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NBA Power Rankings Week 9: The slide of the Los Angeles Lakers

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Previous: 30th. Minnesota Timberwolves. 30. team. 86. . 7-23

Last Week: Beat Toronto Raptors 116-112, Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 112-104, Lost/OT to Indiana Pacers 134-128, Lost to Toronto Raptors 86-81

This Week: 2/21 at New York Knicks, 2/23 at Milwaukee Bucks, 2/24 at Chicago Bulls, 2/27 at Washington Wizards

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it feels like this situation has moved beyond just a bad team or a bad organization. The Timberwolves are part of sports history as one of those organizations that appear to be cursed. Over and over the team blows double-digit leads but it is more than that. The D’Angelo Russell news this week is just the newest nail in the coffin.

Projected to be out for the next four to six weeks, Russell seems destined to never play with his friend and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. The two former All-Stars, projected to be the pillars of a potential playoff run, have only shared the court five times this season and the next time feels forever away.

Anthony Edwards has had his moments where he looks like the third piece of that puzzle. He was fantastic in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers, putting 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal on the defending champions. In true rookie fashion, he followed that up with games where he shot 3-of-15 and 3-of-14 from the field. Inconsistency is to be expected from a rookie but moments like those are glaring.

Not to be the fun police, but the reaction to the Edwards’ highlight dunk brought the spotlight on the issue. The dunk was a brilliant display of athleticism and allowed the causal fans to ignore that the young star had missed 10 of his first 12 shots in what was a close game. The real highlight was Edwards’ remarks after the game where he did not want to celebrate the dunk but acknowledge how much better he knew he needed to be. Anthony Edwards gets it. Hopefully one day the rest of the Timberwolves do too.