Fraternizing with the Enemy: A Premature Closing Conversation with Pounding the Rock’s JR Wilco

I am joined by Pounding the Rock’s (our Spurs sister site) JR Wilco for yet another parlay about the series as it continues. With the Spurs now up 3-2, on the verge of closing out a competitive second round matchup, much of our conversation shifted to if this series is about to end, or if it has another twist still in store.

J.R. Wilco

Before the series began, I was terrified of Anthony Edwards destroying my playoff hopes and dreams. And the more tape I watch of this series, the more I’m coming to feel like San Antonio is pretty lucky that he’s not 100%. The Spurs are throwing the kitchen sink at him, and he still regularly wins the play. I can’t imagine how frustrated with him I’d be if he was fully healthy.

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Is it just me, or are some of the Timberwolves getting frustrated with Julius Randle? I’m not talking about how his scoring has fallen off, everybody goes through slumps. I’m talking about his effort level. Jaden McDaniels’ body language seems to be screaming something like, “Dude, we’re all trying out here. Want to join us?” Anyway, I haven’t been watching the team all year, maybe that’s just a dynamic you’re used to.

SAN ANTONIO, TX. – MAY 2026: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) react as they head into halftime against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images

Leading up to Game 5, I was pretty concerned that Minnesota was going to try some bid for retaliation against Victor Wembanyama’s extracurricular elbow. And outside of the one play where Reid went up for a hook shot and chopped at Wemby’s neck, I didn’t see anything other than your basic psychological warfare. So, a couple of questions: were you expecting them to retaliate, and do you think anyone in the Minnesota camp actually thought that mind games would work with Victor?