Minnesota Timberwolves: Reassessing the Wolves after 20 games
Reassessing the Minnesota Timberwolves after the first 20 games of the season.
A couple of weeks ago, I thought I had the Minnesota Timberwolves figured out. Then, they went on to six of their next seven games. Now, I believe it’s only fair to reassess the Wolves from an objective point of view, once again, after the first 20 games.
Really, the story of the Wolves can be told in three chapters so far this season.
To begin the season, the Wolves won three of its four games. Minnesota was 3-1 and looked like a team that was potentially going to play a factor in the Western Conference playoff race. Then, the second chapter unfolded. And it wasn’t a kind one for the Wolves.
After starting 3-1, the Wolves would lose eight of their next nine games. At that point, I believed the Wolves had found themselves. These were the same old Wolves, sitting at 4-9 after a fast start to the season.
However, then something happened. Minnesota went on another winning streak to right the ship. After winning six of their next seven games, the Wolves now find themselves at 10-10, tied for sixth in the Western Conference standings.
Now, it’s time to reassess the Wolves. Just when it seemed as if we had them figured out, perhaps it’s time to rethink this team.
Through the first 20 games, the Wolves have an average-to-below-average offense but a top 10 defense. Interestingly enough, the Wolves also have the 10 best net rating in the league despite being .500.
On paper, the Wolves have as dynamic of a roster as any other playoff-fringe team in the West. That should lead us to suggest that it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that this team will compete for a playoff spot this season. In fact, they should.
Looking at their schedule thus far, an argument can be made that they don’t really have many terrible losses thus far. Aside from two early-season losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic, the Wolves have lost to teams that are projected to be playoff teams.
The Wolves also have a few impressive wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers.
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While, for a moment, it seemed as if the Wolves were the same old Wolves, I think it’s time to readjust how we view this team. No one is going to confuse the Wolves with a championship contender, but based on a 20-game sample, there’s a chance this team rounds into a bottom 3 playoff seed before the end of the season.