Ben Beecken

Host @LockedOnTwolves podcast. Former @FanSidedNBA, @GrandStCentral, @TwinkieTown. Opinions are my own.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@DaleFaz It's possible, but probably just as likely that the Pacers would value him as an affordable backup next year. They're trying to start contending again right away and he's a nice bench piece on a super valuable contract.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

Rudy back on the first team.

Jaden only gets three Second Team votes.

[NBA Communications @NBAPR]

A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.

The complete voting results ⬇️

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@mitchellio_ Yep, good call. I guess the point stands that they still got a first-round pick out of the deal -- and a better pick than this year's, ha.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

The comp to those Kings teams is great. Or the Jail Blazers teams. Not in terms of playing style, but really good, solid teams in recent NBA history who didn't get to the Finals.

(Would argue that this mini-"era" isn't over yet, btw, until Rudy, Ant, or Finch is gone.)

[Michael Redd @MichaelRedd_]

Saw someone else already said this, but winning a ring isn't the only definition of success.

If you asked Minnesota fans three years ago if they'd take the run they've had, most would say yes. It's some of the best seasons in history, even without a ring.

I'm sure Sacramento fans would take the early 2000s back if they could, too, even though they didn't win a ring.

[Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski]

Mike Conley says he does plan to play another season. Says the way he played in the playoffs proved to him he can still do it.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@HPbasketball There's no world in which the Gobert trade is a bad thing. Gobert is the ultimate floor-raiser. Would have put immense pressure on Connelly to hit on a bunch of mid-first rd picks to take this team from likely a fringe playoff group to WCF level. Instead, WCF became the floor.

[Jack Borman @jrborman13]

Going live in a few with @bbeecken for one last Wolves Postcast this season:

- Spurs' execution better all-around
- Ant getting limited help
- Defensive issues
- Getting smarter a priority
- Where do the Wolves go from here?

Join us live on YouTube:
https://t.co/BKEw5ybLWL

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@InternetNome @HPbasketball I wouldn't exacty say that he was on that plan to start with, ha

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@Dillon_stan28 @jasonmgood I think this is all true. While the Dillingham trade was obviously bad, it was a worthy swing based on the cap situation Connelly knew they were up against

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

This feels like a great offseason pod topic, because I couldn't disagree more.

"capped at WCF" is a great problem to have, even w/o factoring in this franchise's history. "capped" is conditional, and only getting to the WCF -- with a still ascending superstar -- is ... not bad.

[Jason Good @jasonmgood]

Yup. They went for it too soon. Should have spent a couple of seasons rebuilding, because look where we are now. What good does “Ant has playoff experience” do when we are capped at WCF for 5+ years.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@dschneuer But those are two different things, and both are true.

Entirely possible (maybe even likely) that a frontcourt change is needed this offseason.

That does NOT mean that the Gobert trade was "terrible" or that "they went for it too soon"

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@jasonmgood Certainly viable, although we're a few years out.

And no, don't think there's anything morally wrong with hoping for it to happen!

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

Don't be thrown by Randle's box score line from last night. He did not play well (again).

Was Game 2 against Denver his only legitimately solid game of the playoffs so far?

[ALL NBA Podcast @ALLCITY_NBA]

The Wolves are getting just 0.85 points per direct touch from Randle these playoffs. That's the second-worst mark in the Tracking Era for a player with 300+ direct touches in a single playoff run

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@TwolvesBlog @allthingsmn We can agree that the draft assets need to be used better, whether via the actual pick or trade; I actually think it's been a bigger Connelly issue than Finch.

But that's the thing: it's tough to parse where the blame should fully be placed between the FO, coaches, and player.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@oo47514 Didn't say it was only Edwards' fault. Also, he's injured.

Yes, Randle has been awful in this series.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

Biggest issues in this one:

- Broken offense with Wemby OFF the floor
- Bad 3PT shooting (again)
- Ant had just 13 FGA -- combo between seeming like he was exhausted (not moving after getting off the ball) and lack of overall ball movement from the Wolves.
- Wemby is good

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@TwolvesBlog @allthingsmn Naz and Jaden were both drafted by Rosas but largely developed by Finch and his staff. Also NAW's career resurgence. And Ant counts, too.

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

@JoeTheWino Okay

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

Was Wemby fouled on that play? Sure. But uncalled fouls happen all the time. This "he has to protect himself" thing is crazy...MIN weren't the ones throwing elbows.

Rudy racked up a ton of flagrants this year for retaliating because he doesn't get calls. But he never did THAT.

[Matt Guzman @mattgzman]

Mitch Johnson spoke at length about the level of physicality Victor Wembanyama faces every night. Says the #Spurs have been asking the officials to protect players, and felt they have not been doing so regarding Wembanyama.

Johnson said he’s glad Naz Reid is OK. He didn’t want Wembanyama to elbow Reid, but said the following: “I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. He’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not going to do it. I think it’s disgusting.” #PorVida

[Ben Beecken @bbeecken]

I made this point on today's show.

Spurs are showing their lack of experience with playoff basketball. Mitch Johnson's postgame press conference confirmed it.

Playoff basketball is a different sport.

[Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA]

Rudy Gobert when asked if he thinks the physicality in this series is frustrating Victor Wembanyama.

"I dunno, ask him. I don't know. I mean, I think it's a very physical series for everybody. They're being very physical with us and we are being very physical with them. That's playoff basketball."