NBA Power Rankings Week 2: Scorching hot Miami Heat and what scares me

Last Week: (L) to NOP, (W) over MIL, (L) to DEN

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a strong start, helped in part by their schedule but still a positive sign for a team that has been bad for most of the last 15 seasons. their defense has been much improved from last season, with players like Jaden McDaniels, Josh Okogie and Patrick Beverley making an impact on that end.

On the other end it’s a 3-person show, and Anthony Edwards has been the main event. He is scoring 23 points per game, leading the team in rebounding at 8.4, and doing all of those despite poor shooting numbers. Karl-Anthony Towns has also been sublime, shooting 50/50/90 with 25.2 points per game. The offensive should improve; if it does, will the defense stick around the Top-10 or fall back to earth in contrast to the rising offensive numbers?

Scares Me: D’Angelo Russell’s role on the team. The Minnesota Timberwolves are acting like they have a “Big 3” with Russell, Edwards and Towns. That’s not too incredibly bad on the offensive end, especially since Towns erases all defensive advantages other teams have with his shooting and passing. Defensively it’s a disaster, but it’s clear that Russell’s peak is nowhere near as high Towns’ or where Edwards’ potential suggests he is going. If they can get a strong return for Russell or can use him as part of a superstar trade then they should do so.