Minneapolis is buzzing. The hype around this Minnesota Timberwolves team is unlike any that has been seen in recent memory. Even as I type these words, I know they are beating a dead horse, and that in and of itself says something major about how much success the team has had this season.
Of course, the job isn’t done. This team and these fans will not be satisfied until a playoff appearance is locked down. The cameo in 2017 is a distant memory to many supporters. This year feels like a true culmination of the team’s efforts to build a contender around franchise pillar Karl-Anthony Towns. However, the mere notion of being in the playoff chase without selling the farm to acquire a one-year rental player is worthy of celebration.
Their prospective playoff chase is not without its worries, though. The Timberwolves have all but locked down the 7-seed for the top play-in spot, barring a magical run to end the season. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s looming opportunity to make it into the “real” playoffs hangs in the balance of losing one-off games to teams that are currently at least six games behind them in the standings. The NBA has no rules in place to benefit play-in teams that have a sizable gap between them and the rest of the teams with losing records, so there is a chance that all of this regular season success could mean nothing.
Being in this 7th seed looks worse and worse by the day, as more news continues to come out about the impending returns of Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers and Zion Williamson to the New Orleans Pelicans. These teams have been significantly worse than the Wolves during the regular season, but with the new playoff rules, these teams would be rewarded for their mediocrity. Minnesota is 0-3 against the Clippers with George and split the season series with the Pelicans, so this is not a great development.
In this state, we are accustomed to the negative framing that often comes from sporting heartbreak at nearly every turn. The Minnesota Vikings, Twins, and Wild all find new and inventive ways to disappoint. Because of this, fans around the Twin Cities can be understandably jaded and expect the worst when adversity strikes.
However, not all is lost for the Timberwolves. Even if the Wolves get bounced in the play-in tournament, this season should be looked back upon fondly and one that is setting the franchise up for sustained success. One playoff exit should not mean doom and gloom for the 5th-youngest team in the league that currently boasts the 2nd best net rating since the All Star break. Plenty of statistics suggest that this trajectory is sustainable and should set Minnesota up to be a consistent force in the Western Conference.
The strides that this young team has made this year have been remarkable. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Timberwolves are 6th overall in points scored per 100 possessions (114.5) and 10th in points allowed per 100 possessions (110.7). Being a top-10 team in each of those categories just a season after being 25th and 27th, respectively, is a dramatic improvement. Minnesota also ranks 8th in the league in efficiency differential (+3.9). Even with all of this statistical success, the Timberwolves are slated to fall short of their “expected” win total of 50.6, a major slap in the face to the pre-season Las Vegas over/under of 35.5. The fruits of head coach Chris Finch’s labor are being realized as the Wolves continue on this torrid pace.
Beyond the stats, this has been a season full of joy and memorable moments at the now-lively Target Center. Anthony Edwards has lived up to the lofty expectations he set for himself, even with his recent struggles due to his knee injury. D’Angelo Russell has been living up to the costly price he was acquired for just a couple of seasons ago. The bench unit has been electric and effective while proving that the current regime knows how to draft and acquire talent in multiple ways.
Don’t forget about the exciting wins, either. The Timberwolves have beaten some great teams this year. A complete demolition of the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 17th comes to mind as one of the most fun games of the year, alongside the overtime win at home against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets back in February. There are truthfully too many “wow” moments to mention in just one article. These successes go a pretty long way in establishing a winning culture and positive atmosphere in the locker room, so there is no scenario where one can truly write off this season as a “waste.”
While admittedly running the risk of manifesting a disappointing end to the season at the hands of a rejuvenated play-in contender, it is important to affirm the major cultural victories this season. Minnesota basketball is in a great place, which is more than can be said than most other years after the Kevin Garnett trade. There is a considerable amount at stake in these last six games in regards to playoff seeding, but it could not be a better time to be confident heading into a do-or-die scenario like these. Let’s appreciate the special team brewing here, and support them to whatever end may face them.
