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NBA: Five Bold Predictions for the 2016-17 NBA Season

By Zach Blochlinger

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Timberwolves Make Vast Improvement/Make Playoffs

The Minnesota Timberwolves finished 29-53 last season which was third from worst in the Western Conference last season. The franchise has struggled since they traded Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics. This year, they will vastly improve and will grab the 8th seed in the Western Conference come playoff time.

The Timberwolves will be led by a few of the best young players in the entire NBA including Andrew Wiggins, Kris Dunn, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns won Rookie of the Year for the 2016 season, while Wiggins won the award in 2015 with the Wolves.

Dunn was their first-round selection in this year’s NBA Draft. They selected him 5th overall over other highly-touted young guards Jamal Murray and Buddy Hield. He is a fierce, defensive-minded point guard who has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook in regards to his motor and ferocity on the court. He is a top candidate for 2017 Rookie of the Year.

Mar 11, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) reacts after a turnover against Villanova Wildcats during the first half of Big East conference tournament game at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated Providence Friars 76-68 .Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) reacts after a turnover against Villanova Wildcats during the first half of Big East conference tournament game at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated Providence Friars 76-68 .Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

The Timberwolves also have three other young guards that need playing time. Last year’s starter Ricky Rubio, 2016 summer league MVP Tyus Jones, and high-flyer Zach LaVine all are deserving of minutes this season.

As for Minnesota’s big men, other than Towns, the Timberwolves have solid depth with Garnett (probably) back in town and Nikola Pekovic (if he gets healthy), Gorgui Dieng, and Jordan Hill getting the majority of the playing time. A solid group that revolves around Karl-Anthony Towns with good reason. There has been talk about Towns being a better overall prospect than fellow Kentucky alum and NBA star Anthony Davis.

The Timberwolves have the talent and the depth to compete in the Western Conference this season. With Durant making the jump to Golden State and Dwight Howard heading for Atlanta, there may be a few more seeds to fight over than there has been over the last few seasons.

If they can find a way to keep this team together, the Timberwolves will soon be one of the top five teams in the Western Conference.

Next: Durant Makes Warriors Worse

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