NBA Power Rankings: Silver Linings and Signs of Legitimacy

Jan 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles the ball around Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) and guard Wayne Ellington (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

29. Minnesota Timberwolves

Previous: No. 30

Record: 5-28

Last Week: 0-3

Silver Lining: The Future is Bright

The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost 12 consecutive games. They have a point differential of negative-10.1 and are a dreadful 2-19 against the Western Conference.

The key piece of context is that Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio are all injured. That creates significant upside for a team that may be struggling now, but has immense potential.

The likes of Gorgui Dieng, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad and Andrew Wiggins are all getting significant playing time. They’re all shining, as well.

The future is as bright as the present is dark.

Minnesota moving up from No. 30 to No. 29 is more on the New York Knicks than Flip Saunders’ crew. It’s still an abysmal squad that’s closer to the top pick than a playoff spot.

It’s only up from here.

Next: A Long Time Coming