The Minnesota Timberwolves are the NWO Wolfpac of the NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been among the best teams across the NBA for the duration of the regular season, but in dominating during the playoffs they have taken the national stage by storm. The play has been so notable that TNT busted out the nWo Wolpac theme song against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, and it appears the Timberwolves are the new nWo Wolfpac to reckon with.

Minnesota has been able to contend with teams all season on the offensive side of the ball, but it has been their swarming and consistent defense that has dominated the opposition. Rudy Gobert should be considered the Defensive Player of the Year, and Anthony Edwards has shown an ability to be a two-way player as well. Their tenacity earned a dubbing for the Timberwolves as the new nWo Wolfpac on Monday night.

TNT Pulls a Wrestling Move

Debuting before many of these Timberwolves were even born, the nWo was a wrestling group that consisted of Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash back in 1996. As wrestling looked to establish storylines, the nWo was a byproduct of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE.) Hulk Hogan turned villain and helped to create one of the most successful storylines in wrestling history.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves may not be considered villains at this point, it’s hard to neglect just how impressively they have snuffed out the competition. After throttling the Phoenix Suns in a sweep, and going up two games on the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, this collection get the new nWo Wolfpac treatment as TNT went to commercial. Playing the theme song on national television, the spot couldn’t have been more appropriate.

Related: Stephen A. Smith Crowns Timberwolves as NBA Champs After Dominating Nuggets in Game 2

Defense Wins Championships

Although Kevin Garnett is an avid supporter of his former franchise, he remains away from the organization due to a distaste for current owner Glen Taylor. That doesn’t mean he isn’t observing what is taking place though, and seeing this team become the new nWo Wolfpac isn’t lost on him either.

Comparing the level of defense that Chris Finch’s team is playing to the type of offense that the Golden State Warriors showed at their peak is quite a compliment. The Timberwolves aren’t winning games because they have someone like Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, but Karl Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards have imposed a swarming presence that allows them to be something of a three-headed monster.

Related: Stephen A. Smith Jumps on Timberwolves Bandwagon

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The Timberwolves can certainly lean into this new nWo Wolfpac designation and play the theme song throughout the Target Center on Friday when they return for game three. Already up two games to none, Minnesota will have an ability to close out the second round in another sweep and get some well-deserved rest before playing the conference finals.

Whether the Timberwolves want to lean into the new nWo Wolfpac designation or not, there is something to be marveled at when considering the collection of talent they have assembled. It’s beyond clear that this group is special, and how far they go the rest of the way remains entirely up in the air. For once though, it feels like a Minnesota franchise might be colliding with the notion of being a team with a destiny.

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