The Wild and Timberwolves lost in the first round of the playoffs, but it seems that to the average Minnesota sports fan, these teams have nothing in common.
The Wild, they say, are a gritty, cohesive bunch led by the admirable Kirill Kaprizov.
The Timberwolves, they say, are a soft, divisive group hamstrung by the emotional outbursts of Karl-Anthony Towns.
For the past two weeks, virtually every Minnesotan I've encountered has complained about the weather, then Towns. Or vice versa. He complains too much. He's too erratic. He sounds too emotional during interviews.
Which is strange, because here is how these teams' seasons ended:
The Wild, playing against a team of similar capability, took a 2-1 series lead, then choked, losing the next three games and failing to even compete in the last two, including a Game 6 at home. They were outscored 8-1 in their last two games, Kaprizov all but disappeared, and their chances were damaged by the out-of-control play of Marcus Foligno, who looked so crazed that he drew penalties even when he didn't deserve them.
They should be embarrassed.
The Timberwolves, despite a season and playoffs made more difficult because of key injuries and illnesses and the incorporation of a new center and point guard, were outclassed by the best team in the Western Conference in the first game of their series. All they had to do was play passively for three more games, and they could start their vacations.
