The Minnesota Timberwolves went to the playoffs only four seasons ago, but it feels so much longer than that because that squad was completely different from this one. Karl-Anthony Towns is the only player still remaining from that team
Since that playoff appearance, which lasted only five games, the Wolves have posted three losing seasons. They have had the luxury of picking high in the draft but haven't yet started to climb back towards the playoffs. So far this season, though, it looks like they're making progress.
Right now, the Timberwolves are 9-9. Given the lack of team success in recent memory, this otherwise mediocre record is a great sign for Minnesota. Chris Finch, in his first season as head coach, has got his young team firing on all cylinders, as they enter their Friday night matchup with the Charlotte Hornets on a five-game win streak, all of which came by double digits.
The Timberwolves could return to the playoffs with their young squad. Here are the three biggest reasons why that's possible.
3. They have the element of surprise
Being underestimated can be advantageous to NBA teams that play well enough to take advantage of it. Being slept on doesn't guarantee that the Timberwolves will make the postseason but it may help them steal a few games here and there.
While the league still sees them as an unimpressive team, the Wolves have the chance to surprise them. It'll take more than feeding Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns to do this, though. They'll have to support their stars and continue their impressive defense. Edwards and Towns will have to do their part as the team's foundational stars. Minnesota has promising depth but everything starts and ends with them.
The Wolves are the fifth-youngest team in the league. This season is an opportunity to surprise teams that take them lightly and secure a playoff bid. Proving they belong in playoff contention is another question but this season, they have the potential to stun the league and make the playoffs this season.
2. The team around Edwards is talented
The Wolves may lack talent of the highest pedigree but they still have some highly-skilled players around Anthony Edwards.
The aforementioned Towns is one of the best scorers in the league, especially among centers. He is a lights-out shooter — 44.2 percent from deep on 6.3 attempts — with the handles and playmaking to take over the game when Minnesota needs him to. The 26-year-old big man averages 22.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns will not be denied that close to the hole 😤pic.twitter.com/GLwEVg9HtN
— Timberwolves Nation (@TWolvesNationCP) November 18, 2021
D'Angelo Russell is a playmaking sharpshooter that seems to be comfortable as a distributor of the ball to Edwards and Towns. Malik Beasley hasn't been too good this season but has been a knockdown shooter in the past. If he can rediscover his shot, the Wolves' offense will be much more dangerous.
The Wolves boast a top defense — they're fifth in defensive rating leaguewide — thanks to the contributions of role players like Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden McDaniels, and Josh Okogie. Although Beverley will be sidelined for a few weeks with a groin injury, the Wolves have figured out a winning formula on the defensive end. Keeping it going without one of their key pieces will be crucial to how they end up in the tightly packed Western Conference playoff picture.
1. Anthony Edwards is very good and only getting better
At the time of the 2020 draft, Anthony Edwards was, in some circles, considered to be not committed enough to basketball to warrant being the top overall pick. Since then, Edwards has grabbed those takes and slammed them down with authority. He has been as good as advertised, if not better, in the Association.
Anthony Edwards with a new career high in points 🐜🔥
48 Points
16/27 Shooting
7 Threes
5 Rebounds
5 Assists
2 Steals3rd youngest player in NBA history with 45/5/5. Via @statmuse
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 11, 2021
In 35.9 minutes per game, the 20-year-old Edwards is averaging 22.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field.
He has obvious star potential because of his stellar scoring abilities. His sky-high leaping and thunderous dunking abilities jump off the screen and land him in highlight reels but he can do much more. He is shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc (an above-average mark) on 9.1 attempts per game. He has the dexterity to finish at the hoop with finesse when he can't throw down a dunk.
As he finds his way with playmaking and defense, Edwards can rely on being effective with his ever-growing scoring repertoire. The sky is the limit for him as he continues to develop into one of the most promising players in the league.
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