The Minnesota Timberwolves have been working hard to cement themselves as the villains of the West over the past few years, and they have done a fine job playing heel to some of the NBA's most likable teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The problem isnt that they have been acting out but, rather, that they are getting their way.
Friday's game against OKC was a prime example, as the Thunder blew an early lead and lost 112-107 out in the Twin Cities.
But it was the anitcs of Wolves head coach Chris Finch that stole the headlines.
Finch was ejected after losing his temper after a first-quarter no-call on an Anthony Edwards drive and had to be held back by other members of the coaching staff.
After the game, Wolves' superstar Anthony Edwards didn't mince words when asked about Finch's ejection, saying, "I'm f****n' with that."
This isn't the first time Chris Finch has had something to say about the referees after squaring off against OKC.
Just last year, Finch went after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the officiating crew:
"It's just so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton... They foul all the time. And then you can't really touch Shai. It's a very frustrating thing."
It's clear that the Wolves don't like the Thunder.
The animosity is evident in their interviews, choice of words, and actions on the court. Friday night in the third quarter, Anthony Edwards got called for shoving SGA out of bounds on a fast-break attempt and had the nerve to act like he didn't do anything.
Wolves' complaints over fabricated Thunder issues have refs attention
All of these antics by Minnesota would lead fans to believe that they have been egregiously mistreated by officiating crews, yet the box score simply doesn't support that narrative.
In Friday's loss, the Thunder shot 30 free throws. The Wolves, meanwhile, shot 47.
In fact, dating back to the beginning of last year, the foul count between the two teams is dead even over the span of eleven games, including their Western Conference Finals matchup.
Wolves are antithesis of everything this Thunder franchise stands for
The cussing, yelling, and complaining from the Wolves' camp is quite a contrast to what their Western Conference foes have said.
Gilgeous-Alexander's response to accusations of foul inequities sounded much different than what was said by Minnesota. He stated he doesn't care, and he "can't control how the refs blow the whistle."
The reigning MVP went on to emphasize how he has never been a referee, and his main focus is playing the game and winning championships.
Mark Daigneault went as far as to compliment the crowd in his postgame presser, the same crowd that chants "Free Throw Merchant" every time SGA steps up to the line.
Thunderobviously electing to take the high road -- and it's working
Given these comments, it's very obvious that the Thunder have a clear plan when dealing with the Timberwolves: let them make a fool of themselves.
This is hardly Anthony Edwards' first explicit postgame commentary, and Finch has been known to rattle feathers. Minnesota's continuous rowdiness has earned it the fitting title of Western Conference villain, and with every villain comes a hero ready to counter them.
Oklahoma City has naturally adopted the "hero" role over the past few years. It's natural for villains to say things to get reactions from people, and the Thunder haven't been taking the bait.
Clearly, Minnesota doesn't seem to be taking it well.
Regardless of what the Wolves do or say next, nothing will erase their abysmal performance in the five-game series loss to the Thunder in the playoffs last season.
Daigneault and company can be assured that Minnesota will have every future matchup marked on its calendar, and another playoff showdown between these two rivals feels nearly inevitable.