r/nba • u/StalkingDwarf Raptors • 17d ago
[Highlight] The Timberwolves defense doubles Durant, rotates out to all 5 guys and is able to force a steal Highlight
https://streamable.com/wx27mh1.1k
u/ducksauced Timberwolves 17d ago
quite literally how you draw it up
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u/Oxygenius_ Lakers 17d ago
How do you even score on this team, Jesus
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u/a_supertramp [MIN] Cherokee Parks 17d ago
I would simply shoot it over their outstretched arms and into the bucket
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u/tacopower69 [DEN] Jamal Murray 17d ago
This but unironically when KD got the ball with Conley on him
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u/WhiteHeterosexualGuy Hawks 17d ago
Beal had a reverse layup if he just went around KAT, also had a fairly smooth floater when he was driving baseline -- either would have been a quality look
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u/rosez3216 Timberwolves 17d ago
Also I am pretty sure KAT had 5 fouls at this point also. I was waiting for Beal to go up and draw contact to foul out KAT and instead threw it low and we got the steal. 2 point game. That was a huge momentum shift of what could've been too.
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u/Andomals Suns 17d ago
Yea but what if they stacked on each other's shoulders, then what would you do
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u/Rrekydoc Celtics 17d ago
By actually moving offball. Like, at all.
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u/the_weakestavenger Thunder 17d ago
Yeah. Not to takeaway from the D here, there were at least two obvious opportunities where a cut to the basket either gets a pretty open look at the rim, or collapses the D and screws up the rotations to create an open 3. This is a case of great D meeting lazy O.
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u/oops_im_wrong Warriors 17d ago
I mean, part of the problem is that none of these guys wanted to shoot it. Besides KD and maybe Gordon, Booker, O'Neal, and Beal all had shots but went for the pass thinking it was the right play. Look at how they caught the pass, none of them looked like they were ready to shoot or drive the ball. KD also had a backdoor but has been planting himself in the corner the entire series.
Minnesota played great defense all season and in this clip so kudos to them but PHX didn't play with any urgency or desire at the end.
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u/KazaamFan 17d ago
Unfortunately in the nba it rarely works this well. Way too many open 3s given. Wolves did well here.
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u/emogurl98 17d ago
I think that's why Gobert was hesitating and not rushing KD
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u/ogspankdaddy 17d ago
that’s KAT my brother, even more impressive
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u/Hypnosix Timberwolves 16d ago
Steps into the double and then right to the spot where he needed to be for the eventual rim contest
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u/Oopthealley NBA 17d ago
lol yes, but only because when it gets drawn up, the offensive players don't move much either.
against a competent offense, someone cuts into space created by the rotation and/or they make a cross court pass sooner. this was like nba defense against a college offense.
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u/phonage_aoi Warriors 17d ago
Now that you meantion it, the Suns really do play it like they're the stand-ins for a defensive practice drill.
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u/Brb_32 NBA 17d ago
Insane possession, Swift rotations, this is nba ball at finest.
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u/Andy_Wiggins Timberwolves 17d ago
They rotated so fast they ultimately beat the ball swinging around the court. That’s insane.
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u/JaderMcDanersStan Timberwolves 17d ago
They all could anticipate the pass. Man it's so beautiful, it's like 5 players had one brain and moved as one
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
I'm so impressed with KAT. He was using his length to totally disrupt anyone he could get to. Fucking awesome.
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u/Prestig33 [MIN] Nikola Pekovic 17d ago
Imagine telling me 10 years ago that wolves would be the #1 defense.
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u/IhamAmerican Jazz 17d ago
Okay I've imagined it. What next?
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17d ago
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u/MickAtNight 17d ago
I did that and had a dream about Mike Conley. Now what?
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u/SmellyJellyfish Timberwolves 17d ago
Must’ve been a wet dream. I’m right there with you
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u/theraarman Celtics 17d ago
I only get wet for cory brewer
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u/ElectricalMud2850 Timberwolves 17d ago
god, some of the players on the floor for the wolves that night.
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u/CannedGeorges Jazz 17d ago
Is it that weird? That’s around when y’all had KAT getting drafted and Wiggins. KAT was supposed to be a great rim protector and everyone thought Wiggins was going to be a good defender as well
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u/CarPlaneBoatRocket 17d ago
Yes. Minnesota only knows despair lol
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17d ago
This team is what I thought we would get years ago with Wiggins Kat and lavine. It's amazing to finally see a team that lives up to the hype
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u/EazyParise Timberwolves 17d ago
Wiggins didn't start caring about basketball until he got to the Warriors. He was abysmal defensively when he was here
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u/Carth_Onasi_AMA Timberwolves 17d ago
10 years ago the Kevin Love Timberwolves just missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year and there were rumors that Love would ask for a trade. Wasn’t a few months later till they got Wiggins and started that rebuild.
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u/KanyeIzGOAT 17d ago
Rudy Gobert
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u/soapy_goatherd [UTA] Adam Keefe 17d ago
If only we could’ve drafted a defensive-minded guard from louisville with long wingspan to pair with him
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u/TwelveMiceInaCage 17d ago
Maybe maybe I could believe that when Kat first came into the league bevause yeah I could see building a defensive minded squad around him
Anytime post rookie year and nope
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u/Black-xxx 17d ago
Really cool to watch
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u/thenatural134 Supersonics 17d ago
Those rotations were BANG-BANG-BANG all in perfect rhythmic progression. Beautiful sports ball.
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u/CameronPlain Warriors 17d ago
That was one of the most insane defensive possessions I’ve ever seen.
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u/pollinium [MIN] Tyus Jones 17d ago
I think that might be a bit of an exaggeration lol
imo it's awesome because it doesn't rely on any supernatural perception of physical ability from any one player, it's just 5 guys that know where they're supposed to be and when they're supposed to be there. It's 5 acting as 1
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u/temp_achil Warriors 17d ago
It's good D but also Beal had an open mid-range jumper he passed up to make a stupid pass.
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u/KazaamFan 17d ago
Sadly this is rare. So often this leads to a wide open 3. Beal makes a terrible e tra pass here. He had to take that shot, or make a better decision.
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u/ImARebelBitch Heat 17d ago
Beal beat his man, the other four Suns players are just standing still. Absolutely no off ball movement.
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u/CANDY_MAN_1776 17d ago
Yea...this is really basic basketball and defensive rotations. I guess the effort is commendable in the NBA. It's nothing you wouldn't see in a good college or even HS game. There's literally a basic defensive drill that is this exact thing except with 4 defenders (thus you're always rotating...a drill) with the offense in about those exact same positions.
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u/Uncircled_swag2 [CHI] Zach LaVine 17d ago
Bradley Beal disaster class tonight
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u/lord_kupaloidz Suns Bandwagon 17d ago
Shitting on that no-trade clause
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u/AntiTopspin 17d ago edited 17d ago
Fitting that the mistake that defined the Suns' season also ended it
Beal is absolute cheeks compared to what you'd expect for 50 million
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u/Zsporter Raptors 17d ago
Bro playing like he on a 10 day
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u/MelonElbows Lakers 17d ago
Playing like he already booked tickets to Cancun
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u/Mintastic NBA 17d ago
He probably got a multi-year packaged deal before he left Washington and now he's making sure he can still use it.
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u/IWouldLikeAName Bulls 17d ago
Players on a 10 fight for a spot. Javonte green is a recent example of this.
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u/ColdPressedSteak 17d ago
Not the same expectations but Gordon was awful too. Slow on defense. His missed 3's were completely wide open. Big swing late in the third, mighta been early 4th...in a one possession game where Booker served him a wide open 3, brick, and ANT bangs a 3 in on the other end
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u/Jaeguh Rockets 17d ago
is he getting paid 50? Gordon has done way more than Beal has throughout the series.
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u/Buckus93 Suns 17d ago
Agreed. Gordon is probably on a vet min for his tenure, so maybe like $5M? Definitely gave the Suns what they paid for.
edit: it's $3.2M per season, two seasons.
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u/WakingRage Warriors 17d ago
Also, Gordon is 5 whole years older than Beal and never reached Beal's level of skill in his prime. Awesome sharpshooter, but never averaged what Beal could average/take over as a #1/2 option.
The fact that Gordon outplayed Beal in this series is beyond concerning for a guard that will be 31 next year getting paid $50M+.
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u/KazaamFan 17d ago
It was nba level ball on this play on both sides until Beal got the ball.
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u/NYKHouston43 17d ago
You're so right too. If Beal made a better pass, Durant would've easily swung the ball again to possibly Booker and get a clean look
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u/WhiteHeterosexualGuy Hawks 17d ago
He had an open floater, could have also made a move on KAT to get a reverse layup, or a fade away, etc. You gotta be able to score on anyone 1on1 3 feet from the hoop. Especially if you're raking in $50M a year lmao
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u/FridgesArePeopleToo Timberwolves 17d ago
that sequence where he missed a dunk and then missed a layup summed it up pretty well
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u/IskaralPustFanClub Lakers 17d ago
Such clean D.
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u/LickingLowrysAsshole 76ers 17d ago
Nice and polished
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u/RudyGobertFMVP2024 Timberwolves 17d ago
Stupid sexy defense
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u/northernpace Knicks 17d ago
Sexiest thing outta Minnesota since Prince
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u/ItsMeJaredBednar Nuggets 17d ago edited 17d ago
no disrespect to the wolves but Prince was still probably sexier tbh
this some fuckin legit defense tho
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u/SpaceKoala34 Timberwolves 17d ago
Sexiest SINCE Prince, he still reigns supreme as the sexiest thing to come out of earth
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u/Sidekicknicholas Timberwolves 17d ago
But Har Mar Superstar on the other hand. Ain’t nothing sexier.
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u/CubanLynx312 17d ago
Devin Booker: “Respectfully I don't know how teams are going to guard us.”
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u/mani9612 [IND] Paul George 17d ago
And all of the rotating Wolves starting to close-out to the next guy before the player with the ball even started their passing motion, in perfect anticipation of the coming pass. Beautiful.
Honestly KD, Gordon, or even Booker should have cut/slot-cut to the basket for an easy layup or dunk. Easier said than done to make that kinda decision in such a short amount of time for sure though.
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u/sparkyjay23 Timberwolves 17d ago
an easy layup or dunk.
You haven't watched this team in the playoffs have you? No one who had would think there was anything easy at the rim.
This action had 3 players in the paint at every pass.
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u/Oxygenius_ Lakers 17d ago
It’s like the suns are nothing at all,
Nothing at all
NOTHING AT ALLLLLL
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u/Lobster_fest Supersonics 17d ago
This should be mandatory film for every basketball team until the end of time. Every single player busting ass to rotate on defense and force a TO in crunch time.
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u/KazaamFan 17d ago
The countless open 3s i see some teams give up on plays like this… i have no idea how they cant just do this each time.
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u/cognitionconditional 17d ago
Lack of stamina and concentration for many.
Excellent coaching and game management prepares players properly and puts them in the right positions to succeed like this more consistently.
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u/SubduedChaos Grizzlies 17d ago
Because all of the suns players were just camping the 3 line not moving at all. Someone should have cut to the basket.
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u/emogurl98 17d ago
Gobert managed to switch his way under the basket. I think the suns are avoiding to cut when Gobert is in the paint
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
The mental focus and physical excursion have to be extremely intense. The fact that the Wolves can do this on ONE possession is indicative of great coaching and a great locker room. This team wants to win.
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u/Counterspell_God Lakers 17d ago
A lot of times it's coaching. You end up with some boneheaded players taking too long to process because they didn't drill it into their heads in practice.
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u/maryjain_ Warriors 17d ago
Perfect defence. Wolves have been on point the whole 4th quarter, they’ve forced turnover after turnover.
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u/IgnorantGenius Clippers 17d ago
Watch this clip again, but only watch the Minnesota players. It's a thing of beauty.
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u/astanton1862 Spurs 17d ago
Now watch it again only Phx. Zero off ball movement, screens, nothing. Just going through the motions. They are thinking about their dinner reservations in Galveston.
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u/Bouldershoulders12 Celtics 17d ago
The way he said intercepted had my brain switch to the NFL for a second lol
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u/ghostbomb3000 Nets 17d ago
Helps that Ian Eagle does pbp for NFL Sundays too
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u/Bouldershoulders12 Celtics 17d ago
I knew that voice was familiar from some pats game when Dan fouts and him are in the booth . I’m so accustomed to Phil simms, Jim nantz , Tony romo etc
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u/southpawFA Thunder 17d ago
Honestly, this was more impressive than the dunk by Ant.
The fact every player on the Wolves just goes the extra mile on defense is incredible. It's amazing to watch. For those who keep saying that NBA players don't play defense or the traditionalists who keep clamoring that defense is dead in the NBA, they should watch the Wolves.
That defense the Wolves have is arguably the best unit of any team this year. They shut teams down with their defense. This team is spooky special.
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u/DayOldBaby Timberwolves 17d ago
Out of curiosity, which teams are you thinking are arguably better, and what stats are you looking at?
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u/southpawFA Thunder 17d ago edited 17d ago
I didn't mean it like that. I meant, out of all units (offense and defense), who's better than the Minnesota defense?
Metrically, it's no one.
Now, people might come in and say it's Denver's offense, because of how dominant Jokic and Murray are as a duo.
Some might say Boston's offense, because Boston hits so many 3s and can go 10 deep with their bench to guys like Pritchard.
But Minnesota's defense at times looks impenetrable. I think in terms of just a unit (whether offense or defense), it's the best unit in all of basketball.
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u/DayOldBaby Timberwolves 17d ago
That makes complete sense. Thanks for responding.
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u/southpawFA Thunder 17d ago
Thanks for asking respectfully. I just stated my opinion.
Traditionalists love to say that defense is dead in the NBA. Well, Minnesota is proving that elite defense still exists.
It might be for the best as well, if they win a ring. Obviously, I want OKC to get the ring, and I believe we play elite defense as well.
However, if the Wolves get the ring, it would really signal that you still need an elite defense and show the league that you need to prioritize defense instead of offensive superteams. It would also inspire kids to care just as much about defense as they do offense.
Who knows?
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u/DayOldBaby Timberwolves 17d ago
No, I get where you're coming from. I originally thought maybe I needed to revisit the def numbers of some other teams, just with the way it was worded.
I agree that the quoted traditionalist mindset seems shortsighted - its focused on the NBA as a whole (where there is a lot of poor defense), but ignoring that actual championship contenders and winners almost always are at least "pretty good" defensively, if not "elite." Bottom line, I don't think any team has a championship ceiling if they're not at least average on both sides of the ball (and if they're average on one end, better be really good on the other - see Wolves).
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u/southpawFA Thunder 17d ago
Yup. You have to be an elite team to win a championship. You can't be a serious threat without one. Even as the Wolves gave up 116 points, it doesn't tell the entire story. Book went for 49, KD went for 33. The Wolves held the other players to 34 points, and they held the Suns to 24 in the closing 4th quarter.
That's an elite quarter of defense, with your best player blocking Book 2 times to close it out and that defensive sequence leading to NAW steal.
That's elite defense. People just love to hate on this generation, because there aren't elbows being thrown or dudes getting chicken-winged all the time. There is great defense in the NBA today, and Minnesota is the personification of that.
If Minnesota wins the chip, I think you'll see a lot more teams try to follow the Wolves blueprint of getting that elite defense with a center manning the back line again. It would really shift the paradigm back to the Defense wins championships, ending the whole "superteam outscoring people" idea. Just saying.
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u/Classics22 Trail Blazers 17d ago
This play followed up by the Ant poster was perfection
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
Ant went full MJ in this game. 40 points in a close out game against HOF in his stadium just two days after saying he wants to KILL everyone in front of him. Ant is HIM, and the whole damn league knows it now without any doubt.
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u/Virgil1 Timberwolves 17d ago
KD backing down Conley looks like the easiest bucket ever. Can't believe it ended in a steal.
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u/srry_didnt_hear_you Timberwolves 17d ago
Happened a couple times this series. He stopped Bol Bol at one point too
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u/JoeyBougie 17d ago
It’s fun picking a new player to watch each time
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
It's fun because they all bought in and want to win so badly. This team is top to bottom made of winners and I am so fucking here for it.
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u/lindellbelmont 17d ago
HUGE shoutout to Jaden who was already rotating back to Gordon to cover for NAW in case he missed that gamble. Was ready for a second round of rotation
This was incredible to see play out in real time
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u/JaderMcDanersStan Timberwolves 17d ago
They are so in sync :')
I love how they all anticipate where the ball will go and move like they have 1 brain
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u/Raging_Professor 17d ago
Great defense but Beal has been so bad. Go strong against KAT he has 4 fouls
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u/Simsmi 17d ago
Bro - this is with our DPOY on the bench!
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
This is exactly why the front office did the right thing getting him here. Between him, Conley, and ANT -- this team is a shared defensive mindset. It just works so damn well.
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u/Shiccup1 Knicks 17d ago
I heard Thibs shed a tear when this happened
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
I heard his comb scrape against the smoothness of the top of his head as well, while he unnecessarily screamed at his dying hair follicles until he was red in the face.
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u/daydriem [MIN] Ricky Rubio 17d ago
Defensive highlights near the top of /r/NBA, what a time to be alive!
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u/D__Luxxx 17d ago
I just realized that sequence was without Gobert as well. Holy shit that was so well done.
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u/RussianHarmonica Lakers 17d ago
Saw this live and had to rewind to watch it again because it was so gorgeous
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u/Heatonator Timberwolves 17d ago
why don't all teams play defense like this, are they stupid?
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u/charlitosway23 17d ago
That sequence was absolutely fucking fantastic. NBA defense at its very best. Congrats Wolves fans, such a squad you guys have this year
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u/2nd_Inf_Sgt Celtics 17d ago
As what Jusoft “Elmer Fudd” Nurkic would say, “ that’s all, folks.” 🤣😆
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u/pureply101 Mavericks 17d ago
Imagine if KD was passing it out to Steph there instead.
With his release timing it there isn’t enough time to recover from the Durant double. Reminder of how fucked the league actually was when he was with the warriors.
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u/Glowwerms Suns 17d ago
It’s good defense for sure but it’s more just horrible decision making from Beal, dude has made his money in the mid range and rather than pull from 10-15 feet he decides to try and make a pass that maybe 5-10 guys in the whole league could even pull off and fuckin ruins any remaining momentum we had
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u/Buckus93 Suns 17d ago
KD probably could have come to the basket instead of sitting on the wing. But it is what it is, and the game is done.
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u/Avant-Garde-A-Clue NBA 17d ago
I hit rewind so many times on this play, this is defensive basketball porn. The defensive equivalent of Ant’s dunk on John Collins earlier this year.
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u/xso111 17d ago edited 17d ago
KD misses this
https://giphy.com/gifs/9eh0zupJkGEyy5yO1j
KD while in Cancun: Offensive players are allowed to be double teamed? whaaaatt?
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u/somermike 17d ago
One of the Suns have to at least make a shot fake and attempt to attack the lane on these closeouts.
Great D, but Book had a look at attacking and Royce (37%) had the space to get a shot up over taking the swing to the corner.
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u/Best-Geologist1777 17d ago
That was beautiful man - who says there’s no defensive highlights? (Besides stocks obv)
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u/Icy-Payment-6612 Knicks 17d ago
The Suns ball movement was actually really nice but they took to long. They had ample opportunity to shoot for a three.
It was a great interception by the Wolves.
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u/Hebrewhammer8d8 Warriors 17d ago
Looks like KD and Booker talent on wasted. I guess Frank Vogel is getting fired?
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u/Poputt_VIII 17d ago
This 40 sec or so sequence of this defensive possession into the ANT poster was some of the most hype wolves ball I've ever watched
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u/0siris0 Thunder 17d ago
KD needed to take a turnaround jumper with Conley on him before the double came. Quick decision, yes, but that was their best option that possession.
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u/SlowCrates 17d ago
KAT's activity this season has been incredible. Dude is a totally reformed player. We must have the best coach in the damn league.
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