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Business of Fashion
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
How to Master the Art of 'Trash Talk' Marketing
The trash talk being thrown around during the NBA Finals isn't just coming from the players but directly from the marketing departments of the sportswear brands that sponsor them. Minutes after the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves from the playoffs last week, Converse came out with a video on Instagram depicting an ant seemingly being crushed by the Converse SHAI 001. Even casual basketball fans would recognise the diss: Timberwolves' star shooting guard – and Adidas athlete – Anthony Edwards' nickname is Ant-Man, while the SHAI 001 is the first signature sneaker by Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The post's caption read 'Not hard 2 believe. @shai is headed to the Finals.' This too was a play on Edwards' 'Believe that' Adidas campaigns, itself a trash talk masterpiece, including one ad where he tosses out pairs of rival signature basketball shoes to spotlight his own signature Adidas style. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. 'It was really sharp, not heavy-handed, but a subtle nod [for Converse] to say 'Hey, we see you, we beat you, and we're moving on,'' said Derick Beresford, a sports marketing consultant who previously worked for the Brooklyn Nets and the consumer agency Team Epiphany, who added that the ad has helped Converse Basketball break out in a way it hasn't since the Dwyane Wade era in the 2000s. Trash talk is routine in the cutthroat worlds of soda and wireless carriers, but with a few notable exceptions is pretty rare in fashion. While notable fashion rivalries have surfaced between designers such as Guram and Demna Gvasalia, it's usually been reserved as a war of words since it's typically not chic to bring beef to the runway or glossy ad campaigns. Yet Converse isn't the only brand embracing the energy that comes with talking smack about your competitors. In May, Kiehl's teased that it would become the skincare amenity partner for the luxury New York City gym Life Time with shady posts that nodded to its viral breakup with Equinox last year. In October, the Australian drug store chain Chemist Warehouse recreated a Charlotte Tilbury ad that itself dissed beauty dupes to promote its lower-priced beauty products. Also last year, the cashmere label Naadam unfurled an Instagram campaign that took shots at its rival Quince. Within streetwear, Tremaine Emory's label Denim Tears released a collaborative capsule collection with artist Arthur Jafa in 2024 that addressed Emory's departure as the creative director of Supreme by flipping one of Supreme's iconic brand motifs into a slogan that commented on systemic racism. All these moments arrive with trash talk becoming a larger part of our cultural climate, so much that Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' diss record towards Drake topped Billboard charts and picked up five Grammy awards in February. Consumers are paying attention and are invested in the narratives created by talking smack. 'We're likely experiencing a rise in trash talk within product marketing because it's become more of an accepted form of public discourse,' said Rafi Kohan, a sports journalist who authored the book Trash Talk that explores the psychology and history behind bad-mouthing. Kohan traces trash talk back to biblical times—yes, the Prophet Isaiah penned what was essentially a diss record to the King of Babylon. But it plays especially well in the modern attention economy. Trash talk grabs eyeballs and creates an 'us versus them' narrative that calls upon a brand's audience to pick a side and defend it. So for brands, digging into a competitor can create a marketing moment that fosters a strong sense of customer loyalty and community while also establishing a narrative that positions them as the ones up top. Seizing the Narrative The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. That's what the emerging Baltimore-based skate label Carpet Company aimed for when it trash-talked a streetwear competitor named Mertra this year for allegedly copying the brand's viral Instagram video campaign for a heat-reactive jacket Carpet released in 2024. Carpet co-founder Ayman Abdeldayem says that when his customers first tagged the brand in the comments of Mertra's strikingly similar Instagram post in November (which was posted nearly 10 months after Carpet's) he laughed it off. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. But upon seeing Mertra's post go more viral than Carpet's, leading Mertra to gain thousands of followers, and then noticing the brand delete comments on the post that credited Carpet for the concept, Abdeldayem decided to fire back when his label released another iteration of a heat-reactive jacket in January by copying Mertra's campaign. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. 'We have very loyal customers but it didn't boost sales in any way. We more so used it as an opportunity to tell our side of the story without really having to explain it,' said Abdeldayem. 'People still go on that video, and comment, 'You copied Mertra' until they read the comments and then say 'My bad, I see that they copied you.'' Beresford adds that with social media being a dominant form of communication, it's important to understand that the audience trash talk marketing speaks to can be pieced together no matter how subliminal the message is. Both Carpet and Converse didn't tag or directly mention the brands they were targeting in their trash-talking adverts. Yet the message was still clear enough for those in the know. 'People are just more heightened to the awareness of it, and are seeing it play out,' said Beresford. When to Step Back While trash-talking can lead to virality and turn into clickbait headlines or content creator fodder, there is a line. Kohan said there aren't hard and fast rules for when trash talk goes too far, but when it works, it's usually promoting competition and pushing an opponent to perform better, rather than just tearing them down. Carpet's Abdeldayem said he's never one to start beef despite how his situation with Mertra unfolded. It wasn't the first time he felt his brand had been copied. However, in other instances, he took it more as a compliment and felt it wasn't worth engaging. Especially if it was done by brands he grew up on and admired. 'If I were to clap back towards something giant, someone I had a good relationship with, I would make a more solid judgment and not respond to it openly in public,' said Abdeldayem. Granted that a viral trash-talking campaign could potentially lead to a boost in revenue—Glossy reported that sales for Naadam increased by 47 percent during the week it took shots at Quince—brands need to know what their place is in the market and what's authentic to them before talking trash, Beresford said. He noted that Skechers could easily have gone the Converse route with Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who landed memorable moments this NBA season after signing with the brand in February. But that sort of marketing isn't in Skechers' DNA. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. Timing is everything. Last week, Puma released T-shirts that played off the internet peanut gallery labeling Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton as 'overrated.' Beresford said while the concept was good, the execution failed to land a strong punch since it was released before the Pacers won the game that advanced them to the NBA Finals and arrived nearly a day after their last winning playoffs game. 'This game is all about being timely and you got to hit it when that conversation happens, when the moment is hot, because then you carry the conversation,' said Beresford.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Big Anthony Edwards Announcement Made Before Western Conference Finals
As the NBA's conference finals lurk just around the corner, Adidas has released a fresh version of Anthony Edwards' signature shoe — the AE 1 Low in "Metallic Grey." The drop not only showcases Edwards' increasing star power but also indicates Adidas' dedication to releasing new, top-shelf performance footwear during the peak basketball season. The AE 1 Low comes in a sleek Dover Grey colorway, combining style with substance. The upper is made from a breathable mesh construction, with a metallic TPU cage encircling the shoe for extra stability and a clean, cutting-edge look. Glow-in-the-dark details at the toe add a hint of flash, and a white heel logo adds visual interest to break up the grey hues for a well-rounded finish. Underneath, business is in full swing. Lightstrike cushioning is light and responsive, perfect for fast moves and explosive bursts. Strategically positioned Boost pods in the heel and forefoot to absorb landings and increase agility. The outsole is constructed with a herringbone traction pattern that digs into the floor, providing players with confidence at both ends of the court. Advertisement Scheduled to release Saturday, the AE 1 Low "Metallic Grey" is available in men's sizing at $110 and grade school sizing at $90. Supporters can purchase them through or select retailers. As far as Edwards' NBA campaign is concerned, he has led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday with Minnesota facing off against the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
When is Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6? Ticket prices, how to watch at Madison Square Garden
When is Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6? Ticket prices, how to watch at Madison Square Garden Show Caption Hide Caption Dwyane Wade on Celtics collapse and Knicks momentum Dwyane Wade talks Celtics' playoff woes, Knicks' rise, and Anthony Edwards' breakout. The Knicks can feel it. They're one win away from an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. The job's not done yet though, as they need to win either Game 6 or Game 7 in order to achieve the long awaited feat. It looked as if the Knicks were a lock to close things out in Game 5 after Jayson Tatum -- the Celtics' superstar and best player -- suffered a torn Achilles late in Game 4 and the Knicks up 3-1 in the series. Shop Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6 tickets However, give credit to the Celtics, who put on an offensive clinic in the second half and came away with a 127-102 victory over New York with a strong showing in the final 24 minutes of the game. When it comes to attending in person, what's the cheapest available ticket on StubHub to get in to see Friday night's game? Here's what you need to know about the current ticket prices, how to watch and more for Game 6 between the Knicks and Celtics at Madison Square Garden: More: Knicks' Josh Hart bloodied in face after taking elbow to the head in Game 5 vs Celtics How to get Knicks tickets for Game 6 vs. Celtics As expected, fans will have to pay a hefty price just to get in. On another ticketing site, TickPick, currently has the lowest price for an individual ticket for Game 6 at $639, the second most expensive game on record at MSG. Here's what it currently costs for the cheapest pair for two seats on StubHub for Knicks-Celtics Game 6 at MSG: StubHub: Starting at $1,373 (including taxes and fees) in Section 416, Row 6 ($686.50 per ticket). Buy Knicks vs Celtics Game 6 tickets on StubHub What date, time is Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6? Date: Friday, May 16 Time: 8 p.m. What channel is Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6 on? TV: ESPN Where can I stream Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6? Watch Knicks vs Celtics Game 6 live on Fubo Knicks vs. Celtics playoff schedule Best-of-seven; Game 7 if necessary. Game 1, Monday, May 5: Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT) (Knicks lead 1-0) Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT) (Knicks lead 1-0) Game 2, Wednesday, May 7: Knicks at Celtics (Knicks lead 2-0) Knicks at Celtics (Knicks lead 2-0) Game 3, Saturday, May 10: Celtics 115, Knicks 93 (Knicks lead 2-1) Celtics 115, Knicks 93 (Knicks lead 2-1) Game 4, Monday, May 12: Knicks 121, Celtics 113 (Knicks lead 3-1) Knicks 121, Celtics 113 (Knicks lead 3-1) Game 5, Wednesday, May 14: Celtics 127, Knicks 102 (Knicks lead 3-2) Celtics 127, Knicks 102 (Knicks lead 3-2) Game 6, Friday, May 16 at 8 p.m.: Celtics at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, ESPN Celtics at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, ESPN Game 7, Monday, May 19 at 8 p.m.: Knicks at Celtics, TD Garden, TNT (if necessary) Knicks vs Celtics Game 6 betting odds Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 16 Spread: Knicks -2.5 (-105), Celtics +2.5 (-115) Total: Over 210.5 points (-105), Under 210.5 points (-115) Moneyline: Knicks (-140), Celtics (+115)
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Knicks vs. Celtics: Three keys for New York to unlock spot in Eastern Conference finals
Knicks vs. Celtics: Three keys for New York to unlock spot in Eastern Conference finals Show Caption Hide Caption Dwyane Wade on Celtics collapse and Knicks momentum Dwyane Wade talks Celtics' playoff woes, Knicks' rise, and Anthony Edwards' breakout. Friday night has the potential to be the biggest night inside Madison Square Garden in 25 years. The New York Knicks are one victory from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, and they can clinch their spot by winning Game 6 of the second-round series against the defending champion Boston Celtics. After a memorable Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks looked poised to take care of business in five games, especially with Boston losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury. Instead, New York couldn't close it out at TD Garden and suffered a resounding 25-point loss to extend the series. Now the pressure is on for the Knicks to take care of business on their court and avoid going back to Boston for a deciding Game 7. To its credit, Boston played well without its star, but there were plenty of mistakes made by New York that led to the loss. So what are the keys for the Knicks to close out a playoff series at home for the first time since 1999? MORE: Knicks vs. Celtics: Players to watch, predictions, Eastern Conference semifinal schedule Defend the 3, for real It's no secret how much Boston loves the 3-point ball; it was a historic season from deep after all. But what's been key in New York's three wins this series is stopping − or Boston's inability to knock down − 3-pointers. In the Knicks' wins, Boston has shot 15-for-60 (25%), 10-for-40 (25%) and 18-for-48 (37.5%) from 3-point territory, figures that won't win games. On the other hand, Boston was 20-for-40 (50%) from deep in Game 3, and in Game 5, the team tied a franchise 3-point playoff record with 22 makes on 49 attempts (44.9%). The Knicks have to guard the perimeter with more urgency, and not just hope the Celtics go cold. Boston is going to chuck the ball up, but pressing on those attempts could lead to more misses and empty trips for the Celtics. The statistics show Boston is 0-3 this series when shooting less than 40% from deep. If New York ensures that happens in Game 6, it should like its chances of advancing. Own the paint, with help from Karl-Anthony Towns The Knicks were one of the top teams at scoring near the rim, averaging 52.5 points in the paint (sixth) during the regular season. New York thrives with close shots, and it's been effective inside the arc this series with at least 44.4% 2-point shots made each game. In Game 5, the Knicks struggled with just 26 points in the paint, the lowest they had scored near the bucket this season. For 2-point attempts, New York was 33.3%, second-lowest this season. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla opted to take Kristaps Porzingis out in the second half and roll with Luke Kornet, who stole the show Wednesday as he made it tough for New York to make close shots. Now with Kornet expected to take the responsibilities, New York must adjust to a tougher presence in the key and find ways to get easier shots. Karl-Anthony Towns could certainly help with that, as the big man has struggled from deep. Rather than trying to find his shot, Towns can attack the bucket. If he's able to find a rhythm, Boston will be forced with trying to stop Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Avoid the slow second-half start, foul trouble Any chance New York had of closing out the series in Game 5 went out the door following the abysmal third quarter; the Celtics were on their way to victory after causing all sorts of frustrations after halftime. Mainly, Boston was drawing fouls. It made 18 trips to the free-throw line in the third quarter alone, making 12. Not only was it preventing the Knicks from finding a flow and giving Boston easy scoring attempts, but it created major foul trouble. Jalen Brunson drew five fouls in the frame, not something New York could avoid with a fourth-quarter deficit. He fouled out in the fourth quarter. On top of getting to the charity stripe, Boston was knocking down its 3-pointers. New York had no answer as it went 4-for-20 shooting in that decisive third quarter. The Knicks cannot let fouls to its stars be an issue, and it has to show some urgency out of the intermission. In the Game 4 victory, it was a strong second half that pushed New York ahead for the third win of the series. The first half is likely to be close, and with a strong showing out of halftime, it could propel the Knicks to the decisive fourth win.
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Anthony Edwards' belief powers the Timberwolves back to Western Conference finals
MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards' blood type is confidence. It courses through his veins, delivering the nutrients his game needs to thrive and removing any waste that could slow it down. It brings life not just to him, but to these Minnesota Timberwolves, who have never been more alive than they are right now. Advertisement Even in an ecosystem that demands an abundance of it for survival, Edwards' confidence rises above the rest. And still, the look in his eye and the tone in his voice after his Timberwolves were obliterated by Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks on their home floor in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals last year was startling. 'We'll be back next year,' Edwards said. Sorry … what did you just say? You know you play for the Timberwolves, right? The team that had only been that far twice in 35 years? The team that had more 60-loss seasons (nine) than playoff series wins (four, at that point)? The team with a history so colorless that fans clamor for the original blue and green uniforms from an era in which the franchise was nearly sold down the river just five years after coming to town? Edwards doubled down on the night of May 30, 2024, after a 124-103 loss that was over when Dončić splashed his fourth 3-pointer with 2:24 to play in the first quarter. At that moment, all the thrills and all the excitement from an unexpected playoff run were wiped out. And yet Edwards never seemed more certain of the success that was to come. He walked around a shell-shocked locker room, looked every single one of them dead in the eyes and told them exactly what would happen. 'I just told them that y'all know we're going to be right back in this same position next year,' he said. 'So train knowing y'all gotta get ready, including myself.' The Wolves are back. A rip-roaring 121-110 victory on Wednesday night sent Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors packing in five games, putting the Timberwolves in back-to-back Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. Julius Randle put up 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Rudy Gobert had his best game of the series with 17 points, eight rebounds and a team-best plus-21, and Mike Conley shook them out of another first-quarter funk on his way to 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, eight assists and six rebounds. And Ant? The Warriors went into Game 5 hell-bent on keeping his scoring down, but all that did was help him showcase how much his game has grown, and why this year's Timberwolves may be a little more dangerous. His 22 points were nice, but the 12 assists were sensational. He also had three blocked shots, seven rebounds and hit five 3-pointers, putting the game to bed for good with a pull-up from 25 feet with under seven minutes to play. Advertisement 'He's the brightest star in the world,' Randle said on TNT. 'Anywhere he goes, all eyes on him.' His level of belief borders on the irrational, an audacity of hoop, and it is pulling one of the least successful franchises in professional sports out of the muck and into the light. It took Edwards less than a year to fulfill his promise, but the road back was far from easy. So much happened in those 349 days. Edwards won a gold medal with Team USA. Karl-Anthony Towns was traded on the eve of training camp for Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who suffered significant injuries in January. The Wolves were 8-10 at Thanksgiving, 14-14 on Christmas Eve and languishing at 22-21 in late January. Randle was considered a bad fit in some corners of the NBA. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly was a fool for trading KAT after making the conference finals (after he was considered a fool for trading for Gobert, but that is a story for a different day). Coach Chris Finch was not the man for the job because he couldn't replicate the success of last season, an out-of-nowhere run that galvanized a fan base and an entire community. As fun as last season was, the good vibes from it felt like an anvil around this team's neck, not a springboard to bigger and better things. When asked if he ever wondered whether this team would find its way to where it is now, Finch smiled wryly. 'Depends what day you asked me,' he said. 'That's part of the journey. We felt confident in our group once we saw us play how we knew we could play.' Once Randle returned from a groin injury and DiVincenzo came back from a toe injury that cost both players much of February, the pieces just clicked into place. The Wolves finished the regular season 17-4 to lock in the No. 6 seed and avoid the Play-In Tournament. They are 30-6 in their last 36 games with Randle in uniform. They rolled through the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1, in the first round and won four straight over the Warriors after dropping the series opener. Advertisement Now they have a few days to rest and await their next opponent, the winner of the Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder series. 'Everyone wants to rush the process,' Finch said. 'Everybody wants everything to be great, compared to what you've done in the past. All that's kind of irrelevant, really, when you have a new team coming into the season.' The public clamored for Finch to make changes, to bench the aging Conley, to start Naz Reid for Randle to improve the spacing, to play the rookies more. But Finch stuck to his guns the whole way, and every one of those decisions has been validated with this success. When the team gathered for a meeting during training camp, he issued a challenge. 'Were you a Western Conference finals team, or were you a team that just happened to make the Western Conference finals?' Finch asked them. 'And there's only one way to prove that: Go out and do it again. And that was our mission all year.' Through all the ups and downs, Edwards never lost the faith. He is the ultimate hype man. As gifted as he is with the basketball in his hands, he may be even better at instilling belief in his teammates when the ball is in theirs. Anyone facing a crisis of swagger need only brush shoulders with Edwards to pick it up via osmosis. Randle is playing the best basketball of his life, laying to rest concerns about his playoff credentials. Jaden McDaniels, who had 14 points, four rebounds and four steals, is blossoming into a two-way demon. DiVincenzo shook out of an early-season shooting slump thanks to a holiday workout with Edwards. Then there is Conley, the sage veteran who was devastated by the loss to the Mavericks last season. He has been in the league for 18 years and never made it to the NBA Finals. After the Wolves beat Denver in Game 7 of the second round, he truly believed they had a chance to win it all. When it all came crashing down under a hail of Dončić 3s and Kyrie Irving drives, Conley was distraught. Then Edwards came up to him and told him not to worry. Advertisement 'What you learn about him, he believes everything he says, no matter what it is. And at that moment last year, I believed him,' Conley said. 'I believed that we'd have another opportunity together and this wasn't the end of the road.' Belief in the Timberwolves used to be as rare in these parts as a 50-degree day in January. This is the franchise that passed on Steph Curry (twice) in the draft. This is the franchise that Butler couldn't leave fast enough. This is the franchise that Green openly mocked any time he got in front of a microphone. That's why this victory over the Warriors was therapeutic. Fittingly, it was a total team effort that delivered their best performance of a jagged series. The Wolves shot 63 percent from the field, outscored the Warriors 72-50 in the paint and led nearly the entire way to become the first Minnesota men's team in the four major pro sports to advance to the final four of the playoffs in consecutive seasons since the old Minnesota North Stars in 1980 and '81. That it was the Wolves who were the team to do it would have been almost unfathomable just a few years ago, before Edwards arrived in 2020. But luck is starting to break the Timberwolves' way, maybe for the first time. Curry strained his hamstring in the second quarter of Game 1, the only win of the series for the Warriors. Golden State was 4-1 this season against the Wolves with Curry and 0-3 without him. The series may well have turned out differently if Curry was in uniform, just like the 2004 West finals may have looked different with a healthy Sam Cassell playing point guard for the Wolves against the Lakers. Or maybe the 2015 NBA Finals look different if Irving and Kevin Love played for the Cleveland Cavaliers against Golden State. 'They beat us,' a gracious Green said. 'Injuries are a part of it. We've won championships when guys got hurt. That's a part of it.' Advertisement What can be said is that Curry's absence prevented Edwards from adding another notch to his battle axe. The giant slayer has taken down Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokić, LeBron James and Dončić in the playoffs over these last two seasons, and he badly wanted to add Curry to that list. The two grew close at the Olympics last summer. Curry was charmed by Edwards' inner Antness, that combination of swagger and soul that has All-NBA players like Randle, Towns and Gobert enthusiastically giving in to his gravitational pull. Edwards became enamored with Curry's practice and game routines, the methodical nature of his greatness. In some ways, the Warriors can blame their demise on Curry for showing Edwards the way. After his run with Team USA, Edwards spent most of his preparation for the upcoming season on improving his 3-ball, both off the dribble and catching and shooting. The countless hours he poured into it during the summer turned him from a great athlete who could shoot into a bona fide shooter. Edwards led the NBA in 3-pointers made during the regular season with 320, becoming just the fifth player to make at least 300 3s in a season. Curry has done it six times. He shot 39.5 percent on 10.3 attempts per game, Curry-like volume and accuracy. Edwards did his best Curry impression in the third quarter of Game 4, turning a close game into a rout when he scored 16 points and hit three 3s, delivering a victory that essentially ended any hopes that the series would last long enough for Curry's hamstring to heal. As happy as Edwards is to be advancing, something is gnawing at him. He wanted Curry out there. He wanted to go toe-to-toe with the best shooter who ever lived, the one who beat him four times this season. 'Trust me, man,' he said after Game 4, 'I wish he could be out there to play against him, no matter how it goes.' It would be unfair to say that Edwards has now knocked Curry out of the playoffs like he did LeBron and Joker. But Wolves fans will delight that he has taken down Butler and Green, perhaps the two biggest basketball villains in this state. 'Playoff Jimmy' went out like a lamb, taking just 20 shots over the final two games combined. The Wolves outscored the Warriors by 47 points when he was on the floor in Games 4 and 5. Advertisement Green scored 10 points on 11 shots, missed five of his six 3s and turned it over three times in 36 minutes of the clincher. He was thoroughly dominated by Randle all series and walked out of Target Center saying these Wolves may not be done yet. 'They got a chance,' Green said, referring to a championship. 'They got a real shot.' Edwards has even turned Green into a believer. Last year in Denver, the Wolves celebrated a historic, 20-point comeback victory to the hilt. They howled at the moon and believed they had climbed a mountain in defeating Jokić and the defending champions on their home floor. What they discovered in the next round is they were only halfway home. The mood was decidedly different this time around. 'It feel like the rest of them, just another round ahead of us,' McDaniels said. 'I feel like it'll feel different if we advance to the finals. Then I think it'll feel a little different.' Edwards was already setting a new tone. As he sat alongside Gobert in the news conference, he interjected when Gobert was asked about being satisfied with making it back here given all of the team's struggles earlier in the season. 'There is no satisfaction,' Edwards said. 'We just got here. We haven't (done) anything yet. No, he's not satisfied.' Gobert nodded. 'The stomach is not full,' he said. The evolution of Edwards' tone is commensurate with the evolution of the goal. This is the dawning of a new age for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The franchise has now entered its Ant Era. It is no longer good enough to just make the conference finals in his eyes. This is not a big deal. He told y'all it was going to happen, and it did. Why are you so surprised?
