The last large NBA dynasty? The golden era of the warriors apparently ends, but their plan allowed

Minneapolis – You could see vestiges of what the Golden State Warriors were, what they hoped to be if everything was optimally flowing.

Stephen Curry Bopping and Houpping, not paying attention to the defense of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, hitting a triple of Beau-Back. Jimmy Butler catching and decisively pulling, not waiting for defense to observe it.

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But more appropriately, you saw the best of what the warriors were in the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Devastating 3 -point shot. Suffocating defense. Share the ball in an altruistic way.

This is the brand that the Warriors left on the league after this glorious race, the one that apparently finished Wednesday evening, the Timberwolves advancing in five games with A 121-110 victory Here at the Target Center.

The Timberwolves qualify for the conference final for the second consecutive year, the two improbable places given the lack of optimism that most of the basketball world felt for this franchise. This good will was left to the pillars, which is why there was so much hope for a return to curry if his injured hamstrings had improved in the break between matches 5 and 6.

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Maybe it was for the best that this series did not extend. Not for lack of drama because a potential return of Curry would have been sunk, he leaving the faithful of the Chase Center – the belief that a miracle would have been possible.

Admittedly, the anemic way of the Warriors played on Wednesday in attack, pulling less than 40% for most of the night, they would have been helped by the offensive magic of Curry. The Timberwolves did everything they could to appropriate the offensive of the balloon movement, and even if the Warriors achieved their match plan objectives to win the possession game and hoist 39 points at 3 points, it was always futile.

“When you don’t have Steph on the ground, the margin of error is so much smaller, and everything must take more,” said Butler. “Injuries occur. But it’s very different with Steph not there. “

But the presence of Curry would not have helped defend Julius Randle by playing the best and most controlled basketball of his career, or Anthony Edwards continues to become his as a current filing holder.

For a man, the Warriors granted tribute to the Timberwolves, who fired 63% and 42% out of 3. It is difficult not to fight four times in a row, Curry being there or not. The Warriors have won two playoffs since obtaining the title of 2022, and each defeat reported something minute.

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Losing to the Los Angeles Lakers finished an awkward season that started with Draymond Green Punching Jordan Poole in the training camp, which followed them all year round. Losing against the Sacramento Kings in the game tournament last year put an end to the long Kiss Goodbye in Klay Thompson.

This one was not like lost warriors to reflect images of themselves-nobody confuses Anthony Edwards or Rudy Gobert like any reasonable facsimile for vintage Warriors players, but the how seemed revealing.

Seeing Jaden McDaniels flying to both ends spoke of the images of a young Andre Iguodala as a guy from the glue, and the Timberwolves, even through their faults, took full advantage of an injured team. They did not want to take any risks that Curry will return in a match 6.

The Timberwolves took control of the series in match 3, when they smothered the Warriors offensive in the fourth quarter, then followed it with another professional performance two nights later to take the lead.

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In a way, they paid the best tribute to the Warriors with their approach, appropriate fear.

“They are no longer in their dynastic phase, I would say. But the era of basketball Golden State is still underway and very, very relevant,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. “When they have not been at the top in recent years, a lot of injuries, which has been regrettable for them.

“But it is incredible what they did and what they built and what they have accomplished and in doing so, really many ways have changed the way the game is played.”

Many discussions will revolve around “if”. If Curry was in good health. But when your foundation is around a 37 -year -old man, injuries must be cooked because this is what happens to a 38 -year -old little one – you hope that this will not happen during this time of the year.

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“I know we had a shot. I know we could have left the distance,” said the Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “But that does not matter. Again, everything in the playoffs concerns who remains healthy and who becomes hot, you know. Do you play well at the right time? Do you have several guys in key games, make photos and do you have good health?”

Without the last one, there is no point in asking the first two questions, especially if Curry’s health is in question. The Timberwolves did not miss good players when it seemed that the Warriors had more than a few who needed more seasoning in the playoffs – some had simply looked at their element, and the list must be built to adapt to the needs of veterinarians, especially that of Curry.

It’s their fate. Green will be 36 years old shortly after the stars break next year, Butler will have 36 years before the start of the training camp and Curry entered the real territory of the old head while he rushes around 40.

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Kerr, Butler and Green were optimistic about the prospects of next season given the way they played after Butler went on board, but you wonder if that is enough to believe.

“It’s difficult, but it’s difficult on both sides,” said Butler. “If we are in good health,” if all this and if all this “, it can be different. But we will take our luck with Steph there. We will come back and understand this thing.”

The Western Conference is increasingly a game of a younger man and asking these three accomplished players but body holders to push this level of competition seems to ask too much without changes of important staff.

When taking the extension of Butler into account, the Warriors have many free agents – notably Jonathan Kuminga (limited) – and managed to go under the second punitive luxury apron this season, which gives them a room for maneuver this summer, such as the exception of the level of non -taxpayer taxpayer around $ 14 million.

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“I’m excited,” said Kerr. “We have Jimmy and Dray and Steph to all young people. Our young players have performed very well. There is a lot to hope for. “

But to follow the rhythm of the Western summit, the Warriors lack something important – even beyond the acquisition of Butler, which has strengthened the back of their season.

“I think each NBA team has the impression of needing staff help that is not in the building,” said Green. “It has nothing to do with whom is young, who is old. It is the nature of the company. Contracts occur, money situations occur. But do I trust our young guys that they can spend the next step? 100%, absolutely. “

Given What happened with Jayson TatumA bad step could cost more than a simple stage in Curry and the Warriors than a simple eliminatory series; It is the pivot of everything that is blue and gold.

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This sprawling building on water exists because of it. Kerr is one of the first 15 coaches of all time because of him. Green is a champion because of him, and Butler hopes that he can capture this elusive title with Curry.

You must be lucky and good to win a championship, not to mention this period of sustained excellence. But you have to be even more than perfect for this thing to go longer than it has done, and it is impossible.

Make upon Moses Moody, James Wiseman and not be able to operate anything with Kuminga, all the first draft choices during their years of decline after Kevin’s defection during Brooklyn have the impression of biting them now.

This could be unfairly mixing an imperfect science, and it is ironic that the Warriors decided to decide all with Curry given the way they made the line for a few years with this notion of “two deadlines”, and obtained a championship with almost no contribution from their youth.

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Now, while the gravity and the father’s time are starting to get closer to the greatest shooter we have ever seen, you are wondering if the Warriors have the stomach or the simple way to do everything you need to follow the Jones – or rather the Gilgeous -Alexanders or Edwards of the world.

The collective agreement of the NBA has made more difficult for the most thirsty teams to keep things alive, not to mention playing more than the margins.

You are wondering if it is too late, even if the Warriors have looked like the last large dynasty that we will see for some time. You wonder if by becoming a little too cute, or if they did not believe that Curry could be so excellent as long, if they cost more glory.

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You are wondering because you can see the sun going to bed more and more. You wonder because Target Center looked a lot like this old building in Oakland when it started to swing.

Because we did not know that all the aspirants had no chance, we knew that everything in the predictable future would cross Oracle, just as everything could very well cross Minneapolis or Oklahoma City.