Series Thread: Western Conference Finals: (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

[Mebert]

some definite challenges

McDaniels is still very young, him getting more consistent on offense will be big help, growth in ant, the two existing rookies, the draft and hopefully shrewd move by our GM

A lot has to go right, but I am hopeful. Both Shannon and Clark have shown the ability to duplicate a lot of NAW, but it is going to have to be Shannon who steps up over Clark to get close to the value on both sides of the court.

Dillingham won't replace what Conley brought, but he could be a better player than he was this year I think.

Minot and Miller are still 22, Miller in particular has crazy potential. Not sure if we see it in time.

16 and 31 can add talent, but not likely anyone that is rotation ready day 1.

If Ant and McDaniels both take the next steps in their progress and 2 of the young guys step up the wolves won't be as deep next year, but they can still be better. Basketball more than any other sport can be carried by a superstar.

 

[PnkPanther]

A lot has to go right, but I am hopeful. Both Shannon and Clark have shown the ability to duplicate a lot of NAW, but it is going to have to be Shannon who steps up over Clark to get close to the value on both sides of the court.

Dillingham won't replace what Conley brought, but he could be a better player than he was this year I think.

Minot and Miller are still 22, Miller in particular has crazy potential. Not sure if we see it in time.

16 and 31 can add talent, but not likely anyone that is rotation ready day 1.

If Ant and McDaniels both take the next steps in their progress and 2 of the young guys step up the wolves won't be as deep next year, but they can still be better. Basketball more than any other sport can be carried by a superstar.

kind of what I am "hoping" for but I realize its optimistic and i probably have too much faith in our GM

 

[Mebert]

kind of what I am "hoping" for but I realize its optimistic and i probably have too much faith in our GM

Dillingham is the biggest piece in all of this. He is ultra talented, and stepping in for a 37 year old Conley.

There is every reason to believe he can vault up to being the 3rd key piece of the foundation. If he does that, than Ant just needs to mature so he does not need Conley as his stabilizer.

That is a lot to put on the shoulders of a kid that cant even drink yet, I hope he does it.

 

[thunderc]

Class

https://x.com/MagicJohnson/status/1927932512984080416?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

 

[bksballer89]

THUNDER UP

 

[dtgold88]

THUNDER UP

No doubt deserve a ton of props but to be fair didn't they often trade the stars because they demanded to be traded or at least asked?

 

[shopson67]

some definite challenges

McDaniels is still very young, him getting more consistent on offense will be big help, growth in ant, the two existing rookies, the draft and hopefully shrewd move by our GM

That's the trade-off in most cases when you have a strong defender. The offense can't be as consistent due to the energy spent on the other end of the court.

 

[shopson67]

Dillingham is the biggest piece in all of this. He is ultra talented, and stepping in for a 37 year old Conley.

There is every reason to believe he can vault up to being the 3rd key piece of the foundation. If he does that, than Ant just needs to mature so he does not need Conley as his stabilizer.

That is a lot to put on the shoulders of a kid that cant even drink yet, I hope he does it.

I would be concerned about the trade off with Dillingham vs Conley. Inexperience and very little defense from Dillingham. Conley is also that vet leader for the franchise. If he moves on, I'd look for other vets to fill secondary roles and bring some balance to a young roster.

 

[PnkPanther]

I would be concerned about the trade off with Dillingham vs Conley. Inexperience and very little defense from Dillingham. Conley is also that vet leader for the franchise. If he moves on, I'd look for other vets to fill secondary roles and bring some balance to a young roster.

I mean, Conley isn't exactly a staunch defender out there

 

[thunderc]

No doubt deserve a ton of props but to be fair didn't they often trade the stars because they demanded to be traded or at least asked?

That’s called player development and part of that is picking the right people off the court. These guys are young, things could change, but the job of putting them together is nothing short of masterful.

 

[dtgold88]

That’s called player development and part of that is picking the right people off the court. These guys are young, things could change, but the job of putting them together is nothing short of masterful.

Oh no doubt had to make the right trades for those players but not like they decided "these guys have lost it so it's time to move on". Their hand was forced.

 

[thunderc]

Oh no doubt had to make the right trades for those players but not like they decided "these guys have lost it so it's time to move on". Their hand was forced.

Forced is not the right word in this situation. Now it may have gotten to that point but when Kahwi wanted playoff P Presti was the aggressor from the word jump and it shows.

 

[dtgold88]

Forced is not the right word in this situation. Now it may have gotten to that point but when Kahwi wanted playoff P Presti was the aggressor from the word jump and it shows.

Yeah as I said no doubt they made the right trades (though maybe should have taken Allen and Levert for themselves in the Harden deal if possible). But if the players don't ask out they likely stay.

Also why GMs should never listen to players unless they fully agree as that trade might be the NBA equivalent of the Watson trade.

 

[Mebert]

I would be concerned about the trade off with Dillingham vs Conley. Inexperience and very little defense from Dillingham. Conley is also that vet leader for the franchise. If he moves on, I'd look for other vets to fill secondary roles and bring some balance to a young roster.

I agree completely, what Conley brought to the team nobody on that roster can duplicate. He was a stabilizing presence. Dillingham is not ready to bring any of that, but he can be a better player on the floor than Conley was at 37. Ant needs to grow into his leadership to pick up Conley's value. Dillingham just needs to improve as a player.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[shopson67]

I agree completely, what Conley brought to the team nobody on that roster can duplicate. He was a stabilizing presence. Dillingham is not ready to bring any of that, but he can be a better player on the floor than Conley was at 37. Ant needs to grow into his leadership to pick up Conley's value. Dillingham just needs to improve as a player.

If you're relying on Ant for that, I think that's potentially a bigger concern than Dillingham. I would still look to add a vet for some leadership. Someone in the Jrue mold would be great (although not Jrue himself, as I think that is far too expensive of a move.

Ant has all the physical tools, but he's got a considerable distance to go upstairs.

 

[shopson67]

People expecting vets to flip a switch are always going to be disappointed. Rudy is what he is, a solid defender and put back offensive player. Any superstar labels are not his doing, but likely stem back to the ridiculous trade value that was realized bringing him to the Wolves.

 

[seattlefan75]

Well I knew that series was going to be a beat down. I didn't think ANT was going to be anymore of a problem compared to Jokic I think its safe to say OKC are the champs

 

[Mebert]

If you're relying on Ant for that, I think that's potentially a bigger concern than Dillingham. I would still look to add a vet for some leadership. Someone in the Jrue mold would be great (although not Jrue himself, as I think that is far too expensive of a move.

Ant has all the physical tools, but he's got a considerable distance to go upstairs.

Expecting a kid to mature is not a massive leap. Ant has shown he puts in work where he needs to be his best self. I don't think it would be a shock for him to grow into leadership as well. They of course still need some sort of veteran presence, the team is young, I don't think they need on that needs minutes though. Hell, they could make Conley an assistant coach and get all of his greatest value out of him.

 

[tlance]

Ha….now that’s rich coming from the guy with a superiority complex.
The pretentious know it all.
Your arrogance is laughable, coach.
Get over yourself…it’s just a random fringe sports chit chat forum and site mainly for entertainment.

Enjoy the rest of this post season.

Just curious though …were you ever by chance a huge Bobby Knight fan and or disciple?

I can’t stand Bobby Knight or anything that he stands for.