Timberwolves overcome largest halftime deficit to beat Nuggets in Game 7 | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST
Summary
TLDRIn this spirited discussion, the hosts debate the outcome of a basketball game where the Denver Nuggets faced a shocking defeat by the Minnesota Timberwolves. They critique the performance of star players, analyze the impact of coaching decisions, and discuss the importance of team depth and defense. The conversation also touches on the era of parity in the NBA, with various teams and players vying for dominance. The hosts praise the Timberwolves' resilience and the impressive play of Anthony Edwards, while also acknowledging the need for a balanced team dynamic.
Takeaways
- 🎙️ The host starts the show in protest against the inclusion of taxidermy wolves, considering them an endangered and precious species.
- 🏆 The discussion revolves around the recent upset in the basketball playoffs where the Denver team, despite being the favorite, lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- 📈 A detailed analysis of the game highlights the Timberwolves' superior performance in various aspects such as points, shooting percentage, rebounds, and fewer turnovers.
- 🏀 The importance of depth in a team is emphasized, as Minnesota's ability to win despite their best player's off night showcases their team strength.
- 🌟 Anthony Edwards is praised for his performance and contribution to the team, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade.
- 🚫 Criticism is directed towards the Denver team's superstars for not stepping up in the crucial moments of the game.
- 🤔 The script discusses whether the Denver team's loss is attributed to fatigue or a lack of desire from their star player, Nikola Jokic.
- 📊 Statistical comparison is made between Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, highlighting their similar achievements and the ongoing debate over who is the superior player.
- 🏆 The conversation touches on the concept of a 'dynasty' in basketball and whether the current era is defined by any single player or team.
- 👏 Credit is given to players like Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns who have faced criticism but performed exceptionally in the series.
- 🗣️ The show ends with anticipation for the upcoming Western Conference finals and the potential for exciting trash talk and competitive spirit.
Q & A
Who is the leader of the show and what is their stance on the situation with the Taxidermy wolves?
-The leader of the show is not explicitly named in the script, but they are protesting against Brew and Nick's decision to bring Taxidermy wolves on television, citing that wolves are an endangered species and not appropriate for TV.
What is the main reason the leader of the show is protesting the inclusion of Taxidermy wolves on the show?
-The leader is protesting because they believe that wolves are an endangered species and a precious part of the national ecosystem, making their display on television inappropriate.
What is the situation with Michael Malone and his behavior during the show?
-Michael Malone is mentioned as not being a gentleman during the show, cursing at work, which is out of character for him according to the speaker.
What is the speaker's opinion on the Denver basketball team's performance?
-The speaker believes that the Denver team did not perform well, suggesting that they acted arrogantly by kicking up their feet and demanding food and drinks from others, which the speaker implies led to their downfall.
What was the prediction made by the speaker about the outcome of the game?
-The speaker accurately predicted that Minnesota would win the game in seven, despite the challenging conditions in Denver.
What was Kevin Wild's reaction to the prediction made by the speaker?
-Kevin Wild's reaction was not gentlemanly, as he was shown to be upset or dismissive of the speaker's prediction in real-time.
What is the speaker's view on the importance of the MVP in a game?
-The speaker believes that the MVP should be able to lead the team and get others involved, especially in crucial games like game seven.
What does the speaker think about the role of the coach and superstars in a game seven loss?
-The speaker suggests that the coach and superstars should bear the responsibility for a game seven loss, as they should be able to get the team involved and lead them to victory.
What was the speaker's analysis of the Nuggets' performance in the series?
-The speaker believes that the Nuggets showed signs of weakness, particularly in their bench, and lost their composure when the game got close, leading to their defeat.
What does the speaker think about the Timberwolves' chances in the series?
-The speaker thinks that the Timberwolves were never scared and had full control of the game with their defense, which ultimately led to their victory.
How does the speaker view the current era of basketball in terms of competition?
-The speaker believes that the current era of basketball is one of incredible parity, with no team dominating for long periods and different champions emerging each year.
Outlines
🎙️ Host's Protest Against Inappropriate Show Content
The host starts by expressing his protest against the inclusion of taxidermy wolves on the show, arguing that they are an endangered species and important to the ecosystem. He also criticizes Michael Malone for his behavior and discusses the show's leader, Brew, and his actions. The host highlights his own Midwestern values and the importance of speaking the truth. He also makes a bold prediction about the outcome of a sports game, which he claims to have called perfectly, and shows a video of Kevin Wild's reaction to his prediction.
🏀 Sports Analysis and Critique of Denver's Performance
The speaker provides a detailed analysis of a basketball game, focusing on the Denver team's performance. He discusses the team's stats, such as points, rebounds, and shooting percentages, and criticizes the lack of contribution from the bench. The speaker also apportions blame to the team's superstars for not getting their teammates involved and not handling the pressure of a game seven situation well. He compares the situation to how other NBA superstars would be treated in similar circumstances and discusses the掘金 team's loss of composure and the Timberwolves' control over the game.
🏆 Debate Over NBA Superstars and Their Legacies
The conversation delves into a comparison between NBA superstars, particularly focusing on the careers of Jokić and Giannis. The speaker argues that while Jokić has won multiple MVPs, Giannis has a defensive player of the year award and a similar playoff record, suggesting a close rivalry. The discussion also touches on the premature declarations of a 'Jokić era' and the importance of considering the broader context of the NBA's competitive landscape before making such claims. The speaker emphasizes the need to let the narrative play out over time.
📊 Breakdown of the Timberwolves' Victory Over Denver
This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Timberwolves' series victory over Denver. The speaker highlights the Timberwolves' dominance in the series, pointing out their superior performance in points, shooting, free throws, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, as well as fewer turnovers. He also discusses the impact of key players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, who despite a poor shooting night, contributed significantly to the team's success. The speaker commends the Timberwolves for their depth and defensive capabilities.
🤔 Reflections on Player Performances and Team Dynamics
The speaker reflects on the performances of various players, particularly focusing on Anthony Edwards and his role as a team player. He also discusses the importance of team dynamics and how the Timberwolves' system benefits from Edwards' willingness to play within it. The speaker acknowledges the Timberwolves' ability to win despite their star player's off night and praises the contributions of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, who he had previously criticized. He also touches on the idea of a 'number one' and 'number two' player dynamic within the team.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Taxidermy wolves
💡Endangered species
💡National ecosystem
💡Gentlemanly conduct
💡Prediction
💡Superstars
💡Blame
💡Composure
💡Depth
💡Defense
💡Comeback
💡Parody
Highlights
Leader of the show protests against the use of taxidermy wolves on television, citing their endangered status.
Discussion on Michael Malone's behavior and sportsmanship during the show.
Brew's bold prediction of Minnesota winning in seven games, despite the challenging altitude in Denver.
Kevin Wild's reaction to Brew's prediction, showing a lack of sportsmanship.
Analysis of the Timberwolves' victory over Denver, highlighting the importance of defense and depth.
Debate on whether the Nuggets' loss was due to a collapse or a great comeback by the Timberwolves.
Critique of the Nuggets' bench performance and the responsibility of the coach and superstars.
Comparison of Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo's playoff records and their impact on their teams.
Discussion on the era of parity in the NBA, with different champions in recent years.
Anthony Edwards' performance and his comparison to Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade.
Rudy Gobert's significant on-off impact for the Timberwolves in the postseason.
Karl-Anthony Towns' role in keeping the Timberwolves connected and his performance in the series.
The Timberwolves' depth, as they managed to win despite their best player's off shooting night.
Anthony Edwards' confidence and leadership, even when the team was losing.
The Wolves' display of a chip on their shoulder and their determination to prove themselves.
Predictions of the upcoming Western Conference finals and the potential for multilingual trash talk.
Transcripts
[Music]
okay the sound
effects we get it guys see this oh oh a
two shot of the Wolves thank you as the
leader of the show I'm doing the show on
in protest because brew and Nick have
taken over and decided to bring
Taxidermy wolves which I don't even
think is appropriate to put on
television they're an endangered species
and a precious animal in our national
eco system it's the first things first
I'm actually flustered you and me both
Michael I never even been to Denver
wasn't gentlemanly of Michael Malone
cursing at work this is my bital this is
my bit cheers friend get out of here why
are you in a tuxed this is my bit well
once once the where breu is stupid
sandwich I know if it's Brew where is
Brew oh is not being a gentleman
today this is
not you at least picked it you picked it
correct wild I have real analysis I have
a full screen yes R you were correct
that if Denver had won you would have
been a gentleman true you would not have
pred you would not have gloated you
would not have rubbed it in my face
because you are a
gentleman but I must
say I'm
not I'm just an old school boy from the
Midwest so I must speak my truth okay
Wilds bruis te- wolves I know went into
Denver's house what did they do kicked
up their feet I know three times Brew
they did it yes did they have and they
said food
Nia get me a
sandwich
Jamal I want some chips okay and Michael
Malone Michael Porter Jr Aaron Gordon
whoever it is go fetch me a soda pop
that's what happened that's how it that
is that is what happened that is exactly
what happened and exactly what I say
would happen it's a guts to predict them
winning in seven you did in Denver's
house did call it perfectly not only
through did you call it but your
accurate bold prediction not just
picking Minnesota to win but picking the
exact series picking them to win a game
seven on the road in that unfair
altitude that they seem to have a little
issue with yeah uh what happened to the
I have the I don't know didn't Iver was
tired the
video of Kevin Wild's reaction to your
prediction in real time can we can we
show that video it was not very
gentlemanly of one Kevin Wilds can we
roll that please
Dusty Timberwolves in seven that's right
going to Denver winning game seven I
know
I'm look at that I was out of care now
not very gentleman that was of true but
I do think you even though you have your
feet on the table are quite the
gentleman and today is a gentlemanly day
if you want to let Kevin Wilds know you
know Wilds sometimes even though I may
not be a gentleman I like doing
gentlemanly things that's
right he's also got a right yeah that's
right a drink oh yes BR you guys do look
great I do have a drink
mic still on yeah your mic's still on I
figured you like the marel cherries I
know you like sweet things and nothing
is sweeter than this wild fantastic you
guys are really thank you and we will
get to Cheers my friend Che the actual
analysis in just a moment but first yeah
I'm ready for the analysis really yeah
well first we have to go through what
got us here which was guys I don't know
what our Banner budget's going to be for
football drop them all because it's all
just the
is every single time Kevin wild tweeted
one didn't even drop maybe it will at
some point those are all Wilds tweets
that no one is beating oh there it is
Denver all is original tweets there even
was a video that we couldn't put on
there so we we'll bring that out in
different form however we can what
discipline marketing I have though no
one's beating Denver in a seven game
series is what you said in fact you even
you know you you made it really your
slogan of the Year this was your the
video you made and so here's my question
Brew I said the chiefs were going to go
20 and0 and they lost their first game
of the year you famously had were a
Net's Clippers fan at one point in time
but none of us were as Pop committed as
this guy and none of those predictions
Wilds went down in the Flames of up 32
yeah wasn't great defending
champs get 50 pieced in a game six but
that I kind of threw away and then like
ah game six the biggest blowout the
biggest blown lead in game seven history
people are calling it a great comeback
well yeah I would call it a historic
coll a collap we've had our fun at your
expense you go right ahead what happened
here's a here's some real analysis if
you're looking to the clown for that uh
final 22 minutes last last night this
was a little bit rough Minnesota had 60
points Brew Denver had 32 26 rebounds to
12 was not good they shot over 50% hit
three threes Joker had 21 points and the
rest of the team had 11 and I know
Michael Malone is saying ah Joker and
Jamal Murray did all they
could I I don't know who what what size
a piece of the blame pie I want to give
to the bench because I don't think it's
the bench's job to win game sevens they
had five the bench had five points like
is it Aaron Gordon's job to win game
seven I don't think so I think it's the
coach's job I think it's the superstars
job to get those guys involved so I'm
not going to blame Michael Porter Jr for
missing threes after he was on fire
during the Lakers series so I'm I'm
putting the blame at the superstars feet
yogic had what 34 19 and
Jamal Murray had 35 if it was LE more
I'm also the mayair if it was LeBron we
would blame LeBron when it was Kevin
Durant we'd blame Kevin Durant if it was
Steph we some we would still it would be
if any of those guys were up 32 in a
series where they were the favorite and
up 20 and get annihilated in game six
and then have a 20o second half game
seven lead and and by the way I think
Joker was good in this game I don't
think he was fine I the yeah I right but
I think so I think two things happen
Brew one is I think there were signs
about the Nuggets I think that Spurs
loss that now all of a sudden folks
cared about but we talked around on the
show were signs I think the bench was a
weakness all year and I talked about it
I hate to say it classic classic to oh
thank you very much I appreciate that
Bruce Brown I'm like Bruce Brown's not
going to decide this ser and I was like
man what you saw I think and I know
we'll talk more about the Timberwolves
side in a minute but this Timberwolves
team was never scared and that they were
they their defense they felt was going
to keep them in the game and the nuggets
the moment it was close it felt to me
like the Nuggets lost their composure
and I and that the Timberwolves had full
control well that that late run after
the Nuggets were up 20 and then it was
like a 28-9
run by uh the
Timberwolves that had to rock Denver's
world like you could see after that
point and once Minnesota took the lead
early in the fourth quarter they never
trailed again it was tied like once or
twice but they never trailed again
mentally that had to completely destroy
Denver like we had these guys by 20 now
I will say this a 20-point lead in
today's NBA is not like it's about the
equivalent of a 10-point lead 20 years
ago it really is we see it happen all
the time Lakers were up 20 I know it was
the first half but nobody thought that
game was over Denver just walked them
down with the three-point shooting the
huge leads disappear now all the time
but I think Minnesota won for two I I
don't think it was just a collapse I
think it was a great comeback because I
think Minnesota's depth and their
defense is what got it done and their
defense locked up and that's why they
weren't scared Nick they play these guys
all the time same division last year
they felt like they could have played
with them had they been healthy with
Jaden McDaniels and Carl Anthony towns
they didn't have those guys for the
whole series and they lost so I think
their defense and then their depth they
had six guys score in D average double
figures in this series uh Denver only
had four so I think the depth came back
to support Minnesota and bite Denver and
listen I'm I'm not I don't want to
because you were saying we would blame
if it were any other Superstar they'd be
getting fled today I don't I think joic
played well yesterday I don't think he
was great I thought he played well I
thought Jamal Murray played awesome for
a quarter and a half yeah and was I not
good in the second half and not good at
the very start of the game like mid mid
first quarter to the end of the uh
second quarter he was excellent but here
is what I will say in regards to joic
because all of so much of my yic
frustration has been it seems like
everyone else wants to skip two steps
ahead when he had yet to go on a great
playoff run he was already a
back-to-back MVP when he had yet to be
be in the finals people were talking
about him being winning three straight
MVPs when he had won one title we were
talking Dynasty inevitability and about
this being the yic era they and this is
and fairness though you could say just
about all of that about Giannis too but
so that's so that's what I so that's the
exact point I wanted to make because
joic Giannis if we put him next to each
other it is a dead heat the playoff win
lost record I didn't realize was almost
identical the Conference Finals
appearances identical finals appearances
identical all of that I now yic has
three MVPs Giannis has two but he has
one defensive player of the year so
that's 33 and Giannis has more
outstanding Seasons now he's been in the
league a year longer and so the point
I'm making is I think that right we were
talking are the Nuggets going to be a
dynasty and I think a year from now we
might be discussing was is jic
definitively the best guy of his own era
because I don't know that that's true I
think Giannis is right there with him
historically and we'll see if Luca what
he does over these next couple next
month and if it becomes a three horse
race yeah I mean look and and let's see
what wiim Bama ends up doing I mean
they're all relatively young SGA is
there Anthony Edwards you know so I I
think we got a long way to go before we
start talking about whose era it is but
you didn't think people were saying this
was yist Era right now that that was
being discussed that they thought it
might be a dast what what we're in is a
an incredible era of parody now let's
see we this will be our sixth champion
in the past six years no champion in
these six years years has even gotten
past the second round after they won
their Championship so I I think we have
to see and let this thing play out
before we start you know really nailing
where they are historically all right
before we move on to the Wolves I just
want to show you one play this is down
five in the waning seconds of the game
this is cat's putb Brew or I'll ask you
Nick do you think if we look at the
other angle of this where cat just runs
in and dunks the ball as three guys
stand and look at it and then Nas Reed
had an earlier one where like Jamal I
don't know if it's Jamal Murray's job to
box out no the one was Joker missed the
box out you can show that too do you
think there is an element of Joker
fatigue or lack of want to I mean it's
game seven Joker never came out they
played a lot of minutes the whole year
obviously like a deep play they won the
championship last year all that so does
that show up in little moments or is it
just kind of a narrative so I think two
things one is I think Joker did look
gassed understandably playing you know g
games is playing heavy minutes the whole
all series Michael Malone made the the
Strategic choice of not giving him his
regular rest at the beginning of the
second quarter cuz I think he thought we
can really step on their throat which
they well well yeah I like I said I I'm
not killing him for it but it was
clearly a choice and there's a trade-off
for that because most guys can't go all
out effort on both ends for 48 minutes
that's why guys don't do it so I think
Joker was a little gassed I think the
other nuggets were Shook and I think
that and this is where you might
disagree I think they showed their coach
and their second best player both showed
front runner Tendencies and I think that
they last playoff run they were so good
they to their credit never faced real
adversity this year the first time they
faced it Jamal Murray is throwing stuff
at the refs and Michael Malone is
freaking out in game two on refs and
then when they lose a totally benol
legitimate question is asked to Michael
Malone and he dresses down the reporter
unnecessarily that to me is guys we talk
about composure and things like that I
mean they did win three in a row I I
understand that the yeah I thought they
show Heart in coming back and making
this a series see I thought they won
here's what I thought about those three
in a row game four it felt to me like
the or game three pardon me the
Timberwolves understandably kind of let
you know relaxed a bit and games four
and five were about Joker's individual
Brilliance taking over he was so
excellent in those games I thought
Michael Malone and Jamal Murray it
looked shaky you know what I mean as far
as how they handled real adversity in
this series I think that's a fair
critique brw no I look I I think and
we'll get to this in a moment the better
team won yeah and and I'm not just
saying that cuz I they and I'll I'll
give you know I know we talk about that
next but yeah I think they're just
better all right to the to the victors
Brew how about your wolves well look
obviously everybody's talking about
Michael Jordan and Anthony Edwards I
actually think he's more like d Wayne
Wade with a jump shot but there the
comparisons to Jordan to me one as he
said he plays both ends of the floor and
you saw it yesterday all right the
second thing I love about Anthony
Edwards he plays in the system like he
was 6 for 24 and when you watch them
throughout this series everybody else is
touching theall everybody else feels
free to shoot they their system is not
Anthony Edwards all right and I think
that makes it easier for your team to
conform around you and can make you a
better team now I just think like I said
Minnesota's better look they won three
of the four games in Denver okay they
won one of the games by 45 points all
right and then they come back on from a
20-point deficit in the second half in
Denver again all of those things speak
to them being the better team and and
then look at this uh graphic we have
right here they out did Denver in
everything this is the seven games more
points shot better from the floor made
more free throws more rebounds assists
steals blocks fewer turnovers and of
course within that is asto all right so
all of that I mean they dominated this
series as much as you could dominate a
seven game series sorry I'm doing the
math it's no it's but it's it's by a lot
it's 26 to 241 I think wow A plus 20 in
as Ser there it really is and the this
is where we were talking about the depth
their best player goes 6 for 24 yeah and
they still are able to win that's good
point so that speaks to their depth and
their defense all right so Anthony the 6
for 24 is of course a famous statline
because in one of the other biggest game
seven comebacks ever the Los Angeles
Lakers in the 2010 finals against the
Boston Celtics Kobe Bryant went six for
24 and found and found a way to impact
the game through rebounding and and this
is also why sports are kind of you know
funny funny is the wrong word but unique
in that if Kobe's teammates in that game
if if Ron ESS doesn't hit that shot if
if if Carl Anthony towns doesn't make
the plays he made in this game then we
look at the six for 24s by the Stars
differently because they won we can talk
about the good things they did but I
want to talk about two guys on the
timber worlds that I have criticized
heavily throughout their careers because
unlike maybe some members of the new
media that are very entrenched in Old
held grudges and will not move even if
the evidence suggests they should Rudy
gobear and Carl Anthony towns deserve
some respect for what they've done in
this series Rudy Rudy goar his the W his
onoff impact for the Wolves this
postseason is more dramatic literally
than any other player in the league yes
it is true he cannot guard Nika yic one
on one but that's also not really what
he's there for and no one can nobody in
the league currently can and people like
I the defensive player of the year when
D Kim B mut tumble won Defensive Player
of the Year Shaq put up 35 and 20 every
night in the finals when Draymond won
defensive player of the year he had his
teammate guard LeBron James in the
finals because he was best use elsewhere
Rudy was great and and Rudy even at
halime of this game folks on the
broadcast we talking about benching him
Rudy kept his composure and kept his
kept a steady handed impact and I have
been a significant Rudy Gober critic but
why play the games if guys can't change
you can't change your opinion of guys
based on how they play and Carl Anthony
towns I always thought good stats bad
team guy you know when he got hurt this
year I was like I don't even really know
how much it's going to hurt them he kept
them connected in the first half he hit
a three when they were down 15 at one
point point to cut it to 12 when it
looked like Denver was going to blow it
open every time joic did the thing Brew
always wants him to do which is the yeah
I'm not going to mimic it but car
Anthony towns is strong enough to at
least stop you know what I mean hold his
ground and he was excellent look I and
so I think those two guys just deserve
massive credit because I've criticized
them but they I mean this is the
crowning moment for so far of their
careers towns I look I think the issue
with Jimmy Butler when he clearly
thought towns was soft I think that hurt
his reputation remember we had to go
back and forth with mbid for a while
who's obviously a bit better than towns
I thought all of those things sullied
his reputation but this dude can play
now like I said I think he's got a
number one game he's 23 and 11 on four
almost 40% shooting from three for his
career but I think he is a number two
because of his demeanor maybe
personality whatever it is and now you
got Anthony Edwards there as the number
one but a guy who also loves him like
back Big Ups him always talking about
how good he is and gets him that
confidence it's a perfect tandem those
two can I give you one final thing
before we go yeah please the Wolves also
have a little bit
of Stick it to youis oh yeah that I
don't know if Denver had and this is the
play that I had Dusty pull Dusty the the
Jaden McDaniels trying to dunk at the
end of the game this was wild this is
just and Anthony ant Edwards was doing
stuff the whole game the whole series
it's just a little bit of chip on their
shoulder Grudge Edge and it's not
necessarily the heart of a champion that
we said Denver have this is like we're
coming for you and and and it's the game
is over I still want to let you know
there's and it's a little bit extra and
it's it's a little bit you take on it'll
go to you got to win when you do that
you got to keep
winning you take on the personality your
best player sometimes yeah and Anthony
Edwards is almost young enough to not
really care about all the unwritten
rules and he's got a lot of bleep you to
him and he's and to his credit one thing
I and I know we got to go he is not a
frontrunner he is talking when they're
losing he is confident and so I respect
it and I think we're going to get I mean
the the the trash talk in multiple
languages we're about to get in the
western Gman finals oh my goodness
gracious I do like us tickling the
ivories a little bit on the way out
you're feeling better you're not a
gentlem know feeling better I appreciate
being surrounded by fellow gentlemen Che
you guys weren't too bad on me well I
mean those was live
forever first things
[Music]
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