2023-24 Wolves Season Review

Well, I wanted a bit of time to process everything that was this season - the highs and the lows. Now I feel I am ready to reflect on the season and look towards the future.

Synopsis of the Season
Minnesota started the season with the expectation from national media that they wouldn't be too much of a factor. Most expected them to ride the line of .500 and make their way into the playoffs via the play-in tournament. On the first night of the season, they were right. The Wolves weren't terribly great against the Raptors in game 1, but this would prove to be an outlier going forward. After that, Minnesota played stifling defense and efficient offense all the way into the playoffs. 
The season had its ups and downs of course. The Wolves cruised into the new year, maintaining their position as the 1 seed in the West. They would start to falter though in February when Karl-Anthony Towns would go down due to a meniscus injury. Minnesota wouldn't fall off the map, but they would allow an opening for teams like Denver and Oklahoma City to edge their way into that top spot a few times. KAT would return before the end of the season as the Wolves were fighting for a top 3 spot in the playoffs.
This season also featured two All-Stars from Minnesota in KAT and Anthony Edwards. KAT even made history in the big game, posting 50 points in the West's loss to the East. The Wolves held the number 1 spot in the conference for only the second time in franchise history, and they also held it for the longest amount of time in franchise history, the only ever time coming back in 2004. Minnesota would finish the season with the league's number 1 rated defense, by multiple points. This became the team's identity over the season.

Playoffs
Minnesota would enter the playoffs as the West's 3rd seed, and somehow an underdog against the 6th seeded Phoenix Suns. In fact, plenty of national media members were picking the Suns to defeat the Wolves in 5 games. Minnesota would come onto the scene in this year's playoffs with a chip on their shoulder, and rightfully so. The Wolves would go out and defeat the Suns in 4 games, the franchise's first ever series sweep. In fact, half the games weren't very close. Games 1 and 3 were won by at least 15 points. Even in the games in which were close, Minnesota was able to find their way to victory via great 3rd and 4th quarters - which showed incredible poise for a team and state typically lacking those things. Suddenly, Minnesota was the talk of the NBA - with many national hosts saying the Wolves should be in the NBA title conversation. 
Their next series though, would be even tougher then before the Phoenix series. Many folks believed that now the Wolves would pull down the Nuggets in short order, even though Denver was the defending champion. The series would play out much differently then anyone would expect. Minnesota would roar out to a 2-0 lead, defeating the Nuggets by a sizeable margin in both games in Ball Arena. Then, Denver would kick Minnesota's ass back in Target Center. It seemed neither team could win in their own arena. Denver would win Game 5 as well, and by that point - most of the national media had all but abandoned Minnesota as a title contender, saying they had never really been that good and that the defending champions can take down anyone even if not at full strength. Games 6 and 7 would yet again give a whiplash effect. Minnesota would decisively win Game 6 at Target Center, with the game seemingly over at halftime. In Game 7, only Minnesota's second ever, the script would yet again flip. The Wolves wouldn't play a great 1st half in Ball Arena, with the Nuggets sitting at a somewhat comfortable 15 point lead at halftime. Shortly into the 3rd quarter, it would grow to a 20 point lead. Then, Minnesota turned on the engine finally. The Wolves would slowly find their way back into the game and would defeat the Nuggets by 8. It was the largest game 7 deficit in NBA playoff history that the Wolves overcame. 
Now the Wolves found themselves only 4 wins away from a chance to win a NBA title. Unfortunately it seems they lost the energy they had in the previous two series, as Dallas seemed to best Minnesota in the places were they were great before. The Wolves, up to this point, had been great in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the games regardless of how bad the first half was. That wasn't the case in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas always seemed to have that edge in the 4th quarter to close out several close games where the Wolves were ahead. Minnesota would win Game 4 in Dallas to avoid being swept, but would get shellacked in Game 5 to close out the season. They really just ran out of gas in my opinion. Especially since the Mavs would end up getting boat raced in the NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics.

Overall this season was a pretty great one for the Wolves. After the dust has settled on the 2023-24, many folks (both national and regional) believe the Wolves belong in the NBA title conversation for next season. I tend to agree as well. While this season was most certainly a special opportunity, since hardly anyone not following this team believe they could do this, it was also a great year of growth. Anthony Edwards is a bonafide superstar now, and don't forget he is only 23 years old! He has taken a leap in his play each season since entering the league at 19. Karl-Anthony Towns proved in this year's playoffs that he belongs and shines on a playoff team, especially with his improved defensive effort. Rudy Gobert proved that he was by no means a bad trade, given some gusto to the multiple big lineup that everyone in NBA media clowned last season. He also won his record third Defensive Player of the Year award! Speaking of awards, Naz Reid was rewarded for his spectacular play off the bench this season with his first Sixth Man of the Year award. Reid really resonates with Minnesota fans, with his name being plastered all over town. The special beach towel that was given away at his theme night continues to be seen all across the state and the nation as a whole. Other awards were the Social Justice Player of the Year in Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Teammate of the Year award given to Mike Conley. Anthony Edwards was also named to the All-NBA 2nd team, and Jaden McDaniels named to the All-Defensive team. 
The crazy part folks, I don't think this team has reached their height yet. The core of this team is still so young, in Ant and Jaden as well as Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Its going to be fun watching these guys continue to progress in their careers in Minnesota! 

Fortunately, we have the opportunity to watch more of Anthony Edwards and his excellent talent on the court - as he will play for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics this month! Rudy Gobert will be playing for Team France at the Olympics, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be playing for Team Canada. 

Until next season folks
​#WolvesBack