No one is taking Minnesota or OKC seriously. Why?

[chris_in_pdx]

Especially the Timberwolves. They are kicking ass and taking names 25% of the way through the season, but it's all about the Lakers, the Nugz, the Suns in the West. Agreed, they haven't won shit yet and their players aren't exactly household names, but 17-4 ain't easy no matter how you slice it... and OKC and Orlando are making noise too. No one seems to be listening however.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Small markets

 

[Whyachi]

Nobody likes Rudy Gobert, boooooo
and the other team stole the Sonics, BOOOOOO !!

 

[riverman]

They have what I call tank stank...same thing the Clippers had for ages and now we're getting a taste of in Portland. I never liked teams with revolving door coaches and rosters that never have a consistent identity. Both of those teams are doing good so far but I don't give a shit because I have no history or connection to either franchise that would make me give a shit. It's also just a quarter of a season in the books this season so ..they could both end up sucking by the spring. I like to watch the Bucks now if the Blazers aren't playing

 

[Tince]

Especially the Timberwolves. They are kicking ass and taking names 25% of the way through the season, but it's all about the Lakers, the Nugz, the Suns in the West. Agreed, they haven't won shit yet and their players aren't exactly household names, but 17-4 ain't easy no matter how you slice it... and OKC and Orlando are making noise too. No one seems to be listening however.

There are only 7 teams with better championship odds than Minnesota. How much more respect do you think they deserve?

 

[blazerkor]

I'm actually really impressed with both the Wolves and the Mavs. Last season I couldn't imagine a way that the Wolves would make KAT/Gobert work and they now have. The same goes for the Mavs with Luka/Kyrie. It's impressive that those teams stuck with those guys when they looked like absolutely mismatched parts and figured out how to make that work.

 

[BankTeller]

I'm actually really impressed with both the Wolves and the Mavs. Last season I couldn't imagine a way that the Wolves would make KAT/Gobert work and they now have. The same goes for the Mavs with Luka/Kyrie. It's impressive that those teams stuck with those guys when they looked like absolutely mismatched parts and figured out how to make that work.

The jury is still out on the Wolves imo. Last year, the Mobley/Allen pairing really gave me high hopes that the 2 big lineup would make a return in the next few years, but they flamed out in the playoffs. The Wolves look good now, but who’s to say they can’t flame out like the Cavs last year in the playoffs? Both teams could still do well in the postseason (which makes Sarr/DA possibility more fun/feasible), but we just don’t know yet.

 

[BankTeller]

I'm actually really impressed with both the Wolves and the Mavs. Last season I couldn't imagine a way that the Wolves would make KAT/Gobert work and they now have. The same goes for the Mavs with Luka/Kyrie. It's impressive that those teams stuck with those guys when they looked like absolutely mismatched parts and figured out how to make that work.

The Mavs HAVE been impressive. They looked dead in the water, Luka’s future in doubt. Who would’ve thought tanking the last game of the season and taking the punishment would be night and day for the franchise.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Because they’ve been irrelevant for so many years. Small markets.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Who?

 

[Predator]

I've seen people talking about SGA is the frontrunner for MVP right now. I think people are taking OKC seriously.

I don't think people are taking Minny seriously because the assumption is they're like the Jazz teams from a couple of years ago - built for the regular season and not the postseason.

 

[kjironman1]

There are only 7 teams with better championship odds than Minnesota. How much more respect do you think they deserve?

They have the best record in the entire NBA. Explain please how 7 teams have a better chance at this point and have better championship odds?
They had a 3-1 record in the IST only missing the knock out round due to points. Seem like they should be better than ranked 8th?

 

[julius]

Especially the Timberwolves. They are kicking ass and taking names 25% of the way through the season, but it's all about the Lakers, the Nugz, the Suns in the West. Agreed, they haven't won shit yet and their players aren't exactly household names, but 17-4 ain't easy no matter how you slice it... and OKC and Orlando are making noise too. No one seems to be listening however.

Are you new around here?

I can't imagine why the media is all a flutter over LeBron James, the defending world champions, and a team with Kevin Durant.

Just can't put my finger on why the media isn't going all in on a team that has historically done jack shit and another one that is in the smallest market in the league and has 1 star that people *should* know but really don't...

 

[bigbailes]

On the Timberwolves, probably because we've seen Goebert teams do this in the past and then flame out in the playoffs. Also it's only 20 or so games, teams come out of the chute red hot all the time and then fizzle down the stretch. There's a reason people don't really pay attention to the league until after Christmas or even into mid/late January when things are really settling in.

 

[Chris Craig]

Especially the Timberwolves. They are kicking ass and taking names 25% of the way through the season, but it's all about the Lakers, the Nugz, the Suns in the West. Agreed, they haven't won shit yet and their players aren't exactly household names, but 17-4 ain't easy no matter how you slice it... and OKC and Orlando are making noise too. No one seems to be listening however.

Because none of them are winning championships

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Samuel]

25% of the way through the season

there it is.

 

[THE HCP]

Seems like only yesterday a few on here were absolutely BLASTING the Wolves for the Gobert trade. Seems to be paying dividends? I think this is a great example of letting things cook for a bit. Let the chemistry build. #ScootOnLine1

 

[Tince]

They have the best record in the entire NBA. Explain please how 7 teams have a better chance at this point and have better championship odds?
They had a 3-1 record in the IST only missing the knock out round due to points. Seem like they should be better than ranked 8th?

Personally, I'd also take all 7 teams favored ahead of them as well. Last year on Dec 12th, the Pelicans had the best record in the West, but I would've taken a handful of teams to win it all over them as well.

We're only a quarter of the way through the season. Some teams had been playing above their ability, others lower. Some guys have been shooting at a percentage that is unlikely to sustain, others worse.

 

[blazerkor]

Seems like only yesterday a few on here were absolutely BLASTING the Wolves for the Gobert trade. Seems to be paying dividends? I think this is a great example of letting things cook for a bit. Let the chemistry build. #ScootOnLine1

Yeah, I blasted both the Wolves and Mavs for trading for talent that couldn't possibly fit, of course after seeing that they weren't quickly fitting in. It is amazing what having a training camp together can do and the way the players and coaches learn from failure the season before.

 

[kjironman1]

Personally, I'd also take all 7 teams favored ahead of them as well. Last year on Dec 12th, the Pelicans had the best record in the West, but I would've taken a handful of teams to win it all over them as well.

We're only a quarter of the way through the season. Some teams had been playing above their ability, others lower. Some guys have been shooting at a percentage that is unlikely to sustain, others worse.

The Pelicans suffered injuries.
If the T wolves remain healthy they will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[tlongII]

Seems like only yesterday a few on here were absolutely BLASTING the Wolves for the Gobert trade. Seems to be paying dividends? I think this is a great example of letting things cook for a bit. Let the chemistry build. #ScootOnLine1

Bake the Cake!

 

[Tince]

The Pelicans suffered injuries.
If the T wolves remain healthy they will be a force to be reckoned with.

I think the T-Wolves are highly unlikely to win the NBA championship for a few reasons. I think their 24:1 odds are apporpiate.

Let's revisit this in June.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Seems like only yesterday a few on here were absolutely BLASTING the Wolves for the Gobert trade. Seems to be paying dividends? I think this is a great example of letting things cook for a bit. Let the chemistry build. #ScootOnLine1

By few you mean experts?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

They have the best record in the entire NBA. Explain please how 7 teams have a better chance at this point and have better championship odds?
They had a 3-1 record in the IST only missing the knock out round due to points. Seem like they should be better than ranked 8th?

Of the 7 teams ahead of them, 4 have won the past 4 championships (and still have the top players from those championship teams), and the other 3 are large market teams with a recent history of playoff series victories. The Wolves are a small-market team that hasn't won a playoff series in 20 years. Given the conventional wisdom that it takes time/experience to win a title, it makes perfect sense that their odds would be a bit lower than their record suggests.

 

[kjironman1]

I think the T-Wolves are highly unlikely to win the NBA championship for a few reasons. I think their 24:1 odds are apporpiate.

Let's revisit this in June.

Of the 7 teams ahead of them, 4 have won the past 4 championships (and still have the top players from those championship teams), and the other 3 are large market teams with a recent history of playoff series victories. The Wolves are a small-market team that hasn't won a playoff series in 20 years. Given the conventional wisdom that it takes time/experience to win a title, it makes perfect sense that their odds would be a bit lower than their record suggests.

@Tince really has not come up with much but he "thinks" for a few reasons the odds are appropriate.
@PtldPlatypus on the other hand has come up with a very compelling argument that deserves merit.

My stance on this is my original statement. IF they stay healthy they will and should be considered a contender. IMO that means top 4-5 in the playoff race. Their overall defensive rating is also #1 in the league on top of having the best record. Advanced overall net rating has them 4th.

Those are things that translate into wins in the playoffs. The small market stuff isn't really holding water lately. Denver and Milwaukee have both recently won a championship and both are also considered better odds this year as well. Which by the way I agree with.

I just agree with the premise of the thread that the T-Wolves are not getting the respect that they deserve yet. If they stay healthy and continue to rack up wins I would assume the odds will change.

 

[Tince]

@Tince really has not come up with much but he "thinks" for a few reasons the odds are appropriate.
@PtldPlatypus on the other hand has come up with a very compelling argument that deserves merit.

My stance on this is my original statement. IF they stay healthy they will and should be considered a contender. IMO that means top 4-5 in the playoff race. Their overall defensive rating is also #1 in the league on top of having the best record. Advanced overall net rating has them 4th.

Those are things that translate into wins in the playoffs. The small market stuff isn't really holding water lately. Denver and Milwaukee have both recently won a championship and both are also considered better odds this year as well. Which by the way I agree with.

I just agree with the premise of the thread that the T-Wolves are not getting the respect that they deserve yet. If they stay healthy and continue to rack up wins I would assume the odds will change.

I don't know how much "respect" they are or are not getting. That's a pretty subjective term. I'm sure every team could make a case for the disrespect narrative.

Minnesota isn't a great outside shooting team, they have shown to have maturity/chemistry issues which could bubble back up when the times get tough, and most importantly, they've had little to no post-season success with this roster. To go from not winning a playoff series in 20 years to winning the NBA championship would be an unprecedented jump. I'd wager they are more likely to get bounced by the 2nd round than they are to win it all. Therefore, I think they are a longshot to win it all and appropriately respected.

 

[kjironman1]

I don't know how much "respect" they are or are not getting. That's a pretty subjective term. I'm sure every team could make a case for the disrespect narrative.

Minnesota isn't a great outside shooting team, they have shown to have maturity/chemistry issues which could bubble back up when the times get tough, and most importantly, they've had little to no post-season success with this roster. To go from not winning a playoff series in 20 years to winning the NBA championship would be an unprecedented jump. I'd wager they are more likely to get bounced by the 2nd round than they are to win it all. Therefore, I think they are a longshot to win it all and appropriately respected.

That’s a solid response. I don’t really think they will get past the conference finals but you may very well be right and their ceiling is the second round. Again this is all subject to change with any major injury issues?

 

[Tince]

That’s a solid response. I don’t really think they will get past the conference finals but you may very well be right and their ceiling is the second round. Again this is all subject to change with any major injury issues?

For sure... it's possible a bunch of teams around them get injured and they make some magical run. It's also possible Edwards suffers an injury, KAT disappears again, and Gobert causes the season to get canceled.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

@Tince really has not come up with much but he "thinks" for a few reasons the odds are appropriate.
@PtldPlatypus on the other hand has come up with a very compelling argument that deserves merit.

My stance on this is my original statement. IF they stay healthy they will and should be considered a contender. IMO that means top 4-5 in the playoff race. Their overall defensive rating is also #1 in the league on top of having the best record. Advanced overall net rating has them 4th.

Those are things that translate into wins in the playoffs. The small market stuff isn't really holding water lately. Denver and Milwaukee have both recently won a championship and both are also considered better odds this year as well. Which by the way I agree with.

I just agree with the premise of the thread that the T-Wolves are not getting the respect that they deserve yet. If they stay healthy and continue to rack up wins I would assume the odds will change.

The small market thing has nothing o do with winning, but with the size of the fan base, and thus the number of people predisposed to want to bet on that team, which is a relevant point when considering Vegas odds.