Recently, ESPN has issued a survey from 20 NBA coaches, scouts and managers. A question was: Who wins every conference and the NBA title? Overwhelming, the Oklahoma City Thunder was picked to repeat as NBA champions and earned 18 of the 20 votes. The Denver Nuggets earned two votes to win the title and the same amount to represent the West.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference Finals. However, they are a notch among the best teams in the West, and it would be surprising if they let an NBA final. This has been the consensus during the low season and NBA staff has just confirmed it.
The thunder is the standard for the NBA
OKC is undoubtedly the standard for the rest of the NBA. That speaks for a team that comes from a championship. Nevertheless, the Thunder was mainly dominant and she won 68 games, which are bound to the fifth most in the NBA history. In addition, OKC had the second best net rating in the competition history and he had the best defense of the NBA with a considerable margin. With an average age of 24.1 last season while it is led by the ruling MVP Shai Gilgous-Alexander, the Thunder is only ready to get better.
In the Western Conference Finals, OKC Minnesota defeated 4-1 with an average victory margin of 18.2 points. The gap between the two teams is clearly important. During the low season, the Wolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker and took no movements to replace it. Conversely, the thunder did not lose any of their rotation. It is possible that the gap between the Thunder and the Wolves can get bigger this season.
The difference between the east and the west is grim. Five East teams were mentioned as potential conference champions, but only two West teams were. If the wolves were in the east, they can be favorites of the conference. Anyway, the wolves will have to shock the world and probably deduct the champions to make a final run.
The Timberwolves have many championship ingredients, but their competition is discouraging
The wolves control many courses such as contenders. They have a superstar in Anthony Edwards and a well -rounded core. Minnesota was one of the four teams that placed a top 10 attack and defense last season. Nevertheless, the wolves are confronted with a tough battle to make a title run in a loaded west, especially with the Thunder. Even the Nuggets, which brought the Thunder to seven competitions and have upgraded their supporting cast around Nikola Jokić, seem comfortable above the wolves for the time being.
For the wolves to really challenge the Thunder, many things should go well. Edwards is an elite player, but the 24-year-old has another level to reach, especially as a playmaker. With Mike Conley Aging, the wolves can look to use Edwards in more a role of Lead Guard, and his growth in the game will be crucial. This is particularly vital against the stifling defense of the Thunder. The wolves must also get solid production from their young trio, Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. And Jaylen Clark.
Julius Randle has to play consistent during the Play -Offs. Jaden McDaniels and/or Naz Reid who reach a different level gives the wolves a different path to get over the bump. For now, however, the wolves are a layer under the best in the west. Anyway, strange things have happened and a surprise run for the wolves should not be completely excluded.
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