The preseason is meant to give NBA teams a ramp-up period to get on the same page before opening night. While most players don’t view the preseason as meaningful, per se, front offices will all tell you that this 4-5 game stretch is crucial to getting off to a good start. That’s especially true for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they completely flipped their team and are implementing one major new change: Rudy Gobert.
Despite the optimistic talk surrounding the team, this year’s preseason will be anything but a cakewalk. All five of Minnesota’s preseason matchups are teams looking to make a deep postseason run.
Opening Matchup In Vice City
The Timberwolves kick off their 2022 preseason with a contest against the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Oct. 4th. The marquee matchup of this game is Jimmy Butler vs. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, of course. However, what intrigues me the most is how Minnesota squares up against big-man Bam Adebayo, who’s killed the Wolves in the past.
In Adebayo’s two games against the Wolves last season, he put up 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on 64% from the floor and was sent to the line 20 times. Bam dominated the offensive side of the ball, specifically from the free throw line. It was odd, considering he only shot 46% from the stripe against the Wolves. He dominated these games by getting guys into foul trouble. Jarred Vanderbilt, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Towns accounted for 27 personal fouls through those two games.
Adebayo has loved playing against the Wolves. But with Gobert on the team, he will no longer be circling these games on his calendar. Gobert is bringing something the Timberwolves have never had – a consistent paint presence.
Look at Adebayo’s shot chart. The key to controlling him is straightforward. Stop him down low, and defend the pick-and-roll while staying out of foul trouble. That’s something Gobert has a history of excelling at, averaging 14.1 rebounds, 13.6 points, and 2.3 blocks in 8 games against Adebayo in his career.
Showtime Twice
Playing the Los Angeles Lakers twice is likely the most unique challenge the Timberwolves will endure during the preseason. They’ll play them on Thursday, Oct. 6th, and again on Wednesday the 12th.
Following a poor and underwhelming 2021-22 season, LeBron James and the Lakers will be looking to prove that they are still a powerhouse in the NBA this season. That may be easier said than done, though. The Western Conference has only gotten better since the end of last season. With key additions like Patrick Beverley and Thomas Bryant, they aren’t going to be a pushover. However, their season relies mainly on All-Star forward Anthony Davis‘ play and consistency.
Davis was only active for 40 games last season, putting up 23.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists on 53% from the floor while shooting 18% from three. Aside from the three-point splits, Davis looked like an All-Star when he played, and the Lakers would have been a competitive team in the West with him in the lineup.
Like Towns, Davis has never been able to lead a team to success without some backup. Davis has a record of 11-19 in LA without LeBron. If James and Davis can stay healthy this season, the Lakers will be a threat in the West.
Play-In Championship Rematch
In the middle of those Lakers games, the Wolves will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, Oct. 9th. Despite this being the team Minnesota faced in the Play-In, they look much different than five months ago.
Coming off a torn ACL he suffered during the 2021 playoffs, Kawhi Leonard will be looking to take this heavily underrated Clippers squad deep to the postseason. Most know how incredible the Klaw is on both sides of the ball. But Wolves fans have an even deeper understanding. Leonard has averaged 20.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists against the Timberwolves in 26 career games.
Despite the Wolves not having to tangle with the Fun Guy last season, he and the Clippers will give every team a run for their money this season.
Back in Minny For One
Following a challenging West Coast trip, the Wolves return for their lone home preseason game against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, Oct. 14th.
While the future of Durant in Brooklyn may be unknown, we know this much – he will be in Brooklyn this season.
Durant may be the best one-on-one scorer currently in the NBA. His imposing size and ability to knock down a jumper from anywhere make him a considerable threat for every team. Durant has put up 27.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 42 career games against the Timberwolves.
KD makes any team an immediate contender. However, the key to unlocking this Nets offense is Ben Simmons, who’s become a pariah of sorts. Big Ben hasn’t suited up since the 2021 Eastern Semis against the Atlanta Hawks. Simmons demanded out of Philadelphia, and a back injury has kept him from playing in Brooklyn.
Despite his controversial past, with a regular off-season and being able to initiate offense with two of the best scores in the game, I see no reason why this Nets team can’t be atop the Eastern Conference standings at the end of the season.
The Wolves have their work cut out before the season starts. But it could be the warm-up they need after a chaotic off-season. Regardless of what some players believe about preseason basketball, everyone on the Wolves will need to take these five games seriously if they want to get off on the right foot.
