Deadspin calls Timberwolves a 'sham' No. 1 team
The 39-16 Wolves are a sham, according to Deadspin writer Criss Partee. Well, they're "giving off" sham vibes says the site.
It's a take that Wolves fans have heard numerous times throughout the year. Every time it's popped up the team has proven it belongs at the top of the West. As the season has progressed more and more doubters have climbed on board the Wolves bandwagon, as the team has continued to push good teams aside.
But there's always that one holdout that thinks they know better than the rest. This time it's, unsurprisingly, Deadspin that comes in with the "contrarian" opinion on the Wolves.
Let's dig into their argument here starting off with their subhead to the story.
"The Timberwolves might finish first in the West, but you really think they are getting past the likes of Dallas, LA or Denver?"
Last we checked the Wolves are 6-1 against those teams this year, including a resounding 21-point beatdown of the Clippers Monday night.
Speaking of that game, Partee uses one singular moment from a second-half in which the Clippers were getting blown out as the basis for much of his article.
"We may have seen a little bit of foreshadowing brought to us by Clippers star Paul George recently when he crossed up Anthony Edwards, ultimately sending the young man to the canvas in a hurry. Let’s just keep it real, that’s very likely to be the entire squad come playoff time when they’re bounced unceremoniously early from postseason contention."
Sure, George may have gotten the best of Ant in that one moment but it came in a third quarter in which the Clippers gave up 40 points to Minnesota. In one of the biggest games of the season the Wolves were down four at half, on the road, and responded by outscoring the third-place Clippers 72-47 in the second half. Congrats to Paul for having five seconds of greatness, but overall it was the Clippers that collapsed under the pressure that night, not the Wolves.
Back to Partee.
"It’s not that the Timberwolves aren’t good, but they feel very Utah Jazz-ish circa 2021. Utah ended with the best record in the Association that year and found themselves ousted by the Clippers in the second round with Kawhi Leonard missing most of that series."
There's been this weird fascination with a lot of the national media over the past 14 years of trying to will the Clippers as a title favorite into existence. They crumble every single time in the playoffs. The closest they came to making the finals was that 2020-21 season Partee is referencing. Yes, they beat the Jazz in the second round but then in the Western Conference finals were down 2-0 before they could blink. Los Angeles managed to take it to a Game 6 before being blown out by 27 points.
Chris, stop trying to make the Clippers happen. It's not going to happen.
"Based on current play-in standings, Minnesota would face either the Mavs, Kings, Lakers or Warriors in the first round. Golden State and LA have both struggled this season, but it isn’t inconceivable to say either one of those teams could 'sneak up' and put the boots to Minnesota in the first round. The same goes for the Kings and Mavs."
Here are the Wolves' records against each of those teams this season:
- 3-1 vs Mavs (No games left)
- 1-1 vs Kings (1 game left)
- 2-0 vs Lakers (2 games left)
- 2-0 vs Warriors (1 game left)
That's a combined 6-2 against those vaunted competitors. Minnesota are 4-1 when visiting those opponents as well.
Feb 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) moves to the basket against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
"It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Wolves thrash any of these teams," Partee adds. By the sample size on display it's more likely the Wolves thrash those teams than the other way around.
"But let’s say Minnesota gets past the opening round as all No. 1 seeds should. The 4-5 matchup in the West currently features the Nuggets and Suns. If it’s the Nuggets who advance, Minnesota might get swept back up north in a snow flurry. If Phoenix was to somehow make it past Denver (doubtful), Minnesota would still be in for a tough series and eventual exit."
Minnesota has only played the Nuggets and Suns two times total, going 1-1 in those meetings. Last we checked the defending champion Nuggets said the Wolves gave them their toughest test in last year's playoffs on their way to a title. For those not paying attention, likely Deadspin here, the Wolves were hampered by injuries to Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, two of their more unheralded players, for that series and still earned that praise.
"During the 2021 regular season, Utah was one of the better three-point shooting teams in the NBA. In fact, they led the league in attempts (43) and makes (16.7) per game while finishing fourth in percentage. Minnesota isn’t shooting as many threes as the Jazz a few years ago, but they are ranked second in the league, making 39.3 percent. That Jazz team was first in point differential (+9.3) while these Wolves are third (+6.7)."
Finally we get some actual stats instead of just baseless conjecture. Yes the Wolves' offense has lagged behind it's defense for much of the year. That may be changing though with a recent uptick in offense.
More notably, and left out by Partee, is that the Wolves defense is in a class of its own compared to the rest of the league this season. Minnesota are allowing just 106.7 points per game, the next closest is Cleveland with 109.2. That 2.5 point per game gap is enough to cover second to seventh place. While we're comparing the Wolves are allowing less points per game this season than the Jazz did in the 2020-21 season while scoring is up three points from that season.
There will always be the one person trying to be last on the hill so they can say "I told you so." Partee may eventually be right and like many Minnesota sports teams before them this Wolves squad could very well crash and burn in the playoffs. So far though the Wolves have shown they have what it takes to stand toe-to-toe with the league's best and given Wolves fans something they've rarely ever been given: hope.
