Latest news with #Ant
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Chris Finch Holding Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves Back?
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost game four of the Western Conference Finals, 128-126, to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They kept the game close by shooting 52% from the field and 44% from deep. Minnesota's bench had by far the best game in these playoffs, popping off for 64 points, including 12-of-20 from three point land. But when you turn the ball over 21 times, allow 19 offensive rebounds and 38 points in the fourth quarter, not even 23 points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 21 from Donte DiVincenzo or 22 more from Jaden McDaniels can save you. Advertisement Had Minnesota's role players not shot out of their minds, the Wolves might have lost by 20. Because the plan Oklahoma City had for Anthony Edwards rendered him mostly non-existent in game four, the second time in this series the Thunder have been able to shut Ant down. Anthony Edwards comes up short for the Minnesota Timberwolves again… Oklahoma City let their guard down in game three and Edwards went off for 30 pts on 71% shooting. In game four, the Thunder clamped back down and the supposed superstar responded with one of the more underwhelming playoff performances of his young career, finishing with 16 points on just 13 shots. When the game was on the line, he deferred. Anthony Edwards (WCF vs OKC) Att FG% 3PT (%) Pts Reb Ast TO +/- Game 1 13 39% 3/8 (38%) 18 9 3 4 -23 Game 2 26 46% 1/9 (11%) 32 9 6 0 -22 Game 3 17 71% 5/8 (63%) 30 9 6 4 +36 Game 4 13 39% 1/7 (14%) 16 4 6 5 -3 The NBA's leading three point shooter in 2024-25 regular season went 1-of-7 from deep, to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. On a night when the Minnesota Timberwolves needed their superstar to be a superstar… he was relegated mostly to a facilitator who struggled to find his shot. Advertisement OKC's suffocating defense was up in Anthony Edwards' business every time he touched the basketball, defending with intensity and physicality that left him feeling uncomfortable all night. It's a style of defense that Ant has struggled with throughout his career. After the game, we once again got to hear Edwards tell reporters how helpless he felt throughout the evening, a theme we have heard way too often during postgame interviews these playoffs. When asked about the struggle Ant faced getting to his spots, the 23-year-old budding superstar laughed off any notion that he could've made a bigger impact in the game four scoring column. 'I don't look at like I struggled or [Julius Randle] struggled. They just… they had a good gameplan, making us get off the ball, especially me, man. They was super in gaps, I made the right play all night so I don't really look at it like I struggled. I didn't get enough shots to say I struggled. So that's my opinion. That might be how you guys look at it, but yeah, I didn't struggle at all, I was just making the right play.' Anthony Edwards on how he *didn't* struggle in game four Advertisement On Saturday night, Edwards' early focus and sense of urgency lit the Target Center crowd on fire and locked in his teammates mentally for the next three quarters of a game that they eventually won by 40 points. But that killer Ant we saw take over Saturday night right from tip, flying around and making plays on both sides of the floor… was non-existent. Sure, Anthony Edwards made the right decisions. He tried to get downhill and find the rim but the OKC defense was determined to suffocate him. They know that the key to killing the playoff Timberwolves is stopping Ant-Man. If he goes off, you will lose. But for whatever reason, when teams decide to lock in on Edwards, they've been able to tame his production and force the Wolves to win in other ways. Against lesser opponents, like the Lakers in round one and the Steph Curry-less Warriors in round two, Minnesota had plenty of firepower to do just that. But against a team like OKC, relying on secondary stars and role players to win games is not a formula that breeds success, something we are finding out the hard way in the Western Conference Finals. Is Chris Finch the Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff problem? So what is the problem? Because Ant isn't the NBA's first superstar. Michael Jordan won six NBA Finals with the entire league trying to stop him. Before him, everyone was trying to slow down Magic, Bird, Russell, Kareem, etc. After MJ, they couldn't stop Kobe, LeBron, Steph… Advertisement Well, maybe it's time we look harder at Chris Finch. Yes, the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach is beloved by his players, including Ant. Finchy — who is 369-209 (.566) in his five years leading the Wolves — along with president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, have taken this franchise to places we never really dreamed of, including two-straight West Finals appearances. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images But is Chris Finch the right guy, going forward? Because he is showing a lot of warts this postseason, especially when it comes to unlocking his superstar. And while there is plenty of blame to go around, it's Finch's responsibility to get the best out of Anthony Edwards, something he has not been able to do consistently. Finch likes a free-flowing offense, with little structure. That's fine… when it works. But in the playoffs, structure often wins games. Hunting matchups, using screens to force switching defenses into the matchups you want, then executing, in order to capitalize on whatever advantage you are trying to create. Advertisement That's how teams win in the NBA Playoffs. That's how good coaches get their best players in space, when the opponent's sole goal is to stop that from happening. And the Wolves are not doing it, mostly because it seems foreign to them… and because Chris Finch hates it. I thought this analysis from Dane Moore after game two really highlights what the Minnesota Timberwolves are missing in this series and why Chris Finch's offensive style has become a problem. That's not how Ant approaches [offense] and he has a coach that doesn't ask him to play a structured style of play and never has. And that's cool, and it's [worked at times]. But [their casual style] is illuminated against a team like this that plays very sharp. Shai is very directive, and you know what it is [that he wants to do]. I feel like this series is exposing that gear of structure that this Wolves team has never had. Intentionally, since Rudy Gobert got here, they've never been like, 'we're going to be a team that runs pick and roll here'. They don't because Finch hates that. He hates the the homogenization, or whatever of it. He doesn't want to do that. If the series goes down in a similar pattern, to how it has gone, it doesn't make the offense that [the Wolves] have, and the flow-based concept system a bad idea. But to me, it would be nice if you had another gear where you could be much a little bit more robotic offensively. I know that sounds bad but they don't have that. Dane Moore – The Dane Moore NBA Podcast Chris Finch is already the winningest playoff coach in Wolves history (21 playoff wins), recently surpassing the late Flip Saunders (17 playoff wins). From the outside looking in, firing Finchy may seem asinine. But is it really? Because NBA history says otherwise. The Best teams in NBA history needed a coaching change Many of the greatest teams in NBA history needed a coaching change before they were able to take the next step, and that is especially true when it comes to great player-coach combos. The Chicago Bulls hired Doug Collins, going into Michael Jordan's third year in the league. Advertisement Collins led the Bulls to the East Semis in 1988, where they fell to the Detroit Pistons in five games. Then, in 1989, Chicago made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, before falling to the Pistons yet again, this time in six games. That offseason, Collins was fired and replaced with Phil Jackson, who had been an assistant in Chicago, prior to his promotion. Two years later, the Bulls won their first ever NBA Championship. Eight years later, they had won six total. Michael admitted that he was not happy with the move when it was first made. Fast-forward a decade, a young Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal are winning 60 games per season for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996-1999, under head coach Del Harris. Unfortunately, he was canned in the middle of the 1998-99 season, after the Lakers underperformed in the playoffs and failed to make it out of the West. Advertisement Enter Phil Jackson for the 1999-2000 season, where the Lakers go onto win their first of three-straight championships. Want more? How about we stay out west this time? In 2014, the Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors are eliminated from their second-straight playoffs under third-year head coach Mark Jackson. Related: Time for Anthony Edwards to Earn His NBA Superstar Label That offseason, he is fired and replaced with Steve Kerr. Much of the NBA is furious. One year later, Golden State wins their first NBA championship, then proceeds to play in the next four NBA Finals after that, winning three total rings in five appearances from 2015-2019. So, before you wave off the idea that Chris Finch is the Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest playoff problem, open up your mind. Because this wouldn't be the first time a really good team has needed a coaching change, in order to become great. And whether it happens or not, Tim Connelly should be carefully combing through all options to improve this team next season, and that includes head coach.
ITV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Blackpool magician Harry Moulding crowned winner of Britain's Got Talent
Magician Harry Moulding has described his time on Britain's Got Talent as "the most incredible journey" after he was crowned the winner of ITV show. The 24-year-old fell to his knees with joy as presenters Ant and Dec declared him champion during the live show on Saturday night. Moulding, who wowed the judges with a card trick which featured a video of him skydiving out of a plane, takes home £250,000 and a spot in the Royal Variety Performance. 'I genuinely feel like everyone has been behind me", he said after winning the public vote. "This has been the most incredible journey." The illusionist, from Blackpool, was fast-tracked to the final after guest judge and Youtube star KSI hit the golden buzzer in the semi-final, which also saw him propose to his girlfriend. Dance group The Blackouts were this year's runners-up after performing a light show to hits by Robbie Williams and Take That. In third place was nine-year-old gymnast Binita Chetry. Hear Our Voice, a choir made up of people impacted by the Post Office scandal, were the bookies' favourites heading into the final, but finished outside the top three. The finalists of the 18th series of ITV's talent contest, which started back in February, performed under the watchful eye of judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Britain's Got Talent fans left divided as magician Harry Moulding crowned winner
Harry Moulding has won the 2025 Britain's Got Talent final, and fans are split over the decision. After a number of weeks and hundreds of acts performing in front of the judges, the magician from Blackpool beat out 10 others to be crowned the winner. Harry, 24, from Blackpool, has earned himself £250,000 and will perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the royal family. But fans have been left split over the fan vote. Taking to X, fans have voiced their divided opinion over the magician's win. Some were pleased, with one saying: "I'm so pleased for this guy, he is what a great variety act should be and really likeable guy, I can see him presenting a show on TV and we need more people on TV like him, well done Harry." Another said: "He was absolutely brilliant this series he deserved to win." A third added: "Congratulations Harry. Such a likeable and talented young man." However, others were not too fond of the choice. One said: "Only won because he jumped out of a plane. Totally undeserved." "British public ruining things again," another added. Harry is a magician from the North West, with his website saying: "Harry has performed at hundreds of events across the UK and worldwide, including intimate magic shows as well as hosting to audiences of thousands. " First starting magic at just 11 years old. Harry entered magic competitions as a youngster and won various trophies. And here it is, the big one... 🏆 Your WINNER of #BGT Series 18 is.... HARRY MOULDING! Huuuge congratulations, you have been absolutely sensational! 👏👏👏#BritainsGotTalent #BGTFinal — BGT (@BGT) May 31, 2025 When Harry left school, he joined the cast of the Award-Winning House of Illusion Magic and Mystery Theatre Show in Spain. His magic performances left the audience and judges stunned during his time on Britain's Got Talent. A surprise proposal as part of his semi-final act left viewers of the ITV show "in tears". Harry received the golden buzzer from KSI in the semis, meaning he was straight into the final. His card trick act for the final featured a video of him skydiving out of a plane. Recommended reading: Britain's Got Talent final viewers disappointed as judges' wildcard act revealed Ant and Dec forced to apologise on BGT final after Bruno Tonioli comment Britain's Got Talent's most viewed audition that led to over 1bn streams of song After his win, Harry fell to his knees in shock. Speaking after to Ant and Dec, he said: "I can't believe what is going on, thank you everyone so so much. "I genuinely feel like everyone has been behind me. This has been the most incredible journey.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Britain's Got Talent's Ant and Dec interrupt live final as they admit act is 'not ready'
Britain's Got Talent's Ant and Dec interrupt live final as they admit act is 'not ready' The Britain's Got Talent final was thrown into chaos on Saturday night as Ant and Dec were forced to interrupt the live show as they said an act was 'not quite ready' BGT: Ant & Dec halt show as stage isn't set for final act Britain's Got Talent was thrown into disarray on Saturday (May 31) evening when Ant and Dec announced that an act was "not quite ready". The ITV talent extravaganza is set to wrap up tonight, with eleven acts vying for the title at Hammersmith Apollo in the series 18 finale. This year's line-up of finalists features gymnastic sensation Binita Chetry, the harmonious Post Office choir Hear Our Voice, dance troupe Ping Pong Pang, alongside vocalists Vinnie McKee and Stacey Leadbeatter. They're joined by the judges' semi-final golden buzzer selections, including LED dance troupe The Blackouts, operatic drag performer Jasmine Rice, illusionist Harry Moulding, and stand-up comedian Joseph Charm. Britain's Got Talent was thrown into disarray on Saturday (May 31) evening when Ant and Dec announced that an act was "not quite ready" Presenters Ant and Dec also revealed that ABBA homage duo, Han and Fran, had been chosen as the judges' wildcard entry, reports Belfast Live. The last performance of the evening was supposed to be Amanda Holden's golden buzzer choice, guitarist Olly Pearson, but he was delayed in taking the stage. "Now, we've got one act left. It was going so well, but we have to have a little chat with you judges, because we're not quite ready on stage just yet for Olly," Ant disclosed, prompting looks of astonishment from the judges. "It's been a great final so far, though. Right guys?" Ant then enquired, with the panel unanimously concurring. The hiccup was brief, however, as Dec soon welcomed Olly onto the stage "It started strong, but it's got better and better and better," Ant added. The hiccup was brief, however, as Dec soon welcomed Olly onto the stage. "Hold that thought, because we're ready on stage," the host announced, and Ant swiftly joked: "Thank goodness, because they didn't have a thought between them!". Despite the initial hold-up, Olly impressed everyone with his guitar playing, accompanied by a band of drummers. The ITV talent extravaganza is set to wrap up tonight "That was unbelievable... We just forget that you're a kid... That was super professional, massively entertaining, very chilled. Once again, you did yourself proud," Amanda enthused. The show's fans were in agreement, flocking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their admiration for Olly's act. "Olly is a little rock god, wouldn't be mad if he did well tonight," someone commented, while another mentioned: "Olly is very good!". Article continues below Another fan exclaimed: "YES OLLY! What a way to close out the final!". Britain's Got Talent is available to watch on ITV X.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
How to vote in Britain's Got Talent Final 2025 on ITV
This evening, thousands across the country will sit down in front of the telly as the final of Britain's Got Talent 2025 takes place on ITV. Hosted by Ant and Dec, the show's final will see the return of judges Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli for the last time of the series. Here is all you need to know about voting and how to back your favourite act this year. Voting for the Britain's Got Talent final is crucial as, unlike the semis, there will be no golden buzzer rule, so it is entirely down to the public vote. Thankfully, voting is simple and free. You can vote via the BGT website, but you will need to register via the ITV website here using your UK mobile number. If you are in Scotland, the website is The Britain's Got Talent app voting is unavailable for the 2025 series. After registering, follow the instructions and pick your winner. Ant and Dec will announce during the show when the voting window opens. Each mobile number that you verify will receive five votes, which can all go to one act or be spread among different ones. Viewers can also vote by text or call, with the numbers for the acts appearing on screen during the final. There are no limits to the number of votes you can cast on the phone. The finalists for BGT 2025 are: We've got quite the show lined up for you TONIGHT! 🤩 Here's who will be performing for your votes to win... Remind yourself of their #BGT Semi-Final performances here: A wildcard act is also reportedly due to be revealed. The live final of Britain's Got Talent will air this evening, Saturday (May 31) at 7pm, on ITV1 and ITVX. Recommended reading: It is the first year that the popular show hasn't aired semi-finals every weeknight at the end of May, as scheduling changes were made to weekly slots by ITV bosses earlier this year. The iconic golden buzzer now also appears during the live shows, with one act being sent straight to the final each week. Previously, the golden buzzer had only featured during audition rounds since it was launched back in series eight.
