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NBA Power Rankings: New Year’s Resolutions for Every Team

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) celebrate against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 101-79. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) celebrate against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 101-79. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Minnesota Timberwolves

Previous: No. 30

Record: 5-25

Last Week: 0-3

New Year’s Resolution: Protect the Rim

The Minnesota Timberwolves have immense potential. No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and the likes of Gorgui Dieng, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio are all incredibly talented contributors.

Unfortunately for Flip Saunders and company, it hasn’t come together just yet. Not by a long shot.

That all starts down low.

Gorgui Dieng can be a dominant presence on the glass and Nikola Pekovic is good for close to 20 points and 10 rebounds a night. Both are players that any coach would love to have, but neither provide the desired defensive punch.

That’s a primary reason why Minnesota is one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

According to NBA.com, the Timberwolves rank No. 29 in opponent field goal percentage at 56.2 percent. More significantly, Minnesota ranks dead last in the NBA with 48.3 points allowed in the paint per game.

With the No. 29 scoring defense at a disturbing 109.0 points allowed points per contest, Minnesota’s No. 1 focus must be on the defensive end of the floor.

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