Minnesota Timberwolves: 2013-14 NBA Preview
Minnesota Timberwolves 2013-14 Preview
2012-13 Vitals
31-51, 5th in Northwest Division, 12th in Western Conference
95.7 PPG/98.1 OPP PPG
If Rubio develops a jumper, the sky is the limit. Photo Credit: Joe Bielawa, Flickr.com
2013-14 Roster
J.J. Barea – PG
Corey Brewer – SF
Chase Budinger – SF
Dante Cunningham – PF
Gorgui Dieng – C
Chris Johnson – PF
Kevin Love – PF
Kevin Martin – SG
Shabazz Muhammad – SF
Nikola Pekovic – C
Ricky Rubio – PG
Alexey Shved – PG
Ronny Turiaf – C
Derrick Williams – PF
Offseason Additions
Corey Brewer (FA), Gorgui Dieng (Draft), Kevin Martin (FA), Shabazz Muhammad (Draft), Ronny Turiaf (FA)
Offseason Subtractions
Mickael Gelabale, Andrei Kirilenko, Malcolm Lee, Luke Ridnour, Brandon Roy, Greg Stiemsma
Projected Starters
PG – RickyRubio
SG – Kevin Martin
SF – Chase Budinger
PF – Kevin Love
C – Nikola Pekovic
Season Outlook
Kevin Love will come back with a vengeance in 2013-14. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
The Timberwolves are coming off of the most disappointing season since Kevin Garnett, Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell underachieved back in 2004-05. That team simply didn’t bring the same energy and enthusiasm. The 2012-13 Wolves couldn’t shake the injury bug and ended up winning just 31 games after being picked by most to make the playoffs.
A broken hand (x2) for Love was the main reason for the Wolves demise, but he’s back healthy for 2013-14 and will look to re-establish himself as one of the best power forwards in the league. It was just two seasons ago that the power forward averaged 26 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. The Wolves finally have a potent shooting guard in Martin, but his offensive output will need to trump his defensive deficiencies.
On paper, the starting five of Rubio, Martin, Budinger, Love and Pekovic will stand up to any others on the offensive end. Rubio is a stud at getting players in position to succeed, but he’ll need to work on his shooting line (.360/.293/.799) if the Wolves are to make noise in the Western Conference.
Best-Case Scenario
Love reverts to his MVP form, Rubio refines his jumper and Pekovic stays healthy. The Wolves finish in the top five in offense and produce enough of a team effort on the defensive end to finish in the middle of the pack. The Wolves finish second in the Northwest Division, secure the No. 6 seed and lose to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2013-14 NBA playoffs.
Worst-Case Scenario
Love continues his trend of getting hurt, Rubio dazzles passing but can’t make a shot and Pekovic sulks after not getting the contract he wants. The offense is still fun to watch, but the defense is so horrid that opposing teams routinely torch the Wolves’ backcourt. They miss the playoffs and have to rely on two decades worth of terrible lottery luck.
Predicted Finish
45-37, 3rd in Northwest Division, 8th in Western Conference