Editor’s note: This is the seventh of Sam Amico’s look at all 30 NBA teams heading into the 2013-14 season.
Meet the Timberwolves
If the Minnesota Timberwolves can get a full season out of both Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, they may be on to something. Maybe not something huge, but something pretty cool.
That may sound elementary, but Love and Rubio have yet to experience a full season together. Rubio suffered a knee injury two seasons ago. Last year, it was a hand injury to Love.
See how many other teams lose at least one of their best players for most of the season, then see how well they fare.
It’s early, but the good news for the T-Wolves is Love and Rubio are ready to go. It’s early, but returning just about everyone else (and adding shooting guard Kevin Martin) could count for a lot.
And it’s early, but the Wolves look like a deep, balanced team with the NBA’s best power forward in Love. In fact, when Love's healthy, he's pretty much among the top five players in the league.
So, is this the year the Wolves finally break their playoff drought?
You have to believe it’s a real possibility. They know what to expect from coach Rick Adelman, they know what to expect from each other, and they know you only get so many chances in the NBA.
Those understandings and more should make them a problem for opponents on a nightly basis. And with a little good luck, and good health, perhaps something more than that.
Coach: Rick Adelman (23rd season, 1,002-707)
Last season: 31-51, did not make playoffs.
Projected starters: C Nikola Pekovic; PF Kevin Love; SF Chase Budinger; SG Kevin Martin; PG Ricky Rubio.
Key reserves: F Derrick Williams, SG Alexey Shved, PG J.J. Barea, SF Corey Brewer, SF Shabazz Muhammad (r), C Gorgui Dieng (r), PF Dante Cunningham, C Ronny Turiaf.
New faces: Martin, Muhammad, Dieng, Turiaf.
Outlook: The NBA is a superstar’s league, and if you have one, you have a great chance at very good things. The Wolves have at least one in Love, and perhaps another on the way in Rubio. The cast around those two is capable and underrated. That makes the Wolves a candidate to become the league’s biggest surprise. That said, we’ll play it safe and just say they’ll be better.
Prediction: 41-41.
FOX Sports: Timberwolves home.
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
