The Minnesota Timberwolves looked like a team on a mission in their season opener.
In the current media climate that we live in, it’s easy to jump straight into rash conclusions after just one game. Even after we continue to be proven wrong, many continue to do so – including me. And after one game, I throw the question: Are the Minnesota Timberwolves that good or are the Houston Rockets that bad?
Through one game, the Wolves looked like a team that was ready to make a significant jump up the Western Conference standings and perhaps make a return to the postseason. Albeit, it was just one game. And against a team that is projected to be one of the worst teams in the league.
Regardless, the Wolves looked good. Specifically, their big three of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and D’Angelo Russell.
The trio combined for 81 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists. Edwards and Towns were a plus-26 and plus-34, specifically, on the night for the Wolves.
It’s been a long time that we’ve seen this level of input from any three players on the Wolves. You probably have to go back to the days in which Jimmy Butler was roaming the sidelines for Minnesota.
And even then, the Wolves limped into the postseason that year.
That said, even after just one game, there is a new sense of hope surrounding this team. And for the first time in a long time, you can make the argument that it’s a genuine one.
Edwards is one of the brightest young stars in the league, Towns is arguably the best offensive big man not named Nikola Jokic, and Russell has had his time in the limelight with the Brooklyn Nets in the not-so-distant past.
If all three of these players can click on a consistent basis this season, and continue to remain healthy, there’s no question the Wolves have the talent to compete with some of the other dark horse playoff contenders in the West.
There aren’t many other teams in the conference that have the young talent that the Wolves have. In fact, one of the teams that have a plethora of young talent in the West is the Rockets, and in their season-opener, they blew them out of the water.
But, yes, one game overreactions is how letdowns usually happen in the NBA. Especially for a team like the Wolves. In the past, they’ve been so inconsistent that it actually wouldn’t be surprising if they followed this impressive performance with an absolute stinker in game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
At least for one game, there is plenty to look forward to from this team. And if there’s any team in the league that needs success this season, it’s the Wolves. Not only for the fan base but for some of the players on the roster.
Towns is one of them. After the year and a half he’s been through, who wouldn’t want to see success for one of the league’s most talented big men? The Wolves have talent, that’s never been the issue. The big question is whether or not they’ve figured out how to make it all mesh together.
For one night, at least, it looks like they have. Or, at the very least, that they’re on the right direction of doing so.