3 reasons Timberwolves won’t be pushovers in Game 5 of NBA Playoffs
By Bret Stuter
Reason I: Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the NEO of this Timberwolves team
In the movie, The Matrix, a programmer named Mr. Anderson learns that he has been given an alter ego named NEO, a being who has the ability to alter the rules of his surroundings to make him next to undefeatable. While there is plenty of symbolism and cinematic special effects to that movie that do not apply to the Minnesota Timberwolves, one classic line from that movie is the comment:
“He is beginning to believe.”
While the line has all of the bells and whistles of a Hollywood movie, it signals the transformation of a mere mortal to the superhero who was prophesized, now fulfilling his cinematic destiny. No, it is not an instant transformation. Rather, there is still a learning curve. And that is why the moniker of NEO seems to apply to recently acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is also known by his initials.
Hot. This Timberwolves player deserves a hero’s welcome at Target Center. light
Yes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker still deserves a hero’s welcome
Unlike the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the new kid on the block. He is as unfamiliar with this team as they are with him. A young defensive wing, he has the unwelcome task of trying to neutralize the Denver Nuggets’ star point guard Jamal Murray. Crazy as it sounds, that is just what he did.
On top of Edwards' effort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was arguably the Wolves' most crucial player -- especially on the defensive end. NAW was able to hold Jamal Murray to 1-of-8 from the floor in the second half.
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) April 24, 2023
Here's Mike Conley's response on watching him grow: https://t.co/SfXmw8PaEG pic.twitter.com/H9SHBe0x9y
The sudden ability of NAW to contribute so heavily to the defensive end of the basketball court is nothing short of a stroke of genius for the Minnesota Timberwolves President Tim Connelly. Even as all heads turn and judge his trade for center Rudy Gobert, the ability to convert the last 23+ games of a very expensive D’Angelo Russell for veteran PG Mike Conley Jr. and SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker, plus three second-round draft picks, is amazing.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are not out of this yet. And as long as the NBA world convinces the Denver Nuggets that they will win merely by showing up, this series could go all the way out to seven games.