With the strength, how can the Timberwolves achieve?

Reference Before the start of the playoffs, no one in the expert group composed of ESPN analysts was optimistic that the Timberwolves could defeat the Lakers in the first round series. Judging from paper strength, the Timberwolves are obviously at a disadvantage. The Lakers team led by James + Doncic is luxurious enough. It is not unreasonable for the media to predict that the Lakers will advance to the second round.

However, the reality is completely different. The Timberwolves eventually won the first round of the series by relying on their team effect and superior execution. Even from the big scores of the series, they are completely the dominant side of the game. Based on the content of the game, whether it is conversion fast break, rebounding competition, tactical execution, defensive communication, etc., the Timberwolves are better than the Lakers.

This is an unquestionable overwhelming series victory that is enough to turn all the doubters before the game into support of the Timberwolves.

"No one is optimistic about us, we all know."

This is Edwards' response in an interview with reporters after his fifth game against the Lakers. It is obvious that he himself knows the direction of external public opinion for their first round series.

Before entering the first round, the Timberwolves were mostly overlooked in the discussion of the playoff team. This is not surprising. After experiencing a turbulent regular season, it is normal not to be regarded as a real threat. But the Timberwolves still did what they expected. They turned the outside world's suspicion into motivation, gave a strong response, slapped those who looked down on them in the face.

Five games in the first round, the Timberwolves limited the Lakers' average score to 103.2 points, which is the second lowest score in a single game for all teams in the first round. At the same time, the Timberwolves also defeated their opponents in rebounding data, averaging 8.4 more rebounds per game, creating more fast break points, averaging 6.6 points over the Lakers, and relying on many advantages to play smoother offensive tactics.

Tough defense, basketball flow, and selfless playing style have always been the characteristics of the Timberwolves, and ultimately prompted them to win the Lakers who rely too much on James and Doncic to play singles. Randall, who turned the situation around, was definitely the one with the most doubts among the Timberwolves players before the start of the first round of the playoffs. Before the trade deadline, he joined Minnesota due to the Towns transaction case, and when he joined, he also brought the negative burden of losing last season's playoffs, and was labeled with a huge label of inefficient offensive and defensive loopholes. However, this time in the playoffs, Randle was not overwhelmed by pressure and gradually showed the fans' expected forward with the ball.

In the first round of the series, Randall performed well, averaging 22.6 points and 7.8 rebounds and shooting 49% from the field. Randle's offensive organizational value was particularly critical when Edwards was double-teamed by the Lakers' forward. Before Gobert played a high suppression effect in the inside and Edwards broke through the Lakers' double-team defense, Randall became the core character of the Timberwolves, a scorer who used misplaced singles and constantly punished the Lakers' switch to defense at mid-range.

In Game 5, Randall scored 23 points and 5 rebounds, and was the first player of choice for the Wolves to respond to the physical confrontation of the Lakers in the positional battle, and constantly responded to the opponent's counterattack momentum at critical moments. Randle is also redefining fans' inherent impression of him in the playoffs after beating the Lakers for the second round. McDaniels, who opened the offense, has always been famous for defense, but on the playoff stage, he unexpectedly showed his value in offense.

In the first round of five games, McDaniels averaged 17.4 points per game, which has a significant improvement compared to the average of 10.1 points per game in the regular season. Compared to the highlight moment of 30 points in the third game of the series, what is more important is his game stability. He can not only hit a fixed-point reception three-pointer, but also hold the ball in time to create offensive scoring opportunities.

In terms of original defensive value, McDaniels is most of the time against Doncic, causing a lot of trouble for the 26-year-old superstar. Thanks to the value this brings on both sides of the offense, McDaniels provides the Timberwolves with the third reliable offensive point, a key puzzle every playoff team needs. The bench of the Timberwolves is mainly composed of Naz Reed, Divinchenzo, and Alexander Walker, which is almost the best bench lineup in the league.

Reed started from the bench in five games in the first round and averaged 11.6 points per game. As a substitute inside, he provided the team's shooting space and physical confrontation required; Divinchenzo's value lies in his stable defensive vitality, three-point shooting from the periphery, and timely free-off cuts. As for Alexander Walker, who was relatively backward in the rotation, he also contributed a lot of key goals on the playoff stage and repeatedly proved that he was a top-level ball-holder defender.

Based on the abilities of these three people, they at least have the ability to start players in most NBA teams. It is precisely based on this team that the Timberwolves can avoid offense when the main lineup is resting. Instead, it is a link for them to expand their advantages. In addition, veteran Conley is the team that seems young but has a lot of experience in the game, and naturally becomes the promotion side.

Gobert, who seized the opportunity, performed averagely in the first four games of the first round series, and even became a loophole targeted by the Lakers many times.

However, in the fifth game, when Edwards was infinitely attacked by his opponent and the team's tactical operation was limited, Gobert finally showed his high value. He scored 27 points, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks in the whole game, and made 11 of 13 shots. This is also his very rare and best playoff game in years..

Relying on the small inside combination that crushed the Lakers in a high body shape, he kept grabbing offensive rebounds, creating a second offensive opportunity, and relied on this advantage to completely reverse the game situation. Although he may not be the core focus of every game, from the game of eliminating the Lakers, at least Gobert proved himself that when he can concentrate on one aspect, he still has the ability to change the direction of the game. Even if his advantage may not necessarily continue the entire series, it is still a focus for all Timberwolves opponents to deal with in the future.

Superstar, Edwards

Although he performed poorly in several games, even ended the fifth game of the first round series, Edwards made 0 of 11 shots outside the three-point line, it is undeniable that Edwards is still the best player in the first round series.

Average 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game against the Lakers, but his basic data cannot fully demonstrate his value. As the Wolves' first ball-holding core, Edwards is the first choice to control the pace of the game and needs to make correct judgments when facing unlimited double-teams from any team. He scored 43 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 4, making him the most dominant personal masterpiece in the first round series.

This is not just a good young player who has made a great performance, but a process where a player at the future appearance level of the league is about to mature. In a round of series with James and Doncic, Edwards has gradually become the best player on the court. Compared to reaching the top in one step, the succession process of young players does not necessarily have rules to follow. We don’t know where Edwards can reach this season’s playoffs, but there is no doubt that he is now climbing to the top of the league step by step.

On the playoff stage in the past two years, Edwards has eliminated star players such as Durant, Booker, Jokic, James, Doncic, etc., and has such an excellent playoff resume at the age of 23. And now, he is standing in front of Curry, Butler and others. In the next few years, he still has many opportunities to achieve more and higher achievements.

Playoff prospect

Although the Timberwolves' challenge has not ended. Coming to the second round, they are opposite the experienced Golden State Warriors who are famous for their three-point fire. In the first game of the series, the Timberwolves seemed a little hesitant, and were eventually caught by the Warriors and lost the first game of the series with an 11-point gap.

Edwards scored 23 points in the first game of the semi-finals, but his overall offensive efficiency was not good. Randall, who became the second core of the team in the first round, was also very uncomfortable being limited by the Warriors' assisted defense system, and his bench combat power did not show the offensive firepower of the first round series.

The failure of the first game also lit the Timberwolves with a red light. Even after the Warriors lost Curry, they began to gain some advantages. After winning the second game, the two teams returned to the same starting line. But this does not mean that the Timberwolves are completely safe. If you want to continue to further the future, relying solely on passion and player talent is far from enough.

For the Timberwolves, the semi-finals are their basic results this season, and the subsequent games will be the most direct opportunity to test the growth rate of this young team. As for whether to respond strongly to external doubts, or still stop at the same place, the Timberwolves must give a definite answer this time.