Can anything keep the Timberwolves from finally getting back to the playoffs?
By Keith Parish
The Timberwolves have the longest post-season drought in the NBA, having not made the playoffs since 2004. Kevin Love, their only All-Star in the last 13 years, got them close, but no cigar. Fellow high lottery picks Johnny Flynn, Wesley Johnson and Derrick Williams did not get them close. (Sorry).
Last year, Minnesota was hopeful the streak could end as Tom Thibodeau was brought in to provide the defense and experience needed. But they fell short once again. Despite impressive offensive seasons from budding superstar Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves finished 20 games under .500 and a woeful 27th in defensive rating.
This summer, optimism once again abounds after a draft day trade netted All-NBA guard Jimmy Butler. Now you’d be hard pressed to find an analyst or podcaster not picking Minnesota to make the playoffs. But is merely making the playoffs enough for this franchise to call the upcoming season a success?
To help answer that question, Tim Faklis (@timfaklis) joins the latest episode of Fastbreak Breakfast. Tim is a writer for awolfamongwolves.com and has been attending Timberwolves games since Stephon Marbury was acquired in a draft day trade for Ray Allen. How far does he think Minnesota can go this year? Will the defense gel in the second year under Thibodeau? Were their better options available than Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford in free agency? And how good is Wiggins really?
Next: The Mavericks screw it up again, this time with Nerlens Noel's extension
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