Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Your Game of Thrones guide to the 2017-18 NBA season

By Jonathan Macri

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

"“The day will come when you think you are safe and happy, and your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth.”"

– Reality, to the Sixers and Wolves

Aside from those of the Warriors, Rockets and Thunder, no fan bases enter the 2017-18 season feeling as good about their teams as those in Minnesota and Philadelphia.

Who can blame them? The Sixers have won two playoff series in sixteen years, and the Wolves haven’t been to the postseason since 2004. Each is feeling better right now than at any point this decade. They both have legit three-man cores, and Embiid and Towns both top out at “transcendent” on the potential meter.

All well and good. They’re both still a year away.

First the Sixers. Barring a major injury, the Cavs, Celts, Wiz, Raps, and Bucks are all locks for the playoffs. The Heat and Hornets have flaws, but are both well coached and laden with vets. That leaves the Sixers battling the Pistons, Pacers, and Nets (I’ll wait for the room to quiet down. Still waiting…stiiiiill waiting…thank you) for the final spot.

None of those teams seem poised for a tank job, and in the Nets’ case, they have zero incentive to do so. Philly, meanwhile, will be starting two rookies. Rookies usually suck, even first overall picks. Plus, if last season is any indication, Joel Embiid will not be even remotely pushed this year and might top out at 60-something games played.

Saying the Sixers will miss the playoffs is mildly controversial; picking the Wolves to stay home for the dance is bad for your health among NBA nerds.

Will Minnesota outscore people? The Wolves made fewer three pointers than any team in the league last season, and traded their best three-point shooter in the Jimmy Butler deal. They’ll get buckets, but it’s not going to come easy.

Ok, so is the plan to win their fair share of 92-88 games this year? That’s a big ask for a team that statistically was the fourth worst defense in the NBA last season.

Jimmy Butler is awesome, but is he – plus improved versions of Towns and Wiggins – worth ten wins? That’s the jump they’ll need to make to sniff the playoffs this year, and it’ll likely be more like 13 or 14 games. That’s not nothing.

Here’s betting they’re in a dogfight until the season’s final days. They’ll be joined by no less than seven teams for four spots, including several – the Clippers, Grizzlies, Blazers, and yes, Mavs – with playoff pedigree. Minnesota will not be walking in unchallanged.

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