Slim-Ticket

https://x.com/DaneMooreNBA/status/1729998138872582466?s=20

For the 2nd round wouldn't it be Celtics vs Bucks, Heat vs Sixers? And Wolves vs Mavs and Nuggets vs Suns?

Wolves vs Nuggets wouldn't be the 2nd round since they are on opposite sides of the bracket.

I love the Pelicans announcers so much

OKC BADLY need rebounding and size, he's the perfect fit for them.

The title undersells this. It's not just shutting down a rookie

He went from defending a corner shooter to being a rim protector to backside helper to midrange contester in the span of 10 seconds.He guarded multiple players on the perimeter AND in the paint all by himself within 1 possession.

I've watched basketball for a long time, and I can't remember the last time I've seen a guy guard multiple players all over the court all by himself.

He did 3 flexes in this clip lmao I love it

Tbh I don't care. We bought the house and it's a nice fucking house :)

I'm enjoying it!

But something that is underrated is how he's affecting the development of Ant, KAT, Jaden and our other young players. He's teaching our young players and even masterminding the defense with the coaches. He designed the Wolves defense with Finch and Turner. That's a permanent imprint that will last with this franchise long after he's gone. Ant, Jaden and KAT's development is 100% my priority because they are the best assets for this franchise (not 4 picks). What he's teaching them will stay with them the rest of their careers.

He's just restating the question OP asked in the post lol

The defense wouldn't be just as good.

Rudy DESIGNED this defense with Chris Finch and the defensive coach. His experience and knowledge is priceless. He is teaching KAT, Ant and Jaden how to be better defenders. Walker Kessler and some role players cannot do that. Ant, Jaden and KAT's development is 100% the priority.

Also you really think Walker Kessler can guard multiple players on the perimeter and the paint all by himself within 1 possession like this? No, not yet. Wolves wanted that insane defense now, they don't want to wait years for a rookie to develop.

They have draft picks every other year too and extra 2nds.

Jon K (Wolves beat reporter) said they did consider other options and stopped talking to Utah since they kept demanding McDaniels was in the trade package.

They looked at other candidates and had other trade talks but kept coming back to Gobert. Then it was a "well what are we waiting for? This is the exact guy we need". So they were like "whatever, here's 2 extra picks but we keep McDaniels." Don't know how much more patient you can be because Utah would have just kept Gobert.

Maybe I'm delusional too but I saw them being a top 6 seed because they were really good last year when not injured.

Wolves used to drop a lot of games to bottom seed teams and I remember before the Magic game, Ant instantly said "no they're a strong team, they are just injured. Their record is deceiving". That's when I was like hmmm and started watching more Magic games. I remember them having impressive wins over the Celtics and the Warriors, and thought this team had a lot of potential. They were just injured AF.

I didn't expect top 2 defense and 2nd seed though but top 6 yes. It's early in the season so we;ll see how these young teams keep progressing, but I love seeing it! And OP I totally feel you on thirst for validation after so long. Seeing your team finally get flowers hits like crack lol

Man this is tough. Shai is the better player right now in terms of efficiency, playmaking, off-ball defending.

But the GM may possibly have 3 more years of Ant because he's durable, stronger and younger (SGA's game will probably age well too). Ant's game isn't only on athleticism either, he shoots a lot of midrange now with a good balance of threes and attacking the rim. Ant's progression at the same age is ahead of schedule too (by a lot) and he improves every year.

I'm a homer but I'll take Ant for 3 reasons beyond youth/potential, 1) already proven to elevate in the playoffs, 2) more availability and 3) intangibles/leadership. Availability is the best ability, you're likely to get 15-20 more games of Ant a year (even in Shai's non-tanking year). I don't know what Shai is like as a leader but Ant can rally a locker room in tough times, empower others and bring lots of joy to people around him. When KAT had a bad game in the playoffs, Ant brought the team over to his house and boosted him up. Down 0-3 to the Nuggets and he told everyone "Game 4 is first to 4 games. I promise you it ain't over". Those intangibles are underrated.