Minnesota Timberwolves 2012-13 NBA Preview
Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Minnesota Timberwolves
2011-12 Vitals:
26-40, 5th in Northwest Division, 12th in Western Conference
97.9 PPG/100.1 OPP PPG
2012-13 Roster:
Jose Juan Barea – PG
Chase Budinger – SF
Dante Cunningham – F
Robbie Hummel – SF
Andrei Kirilenko – SF
Malcolm Lee – G
Kevin Love – PF
Nikola Pekovic – C
Luke Ridnour – PG
Brandon Roy – SG
Ricky Rubio – PG
Alexey Shved – G
Greg Stiemsma – C
Derrick Williams – F
Offseason Additions:
Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger, Alexey Shved, Greg Stiemsma, Dante Cunningham, Robbie Hummel
Offseason Subtractions:
Wesley Johnson, Darko Milicic, Martell Webster, Wayne Ellington, Brad Miller
Projected Starters:
PG – Ricky Rubio
SG – Brandon Roy
SF – Andrei Kirilenko
PF – Kevin Love
C – Nikola Pekovic
Season Outlook:
As Ricky Rubio goes, so do the Minnesota Timberwolves. Before he suffered an ACL injury during the 2011-12 season, the Timberwolves were at .500 and were seeded eighth in the Western Conference. His healthy return will make all the difference to the 2012-13 campaign.
Kevin Love will make another run at the MVP award next to Nikola Pekovic, who will challenge for the MIP. The Timberwolves brought in veterans in an attempt to win now and keep their superstar happy.
While Brandon Roy is saying he feels great, it remains to be seen. Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved played well in the Olympics, but that wasn’t against top competition. It remains to be seen if this team can get and stay healthy.
Best-Case Scenario:
Ricky Rubio makes it back healthy and the Timberwolves resume their quest to get back into the playoffs. They reach the No. 6 seed and earn a trip to face the San Antonio Spurs, who they take to seven games before bowing out.
Worst-Case Scenario:
Rubio isn’t fully healthy and comes back too soon. Love continues to get more irritated as the new guys don’t perform as expected. The Timberwolves suffer through a 35 win season and miss the playoffs.