends on how much they want to spend as a team. If I am not mistaken, Ant will make $30M more next year and Towns will make like $13M more. Not sure about other players, but they might be like $50M over the cap and maybe the highest spending team in NBA.
That seems way too harsh. I would say it's amazing where Jokic has been able to take this team without any all-star players to help him out. I mean how many teams have won an NBA championship with only one all-star player?
Partly analytics, partly based on low number of regular season wins. The league as a whole last year was down from an analytics standpoint, too. So they have the rep as a weaker champion in a weaker season. They improved this year in both terms of raw win total and some analytics, but the T-Wolves and the Thunder have completely transformed this year way outpacing Denver.
Can you post the analytics you’re referencing? Their 16-4 playoff run is the best record since the 2017 Warriors which is considered one of, if not the, best team of that decade.
Analytics, league is down, really easy path. I think they are the worst defensive team ever to win.
Pippen is a hall of famer and one of the best defenders ever. Him and Murray aren’t even on the same stratosphere
Defensive rating is completely misconstrued because the league is offensively so much more skilled now. The last 6 NBA champions all are among the worst 10 defensive ratings of NBA champions because the game has changed. I’ll need to see other analytics to prove your point.
I don’t agree at all. Good depth of players and skill. But we are in a lull right now of dominant teams. And i know I singled out the Nuggets but there have been a few recently that just aren’t good historically speaking. And defensive analytics are adjusted so it’s not about great offense. And when I say down I’m just talking about no dominant teams. PER is largely an offensive stat so that’s not surprising.
Oh wow, yes we do not agree. We are about as far away as two can get. I’ll just agree to disagree
Cleveland has good "pieces" I just don't know how they all work together.
