As we continue our 30 in 30 series, we discuss how the Minnesota Timberwolves will handle expectations.
For the first time since the 2017-18 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves will head into the start of a new campaign with expectations. After putting up a strong fight against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs last year (taking them to six games and actually holding a 2-1 series lead), the Wolves entered the summer with the hopes of making a splash that would catapult them this season.
Minnesota accomplished that by acquiring Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster deal that caught nearly everyone by surprise. Now, heading into the 2022-23 season, the Wolves face expectations.
The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t used to this role
Generally speaking, the Wolves are not used to being in this role heading into a season. And they’ll certainly be tested. But this is where their leadership will need to stand out. That onus will likely fall on Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and, now, Rudy Gobert.
One of the bigger questions that the Wolves are facing revolves around how they’ll be able to handle it.
What role will Rudy Gobert play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season?
Aside from how the Minnesota Timberwolves will handle the pressure of expectations, there will also be the question of what type of role Rudy Gobert will play for the team this season. The recently acquired big will be expected to help this team take another leap in their progression – from playoff hopeful to playoff player.
Heading into this season, the Wolves are not only expected to make the playoffs but they’re largely expected to make some noise this season. Gobert should play a factor in that. Objectively, Gobert will probably be expected to raise the ceiling for this team’s defense.
Minnesota struggled all year long (and into the playoffs) on the defensive side of the court and the hope is that Gobert will help solidify some of that. And for good measure, that’s exactly what he did for a Jazz team that didn’t have many individually great defenders.
Offensively, I believe that Gobert simply needs to be able to coexist with Karl-Anthony Towns. The last thing that the Wolves need is for the combination of Gobert and KAT to be an absolute disaster.
What are realistic goals for the Minnesota Timberwolves?
After an aggressive offseason from the Minnesota Timberwolves, what are some realistic goals for the team? Well, on one hand, the Wolves should want to be a top 10 defense. They were middle-of-the-pack for much of last season. If the Wolves can be a top 10 defense, it will add intrigue to their possibilities.
Individually, the hope is that Anthony Edwards will be able to make another jump in his progression. If he can continue to evolve into a superstar, the Wolves will be in good hands. Edwards has been a godsend for Karl-Anthony Towns and has taken a lot of the pressure off the rest of the team offensively.
Overall, the goal for the Wolves is to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Anything above that would be icing on the cake.