The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Convention Finals for the second consecutive season, clinching their spot with a decisive 4-1 sequence victory over the Golden State Warriors within the Semi-Finals.
This achievement marks important progress for the franchise, which had beforehand reached the Convention Finals solely as soon as in 2004 in the course of the Kevin Garnett period earlier than breaking by final season.
Regardless of their spectacular run, NBA journalist Chris Mannix has raised questions concerning the degree of competitors the Timberwolves have confronted to this point within the playoffs, suggesting their path might need been comparatively unchallenging.
“I believe the jury’s nonetheless out if they’re higher, as a result of they’ve caught some breaks. They beat the Lakers, which, as excited as we have been about them going into the playoffs, it’s clear they’re a deeply flawed workforce,” Mannix stated.
Mannix identified particular weaknesses in Minnesota’s playoff opponents that probably made their journey simpler.
The Lakers, whom they defeated within the first spherical, struggled with roster depth points and performed with no true heart. In the meantime, the Warriors performed 4 video games with out famous person Stephen Curry and misplaced all of them.
“Then they get Golden State, which loses Steph Curry early within the sequence, not their fault, you play the groups which can be in entrance of you,” Mannix added.
Based on Mannix, final 12 months’s playoff journey really offered stiffer competitors for the Timberwolves, who needed to overcome the star-studded Phoenix Suns and the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
“However the workforce from final 12 months broomed Phoenix within the first spherical after which received a canine battle with the defending champs [Nuggets] seven sport sequence. That workforce was battle examined,” he defined.
This angle raises attention-grabbing questions on Minnesota’s true standing among the many elite groups within the Western Convention.
Whereas their consecutive Convention Finals appearances display consistency, the standard of opposition confronted turns into a think about evaluating their championship readiness.
Mannix believes the upcoming Convention Finals, the place the Timberwolves will face both the Nuggets once more or the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, would be the true measuring stick for this workforce’s potential.
“That workforce was nearly as good, if this is sensible, as a convention finalist needs to be. I don’t know if this workforce is there but. That is the sequence the place we discover out if they’re higher,” Mannix acknowledged.
The Timberwolves have proven important promise this season, constructing a cohesive roster round Anthony Edwards that excels with bodily, direct, and energetic play. Their complementary items have meshed properly to create a formidable unit.
Having by no means reached the NBA Finals in franchise historical past, Minnesota now stands at a crucial juncture. This season presents their greatest alternative but to show they’re able to take that subsequent important step towards championship competition.
