There are still many reasons to watch the NBA Playoffs in 2024, even after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated. The surviving teams have already played several thrilling games.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the Denver Nuggets 2-0 at the moment, this series is undoubtedly the most intriguing. Minnesota has managed to stop Denver’s potent attack, something that not many other teams can accomplish.
To slow down Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, the Timberwolves have competent substitutes in Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Jaden McDaniels. In his analysis of Minnesota’s success against Denver and the rest of the league, James highlighted the team’s length on the JJ Redick-hosted “Mind the Game” podcast: “Obviously, Minnesota’s advantage—which they have in our league generally—is their length at the wing spots, which they have against Denver or anybody else. Mike Conley’s length is what draws your attention rather than his height. There is a lot of length to him. Ant Edwards is obviously very long. length of Jaden McDaniels. KAT, duration. Rudy, at length. They leave (the bench) with length and Nickell Alexander-Walker. Reid, Naz, length. Kyle AndersonThey just keep hitting you with length after length, along with males who are also skilled players.
They have adopted coach Finch’s defensive techniques, or whomever their defensive coordinator is there—I won’t speculate—so that’s been their biggest benefit.
James almost sounds envious of the Timberwolves’ roster given how easy they’ve made it look guarding the defending champions. James against the Nuggets and noted how the Lakers were a couple of possessions away in each game from winning, but just couldn’t get over the hump.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have done an excellent job capitalizing on every opportunity they get and look poised to close this series out on their home floor.
