NBA: 10 Early-Season Storylines To Keep An Eye On

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) plays defense in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Timberwolves are outside the West Playoff Picture!

The Timberwolves currently sit near the bottom rung of the Western Conference at 1-4. The team had tough early road losses to the Kings and Grizzlies before losing to the Nuggets at home in the final seconds. It’s worrying that the Wolves have dropped three games to beatable teams, but the record is misleading.

Minnesota ranks comfortably as a top-10 defense. They’ve been scoring at about a league average rate, but have been playing at a snail’s pace. Only the Utah Jazz have hoisted up less shots than the Wolves. This much was to be expected. Tom Thibodeau has never been one to break new Earth on offense.

Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging close to a double-double. Wiggins has been great, hovering around 24 points a game. Zach LaVine has been a delightful surprise, averaging over 20 points per contest as his usual athletic self. The young guns are not the problem here. Rather, it’s the teammates around them. With Ricky Rubio injured, the Wolves’ bench units are getting blasted. Once everyone gets healthy and comfortable in Thibodaeu’s smothering defensive schemes, the wins will come.

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