My original plan was to write this post yesterday, before the series started. But in a way I'm glad I, because Game 1 was revelatory. But I still have to believe that the Grizzlies will find a way to beat the Timberwolves, maybe.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
By NBA Inception standards the Timberwolves are a superteam, i.e. a squad with three all-stars. KAT has been on the best Cs since he came into the NBA. Anthony Edwards will likely be an All-Star next season. And D'Angelo Russell has already proven that he can be an All-Star if he were forced to actually run a team.
STARTING 5 MAKE-UP
PG-2G-SF-PF-C (PointGuard, 2Gaurd, Small Forward, Power Forward, Center)
The T-Wolves have a pretty traditional starting 5 structure, even though Russell may not really be like a true 2 (defensively). This can work with players with Edwards and KAT, because Patrick Beverly is like pass first PG.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
I would have to say KAT.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
Depth, maybe. But the overall depth of a team isn't as important when you have three offensive all-stars.
X-FACTOR / KARMA ASSESSMENT
If I had written this article yesterday, I would have listed Anthony Edwards as the x-factor. And that would have been cool, because then he went out and bust the Grizzlies ass. But now, I'm more compelled to go with Patrick Beverly.
I knew he would be a good fit when the Wolves got him last offseason. But now it's like, don't forget Minnesota is a team where traditionally superstars tend to butt heads. So now I'm thinking like if Beverly wasn't around, maybe KAT and Edwards would have some type of alpha beef considering that Anthony may be just as good as Karl.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
I'll be honest and say I'm a Grizzlies fan. They're my second favorite team at the moment. So as good as the T-wolves may be, I'd be disappointed if the Griz ends up getting their asses bust by them.
STARTING 5 MAKEUP
2G-2G-SF-PF-C
I know that Ja Morant is a PG, but I think most of us would agree that he's more dangerous as a scorer than a facilitator. Also, I had no idea that Dillon Brooks was 6'7" until I just now looked it up. Before I thought he was a little guy.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Of course most people would answer this question by saying "Ja Morant". But things aren't that simple when you consider that the Grizzlies have had a better winning percentage this season without him.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
As for his character, Steven Adams is one of my favorite players in the NBA. But even some months ago, I was on the verge of mentioning that he seems out of place on the Grizzlies. The reason I never said that is because I later found out that he leads the league in offensive rebounds. And honestly that fact really shocked me, because every time I've watched Memphis play it's like he didn't really do jackshit.
X-FACTOR
I would have to say Jaren Jackson Jr. He's the team best defender, and defense is the one thing you really need against the Timberwolves.
KARMA ASSESSMENT
It looks like the members of the Grizzlies genuinely like each other. That's the glow of winning. The problem is that - like let me just go ahead and say it - as good as they may be, they may be even better when Morant isn't playing. Every time that happens - a team being arguably better without its franchise player - shit can get sticky, especially if dudes end up disappointing with Ja playing.
CONCLUSION
I'm still going with the Grizzlies on this one, even though my confidence has now been shaken. Maybe they'll try something like benching Adams and starting Clarke, for all the good that may do against KAT. But the thing is that Edwards and Russell, as well as some role players, also have to be chased around the court. So Memphis has to become like super focused on defense. But at least they have the depth to do so.
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