The Timberwolves destroyed Hu Yong 4-1 in a row! From the quagmire to the Western Final, why did they counterattack?

Who could have thought of it? The Timberwolves, who had 8 wins and 10 losses at the beginning of the season and almost exploded in the locker room, sent off the Lakers and Warriors 4-1 in two consecutive rounds of the playoffs and entered the Western Conference Finals!

This script is even more outrageous than the movie - Edwards evolved from a "reckless man" to a "Jordan-style killer", Randle transformed from a "playoff softie" to a "all-round second in command", and the Timberwolves proved with tough battles: they are not "playoff edge teams" but underrated "dark horses in the Western Conference Finals".

From the quagmire to the Western Final: How cruel is the Timberwolves' "bottom-back"?

The Timberwolves at the beginning of the season were simply "synonymous" - 8-10 starts, Edwards criticized after the game "like a group of kids playing"; Randall was in a sluggish state due to injury (47% shooting percentage in the first 48 games, 32.1% of three-pointers); the atmosphere in the locker room was tense, and even "can the season be over" became a problem.

But starting from March this year, the Timberwolves suddenly "awakened" - 17 wins and 4 losses in the last 21 games (the second win rate in the same period in the West), and directly from the edge of the playoffs to 6th in the West.

What did they do right?

1. Randall: The transformation from "black hole" to "the two-in-command of the almighty family" is the key. He was inefficient due to injury at the beginning of the season, but after returning in March, he shot 52.3% from the field and 39.8% from three-pointers in the last 21 games, and averaged 5.2 assists during his 13-game winning streak, completely forming a "internal and external dual core" with Edwards.

He is even more crazy in the playoffs - averaging 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists per game (50.9% shooting percentage, a career playoff high). The former "ball rights black hole" has become the "most brainy dealer".

2. Edwards: The evolution from "reckless man" to "Jordan killer"

Edwards is even more amazing. He made 39.5% of his three-pointers in the regular season, and directly "Jordan possessed" in the playoffs - against Lakers G4, he carried the Lakers' five small lineup and scored 43 points (16 points in the second half); against Warriors G3 and G4, 16 points in the third quarter, and a "2+1" hit directly to the Warriors (and then 17-0 shock wave).

What's more important is his "fineness": he averaged 40 minutes per game in the playoffs, but averaged only 2.3 turnovers per game (1.78 in the first 9 games), and a 2.57 assists and losses. He is no longer a "reckless man who can only break through hard", but a "leader" who can pass, control and destroy the opponent's psychology - in the Warriors series, he has 38 rebounds and 28 assists (aligned with Butler), and even rushes to do blue-collar work.

3. Team evolution: 8 players rotate "Everyone can fight"

The Timberwolves' strength is not based on one or two stars, but "Everyone can fight in eight players rotate" - Gobert transforms into "France O'Neal"; Conley is old and stronger; Jayden, Reed, and Divinchenzo each have their own skills. Compared with the Nuggets "6-choose 5", the Timberwolves' depth is directly full. As long as Fincher knows people and uses them well, he will not panic at all times in the decisive victory.

Two rounds 4-1 Destroy Lake Yong: How terrifying is the Timberwolves' "playoff upshift"?

First round against the Lakers: G1 shot at random (21 three-pointers with 42 shots); G3 reversed 13-1 in the last 5 minutes; G4 fell behind double digits twice, and counterattacked 19-9 in the last 5 minutes; G5 Gobert 27+24 ravaged the Lakers' inside line - easily advanced 4-1.

The Warriors in the second round: G1 lost 5 of 29 three-pointers; but Curry retreated from injury, the Timberwolves won 4 consecutive games (G3 Edwards 30+, G4 He scored 16 points in the third quarter + 17-0 shock wave) - 4-1 sent the Warriors out, see you in the Western Conference Finals!

Hu Yong's two super giants can't stand it. The Timberwolves rely on:

The defensive system is mature (defensive efficiency is 111.5, sixth in the league): limiting the opponent's shooting percentage and three-point shooting percentage are both the top seven in the league, and there are no shortcomings in the internal and external lines.

Quantitative Change of Chemical Reaction: Randall and Edwards "complementary dual cores", the others perform their own duties, and 8 people rotate "each can play the decisive moment".

Psychological suppression: Edwards' "Jordan-style" performance (score + destroying opponent's psychology), Randall's "distributor" role makes Hu Yong "more panic the more he plays."

Western Conference Final Outlook: The probability of the Timberwolves winning the championship is higher than last year?

The West Finals are not decided now (Thunder VS Nuggets 3-3), but no matter who they face, the Timberwolves are not afraid:

Against the Thunder: The Thunder's strong defense from the outside tests Edwards' three-point stability; the double towers may limit Randall, but Randall's ability to "punish the small" this season has been proven.

vs. Nuggets: The Timberwolves' 8-man rotation depth and defensive system may be more advantageous than the Nuggets (Nuggets "choose 5 with 6", although Jokic is strong, he needs to withstand for 43 minutes).

What's more interesting is that the Timberwolves' configuration is very similar to a certain champion team - "Contemporary Jordan" (Edwards), the All-Agent Second Head (Randall), European Center (Gobert), 3D Wing (Jardin), Old Point Guard (Conley), Qualified Substitute (Reed)... Even "Birth Buff" - this may be a coincidence, but it's enough to make people imagine.

Underrated Timberwolves are writing a new legend

From the chaos at the beginning of the season to the two rounds of the playoffs, the Timberwolves proved with their actions that they are not "playoff edge teams", but "Western Final Championship Teams". The transformation of Edwards and Randle, the depth and resilience of the team, make them have a higher probability of winning the championship than last year.

In the next Western Conference Final, no matter who the opponent is, the Timberwolves deserve respect - they crawled out of the quagmire and used tough battles to justify themselves. This is the most moving story of basketball.