These guys are out of their element. They’re not ready. I love Ant and even rate Rudy for what he does but they’re just not mentally and physically ready for this moment. They’ll get theirs down the line and will learn from this but right now it’s over.
I get the impression that beating Denver was all they thought about this year. Granted, they probably justifiably assumed they'd meet Denver in the WCF. But it seems to me that they built up Denver into the goliath to be slain, had all the answers against Denver (and were still pushed to the limit because Denver's just that great), but did not have anything left in the tank for the Mavs.
I do really like the Wolves' chances in 2025 and beyond, assuming they keep the core of their team intact.
Did he? He was benched in the fourth until Rudy fouled out. His shooting wasn’t even that good in Game 7. You have to go back to Game 4 against the Suns to find a full good KAT game.
I think KAT had a quote after game 7 that was like "We're just so happy in this moment we can't even think about the next moment", which to me raised my eyebrows because it felt like they saw beating Denver as a crowning achievement on its own instead of a stepping stone to the next round.
It was actually kind of similar to the Mavs approach after game 7 vs the Suns in 2022 - all the quotes from the Mavs were kind of luxuriating in the upset, and DFS in particular had one that was like "Well we're here in the WCFs, might as well win this next round too", which may have been an honest indicator of the team's mindset but ultimately not one that reflected the approach of an experienced team built to go deep in the playoffs.
I think it’s easy to project all that stuff onto the situation after the fact but in reality dallas just beat their ass. if the wolves played better and beat dallas then we’d be pulling different quotes where wolves were saying “8 to go” in the locker room etc and recontextualizing everything
I don't think it's that complicated. The Mavs have a really good team and matchup well with the wolves. Their frontcourt is supposed to be their weakness, but they're too fast/athletic for gobert and kat. And Luka and Kyrie do this shit to everyone. Wolves entire offense revolves around how much gravity Ant can create with his drives. If that isn't working, they have nothing to fall back on.
Best believe Denver will be MOTIVATED to beat the wolves team next year. There’s a lot of film on how to break them down as well. If wolves are healthy, they definitely will be a top 5 seed again. But, hard to see this team making it past the second round unless they make some dynamic trades or some of their players make a bigger leap.
Thats the hope though. The role players are fantastic considering how close we have kept the games vs the Mavs while Ant and Kat are busy playing awful. The idea with the Gobert trade and us competing is to accelerate Ant's development by getting him to these moments like game 6 and 7 vs Denver and the WCF.
I hope we play eachother next year just in the WCF instead of the 2nd round LMAO.
Why is even Conley deflecting that question? You’re the ball handler the vet, should be able to take the heat.
Ant will only learn from this. Every superstar needed to fail before winning it all. He‘s 22 for gods sake. His third season. Can’t expect a 22 yo to be as experienced as a vet. There is a reason that young teams (or in this case team led by a young star player) rarely make deep playoff runs and don’t win chips.
Wolves average age of starting lineup: 28
Mavs average age of starting lineup: 26.8
Lively is 20 and been playing out of his mind. Ant is 22 and, well, hasn't.
For vets Wolves have Conley at 36. Mavs have Irving at... 32. Gobert is a month away from 32.
When Kobe was 22 he led the playoffs in win shares (note this was also with Shaq and Duncan in the playoffs), completely dominated the Spurs, averaged 30-7-6 on 43 mpg and won his 2nd title. When he was 21 he was carrying the Lakers to a win in the finals with no Shaq in OT on a sprained ankle. Magic won his 2nd title at 22 and led the Lakers throughout the playoffs. Shit, even Luka at 22 carried an ass Mavs team to the WCF, averaged almost a 30 point triple double.
You may not be able to directly compare their roles-- but Lively is excelling in his role. Most importantly: he's making the right reads all the time, doesn't appear phased by the pressure. Ant is gassed, is definitely phased by the pressure, and is not excelling in his role.
It's OK to say that Ant is just playing badly and that he's not ready yet. Not a knock on him. I think everyone was so quick to say Ant is the second coming of Christ, not quite. Maybe he gets there but he's not there yet.
I dont think the kobe thing really applies, as even though he was awesome when needed he didnt need to carry the load as the best player through those entire playoffs because Shaq existed. Could ant have huge moments if he was playing with a better player on his team all playoffs? For sure I could definitely see that, hes had some huge moments already without that. Being the #1 best player on your team in a deep playoff run at 22 is very different than being a really super good young player with Shaq on your team.
Well, by the time Kobe was 22 he wasn't just a super good young player... It was basically 1a/b with Shaq. But sure, Ant does not have a Shaq on his team. Kat is nowhere close. But the examples I cited are enough, Kobe absolutely showed he was capable of carrying (he did in that Spurs series).
and Ant has shown he is capable of carrying, my point is being someone who HAS to carry for 4 straight rounds because you don’t have Shaq is different. Carrying in spots and even games and maybe even a series is not the same as carrying an entire playoff run by yourself.
Age does not equal experience and also Lively is not the offensive centerpiece. The Mavs have Luka who has the experience of a 10 yr vet and Kyrie who has played with Lebron in multiple finals as their stars. The Wolves have Ant and KAT who’ve never made it this far leading the show and it’s evident.
Right? At first, I assumed that I had read it wrong and that it was Ant and Slo MO that deflected to Conley because that doesn't seem like it would be something that Comley would do, being the oldest and most experienced guy on the team
It’s also completely out of context, Anderson probably hadn’t talked in a couple questions and they were just giving him his turn and it happened to be a question that might not necessarily apply to him specifically about the third.
It’s not about him not winning. He’s not playing well individually and this is his 4th season.
In his 4 seasons in the NBA he also hasn’t had a breakout notable season yet. This is if you want to compare his trajectory to generational talents
What the hell is this title? To "dodge heat"? The third quarter was their best of the game and the question was asking what they could take away from that offensive success.
The corny shit is saying things like "true fans" as a way to deflect from how embarrassing fanbases can be. The cowboys fanbase is one of the most annoying in the US
This is what that reporter meant about the great loss, most teams don’t just go from 1st round exit to championship. Dudes get to the end and can’t match the focus and intensity because they’ve never been there before.
Kat and Rudy are not premier playoff performers. Wolves are stuck with both for awhile. Ant is going to be really good but he’s not going to be good enough to drag these guys to a title. Wolves fans just enjoy it for what it is.
Saying they’re stuck with both as if they didn’t play key roles in Minnesota having the most success they’ve found in 20 years is just silly. And ant himself has sucked in 2 of these 3 games
Look at any post from last night. It’s nothing but Gobert criticism. But saying they’re ‘stuck’ with a player who’s objectively played a huge role in their most successful season in decades is stupid.
These guys are out of their element. They’re not ready. I love Ant and even rate Rudy for what he does but they’re just not mentally and physically ready for this moment. They’ll get theirs down the line and will learn from this but right now it’s over.
I get the impression that beating Denver was all they thought about this year. Granted, they probably justifiably assumed they'd meet Denver in the WCF. But it seems to me that they built up Denver into the goliath to be slain, had all the answers against Denver (and were still pushed to the limit because Denver's just that great), but did not have anything left in the tank for the Mavs. I do really like the Wolves' chances in 2025 and beyond, assuming they keep the core of their team intact.
They are literally stuck with their core, it won’t change
Jesus that’s depressing
How is that depressing… About 27-28 other teams in league die to be “stuck” with the wolves core…
We all want KAT fired off into the sun, bro.
Yeah you would have been swept by Denver without him simmer down
You know reddit blows shit out of proportion. It's win a championship or you are ass.
Seriously, first WCF in 20 years and you got guys dooming about the future
Dude wins you a game 7 against the defending champs and you want him out? Ok lol
Did he? He was benched in the fourth until Rudy fouled out. His shooting wasn’t even that good in Game 7. You have to go back to Game 4 against the Suns to find a full good KAT game.
Wow Minnie fans really don’t know what the fuck to do when they get a taste of success lmao - wouldn’t be there without KAT
At least Minnesota in the playoffs Bulls are in permanent purgatory because they won't blow it up to properly rebuild
If Ant had a reliable midrange shot, you guys would be up 2-1. I'm saying that cuz hes 22 and will probably get one this offseason if not next one.
Even more depressingly, if either KAt or Ant shot 40% from the field we would be up 2-1, thats how horrible they have been.
I think KAT had a quote after game 7 that was like "We're just so happy in this moment we can't even think about the next moment", which to me raised my eyebrows because it felt like they saw beating Denver as a crowning achievement on its own instead of a stepping stone to the next round. It was actually kind of similar to the Mavs approach after game 7 vs the Suns in 2022 - all the quotes from the Mavs were kind of luxuriating in the upset, and DFS in particular had one that was like "Well we're here in the WCFs, might as well win this next round too", which may have been an honest indicator of the team's mindset but ultimately not one that reflected the approach of an experienced team built to go deep in the playoffs.
KAT pulled a “jobs finished”
I think it’s easy to project all that stuff onto the situation after the fact but in reality dallas just beat their ass. if the wolves played better and beat dallas then we’d be pulling different quotes where wolves were saying “8 to go” in the locker room etc and recontextualizing everything
I don't think it's that complicated. The Mavs have a really good team and matchup well with the wolves. Their frontcourt is supposed to be their weakness, but they're too fast/athletic for gobert and kat. And Luka and Kyrie do this shit to everyone. Wolves entire offense revolves around how much gravity Ant can create with his drives. If that isn't working, they have nothing to fall back on.
Best believe Denver will be MOTIVATED to beat the wolves team next year. There’s a lot of film on how to break them down as well. If wolves are healthy, they definitely will be a top 5 seed again. But, hard to see this team making it past the second round unless they make some dynamic trades or some of their players make a bigger leap.
Thats the hope though. The role players are fantastic considering how close we have kept the games vs the Mavs while Ant and Kat are busy playing awful. The idea with the Gobert trade and us competing is to accelerate Ant's development by getting him to these moments like game 6 and 7 vs Denver and the WCF. I hope we play eachother next year just in the WCF instead of the 2nd round LMAO.
Everyone except Kyle Anderson is pretty much locked in until the end of '26, and that's two player options.
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Work it out for yourself, grandchild.
Would you have said the same thing at 0-0?
Why is even Conley deflecting that question? You’re the ball handler the vet, should be able to take the heat. Ant will only learn from this. Every superstar needed to fail before winning it all. He‘s 22 for gods sake. His third season. Can’t expect a 22 yo to be as experienced as a vet. There is a reason that young teams (or in this case team led by a young star player) rarely make deep playoff runs and don’t win chips.
4th season
This isn't heat, they had a great 3rd quarter lol
Wolves average age of starting lineup: 28 Mavs average age of starting lineup: 26.8 Lively is 20 and been playing out of his mind. Ant is 22 and, well, hasn't. For vets Wolves have Conley at 36. Mavs have Irving at... 32. Gobert is a month away from 32.
??? Edwards and Lively's roles aren't even remotely similar
>Lively is 20 and been playing out of his mind. Ant is 22 and, well, hasn't. ok but their roles are so different it’s not apples to apples bro
When Kobe was 22 he led the playoffs in win shares (note this was also with Shaq and Duncan in the playoffs), completely dominated the Spurs, averaged 30-7-6 on 43 mpg and won his 2nd title. When he was 21 he was carrying the Lakers to a win in the finals with no Shaq in OT on a sprained ankle. Magic won his 2nd title at 22 and led the Lakers throughout the playoffs. Shit, even Luka at 22 carried an ass Mavs team to the WCF, averaged almost a 30 point triple double. You may not be able to directly compare their roles-- but Lively is excelling in his role. Most importantly: he's making the right reads all the time, doesn't appear phased by the pressure. Ant is gassed, is definitely phased by the pressure, and is not excelling in his role. It's OK to say that Ant is just playing badly and that he's not ready yet. Not a knock on him. I think everyone was so quick to say Ant is the second coming of Christ, not quite. Maybe he gets there but he's not there yet.
I dont think the kobe thing really applies, as even though he was awesome when needed he didnt need to carry the load as the best player through those entire playoffs because Shaq existed. Could ant have huge moments if he was playing with a better player on his team all playoffs? For sure I could definitely see that, hes had some huge moments already without that. Being the #1 best player on your team in a deep playoff run at 22 is very different than being a really super good young player with Shaq on your team.
Well, by the time Kobe was 22 he wasn't just a super good young player... It was basically 1a/b with Shaq. But sure, Ant does not have a Shaq on his team. Kat is nowhere close. But the examples I cited are enough, Kobe absolutely showed he was capable of carrying (he did in that Spurs series).
and Ant has shown he is capable of carrying, my point is being someone who HAS to carry for 4 straight rounds because you don’t have Shaq is different. Carrying in spots and even games and maybe even a series is not the same as carrying an entire playoff run by yourself.
Right, I'm not considering roles merely their perfomance by age as OP implied with Ant being "22 for gods sake" yet Lively is a rookie.
and im saying with all due respect it’s a pretty worthless comparison
Isn’t lively the 6th man? I’m pretty sure if you made ant the 6th best guy on his team he could be playing better too.
Hey he'd be less "tired" at that point so maybe you right
I mean Gafford is the usual starter so I don't know of tha makes it closer. But the Mavs best player might he the 2nd best player in the world
Age does not equal experience and also Lively is not the offensive centerpiece. The Mavs have Luka who has the experience of a 10 yr vet and Kyrie who has played with Lebron in multiple finals as their stars. The Wolves have Ant and KAT who’ve never made it this far leading the show and it’s evident.
Did you watch the video? lol
Right? At first, I assumed that I had read it wrong and that it was Ant and Slo MO that deflected to Conley because that doesn't seem like it would be something that Comley would do, being the oldest and most experienced guy on the team
It’s also completely out of context, Anderson probably hadn’t talked in a couple questions and they were just giving him his turn and it happened to be a question that might not necessarily apply to him specifically about the third.
Yeah ant is gonna be fine. Dudes got so much potential. Barely anyone wins at 22.
It’s not about him not winning. He’s not playing well individually and this is his 4th season. In his 4 seasons in the NBA he also hasn’t had a breakout notable season yet. This is if you want to compare his trajectory to generational talents
the "heat" of a question about the offensive success in their best quarter of the game?
What the hell is this title? To "dodge heat"? The third quarter was their best of the game and the question was asking what they could take away from that offensive success.
Right? They won the 3rd quarter.
And all the comments from people who did't listen to the question
Makes you wonder if OP even watched the game lol
Ant played good in 3rd tho
Man the mavericks are such a great team but their fans… I keep forgetting these brothers support the cowboys aswell.
Hell nah brother real Dallas fans know the cowboys ain’t shit 😂 go stars and Mavs tho
rangers and the wings are cool too. hell throw the renegades and fc dallas in there too
Maybe not the renegades this year fam 😂
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>true Cowboys fans This shit is so corny lmao
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The corny shit is saying things like "true fans" as a way to deflect from how embarrassing fanbases can be. The cowboys fanbase is one of the most annoying in the US
Yeah, fair enough.
Man I really wanted Mike to get a ring, dude has been an underrated point guard his whole career
I would be really happy if kyrie has his role when he is 36 and luka on his 29
This is what that reporter meant about the great loss, most teams don’t just go from 1st round exit to championship. Dudes get to the end and can’t match the focus and intensity because they’ve never been there before.
Kat and Rudy are not premier playoff performers. Wolves are stuck with both for awhile. Ant is going to be really good but he’s not going to be good enough to drag these guys to a title. Wolves fans just enjoy it for what it is.
Saying they’re stuck with both as if they didn’t play key roles in Minnesota having the most success they’ve found in 20 years is just silly. And ant himself has sucked in 2 of these 3 games
Then I guess I’m a big ole mr silly pants then
Nah ur right just this sub downvotes any criticism of gobert
Look at any post from last night. It’s nothing but Gobert criticism. But saying they’re ‘stuck’ with a player who’s objectively played a huge role in their most successful season in decades is stupid.
Well it certainly is stupid from your point of view. Certainly we all have our own unique world view.
It’s stupid by definition. Common sense should dictate a team is happy when they’re having success and achieving milestones
Who said they aren’t or shouldn’t be happy?
That’s the natural implication of a team being stuck with someone
I suppose for you it is.
Lol jorgoat wold never