2011-12 Minnesota Timberwolves Outlook
Ever since dealing Kevin Garnett several years back, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been unable to generate more than 20 victories a year. They have subsequently become the laughing stock of the NBA and it continued again last year. The Timberwolves had the worst record in the conference and only behind the New Jersey Nets last season with a 17-65 record. Their only saving grace was the 53 consecutive double-doubles by Kevin Love, the longest such streak dating back to 1974.
However for the 1st time in a while, Minnesota looks to be going in the right direction heading into the 2011-2012 season. They have finally employed a qualified coach who knows how to win in Rick Adelman, and they have put together a squad that looks to be exceedingly impressive.
After a period of playing overseas, Ricky Rubio will finally bring his talents to the NBA and he’ll right away have an effect for this Timberwolves team. He will not only help the Timberwolves win games, but he will also be a huge draw for fans across the US. They have also picked rookie phenom Derrick Williams with the second pick in the draft, Malcolm Lee with the 43rd pick and Tanguy Ngombo at No. 57.
JJ Barea also signed with the Timberwolves after leaving the defending champions Dallas Mavericks thru free agency. He averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 assists for the Mavs coming off the bench. They have also traded for Brad Miller and Robert Vaden this season.
Sebastian Telfair and Lazar Hayward are their only important losses but they weren’t regular rotation guys last year. This team have seen a great inflow of talent coming in without truly giving up anything of prime importance. This team could actually be an entertaining team to watch and they’re certainly an exceedingly interesting team. They certainly have one of the most improved groups in the league but that isn’t saying much after last year’s terrible season.
Rubio will get to start straight away, and it’s likely that SG Wesley Johnson will start alongside him. I am fairly certain that they are going to be bringing Barea off the bench considering how important he was off the bench last season for Dallas. The backcourt will also have Luke Ridnour and Wayne Ellington giving the starters a breather.
The frontcourt looks very strong going forward. A starting trio of SF Michael Beasley who averaged 19.2 points and 5.6 rebounds, PF Crane Williams, and C Kevin Love who averaged 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds may be really fascinating. They could opt to start C Darko Milicic and bring Williams off the bench, though.
Minnesota’s frontcourt is also awfully deep with Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, Martell Webster, Nikola Pekovic and Brad Miller all coming off the bench. Randolph seems to finally be getting things together, and Miller is a pleasant vet presence which will bring some much-needed leadership to this young team.
Western Conference Prediction: 4th Northwest Division – This team has the opportunity to be one of the most improved groups in the whole league explaining why I am giving them so much credit with my NBA predictions. They may not win enough to make the playoffs, but they are just a year off from challenging for playoffs spots and positioning.
This team had one of the best offseasons in the NBA. Rubio and Williams are intending to make serious contributions right away, and Barea gives them a spark off the bench which has been missing for some time. This team will score with just about anyone this season as Adelman’s up-tempo style is a perfect fit for this list.
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