Bishop of the Abyss

Chapter 116 116. The deal is concluded
In the next few games, the Timberwolves are gaining momentum. After defeating the Rockets, the Timberwolves have basically dominated the big and small lists this season.

From the team rankings, to the most valuable regular season rankings, to the best rookie list, it seems that the Timberwolves can be seen on every list.

The dominance shown by the Timberwolves in the new season is not limited to the team record, but more about the overall efficiency of the Timberwolves on both offense and defense.

As of now, the Timberwolves' offensive efficiency ranks fourth in the league, but the Timberwolves' defensive efficiency beats the Spurs and Pistons and other teams to rank first in the league.

Even the Timberwolves' average conceded points per game this season is 3.7 points less than the second-ranked Pistons in the league.

If today's league collectively selects a team that everyone least wants to meet, then this team must be the Timberwolves.

Throughout history, there are very few teams in the NBA that are extremely dominant on both offense and defense, especially this season's Timberwolves level, which has rarely appeared in the NBA since ancient times.

Even the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, who have established dynasties in the past two years, have obvious shortcomings.

But in this Timberwolves, people can't find any flaws, just like the iron plates that are tightly stitched, there is no flaw at all.

As the Timberwolves defeated the Warriors, Trail Blazers and Bobcats in three consecutive away games, the Timberwolves' record has reached [-] wins and [-] losses, and it has been difficult to find a defeat since the start of the game.

And after the Pistons just lost to the Boston Celtics not long ago, the Timberwolves officially became the only undefeated team in the league today.

In addition, the Timberwolves, who have won 93 consecutive victories in the opening game, are also given more expectations by fans. Many fans want to see if the Timberwolves can break the 94-game winning streak set by the Rockets in the 15-[-] season.

In the 93-94 season, the Rockets played 15 wins and 0 losses at the beginning of the season, setting a record in NBA history in one fell swoop. Until now, no team has been able to break it.

Last season, the Timberwolves also had a stunning start of [-] wins and [-] losses, which shocked many fans.

But in the No. 11 game, the Timberwolves unexpectedly ushered in an upset. The Magic led by Francis ended their winning streak, which also made the Timberwolves' opening record stay at ten games.

This season, the Timberwolves' lineup has been further upgraded. Both offensive and defensive ends and tactical coordination are better than last season. Especially after winning the championship trophy, the players' self-confidence is even more overwhelming.

Therefore, many fans feel that the Timberwolves can challenge the Rockets' 15-game winning streak.

Even though many teams are playoff-level opponents from the schedule, if the two teams really want to meet head-on, the headache must be the opposing team!

…………

In the recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Timberwolves player Trenton Hassell lifted his suspension and ushered in a comeback
Against the Spurs in the playoffs last year, Hassel was suspended for 15 games by the league for malicious injuries, and he had just ushered in his debut not long ago.

The comeback of Trenton Hassell has made the Timberwolves lineup neat. Even if the Timberwolves have an excellent defensive player like "Glove" Payton on the back line this year, Trenton Hassell's playing time was once greatly weakened.

But compared to the contribution brought by the game, Trenton Hassel's main role is still reflected in the spiritual level. Hassel, who is like a mad dog on the defensive end, originally used this method to motivate his teammates.

And when Hassel only needs to sit down on the field after the suspension is lifted, his teammates will feel at ease inexplicably, as if there is nothing that Hassel cannot solve.

As one of Luke's two gold medalists, Trenton Hassell has long been known as a vicious player. Like Eddie Griffin, the two have long been blacklisted by other teams.

There is still a saying about this guy Trenton Hassel in the fan community, "No one asked about defense for five years, and once the gangsters are known."

Although Hassell's reputation is not good, Hassell's popularity is very high. Hassell's comeback allows the Timberwolves to fill the last hole and become a complete team in the true sense!

…………

On November 11, there was a news from the defending champion Timberwolves, who is the focus of the league.

According to official reports from the Timberwolves, the team has officially reached a deal with the New York Knicks.

In this transaction, the Timberwolves will send John Salmons, who is missed by most teams in the league, in exchange for the Knicks' 2006 first-round pick + an unknown role player Trevor Ariza.

As the deal came out, it immediately became a hot topic in recent days.

There is no way, the Timberwolves are so popular this season, and the attention they have received is unprecedented, especially after the start of the game with ten consecutive victories, the Timberwolves' dominance on the field is already visible to the naked eye.

All the news related to the Timberwolves will be analyzed immediately, and the experts will come up with a long speech, wishing that there are some statements that even Luke himself does not know.

There is not much doubt about the fact that the Timberwolves will trade John Salmons. Salmons played very well in the Timberwolves. Last season, he not only proved himself in terms of personal data, but also helped him in the finals. For the first time in team history, they won the championship trophy.

This season, Salmons has been further improved, whether it is individual defense or outside three-pointers, it has become more and more stable.

Salmons' outstanding performance means that the Timberwolves will not be able to keep this potential rookie this summer.

The Timberwolves have no salary space. If you wait until Salmons' contract ends, you can only watch Salmons sign with other teams in the end. In the end, there is no way to save him.

It's just that the outside world did not expect that the Timberwolves actually traded Salmons for a first-round pick, plus a fringe player Trevor Ariza. This choice exceeded the expectations of many fans.

The Timberwolves have only one goal this season, which is to launch an impact on the two consecutive championships. When most people thought that the Timberwolves would use Salmons in exchange for an immediate combat power, the Timberwolves chose a different bargaining chip.

The first-round pick is certainly eye-catching, but for a championship-winning team like the Timberwolves, the value of the first-round pick is really not as satisfying as an immediate combat power.

As for another player in this deal, Trevor Ariza, basically no one pays attention to it, and everyone regards Ariza as an addition.

Only a small number of fans fell into contemplation after seeing this deal, thinking of the scene when the Timberwolves traded the three-point leader Hoiberg for Salmons.

As a second-year rookie this season, Ariza averaged only 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and his shooting percentage was only 40%.

(End of this chapter)