Minnesota Timberwolves: 2017-18 NBA season preview
Storyline 3: Will the Timberwolves live up to the hype?
With the additions of Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and others, alongside internal development, most NBA prediction systems have the Minnesota Timberwolves firmly into the playoffs. ESPN’s BPI (basketball power index) system has the Wolves projected as the seventh-best team in the league, ahead of teams such as the Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.
ESPN’s more subjective panel placed Minnesota fifth in the Western Conference with a projected 48 wins. Their Real Plus-Minus system puts them fourth with 50.1 wins. In general, it seems that most subjective and objective models have them as postseason locks and in contention for home-court advantage in the Western Conference.
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The problem is that the Timberwolves have not proven they can win much of anything, let alone 50 games. Last season they won just 31, and this team has not even touched .500 since 2003-04. The addition of Jimmy Butler, specifically, should put this team in line for an improved record. But a win increase of around 20 games, while possible, is also a lofty goal.
The Western Conference got tougher, not easier, and there will be plenty of competition for the postseason. The Memphis Grizzlies have not missed the postseason since 2010, and the Clippers since 2011. The Utah Jazz broke the 50-win mark last season and should have one of the league’s best defenses. Portland was a playoff team last season and should be healthier this time around. Denver won nine games more than Minnesota last year and added Paul Millsap.
While the Timberwolves have the talent to make the playoffs, they should not be handed the privilege like some sort of gift. This team has to show it can play defense, demonstrate sharing the ball between three heavy-usage players, and drastically improve on last season. 50 wins? Possible, but let the team reach 40 first.