Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Philadelphia 76ers the best bet to win it all?

By Corey Rausch

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 31
Next
NBA, Sixers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
NBA, Sixers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

23. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Week: Beat Orlando Magic 128-96, Beat Detroit Pistons 119-100, Lost to Denver Nuggets 114-103, Lost to Boston Celtics 124-108, Beat Dallas Mavericks 136-121

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 30; Over; Wrong

There is a chance that the Minnesota Timberwolves won too many games after the return of both of their All-Stars to keep their pick but the foundation has been set for a rise up the standings in the near future. Anthony Edwards got better as the season went along and if not for two bad months at the beginning of the year could have been the Rookie of the Year. Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell finally got back in the lineup and the Timberwolves looked competent for the first time since Jimmy Butler blew up a practice.

Ideally, the Timberwolves will keep their pick (top-three protected) because the core of Towns, Edwards, Russell and Malik Beasley with one of the stars at the top of the draft. If they had been healthy throughout the season and made the much-needed coaching change before the season tipped off they may have looked even closer than they ended up.

The Timberwolves are not as far away as they may appear. They finally seem to have a real coach in place and with new ownership on the horizon perhaps there could be success in the near future. With better health that over/under mark feels much more in range of their expectations as well as a push for the play-in.