The biggest story of the NBA playoffs may be about to finish earlier than anyone thought, as the Minnesota Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead over the LA Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers now lose both games and need something special to advance against the low-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards is the hero expected of his team, scoring 43 points in a 116-113 victory, but the difference between the two teams was somewhere.
The Timberwolves have players who do things that even Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have not done, according to Shannon Sharp.
There are so many stories in the series, and most of them were based in the Lakers, so it will always be a problem for Timberwolves players who are not named Anthony Edwards.
So when comparing one player’s exploits to Jordan and Bryant, Shannon Sharp is very distinctive, and that also has its advantages.
The Lakers played starters throughout the second half in an incredible move that helped highlight the difference in depth strength between the two teams.
No one personifies the difference more than the sixth male award winner who does something even “Jordan or Kobe” hasn’t done that last year.
Speaking on the nightcap, Sharp said Naz Reid’s performance in the clutch was enough to embarrass Jordan.
He states: “Check out this data. Naz Reid in the fourth quarter of this series has 26 points. He’s 9/10 from the field goal and 6/6 with 3 points on Clutch. You’ll talk about Jordan and Kobe.
The series casts a new focus on the importance of role players in winning the championship, and Lead’s contribution is a massive example of the same thing.
In response to Sharpe, Gary Payton also praised Reid, earning wider points about taking on the role.
He states: “These types of guys you have to have on your team. He (Naz Reid) was the sixth guy last year. He comes in and makes big shots. That’s how you win the championship.”
Not just Reed, but others like Donte Divincenzo and Jaden McDaniels were there with Reed in terms of positive contributions.
The contrast is quite different from the Lakers playing the opening five throughout the second half. One team role player has been compared to Jordan and Bryant. Other team role players are not seen in court either.