No one is taking Minnesota or OKC seriously. Why?

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.

 

Small markets

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Who?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

there it is.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.