In the Company of Wolves - A T'Wolves Dynasty (NBA 2K12)

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Around the NBA
November 2011

Minnesota Timberwolves Stats - Nov '11
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TPG	FPG
Kevin Love	9	210	12.6	8.6	3.2	0.7	0.8	1.3	0.9
Wesley Johnson	9	212	12.4	3.0	2.4	0.6	1.0	0.9	1.6
Derrick Williams	9	165	12.2	5.3	1.3	0.3	1.2	0.7	1.3
Ricky Rubio	9	210	11.0	2.3	9.6	1.6	0.4	2.8	1.3
Michael Beasley	9	200	10.6	5.2	1.8	0.2	1.0	1.2	1.2
Martell Webster	9	87	5.2	2.3	0.3	0.6	0.2	0.6	0.2
Wayne Ellington	9	70	3.0	0.8	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.1
Darko Milicic	7	130	2.7	3.4	1.0	0.4	0.1	0.3	0.4
Brad Miller	2	16	2.0	1.0	1.0	0.5	0.0	1.0	0.5
J.J. Barea	6	28	1.8	0.3	1.2	0.2	0.2	0.5	0.2
Anthony Randolph	9	48	1.7	1.2	0.6	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.0
Luke Ridnour	9	62	1.3	1.4	2.9	0.2	0.0	0.7	0.8
Anthony Tollver	3	3	0.0	0.7	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

NBA League Leaders - Updated: Dec 1, 2011
Points Per Game		PPG	Rebounds Per Grame		RPG
	1. Kobe Bryant	19.9		1. Dwight Howard	10.2
	2. Kevin Durant	19.8		2. Al Horford	8.8
	3. Dwayne Wade	18.6		3. Marcin Gortat	8.7
	4. Dwight Howard	17.8		4. Blake Griffin	8.6
	5. Carmelo Anthony	17.1		5. Kevin Love	8.6
Assists Per Game		APG	Steal Per Game		SPG
	1. Ricky Rubio	9.6		1. Josh Smith	2.1
	2. Jason Kidd	7.4		2. John Wall	1.9
	3. Rajon Rondo	6.6		3. Deron Williams	1.9
	4. Joe Johnson	5.9		4. Trevor Ariza	1.8
	5. Russell Westbrook	5.7		5. Kevin Durant	1.7
Blocks Per Game		BPG	Field Goal Percentage		FG%
	1. Josh Smith	1.8		1. Chris Kamen	.612
	2. Roy Hibbert	1.5		2. Derrick Williams	.609
	3. Tyrus Thomas	1.5		3. Elton Brand	.578
	4. Amar'e Stoudemire	1.4		4. Raymond Felton	.571
	5. Marcin Gortat	1.4		5. Dorell Wright	.569
3-point Percentage		3P%	Points		PTS
	1. Justin Harper	.800		1. Kobe Bryant	239
	2. Reggie Williams	.778		2. Kevin Durant	237
	3. Darren Collison	.769		3. Luis Scola	224
	4. George Neal	.750		4. Dwayne Wade	186
	5. Mike Miller	.692		5. Dwight Howard	178

NBA Standings - Updated: Dec 1, 2011
ATLANTIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Boston Celtics	8	5	-	2-1	6-4
New Jersey Nets	5	6	2.0	0-0	1-1
New York Knicks	4	5	2.0	1-2	0-2
Toronto Raptors	5	7	2.5	0-0	2-0
Philadelphia 76ers	4	7	3.0	2-1	3-5
CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Chicago Bulls	7	4	-	0-2	0-2
Indiana Pacers	7	4	-	2-0	3-3
Milwaukee Bucks	5	4	1.0	1-0	2-1
Cleveland Cavaliers	5	5	1.5	1-1	4-2
Detroit Pistons	4	6	2.5	0-1	2-2
SOUTHEAST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Miami Heat	7	3	-	1-0	4-1
Atlanta Hawks	6	4	1.0	0-1	1-2
Charlotte Bobcats	4	4	2.0	2-0	3-3
Orlando Magic	5	5	2.0	2-1	3-2
Washington Wizards	3	8	4.5	0-3	2-7
NORTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Portland Trail Blazers	7	3	-	0-0	1-1
Oklahoma City Thunder	8	4	-	1-0	4-0
Denver Nuggets	6	4	1.0	1-1	2-4
Minnesota Timberwolves	4	5	2.5	1-0	4-0
Utah Jazz	3	11	6.0	0-2	3-4
PACIFIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Los Angeles Lakers	10	2	-	1-0	5-1
Los Angeles Clippers	5	6	4.5	1-1	1-2
Golden State Warriors	3	4	4.5	1-1	1-3
Sacramento Kings	4	7	5.5	0-1	3-5
Phoenix Suns	3	8	6.5	0-0	1-2
SOUTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Dallas Mavericks	7	1	-	1-0	3-0
San Antonio Spurs	7	3	1.0	0-0	3-1
Houston Rockets	7	8	3.5	1-0	4-5
New Orleans Hornets	1	5	5.0	0-0	1-2
Memphis Grizzlies	2	8	6.0	0-2	1-7

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Kevin Love Wins NBA Player of the Week Award

Minneapolis, MN - The end of November was kind to the Timberwolves. Along with ending the month on a two-game winning streak, forward Kevin Love was named the Western Conference player of the week. Love becomes the second Timberwolves player to receive the award this season after Ricky Rubio captured it in the season's second week. "It feels good," Love said before Minnesota's game at Golden State. "It's even nicer that we're winning. I want to keep this momentum going as long as possible. We're hitting on all cylinders right now,"

Matchup Preview *|* December 1, 2011
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Minnesota Timberwolves (4-5, 3-2 Away)		Golden State Warriors (3-4, 2-2 Home)
Stats Comparison 73.8 Points Per Game 63.1 .419 Field Goal % .420 .786 Free Throw % .681 .313 3-Point % .387 300 Rebounds 216 54 Blocks 16 71 Steals 28 83 Turnovers 70 77.6 PPG Allowed 67.6 Projected Starters Ricky Rubio Point Guard Stephen Curry Wesley Johnson Shooting Guard Monte Ellis Michael Beasley Small Forward Dorell Wright Derrick Williams Power Forward David Lee Kevin Love Center Andre Biedrins Injury Report N/A N/A Game Notes The Timberwolves come to Oracle Arena looking to expand on their two-game win streak. Both teams are fighting to reach the .500 mark in this game. Derrick Williams is coming off of a dominant effort against the Sacramento Kings and will look to impose his will once again against the Warriors. Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio both look to step up after off nights from the field in their last game. Can the Timberwolves' trio stop Curry and Ellis from exploding from the field? How will Michael Beasley respond after having the hot hand against the Kings?

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Shootout in Oakland
Late 3-point Shots Help Sink Warriors

Oakland, CA - The Timberwolves continued to roll Thursday night as they defeated the Golden State Warriors in a nail biter, 88-86. The Warriors came out firing from tip-off and built a 12-point late by the middle of the 2nd quarter. Golden State made three after three on the Timberwolves defense with Stephen Curry leading the charge. The tide turned right as the half ended when Luke Ridnour hit a half-court three to end the half and bring the deficit to 8.

The second half belonged to the Timberwolves as their long range shots began to fall and closed the deficit quickly in the third quarter. The remainder of the game was a constant back and forth between the two squads. The most either team would lead by for the rest of the game was 5. Coach Rick Adelman was asked how he felt his team performed in the second half and had nothing but good things to say about the team, "It was the first time we had a really strong 4th quarter. We've had a history of wilting in the second half but tonight we showed that we can stay mentally strong,"

Ricky Rubio returned to his stellar play and directed the up-tempo Timberwolves offense to 13 assists. "Ricky was hitting everyone tonight. It was a great team effort," Wesley Johnson said after the win.

Derrick Williams once again led the team in scoring and seems to be establishing himself as the team's lead scoring option. Adelman was asked if he believed that it was Williams' inclusion in the starting line-up that has caused the Timberwolves' winning streak, "I think it's been a team effort. We've come together very nicely over the past few games and I think Derrick is a big part of that. We're 3-0 since he became a starter so take that for what it's worth,"

T'Wolves forward Kevin Love also bounced back from a poor shooting night and knocked down two key three-pointers to help the Timberwolves' 4th quarter run. While Derrick Williams kept the Timberwolves close in the first half, Kevin Love took over in the second. "I came out flat in the first half but once we came out from halftime I knew I had to do something to help my teammates win and I'm glad I did,"

The T'Wolves go out east to face the Philadelphia 76ers before returning home for a rematch with the Sacramento Kings.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Dec 1, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Minnesota (5-5)	19	19	23	27	-	88
Golden State (3-5)	22	24	20	20	-	86

Minnesota Timberwolves
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Ricky Rubio	27	5-9	2-2	3-4	4	13	1	0	3	15
Wesley Johnson	23	4-9	0-3	1-2	4	4	0	0	3	9
Michael Beasley	25	5-9	0-1	1-2	7	5	0	0	0	11
Derrick Williams	23	9-12	0-0	0-0	5	3	0	0	2	18
Kevin Love	25	6-11	2-3	0-0	8	4	1	0	1	14
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Wayne Ellington	10	3-6	1-4	0-0	0	1	0	1	0	7
Martell Webster	14	2-4	1-3	0-0	3	0	0	2	0	5
Darko Milicic	8	2-3	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	1	0	4
Luke Ridnour	6	1-2	1-1	0-0	3	1	0	0	0	3
Anthony Randolph	5	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	2
Anthony Tolliver	DNP
J.J. Barea	DNP
TEAM TOTALS		33/66	7/17	5/8	35	32	3	4	9	88

Golden State Warriors
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Stephen Curry	25	6-16	3-6	4-4	2	8	3	0	1	19
Monte Ellis	25	13-25	1-5	0-0	2	5	1	1	0	27
Dorell Wright	22	6-11	3-5	3-3	4	1	1	0	1	18
David Lee	26	2-3	0-0	0-0	4	0	2	1	1	4
Andris Biedrins	25	3-6	0-0	0-0	8	3	2	1	0	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Ekpe Udoh	9	2-3	0-0	0-0	4	1	0	0	1	4
Ishmael Smith	8	2-2	0-0	0-0	1	4	0	0	1	4
Dominic McGuire	8	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	2
Brandon Rush	8	1-3	0-2	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Kwame Brown	3	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Klay Thompson	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Antonio Daniels	DNP
TEAM TOTALS		36/71	7/18	7/7	25	23	9	4	4	86

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Matchup Preview *|* December 7, 2011
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Minnesota Timberwolves (5-5, 4-2 Away)		Philadelphia 76ers (6-8, 1-5 Home)
Stats Comparison 75.2 Points Per Game 63.1 .421 Field Goal % .462 .750 Free Throw % .713 .286 3-Point % .367 360 Rebounds 385 58 Blocks 31 74 Steals 64 92 Turnovers 126 78.4 PPG Allowed 67.5 Projected Starters Ricky Rubio Point Guard Jrue Holiday Wesley Johnson Shooting Guard Evan Turner Michael Beasley Small Forward Andre Iguodala Derrick Williams Power Forward Elton Brand Kevin Love Center Marreese Speights Injury Report N/A N/A Game Notes The Timberwolves come to Philadelphia on a three-game win streak. Derrick Williams has been the spark to the T'Wolves' winning streak as the team has been undefeated since his inclusion in the starting line-up. The talented Philadelphia 76ers are off to a slow start just a season removed from facing the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala look to rebound against a hot Timberwolves squad that has for lack of a better word 'scorched' their past three opponents. The T'Wolves look to continue their hot play and begin the push for the All-Star break.

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Rookie Showcase
Rubio and Williams Go Off to Lead T'Wolves to Win

Philadelphia, PA - Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams continue to grow into the franchise players that the Timberwolves' front office imagined when they were drafted as they led the T'Wolves to a narrow 4-point victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Ricky Rubio led the T'Wolves in the first half with a 17-point first half performance to keep his team competitive. The Timberwolves suffered from yet another slow start and were down by 12 at points in the second quarter. "It's something I won't be concerned about unless it becomes a habit," coach Rick Adelman said of their recent slow starts. "As long as the outcome is a win i'll be happy but I also don't want the team playing from behind for the whole game,"

Kevin Love was the steady constant for the Timberwolves throughout the game and offered up great interior defense yet again. The 76ers' leading scorer, Marreese Speights, made all of his shots from mid-range as he couldn't make a shot inside the paint against Love.

(Kevin Love slamming down a Rubio miss)

Just as in their last game against the Warriors, the 2nd half was when the Timberwolves began to shine. The team absolutely locked down the 76ers and made them force up shots. If the first half belonged to Ricky Rubio, the second belonged to Derrick Williams. Williams put up 6 points in the first half but he became a man possessed once the fourth quarter began. He put up 12 of his 22 points in the final period and led the Timberwolves' run that put them ahead for good.

"Derrick played fantastic tonight," Adelmen said at the post game press conference. "He's forming a habit of taking over the game when the team needs it and I for one can say it's a habit we can all get used to,"

"A lot of us were off tonight," guard Wesley Johnson said. "Without Ricky, Kevin or Derrick I think we'd be having a different conversation tonight,"

The Timberwolves will look to keep their winning ways as they make their way back to Minneapolis for a rematch with the Sacramento Kings. After their brief stay at the Target Center, the Timberwolves head out on a four game road trip.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers
Dec 1,	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Minnesota (6-5)	17	20	20	21	-	78
Philadelphia (6-9)	22	21	14	17	-	74

Minnesota Timberwolves
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Ricky Rubio	23	7-13	2-3	4-6	6	6	0	1	2	20
Wesley Johnson	24	3-13	1-5	0-0	3	1	2	1	0	7
Michael Beasley	22	2-6	0-3	0-0	5	6	1	0	0	4
Derrick Williams	24	10-15	0-0	2-2	10	2	1	1	0	22
Kevin Love	20	6-8	1-2	0-1	5	2	0	1	3	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Darko Milicic	13	2-3	0-0	0-0	0	2	0	4	0	4
Luke Ridnour	8	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	2
J.J. Barea	2	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Wayne Ellington	8	1-2	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	0	1	2
Martell Webster	14	1-5	0-2	0-0	2	1	1	0	1	2
Anthony Randolph	7	0-1	0-0	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	0
Anthony Tolliver	DNP
TEAM TOTALS		34/70	4/15	6/9	36	23	6	8	8	78

Philadelphia 76ers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jrue Holliday	23	4-11	1-2	2-2	5	3	1	0	1	11
Evan Turner	28	2-3	0-0	3-4	5	2	1	1	1	7
Andre Iguodala	19	4-10	0-2	2-4	2	1	1	0	0	10
Elton Brand	24	2-6	0-0	0-0	5	2	1	0	1	4
Marreese Speights	23	7-10	0-0	1-1	4	1	1	0	1	15
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Thaddeus Young	14	6-6	0-0	0-0	3	0	1	0	1	12
Louis Williams	10	5-10	1-1	0-0	1	2	0	0	0	11
Nikola Vucevic	4	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	1	0	0	2
Jodie Meeks	5	1-4	0-3	0-0	0	0	0	0	3	2
Craig Brackins	6	0-2	0-0	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	0
Spencer Hawes	7	0-0	0-0	0-0	2	0	0	0	0	0
Andres Nocioni	3	0-2	0-2	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		32/65	2/10	8/11	31	11	7	1	9	74

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Matchup Preview *|* December 10, 2011
	@
Sacramento Kings (4-10, 1-4 Away)		Minnesota Timberwolves (6-5, 1-3 Home)
Stats Comparison 59.1 Points Per Game 75.5 .361 Field Goal % .398 .699 Free Throw % .750 .338 3-Point % .275 429 Rebounds 405 32 Blocks 66 66 Steals 80 182 Turnovers 100 64.6 PPG Allowed 78.0 Projected Starters Earl Boykins Point Guard Ricky Rubio Tyreke Evans Shooting Guard Wesley Johnson Francisco Garcia Small Forward Michael Beasley J.J. Hickson Power Forward Derrick Williams DeMarcus Cousins Center Kevin Love Injury Report N/A N/A Game Notes The Sacramento Kings come to the Target Center looking for payback for the beating they suffered in their last game with the Timberwolves. Minnesota outplayed the Kings the entire game in what would start their winning streak. Tyreke Evans is looking to bounce back after a terrible shooting night in their last contest. Derrick Williams is coming off of his second double-double of the season and leading the Timberwolves to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Ricky Rubio also has the hot hand and is making his case for a point-guard spot on the Western Conference All-Star squad.

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Five in a Row!
Rubio's Double-Double Leads Timberwolves Over Kings

Minneapolis, MN - The Timberwolves that last played at the Target Center are a completely different team than the one that took the court Saturday night. That Timberwolves team was a team that was in the midst of trade rumors, lackadaisical play and low on team chemistry. The team that showed up against the Kings was a fast-paced high scoring machine that has been tearing its way through the Western Conference over the past few weeks. "I knew from the start of the season that we could play like this," coach Rick Adelman said. "It was just a matter of getting used to playing with one another and complementing one another's strengths and weaknesses,"

The catalyst of this offense is the man that Adelman has given the keys to the offense to. Ricky Rubio has grown from a prospect to a full-blown superstar in the making with his dazzling passes and clutch shooting. Although Rubio isn't known for his offensive game, he has made great strides over the first month and a half of the season. "I'm just in the gym a lot," Rubio said after the game. "Working to be better,"

"Not only is he getting better, he's making his teammates better," Adelman said. "If you look our recent games, our points per game have gone up drastically. It has a lot to do with Ricky running down the court and finding guys set up with open shots,"

Fellow rookie Derrick Williams led the Timberwolves in scoring for the fourth straight game and nearly had a double-double of his own, coming one rebound short. When asked about his recent play Williams said, "It helps a lot that we're winning. When you're winning it's just a lot of fun going out there and playing basketball," Williams was asked if getting more minutes has attributed to the recent success, he took the opportunity to talk up his teammates, "It's not about me. I'm out there doing my job just like the rest of the team is doing their job. We've all been doing great,"

"The media has been talking a lot about this team being 'future-oriented', and 'not built to win now'," guard Wesley Johnson said at the post game press conference. "Why not now? Why not us?"

(Johnson receiving an alley-oop from Rubio)

"We have what it takes. At least I think I do," Kevin Love said after the game. "We're playing very well and it's making us very confident. Monday night we play in Chicago and I think it's going to be a huge test for us to see how far we've come. I still remember what happened against Miami. It still eats at me. It was embarrassing. We all use that as fuel to keep us going. I don't care if this seems premature but, I think we're ready for the Oklahoma Citys and the Los Angeleses of the world,"

It was also reported, after the game, that Kevin Love signed a 5-year, 63.2m dollar extension that will keep him with the Timberwolves through the 2016-17 season. "We're building something special here and I want to be apart of that. I don't need to "take my talents" anywhere else. I'm fine here. I want to bring a title to Minnesota,"

Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves
Dec 10, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Sacramento (4-11)	14	23	17	13	-	67
Minnesota (7-5)	21	26	13	16	-	76

Sacramento Kings
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Earl Boykins	28	4-22	1-2	2-2	1	6	1	0	4	11
Tyreke Evans	21	5-9	0-0	2-2	4	1	2	0	0	12
Francisco Garcia	24	6-14	4-10	0-0	4	0	0	0	0	16
J.J. Hickson	26	1-4	0-0	0-0	9	0	1	0	0	2
DeMarcus Cousins	22	4-7	0-0	0-0	8	0	1	3	1	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jimmer Fredette	5	3-4	0-1	0-0	1	2	0	0	1	6
Travis Outlaw	9	2-5	0-1	1-1	3	0	0	0	0	5
Marcus Thornton	14	2-6	1-2	0-0	4	2	1	0	0	5
Chuck Hayes	8	1-1	0-0	0-0	2	0	1	0	0	2
Jason Thompson	7	0-2	0-0	0-0	1	2	0	0	0	0
John Salmons	DNP
Donte Green	DNP
TEAM TOTALS		28/74	6/16	5/5	37	13	7	3	6	67

Minnesota Timberwolves
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Ricky Rubio	27	5-13	1-3	0-0	6	10	4	0	2	11
Wesley Johnson	21	3-9	1-4	0-0	4	1	1	1	0	7
Michael Beasley	19	4-7	1-4	0-0	9	2	0	1	0	9
Derrick Williams	26	7-11	0-0	2-3	9	4	0	0	2	16
Kevin Love	24	4-12	0-2	0-0	5	2	0	2	0	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Wayne Ellington	12	5-5	2-2	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	12
Martell Webster	14	4-7	1-4	0-0	0	0	0	2	2	9
Anthony Randolph	5	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	0	1	2
Darko Milicic	9	1-2	0-0	0-0	5	1	1	1	0	2
Luke Ridnour	6	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	3	0	0	1	0
J.J. Barea	2	0-0	0-0	0-0	01	0	0	0	0	0
Anthony Tolliver	DNP
TEAM TOTALS		34/69	6/18	2/3	41	25	6	7	8	76

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

Evaluating the Timberwolves

Minneapolis, MN - Now that the mess that was the beginning of the season is seemingly behind them, the Timberwolves have a newly instilled confidence. Kevin Love's comments after last nights game have reverberated throughout the blogosphere and has drawn the ire of many. Most called his contender comments 'arrogant' and 'premature' while a small few liked the bravado that he showed as he looked to put the league on notice. The swagger that has been missing since Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury ran the Timberwolves to best in the west is seemingly back in downtown Minneapolis; but isn't it a bit early to make those claims? Talk to me in April when the Timberwolves are fighting for a top seed in the playoffs Kevin. You're 7-5. Barely above .500 and playing the Chicago Bulls next. The last thing you want to do is give Derrick Rose bulletin board material.

Outside of Love, Rubio and Williams, what do the Timberwolves have that makes them scary to their opponents. You've beaten Sacramento, Golden State and Memphis. What happened against Indiana and Miami? The Target Center got the doors blown off. Beasley seems to drift in and out of games. Wesley Johnson hasn't been able to hit a basket, and beyond Martell Webster and Wayne Ellington, who is on the Timberwolves bench? If Johnson and Love think their time is now, expect moves to be made.

The platoon situation that is the back-up point guard is not doing them any favors. Ridnour and Barea have provided next to nothing on the offensive end. The T'Wolves need someone who can get to the basket and make the pass to the open man. If Miami is at all willing to part with their own darling rookie Norris Cole (and I doubt that they are), he'd be able to come in and keep the offense going as opposed to the turnover machines that are Ridnour and Barea. Any run seemingly comes to a complete halt once Rubio leaves the floor. He can't play every minute of every game.

The center position is also a problem for the Timberwolves. Kevin Love has been doing an admirable job filling the position with the demotion of Darko Milicic but he's not a true center. Moving him back to power forward and sliding Derrick Williams to the three is where the future lies for this team. Word is the Timberwolves are heavily scouting UConn center Andre Drummond. If Love and Johnson's predictions aren't all hot air, the Timberwolves won't be in the lottery; where he is expected to land. Does anyone think that Michael Beasley is going to come off the bench next year? Dropping his contract as well as Milicic's mess along with a few others will open up some cap space for free agency. The Timberwolves should look to be active. It's a pipe dream, but could you imagine Dwight Howard in blue, white and black? Then maybe we could talk contender.

The bench, outside of Martell Webster and Wayne Ellington is a mess. We're still all waiting for Anthony Randolph's potential to show up and need a viable sixth man. Another option for free-agency is to go after Eric Gordon, should he opt to leave the Hornets. Although it doesn't solve the center problem, a line-up of Rubio/Gordon/Williams/Love and a free agent/draft pick at center would also be an upgrade. Wesley Johnson could come in and spell either Gordon or Williams. The Timberwolves could also look at trading for Kings forward Jason Thompson who is being buried in the depth chart by the starting front court. Even bringing Kevin Garnett back, even in the twilight of his career, would be a huge help and having him retire with the Timberwolves would be welcomed by all.

The Timberwolves are going in the right direction: they're not getting worse. Williams, Love and Rubio are definitely the start of something great but the supporting cast is terribly lacking. Could they battle for a 7th or 8th seed this year? Absolutely they could. Contender? I don't think so.