How the once-derided Minnesota Timberwolves became contenders

IIf you haven’t been paying close attention to the NBA this year, the Western Conference rankings may come as a bit of a shock. Want to be in the top two? None other than the long-suffering Minnesota Timberwolves who, just last season, took the heat for what was starting to look like it. perhaps the worst NBA trade this millennium. Incredibly, their 67 consecutive days with at least a share of first place in the conference (they have a 30-13 record tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder) are by far the most in club history; Before this year, the Wolves had been in first place for a total of 20 non-consecutive days.

It appears the Timberwolves didn’t get the memo that they are terrible and are gearing up to be a real championship contender in a Western Conference that is as wide open as it has been in recent memory. So what has changed? How have the Timberwolves changed their course?

A star is born

The signs of the ascent that was to come Anthony Edwards have been around for a while. As early as the 2022 playoffs, it started to become clear that he was more than worthy of his 2020 overall No. 1 status. But for the Timberwolves to transcend the mid-season Groundhog Day they were stuck in, the mad athlete would have to make the leap from star to superstar, and the 2023-2024 season appears to be that year. He is averaging 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season, and has shown that he is absolutely good enough to be the best player on a true championship contender. And that is ultimately the most important part of the Wolves’ success.

Play the hits

When doomsday preparations were firming up the bunker for the Wolves (myself included) last season, one of the biggest negatives was the apparent decline of Rudy Gobert‘s defensive prowess, which until then had been the polarizing Frenchman’s calling card. What may have looked at the time like a defenseman entering his post-prime period has taken the shape of something more of a temporary difference. He’s returning his focus to what he does best and what has earned him three Defensive Player of the Year awards: being one of the most punishing defenders in the league. He anchors the Timberwolves’ defense and it’s working: They have a defensive rating of 109, the best in the league. A fourth DPOY award could be coming his way.

Give up the spotlight

One of the biggest doubts about the potential of this Minnesota team was that in many ways its success depended on it Karl-Anthony Cities‘willingness to surrender to Edwards. Towns was mentioned in numerous trade rumors throughout the summer, and it was reported that the Wolves were indeed trying to move him. It certainly couldn’t have been easy for the former face of the No. 1 overall draft pick himself to accept a role as Robin while being Batman for his entire career. And he’s had a few moments where he fell back into a bad habit. He’s still prone to serious issues late in games, and most recently faced criticism for “immaturity” this week. from even his own coach in his quest for stats that yielded a loss at home to the Charlotte Hornets (in which he scored a franchise-record 62 points). But he deserves credit for accepting a sidekick role and his overall willingness to serve as a mentor to the rising star that is Edwards.

Best Supporting Actors

One thing every championship contender has in common, besides at least one superstar to get them across the finish line? A solid supporting cast that fills specific roles – and fully believes in them. Enter stage right for the Timberwolves: point guard Mike Conley, a one-time All Star who is universally loved around the league and known for his basketball IQ and steady locker room presence; defensive scholar Jaden McDaniels W.H.O. bursts of wall punches last year’s playoffs aside, it has proven invaluable in shaping the team’s defensive identity; And Naz Reidthe overqualified sixth man who has won the hearts of Timberwolves fans with his tenacity, enthusiasm and rare combination of size and ball handling.

Keep the ship steady

Coaches are perhaps the most underrated part of an NBA team’s success. When things go bad, they are the first to take the blame. But when things go well, they are often the last to get credit. Chris Finch He came in for a lot of criticism last season when Wolves were struggling, although it’s probably fair to say that questions about the cleverness of the squad construction have insulated him from some criticism. But that selection has remained largely intact and the results are world-class. Yes, the players mentioned above (and some who aren’t) are largely due to that. But Finch deserves credit for helping the team adopt a defensive identity that is paying off, and for clearly being a scholar of ego management.

As of early January, it’s still too early to tell if the Timberwolves are having their best season in team history (although statistically they’re on track). That honor currently belongs to the Kevin Garnett-led team of 2003-04: 58 wins and the deepest playoff run in franchise history (the first and only time they even made the Western Conference finals). Exactly two decades later, Minnesota Timberwolves fans are experiencing what can only be described as a basketball renaissance. And by the time June ends, they might finally have some hardware to show for it.