Five things to look for in the Western Conference Finals: Thunder vs. Timberwolves

 

                                             (Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images) 

This week, the Western Conference Finals begin with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder squaring off. Game one will be on Tuesday in OKC at 5:30 PM PT on ESPN/ESPN2. Below are five things to look for over the course of the series. 

#1. Who has the better series: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) or Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)? 

The top-seeded Thunder are led by guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 29.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game during the playoffs while the Timberwolves are led by guard Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game during the playoffs. The NBA is such a star driven league that series' are often decided by which star players play better. The Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Edwards matchup is going to be crucial to deciding the outcome. Both guys will need to bring their A-game for sure. 

#2. Which team will control the pace? The Thunder are 6th in the NBA in pace of play while the Timberwolves are 24th. The Thunder average 120.5 points per game which is 4th in the NBA while the Timberwolves are 13th in the NBA with 114.3 points per game. The Thunder like to get out and run it more while the Timberwolves play a slower game. If the Thunder can get out and run to their heart's desire, they should be in a good spot to win the series. If the Timberwolves are able to slow it down and play more to their pace, they'll have a real chance. Pace of play is going to be key given the contrasting styles between the two teams. 

#3. Who wins the battle in the paint? The Thunder have some big bodies inside with Chet Holmgren (15.0 points & 8.0 rebounds) and Isaiah Hartenstein (11.2 points & 10.7 rebounds) while the Timberwolves have Naz Reid (14.2 points & 6.0 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (12.0 points & 10.9 rebounds). Whichever team wins the battle inside will give themselves an edge. It'll be fun to see how that shakes out. 

#4. How much will home court matter? The Thunder will have home court advantage and that could end up being a huge factor. Both teams have dropped only one game at home so far in the playoffs while also winning multiple games on the road. Given the fact that these teams have done so well on the road and both have dropped one game at home, one has to wonder how much of an impact home court advantage will make. It's usually a huge factor, but this could be a case where we see the road team find some success. 

#5. Will the Timberwolves' experience make a difference? The Timberwolves were in the Western Conference Finals last season and have made the playoffs four seasons in a row. The Thunder in contrast have made the playoffs two seasons in a row with this young nucleus and haven't been to the conference finals since 2015-16, back when they had a totally different team. It'll be interesting to see if the Timberwolves' experience will make a difference. On paper, they'll have an advantage in that department. But can they capitalize? That's the question. 

Prediction: I gotta roll with the Timberwolves in six games. I think that experience will make a real difference. 

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are catching fire

 

                                             (Credit: Matt Blewett/Imagn Images) 

The NBA playoffs are in full swing and one of the upsets underway is the 6th seeded Minnesota Timberwolves taking a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. On Sunday, the Wolves won 116-113 behind 43 points, nine rebounds, and six assists from Anthony Edwards, closing the game out on a 14-6 run. The Wolves took game one in Los Angeles 117-95, lost game two in Los Angeles 94-85, and then bounced back to take game three in Minneapolis 116-104 before winning on Sunday in Minneapolis. 

A major reason for the Wolves' success this postseason is the performance of their star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 29.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game during the series. Edwards is only 23 years of age in his fifth NBA season, playing like a guy who has been in the league for a decade. He makes smart decisions with the ball, knows when to attack the rim, when to pass it out, etc. He's got superstar gifts and isn't solely consumed with getting buckets even though that's what he does best. 

In addition to Edwards, forward Julius Randle has been playing fantastic as well. Randle had 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in Sunday's win, averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game for the series. Edwards has needed somebody to be a reliable number two man and Randle has been that. And then of course, other guys like Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels have done their part as well. It's been a true team effort. 

If the Wolves can close out the Lakers, don't be surprised to see them make another push to reach the Western Conference Finals like they did last year. And if they get that far, who's to say that they can't reach the NBA Finals? When you got a superstar like Anthony Edwards, you're always in contention. 

Update: The Timberwolves took the series 4-1, defeating the Lakers 103-96 in game five. Rudy Gobert had a ridiculous 27 points and 24 rebounds. 

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Saturday Slam: Minnesota Timberwolves have new life thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns returning

 

                                             (Credit: AP Photo) 

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves got a real shot in the arm thanks to the return of their star center Karl-Anthony Towns, who put up 22 points and 4 rebounds in a 125-124 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.  It was Towns' first game back from a Grade 3 calf strain, which caused him to be out since late November. 

Towns along with Anthony Edwards (24.7 points per game) is one of the top two players on this Timberwolves team, who are currently 7th in the Western Conference with a 37-37 record. At just 1.5 games back of the 39-36 Golden State Warriors for the 6th seed and eight games left in the regular season, the Timberwolves have to feel like there's a chance to leapfrog the Warriors. Especially if they can defeat them on the road on Sunday. 

Given how important Towns is to the Timberwolves, one cannot understate the importance of his return. He's averaging 20.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season and really takes a lot of pressure off Edwards who does so much for them. 

At this point, the biggest focus for the Timberwolves is to make sure Towns doesn't get overworked during this stretch while also making sure they can get Edwards back as soon as possible. Edwards has missed three straight games due to an ankle injury and it really is imperative that they get him back, too. 

As far as what the final schedule looks like, after Sunday's game at Golden State, the Timberwolves will head to Sacramento and Phoenix before coming home to face the Lakers and Trailblazers. They will then hit the road to Brooklyn and San Antonio before coming home for one final game against the Pelicans. It's not a super easy schedule, but it's also not ridiculously hard, either.  

While the future is not certain, one thing that is certain is that the Timberwolves' odds of avoiding the play-in tournament and getting a top six seed have gone up by getting Towns back. If you're them, that's really all you can ask for. 

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Mock Draft Monday: Are the Minnesota Timberwolves one good draft pick away from being good?

The most notable trade the Minnesota Timberwolves made at the trade deadline was the trade they made to land D'Angelo Russell from the Golden State Warriors. By getting a ball dominant All-Star level guard to play with their franchise center Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves feel they are back in business. Or at least close to being back in business.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the #Warriors are trading D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Omari Spellman to the #Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 protected first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick. Wolves’ 2021 pick is protected to No. 3 & becomes unprotected in 2022. #NBA

— NBA Lord (@nba_lord) February 7, 2020

One other piece of the puzzle for the Timberwolves is whoever they draft in the 2020 NBA draft. At the moment, they are projected to get the #5 pick, which means there is the real possibility that they could land the #1 pick in the lottery. Even if they don't get the #1 pick, they're still positioned well to add a really talented player to their team next year. I like Georgia freshman guard Anthony Edwards a lot and think he would be a great addition to this young Wolves team. You give them a talented shooting guard alongside Russell and they really could be cooking with gas.

Of course, Edwards isn't the only rookie that could fill that need for them. Washington freshman small forward Jaden McDaniels is another great option for the Wolves that should be available if they are picking 5th. He would bring athleticism out on the wing and also play well alongside Russell in the backcourt.

                                          (Credit: Frank Gunn. Canadian Press) 

The Timberwolves injected some new life into their team by getting Russell and can now look ahead to the 2020 NBA draft with some additional excitement. Over these next few months, their front office needs to do their due diligence to make sure they find the right fit for their team and prepare for the likelihood that they don't get a top three pick. Provided they do that, their future looks to be very bright.

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Saturday Slam: Will Andrew Wiggins thrive in Golden State?

                                          (Credit: John Hefti-Associated Press) 


The biggest trade made at the deadline was the Minnesota Timberwolves trading Andrew Wiggins to the Golden State Warriors, getting D'Angelo Russell back in return.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the #Warriors are trading D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Omari Spellman to the #Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 protected first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick. Wolves’ 2021 pick is protected to No. 3 & becomes unprotected in 2022. #NBA

— NBA Lord (@nba_lord) February 7, 2020

When the Warriors got Russell, many assumed he was going to be used as a trade chip due to the fact that they already had two other ball dominant guards in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Those assumptions turned out to be correct as the Warriors did in fact move him to get a better fit in Wiggins: Another wing that can play alongside Curry and Thompson.

In his 6th year in the NBA, Wiggins is averaging 22.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He's putting up solid numbers, but the Timberwolves felt a more ball dominant guard like Russell would be a better fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, who has emerged as their franchise player. The Warriors conversely felt Wiggins would be a better complimentary piece around the players that they already have.

Considering their recent championship success, Golden State is a perfect fit for Wiggins, who had been stuck in a losing environment in Minnesota. He gets to be around a winning culture and be more of a complimentary piece as opposed to dealing with the pressures of being the go-to player. Once Curry and Thompson come back, he'll give the Warriors a solid third/fourth option alongside Draymond Green, bring athleticism out on the wing, and solid defense. It'll be interesting to see how this goes once the Warriors are back to full strength.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: It's fun to see Derrick Rose playing good basketball again

                                         (Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports) \

After looking like his career was probably over due to serious knee problems, Derrick Rose is having a renaissance in Minnesota, averaging 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game on 48.3% shooting from the field, 43.1% shooting from 3-point range, and 85.4% shooting from the foul line. He's playing like he has a new lease on life, enjoying every moment he's on an NBA floor.



Back in his 2011 MVP season, Rose was one of the most exciting players in league history. He attacked the rim with reckless abandon and was incredibly fearless, always putting his body on the line. Unfortunately, that style of play caught up with him, resulting in an ACL tear, a torn meniscus, and other issues that would derail his career.

While it's easy to root for any player to make a comeback, it's been especially fun to watch Rose hit game winners and energize NBA fans once more. Even though we'll never know how good he would have become had the injuries not happened, there's something even more satisfying about watching him have this type of season knowing what he's been through. He could have hung up his sneakers and given up on his dream of playing high level basketball again. Instead, he kept honing his craft and developed a jump shot, something he would need after losing so much of his explosion.

Given all that he's been through and how well he's playing, Rose absolutely deserves to be an All-Star this year. He's playing like one and I think the fans would get a real kick out of watching him play. For all the years that Kobe Bryant and other legends have played in All-Star games past their prime, it would only be fair if Rose got that same type of treatment. The only difference is he's legitimately playing like an All-Star!

Once again, it's been an absolute blast to watch Derrick Rose have the type of season he's been having. He's always struck me as a really humble, down to earth person. It's great to see guys like him find success.

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Saturday Slam: The Minnesota Timberwolves need to do some soul searching

As you've probably heard by now, the Minnesota Timberwolves fired Tom Thibodeau, who was serving both as head coach and president of basketball operations. Ryan Saunders, son of the late Flip Saunders, has taken over head coaching duties with the interim tag. Under Thibodeau, the Timberwolves had some success, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Unfortunately, his management style clashed with the rest of the organization, both on the court and in the front office. Star players felt overworked and disrespected while the front office felt he wasn't willing to adapt.

Increased fan apathy in Minnesota -- with critical season tickets renewal period approaching, sources say -- was undeniable factor in Tom Thibodeau's inevitable firing. On Thibodeau and the business of basketball: pic.twitter.com/Qm2Tx5wjWM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2019  

While the reasons for firing Thibodeau are clear, it shouldn't be forgotten that the Timberwolves did find some success under him. Reaching the playoffs is a big deal for this franchise and not something that they should take lightly. If you want to have more buzz around your franchise, isn't making the playoffs the best remedy to that problem? Ultimately, if they want to justify moving on from Thibodeau, they're going to have to find a coach who is able to get more out of their players and get them back to playing playoff level basketball.

What's a bit puzzling is how quickly things have spun out of control in Minnesota. A year ago, they were on the verge of making the playoffs with Thibodeau at the helm and Jimmy Butler as their veteran superstar. Now, they've shown both Thibodeau and Butler the door, ending an experiment that resulted in a playoff appearance. It feels weird.

With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins as their key building blocks, the Timberwolves still have a chance to do a lot of damage in the future. The problem is they don't seem to know who they are as a team. At least with Thibodeau and Butler they had an identity, even if it was flawed. Over the next few months, the Timberwolves have to do some soul searching and figure out who they are and what vision they have for the future. If they can't figure that out soon, they could be heading for some dark times.

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Wednesday Windmill: How much better does Jimmy Butler make the Philadelphia 76ers?

The Philadelphia 76ers ended the Jimmy Butler drama by agreeing to acquire the polarizing shooting guard from the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the deal, the 76ers acquired Butler along with Justin Patton while giving up Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick.  The 76ers made the move with the hopes of improving their chances to reach the NBA Finals while the Timberwolves made the deal with the hopes of returning to a sense of normalcy.

The debut.

📺: @NBCSPhilly
📻: @975TheFanatic
📱: #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/RYNJpiiCZx

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 14, 2018

While the 76ers should be excited to add another elite player to the fold, they run the risk of messing with their team chemistry. Butler's time in Minnesota was controversial and there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of his ability to help out a team as a result. Butler will need to prove that he is not a head case and that his beef with Tom Thibodeau and the Timberwolves organization was legit.

Assuming he's able to prove that he can be a good guy in the locker room, Butler should be a nice fit in Philly. He's a 20+ points per game scorer and an excellent defender, averaging 2.4 steals per game this season. Joel Embiid has become one of the most gifted big men of all time while Ben Simmons is blossoming into a B+ version of LeBron James. When you give those guys an elite wing like Jimmy Butler to work with, you're giving them a real shot to reach the NBA Finals and contend for a championship.

Aside from Butler being a problem in the locker room, the biggest concern for the 76ers is their lack of depth. Covington, Saric, and Bayless were solid pieces that gave them a nice bench. With them gone, they're going to have to rely even more on their star players to carry them to victory. It's a calculated risk that they feel is worth taking, but it's still a risk nonetheless. Guys like Wilson Chandler, J.J. Redick, and Markelle Fultz will need to step up and prove that they are capable of handling more of the load as well.

While there's always a risk in making big trades in the middle of a season, I feel like the 76ers are making the right move here. Jimmy Butler is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and a legitimate All-Star player. If you have the chance to add a guy like him to your team without giving up another All-Star in return, you should do it every time. As far as how the Timberwolves should feel, I think they should feel good about the move. They added some solid role players to their team and can finally focus on building around Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the most promising duos in the league.

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NBALord.com Northwest Division Preview

Up next is my preview of the Northwest Division, home to the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers.

One year ago, the Utah Jazz were worried about the departure of Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics. One year later, the Jazz seem to have forgotten about Hayward thanks to the breakout rookie campaign of Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season. With Mitchell at the helm, the Jazz are one of the most dangerous teams out west and appear poised to wreak some havoc in the playoffs.  In addition to Mitchell, the Jazz have some other quality players in center Rudy Gobert, power forward Derrick Favors, point guard Ricky Rubio, and rookie shooting guard Grayson Allen, giving them a nice blend of scoring and defense.

The most valuable member of this Jazz team is head coach Quin Snyder, who has implemented a really good system predicated on cutting, motion, and ball movement. The Jazz aren't the most talented team in the league, but they make up the difference with their execution and unselfish play. When you add a budding superstar like Donovan Mitchell to such a system, you suddenly have something really special.

The Jazz should win the Northwest Division and put themselves in a position to possibly reach the Western Conference Finals. While the Warriors, Rockets, and Lakers are getting most of the press in the Western Conference, do not sleep on the Jazz.

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets but were able to hang onto Paul George, giving Russell Westbrook one other superstar to take the pressure off of him. With George and Westbrook alone, the Thunder have a team that is capable of beating a lot of teams out west. When those two guys go off, they are very hard for even the best of teams to stop. 

The problem for the Thunder is their lack of depth and lack of a good system. Billy Donovan doesn't seem to know how to get Westbrook and George to play in a system and instead allows them to play street ball. I don't now how much of that should fall on Donovan given that Westbrook and George would be hard guys to coach, but that notwithstanding, the lack of a system in Oklahoma City appears to be holding this team back. 

Due to their raw amount of talent, the Thunder will be competitive and probably make the playoffs, but I do not see this team winning a series. In the playoffs, they become too predictable and aren't able to mix things up. It'll be more of the same in Oklahoma City, which isn't a bad thing but also not a good thing, either. 

Led by Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic, and newly acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas, the Denver Nuggets have a very solid team. They almost made the playoffs last season and will once again be in a dog fight to sneak in. The potential to be really good is definitely there if they can get rookie Michael Porter, Jr. to become everything he was hyped up to be before his injury. Given that Porter is not expected to do much this year, it'll be hard for them to make significant strides from last season. 

A good season for the Nuggets would be to make the playoffs and give someone a bit of a scare in the first round. I don't know if that will happen, but if they can stay healthy, they'll at least give themselves a shot. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a very weird spot right now. They're coming off their first playoff appearance since the 2003-04 season and have a lot to be excited about. However, the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler and his desire to get out of Minnesota has overshadowed all of that. As presently constituted, the Timberwolves have a very good team consisting of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jeff Teague to go along with Butler. I understand why Tom Thibodeau wants to keep Butler given the pieces he has around him. At the same time, you cannot let distractions like a disgruntled player distract your team. 

If the Timberwolves are going to trade away Butler, which looks foggy at the moment, they'll want to make sure they get something good back in return. If they trade him away, they can still be a playoff team, but it would really help to get something of value in return. Assuming the drama around Butler can resolve itself one way or another, it should be another exciting season in Minnesota. 

The Portland Trail Blazers are once again led by the backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, who combined for nearly 50 points per game last season. On top of those two dynamic guards, the Trail Blazers also have a gifted big man in Jusuf Nurkic, who averaged 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season. Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic form a nice trio that gives the Trail Blazers outside shooting, inside scoring, and penetration from the wing.

The problem for the Trail Blazers is their lack of depth. Outside of Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic, they really struggle to get other guys going. Evan Turner, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Zach Collins will need to be the ones who provide some production off the bench in order for this team to be dangerous. If these guys are able to combine for 25 points per game, the Trail Blazers could be a team that maybe wins a series in the playoffs. If they are not able to produce, the Trail Blazers at best will be a playoff team with a first round exit.

My prediction is the Trail Blazers will more or less be the same team we saw last year. They'll win around 47-49 games and be decently competitive in the regular season, but come playoff time their lack of depth will come back to haunt them. I like their top three players a lot, but without getting enough help, there's only so much that they can do.

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Saturday Slam: Five likely landing spots for Jimmy Butler

                                          (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 

Earlier this week on NBALord.com, I addressed the tension growing between Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler and head coach Tom Thibodeau. Since that article was published on Tuesday, multiple reports have surfaced that confirm that the Timberwolves will indeed look to move Butler and that he will not be present at team media day on Monday.

Sources: Minnesota owner Glen Taylor has made it clear to President/Coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden that Jimmy Butler's on the trade block and Taylor wants the front office moving to find a deal. Taylor is pushing for a fast resolution.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2018

All-Star Jimmy Butler has been granted permission to not participate in Minnesota Timberwolves‘ media day on Monday, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2018

Personally, I think the Timberwolves should entertain the possibility of firing Thibodeau if that will keep Butler around, but it does not look like they are going to go that route. With that being the case, below are five likely landing spots for Butler.

#1. Los Angeles Clippers: There have been additional reports that Jimmy Butler would prefer to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He likes Los Angeles and the Clippers are in need of a new superstar to build around.  The Clippers also have some assets that the Timberwolves might like such as Tyrone Wallace, Lou Williams, and rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If the Timberwolves want to get rid of Butler as quickly as possible, the Clippers should be the first team they call.

#2. Milwaukee Bucks: Butler played his college ball at Marquette in Milwaukee, so going to the Bucks would be a homecoming of sorts for him. I don't know if a duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Butler would be enough to get the Bucks to the NBA Finals, but it would certainly be interesting to find out.

#3. Los Angeles Lakers: If Butler wants to go to Los Angeles, the Lakers are the only other alternative to the Clippers. What makes the Lakers a likely landing spot for Butler is they have a ton of assets to offer and are in desperate need of another superstar to pair with LeBron James. A duo of James and Butler would wreak some serious havoc in the Western Conference. They'd be instant contenders.

#4. New York Knicks:  The New York Knicks are rumored to be on Butler's list of preferred destinations and they could really use another superstar to pair with Kristaps Porzingis. If the Knicks can land Butler, they'll definitely be cooking with gas at Madison Square Garden. I don't know how good they'd be, but they'd be an instant playoff team in the Eastern Conference.

#5. Brooklyn Nets: The Brooklyn Nets are also rumored to be on Butler's list of preferred destinations and they are in desperate need of a superstar. On top of that, they have the space to sign him. Like Chicago and New York, an added bonus of trading Butler to Brooklyn is that he'd be out of the conference. The Timberwolves are probably hesitant to help out a team that they might end up facing in the playoffs, upping the odds of Butler getting shipped out East.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Is Tom Thibodeau the right man to coach the Minnesota Timberwolves

On Tuesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Tom Thibodeau met with Jimmy Butler in Los Angeles to talk about his future with the Minnesota Timberwolves organization. Despite reaching the playoffs in his first year with the team, Butler is reportedly unhappy about the direction of the franchise, specifically as it pertains to the job that Thibodeau is doing as head coach and president of basketball operations.

While he has a track record of success in Boston, Chicago, and now Minnesota, Thibodeau has been known to be a hard guy to play for. He demands a lot from his players and doesn't seem to be too sympathetic to the pounding NBA players go through during a full 82 game season. Rather than resting his players and playing his bench, Thibodeau tends to go with shorter rotations, resulting in his star players having to exert more energy on a nightly basis.

Thibodeau's coaching philosophy may be a contributing factor to all the injuries that Derrick Rose had during his time in Chicago as well as injuries to Joakim Noah, Zach LaVine, and Jimmy Butler. While it's conceivable that Butler has other issues with Thibodeau as well, the way he treats his players appears to be his main gripe. If you are an NBA player, you want to make as much money as you can and play basketball for as long as you can. Playing for a coach that runs his players into the ground is something a player should want to avoid at all costs. Even it means playing for a less competitive team.

In regards to how the Timberwolves should handle this, it's a tricky call. The name of the game as far as they are concerned is to win basketball games and Thibodeau has done a good job of that during his brief time in Minnesota, guiding the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance since the 2003-04 season. On the flip side, when you have such a talented young core consisting of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, do you really want to risk long-term damage to them?

What could ultimately decide this is how the other players on the team feel about him. If it's only Jimmy Butler that has a beef, maybe the Timberwolves trade him for some assets before he gets the chance to walk away from them next summer in free agency. If on the other hand, Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others also complain to ownership and take things public, it would probably be the wise thing to fire Thibodeau and find a guy who is a little less stringent in his thinking. I guess we'll have to wait and see what final direction this takes, but if I'm making a prediction, I don't see how Thibodeau stays with this team for the long haul. The short-term benefits don't seem to outweigh the potential long-term damage.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Can the Timberwolves survive without Jimmy Butler?

                                          (Zhong Zi/NBAE/Getty Images) 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are having their best season in recent memory, currently sitting third in the Western Conference standings with a 38-26 record. A major reason for their resurgence has been the addition of Jimmy Butler, who they acquired from the Chicago Bulls during the NBA Draft. Butler has been averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game and has provided a veteran presence that the Timberwolves have been missing.

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, Butler has undergone surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee, sidelining him for the next 4-6 weeks according to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports. With Butler possibly out until the playoffs start, the big question is whether or not the Timberwolves can survive until he comes back and not slip too much in the standings.

Jimmy Butler is expected to undergo surgery in coming days and could return within 4-to-6 weeks, league sources tell Yahoo. Final timetable will be set after procedure.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2018

The teams that are behind the Timberwolves are the Spurs (.5 games back), Pelicans (2 games back), Trail Blazers (2 games back), Thunder (2 games back), Nuggets (3 games back), and Clippers (4 games back). It is hard to see a scenario in which the Timberwolves don't make the playoffs, but it is conceivable that they slip to as far as the 8th seed. The gap between the 3rd and 8th spot is only 3 games, which means things are very tight.

The key to the Timberwolves' surviving Butler's injury is really for Andrew Wiggins and Jamal Crawford to step up at the wing positions. Jeff Teague is doing a good job running the point guard position and Karl-Anthony Towns is anchoring the post just fine. But, whether or not Wiggins and Crawford can make up for Butler's production out on the wing remains to be seen. Personally, I think they should be able to since both of them know how to score. Crawford can still get buckets even in this later stage of his career and Wiggins is emerging into an elite wing in his own right. Offensively those two guys should be able to pick up the slack.

As far as defense is concerned, that's probably the bigger concern. Wiggins is an elite wing on both ends of the floor, but the Timberwolves really don't have any one else who can replace Butler's tenacity on defense. The Timberwolves will really need to do a good job of playing team defense and finding ways to mask Butler's absence out on the wing. Jeff Teague will also need to play an expanded role defensively and be a little bit more aggressive when it comes to disrupting passing lanes and forcing turnovers.

The bottom line is the Timberwolves can survive without Jimmy Butler, but it's not going to be easy. When you are a team that hasn't been in this kind of position before, it's tough to then lose your best player right as you head into the final stretch of the season. It'll be interesting to see if they can hang onto their spot until Butler comes back and whether or not any of the teams behind them will be able to capitalize on their vulnerability.

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Skyhook Sunday: Locking up Andrew Wiggins helps ensure a bright future for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Timberwolves inked Andrew Wiggins to a five-year contract extension worth approximately $148M, which is the designated rookie scale maximum. Since being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kevin Love, Wiggins has lived up to the hype, averaging 20.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game during his first three seasons, missing only one game. Wiggins' durability and consistency have earned him this extension and in the process has helped to ensure that the Timberwolves have a bright future.

What's especially exciting for the Timberwolves is the roster they've put around Wiggins. Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best young big men in the league, Jeff Teague is one of the most underrated point guards, and Jimmy Butler is one of the top slashing wings in the game. The Timberwolves should be a playoff team this season and eventually evolve into one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference with more seasoning.

Next season, the Timberwolves will have the chance to extend Towns as well, which means they could have almost $300M invested in two players. While that is a lot of money to invest in two guys who are yet to play in a playoff game, both guys have proven to be worthy of such an investment. They've played up to their expectations and been good representatives of the organization both on and off the court.

Assuming the Timberwolves lock up Towns as well, they're going to have two of the best young players in the league for the next several seasons, giving them plenty of chances to get to the playoffs, win a series, and get the seasoning that is needed to make them a championship contender. While they haven't been a very successful franchise over the years, the foundation for success is finally being put into place. They've drafted the right people, they've brought in the right free agents, and they've trusted the process. It's all finally starting to come together for them.

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Skyhook Sunday: What does landing Jimmy Butler mean for the Minnesota Timberwolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves stole the show on draft night by landing Jimmy Butler in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. The Timberwolves traded Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the #7 pick (Lauri Markkanen) for Jimmy Butler and the #16 pick (Justin Patton). Butler has already arrived in Minnesota and appears to be very excited to begin this new chapter of his career, reuniting with Tom Thibodeau.

Can't wait to get to work. #PowerOfThePack pic.twitter.com/nSY902FVnp

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) June 25, 2017

Butler joins a talented core in Minnesota that consists of Ricky Rubio, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves have been building a talented young group for the past few seasons, but they have lacked an established superstar that can take them to that next level. By trading for Butler, they appear to finally have such a superstar.

A lot of people are scratching their heads about what the Chicago Bulls were thinking to make this trade happen. Butler is coming off his best season in the league, averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He turns 28 next season and will be entering his seventh season in the NBA. He is just starting to enter his prime. To trade him away for a point guard coming off a torn ACL, a point guard who is looking like a bust, and a rookie looks to be very foolish.

In addition to being a superstar, what makes Jimmy Butler a great fit for the Timberwolves is how easily he slides into their lineup. He can play at the shooting guard position alongside Andrew Wiggins at small forward, creating a deadly one-two punch out on the wing. His presence doesn't affect the minutes of any of their core players, enhancing what they already have.

The Timberwolves have suddenly gone from a team that might make the playoffs in a couple of seasons to a team that could make the playoffs next year. They are no longer a team that you need to worry about in the future, they are a team that you need to worry about right now.

Also, with a team like the Utah Jazz potentially on the cusp of losing one of their biggest pieces to free agency (Gordon Hayward), we could see a significant shake up in the Western Conference. While I don't see the Timberwolves contending for a championship next season, I do see them approaching that territory. They've accelerated their rebuilding process by at least two and maybe even three years.

After an arduous rebuilding process and more than a decade of losing basketball, the Minnesota Timberwolves finally have a roster that the Twin Cities can get excited about. The talent is there, the experience is there, and the motivation is there. They just need to go out and get it done.

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Wednesday Windmill: Critically assessing the Minnesota Timberwolves new logo

This week, the Minnesota Timberwolves unveiled their new logo for the future. Before I dive into my playoff coverage, I figured I would quickly address the Timberwolves' new look.

Upon first glance, I wasn't a big fan of the logo. It reminded me of some spin off of the Timberwolves' SB Nation logo and I just didn't like it. But upon giving it some more thought, I actually like the logo a lot. It's sleek, it plays off of the Timberwolves' most recent alternate logo and utilizes the colors of previous Timberwolves logos. The howling wolf is really cool and I like the look of the basketball behind it with a green star, which makes a connection to Minnesota being far north, hence the name of their first NHL team, Minnesota North Stars.

For those that don't know, I spent time in Minneapolis and St. Paul doing missionary work for my church and so I got to know the Twin Cities area really well. I used to bike past the Target Center every day and grew to really love the community. I think the logo embodies a lot of what the state of Minnesota is about: Alone, strong, united, and cold; a bit off the grid with a culture that is unique and special. Timberwolves fans should fully embrace this logo and look to the future of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins with a new found brightness of hope.






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Fadeaway Friday: Will Lance Stephenson stick in Minnesota?

After appearing to disappear off the map, former Indiana Pacers star Lance Stephenson has resurfaced as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, signing his second 10-day contract with the team earlier in the week after being a free agent for a short period of time due to an ankle injury. The Timberwolves clearly like Stephenson enough to sign him to a second 10-day contract, but the question is whether or not he'll stick with the team for the remainder of the season and possibly beyond.

Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones haven't really stepped up in Zach LaVine's absence like the Timberwolves hoped they would, making Lance Stephenson an attractive option to give them much needed depth at the point guard position. During his time with the Timberwolves, Stephenson has averaged 4.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game on 47.6% shooting from the field, which isn't very good but sadly better production than what Dunn and Jones have been able to provide.

What's amazing is that at this point in time, the 27-37 Timberwolves are 2.5 games back of the 8 seeded Denver Nuggets, making them very much alive for the playoffs. The Timberwolves are a team that actually is in more need of playoff experience than another high draft pick, so they need to do all they can to make a push for the playoffs.

So, when it comes to evaluating Lance Stephenson, the Timberwolves have to assess whether or not having him on their roster helps them make the playoffs. If you look at his raw production, it's hard to argue that he does. If you consider that he's a veteran guy who's been to the Eastern Conference Finals with the Indiana Pacers, you could argue that having him around helps since he knows what it takes to get to the playoffs. It really depends on how you see it.

                                         (Credit: Fox Sports North. Click here for video) 
                         

What I don't know is whether or not Lance Stephenson has been a good locker room guy or not and that is probably what will ultimately determine whether or not he sticks in Minnesota for the rest of the season. Stephenson has had a history of not being a good locker room guy, which is why he's bounced around so much since his days in Indiana. The fact that the Timberwolves signed him to a second 10-day contract indicates that he might be a better locker room guy than he was in Charlotte and that so far, he's fitting in well with their group of guys.

Personally, I certainly hope that Lance Stephenson is able to find a way to stick with the Timberwolves. He's been an entertaining player and one who I still think might have some gas left in the tank if given the right opportunity. The Timberwolves could use the depth at point guard and also the presence of another veteran guy in their locker room. If they were to make the playoffs, Stephenson could be a guy who gets inside the head of Stephen Curry a bit as a defender, so in that vein it actually makes sense for the Timberwolves to keep him.

At the end of the day, this all comes down to whether or not the Timberwolves see him as offering more than just what he's given them on the court. If they see him possessing some intangibles like leadership and veteran experience, odds are good he sticks with them. If on the other hand, they really don't see him offering any of those intangibles, odds are good he gets released from the team after his 10-day contract expires. It's really as simple as that.


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Fadeaway Friday: What to look for in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge

Tonight at 9:00 PM EST on TNT, the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will tip off to begin the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Here are some things to look for in this game.

Rosters: 

Team USA: Devin Booker (Suns), Malcolm Brogdon (Bucks), Marquese Chriss (Suns), Brandon Ingram (Lakers), Frank Kaminsky (Hornets), Jahlil Okafor (76ers), D'Angelo Russell (Lakers), Jonathon Simmons (Spurs), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), and Myles Turner (Pacers).

Team World: Alex Abrines (Thunder)*, Danté Exum (Jazz), Buddy Hield (Pelicans), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Trey Lyles (Jazz), Willy Hernangomez (Knicks)**, Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks), Domantas Sabonis (Thunder), and Dario Saric (76ers).

*Injury replacement for Joel Embiid (76ers). **Injury replacement for Emmanuel Mudiay (Nuggets)

What to watch for: The first thing to note about this game is that it is a USA vs. World format. They've done this for a couple of years now, but nonetheless it is a shakeup from the classic East vs. West format. What is most interesting is to see how such a format is actually competitive. Years ago, there wouldn't have been enough international players to form a competitive roster against the United States, but now there absolutely is, which is exciting for the game of basketball.

The second thing to look for are the guys who don't get as much national spotlight. Guys like Devin Booker, Malcolm Brogdon, and Nikola Jokic are having fine seasons, but they are flying under the radar due to playing for small market teams. It will be interesting to see how these guys do playing on a national stage. I'm sure they will relish the moment and do their very to put on a show.

The third thing to look for will be who steps up should this game get close. All of these guys are either in their first or second seasons in the NBA, so they are still getting used to having to take over a game at the NBA level. A lot of these guys have veterans to look to when the game gets close. Some of these guys are in situations where they have to be that guy for their teams already. I think it will be fascinating to see which of these young bucks decides to be the go-to guy in the clutch should this game get competitive. It could provide a window of sorts into which one has the best potential to be the next superstar of the NBA.

Predictions: I'm going to pick the United States to win this game. Even with the world catching up rapidly, the United States still has the better roster. Of course, this game is an exhibition, so anything can happen, but I do think the United States will come out on top. They have the more talented team. I'm going to say the United States wins 130-118.

                                              (Credit: Basket Streaming. Click here for source) 
                                               
In regards to an MVP, I've got my money on Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves. He is averaging 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. He's the best player on the floor in this game and I expect him to play like it. Look for him to be the main guy that leads the United States to victory.



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Saturday Slam: The loss of Zach LaVine is brutal for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Earlier today, the Minnesota Timberwolves confirmed that their explosive young point guard Zach LaVine would miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Below is the official team release.

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken this morning at Mayo Clinic by Team Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Diane Dahm revealed that Wolves guard Zach LaVine has a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his left knee. LaVine, who will have surgery at a to-be-determined date, will miss the remainder of the season. Further updates as to LaVine’s progress will be issued when more information becomes available.The injury occurred during last night’s 116-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons.In 47 games this season, LaVine averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 37.2 minutes per game. In his third NBA season, LaVine holds career averages of 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 206 games.

The loss of Zach LaVine obviously really hurts this young Wolves team. At 19-32, they are still very much alive for the 8th seed in the Western Conference playoffs, just 3.5 games back of the 22-28 Denver Nuggets, who are currently clinging to the 8th seed like grim death. With the loss of LaVine, it's going to be really tough for this young Wolves team to make up for his quality production. LaVine was in the middle of having a breakout season, making it all the more sad that he had to go down. The good news of course is that with proper rehab and surgery, LaVine can come back even stronger thanks to the quality medical care that he'll receive at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

                                         (Credit: YouTube. Click here for video). 
           
In terms of who will need to step up, it's obvious that Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, who are both averaging north of 20 points per game, will need to carry even more of the load.  In addition to them, the rest of the Wolves backcourt will need to do all they can to make up for Zach LaVine's production.

The guy in the backcourt who can be expected to step up the most is Shabazz Muhammad, who is averaging 9.0 points per game on 46.6% shooting from the field, 45.8% shooting from three-point range, and 80.2% shooting from the free throw line. During the past 10 games, Muhammad has notched six games with 15+ points, so with Zach LaVine now out for the season, it can be expected for him to continue to put up similar numbers. Ricky Rubio being more of a facilitator can't really be relied on to score more, but he will have to undertake a larger chunk of the point guard duties.

The one guy who is sort of a wild card in all of this is rookie point guard Kris Dunn, who is currently nursing a sore right hand. Dunn was the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft but has so far not really lived up to the hype. LaVine's absence should free up a lot more minutes for him once he returns to the court, giving him a chance to flourish and showcase his skills. If there's any benefit of Zach LaVine going down, it is that his absence gives Kris Dunn more minutes and opportunities for growth. Dunn has to make the most of these extra minutes and prove to the Minnesota franchise that he was worth the fifth overall pick.

There's no question that the loss of Zach LaVine is a major disappointment, but the Timberwolves are still in big picture mode, so as long as he is able to make a full recovery, this shouldn't be too big of a set back. If anything, it will give other guys an opportunity to step up and grow, so maybe in a way this will benefit the team for the long term. Of course, my thoughts and prayers are with Zach LaVine. I've gotten to know a lot of these top basketball players through my work with GoldenBearReport.com of the Rivals Network, so I have nothing but mad respect for all the work that they put in. I hope LaVine comes back stronger than before and helps the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to grow into one of the most elite and dangerous teams in the NBA.

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Fadeaway Friday: Memphis Grizzlies to operate expansion D-League franchise

Starting in the 2017-18 season, the Memphis Grizzlies will operate their own D-League team in Southaven, Mississippi, expanding the NBA's Developmental League to 23 teams, 19 of which will be owned by a single NBA team. The news was revealed shortly after it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves officially purchased the Iowa Energy, the same team that the Grizzlies have been affiliated with during the past few seasons.

The NBA continues to progress towards its goal of having 30 D-League teams with each NBA franchise having its own D-League affiliate. Should the NBA expand to 32 teams like many expect, that will mean the D-League will likewise expand to 32 teams. The reason the NBA wants each NBA franchise to have its own D-League team is so that the NBA can do a better job of developing its players and give guys more chances to develop and grow. There are many players in NBA history who would have tremendously benefited from the D-League and so it is great to know that there will be many careers improved and possibly saved thanks to the D-League.

In addition to improving careers and the quality of play, I think another reason for this expansion has to do with giving more communities a taste of NBA basketball. Mississippi for example will never have an NBA franchise, but thanks to the D-League, they will be able to enjoy watching professional basketball up close. By having 30 D-League franchises, the NBA will have in effect doubled the number of communities it is directly involved with, which helps grow the popularity of the league across the country.

It will be interesting to see how much longer it takes before each NBA team has its own D-League team. I think in 10 years, we will see 30 D-League teams affiliated with 30 NBA teams. If anything, we very well may see 32 D-League teams affiliated with 32 NBA teams. The NBA is certainly growing and continuing to establish itself as the preeminent professional sports league in world. Not only are they doing a great job of growing their brand, but they are also doing a great job at improving the quality of their brand. By investing in a developmental league, the NBA in turn is investing in the overall quality of play at the NBA level, something that benefits all involved whether it be the owners, players, or fans.

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Saturday Slam: Kevin Garnett had a solemn dedication that will never be duplicated

(Credit: Cliff. Click here for source) 

    After 21 seasons in the NBA, Kevin Garnett is calling it a career, finishing with career averages of 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Kevin Garnett accomplished a lot in his career. He won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois in 1995, and he put the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise on the map. He is without question a first ballot hall of fame player and one of the best players of his generation. 

     When looking back on Kevin Garnett's career, what stands out the most is the passion that he played with every night. Kevin Garnett had an almost psychotic approach to the game of basketball. He was obsessed with giving it his all on every play and never backed down to anybody. If an opponent took a shot after the whistle, Garnett would still block the shot and prevent it from going through rim. 

     Kevin Garnett could not allow himself to give his opponents one iota of confidence and did everything he could to get in their heads. He was the king of trash talk and on court swagger to the point that it absolutely annoyed you if he was playing against you. At the same time, if he was on your team, he fired you up and made you believe you could win. He was absolutely a guy who you wanted in your corner when the chips were down. He put his teammates first and was willing to die for them if needed. 

     Kevin Garnett was old school in that he really played for the love of the game. He didn't play for the money, the fame, or the personal recognition. He played the game of basketball because he loved it and had a solemn dedication to it that is seldom seen. He never disrespected the game or took it for granted. Every minute he was on the floor he cherished and he gave it his all. He recognized that he had a talent and a gift that few people had and he did not want to waste it for even a moment. 

   Just like how there will never be another Kobe Bryant or another Tim Duncan, there will never be another Kevin Garnett. I'm not sure we will ever see another player who plays with quite the same amount of fervor and vigor that Kevin Garnett played with. He loved the game and it showed in every moment that he was on the floor. Even when he was at the end of his career, he still had a desire to reunite with the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise and mentor the next generation of NBA players. His heart has always been in the right place and the game of basketball has been richly blessed because of it. Kevin Garnett, you will be missed.