Re: Maize's Timberwolves (NBA 2K16)
Wolves' Season Hits Halftime, Playoff Hopes Growing
January 16, 2017
The Timberwolves have reached the halfway point of the 2016-17 season, with an impressive 25-17 record. That’s the team’s best record at the midpoint since the ‘03-’04 season. That year, Minnesota won a franchise-high 58 games and won the Midwest Division. The team was 30-12 through 42 games, and was represented by Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and coach Flip Saunders in the All-Star Game.
That season is still the high watermark for the franchise. The Wolves were the #1 seed and Kevin Garnett was named association’s Most Valuable Player. The team enjoyed many firsts (and lasts): The only playoff series win, an appearance in the Western Conference Finals (losing to the eventual NBA Champion Lakers in 6 games), and the franchise’s last playoff appearance.
This year, the Timberwolves are in the heart of the Western Conference playoff race. It’s a different feeling for a franchise that is enduring the longest playoff drought in the NBA. 15 seasons, with their last appearance being the Conference Finals. It’s the longest such drought in professional sports for a franchise that’s last appearance was a conference final or conference championship game (the Oakland Raiders own the second longest drought, 13 playoff-less seasons since their Super Bowl XXXVII appearance).
25-17 gives the T’Wolves the third best record in the West, behind Golden State and Oklahoma City. Even with a strong start, they are 7 games back of the Northwest Division leading Thunder. Barring a massive letdown, Minnesota is fighting for the playoffs while not being in contention for the Division.
The other team of interest to the Wolves is the one they just beat, the Warriors. Golden State is 3-7 in their last 10 games, having missed Stephen Curry for most of that stretch. The back-to-back Champions still seem poised to be contenders in the West.
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, following his team’s recent loss to Minnesota, said the Timberwolves provide one of the toughest opponents for the Warriors. “(Coach Thibodeau) has the team playing a style of defense that makes them so difficult to control. They are dominating teams in transition, scoring effectively… they won’t be an easy-out for any team. Plus, they’re probably ahead of schedule.”
Kerr hits on a point that fans must understand. The rebuilding effort for the Timberwolves has lasted for well over a decade. Kevin Garnett fought through three seasons with the Wolves, following the team’s conference finals appearance. They bottomed-out, traded Garnett, attempted building through the draft and landed another superstar big man in Kevin Love. Love’s arrival did not bring wins, amidst multiple coaching and front office changes.
Now, the post-Love Wolves are starting to take shape. However, it’s only been three seasons since Love was sent off to Cleveland. The rebuilding effort seems ahead of schedule. Accelerated by Tom Thibodeau, another franchise “center”piece (Towns), and a style of basketball that is getting the attention of contenders like Golden State.
“We are a playoff team, but we have to continue earning our spot.” said Coach Thibodeau, briefly questioned about the team’s post-season hopes. “This is still a team learning how to win. It’s been a fine start, but we have more to do.”
More to do, and this is just the start. Hopefully it’s the type of start that can lead the team back to the playoffs, and then exceeding that one special season for the Timberwolves.
Wolves' Season Hits Halftime, Playoff Hopes Growing
January 16, 2017
The Timberwolves have reached the halfway point of the 2016-17 season, with an impressive 25-17 record. That’s the team’s best record at the midpoint since the ‘03-’04 season. That year, Minnesota won a franchise-high 58 games and won the Midwest Division. The team was 30-12 through 42 games, and was represented by Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and coach Flip Saunders in the All-Star Game.
That season is still the high watermark for the franchise. The Wolves were the #1 seed and Kevin Garnett was named association’s Most Valuable Player. The team enjoyed many firsts (and lasts): The only playoff series win, an appearance in the Western Conference Finals (losing to the eventual NBA Champion Lakers in 6 games), and the franchise’s last playoff appearance.
This year, the Timberwolves are in the heart of the Western Conference playoff race. It’s a different feeling for a franchise that is enduring the longest playoff drought in the NBA. 15 seasons, with their last appearance being the Conference Finals. It’s the longest such drought in professional sports for a franchise that’s last appearance was a conference final or conference championship game (the Oakland Raiders own the second longest drought, 13 playoff-less seasons since their Super Bowl XXXVII appearance).
25-17 gives the T’Wolves the third best record in the West, behind Golden State and Oklahoma City. Even with a strong start, they are 7 games back of the Northwest Division leading Thunder. Barring a massive letdown, Minnesota is fighting for the playoffs while not being in contention for the Division.
The other team of interest to the Wolves is the one they just beat, the Warriors. Golden State is 3-7 in their last 10 games, having missed Stephen Curry for most of that stretch. The back-to-back Champions still seem poised to be contenders in the West.
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, following his team’s recent loss to Minnesota, said the Timberwolves provide one of the toughest opponents for the Warriors. “(Coach Thibodeau) has the team playing a style of defense that makes them so difficult to control. They are dominating teams in transition, scoring effectively… they won’t be an easy-out for any team. Plus, they’re probably ahead of schedule.”
Kerr hits on a point that fans must understand. The rebuilding effort for the Timberwolves has lasted for well over a decade. Kevin Garnett fought through three seasons with the Wolves, following the team’s conference finals appearance. They bottomed-out, traded Garnett, attempted building through the draft and landed another superstar big man in Kevin Love. Love’s arrival did not bring wins, amidst multiple coaching and front office changes.
Now, the post-Love Wolves are starting to take shape. However, it’s only been three seasons since Love was sent off to Cleveland. The rebuilding effort seems ahead of schedule. Accelerated by Tom Thibodeau, another franchise “center”piece (Towns), and a style of basketball that is getting the attention of contenders like Golden State.
“We are a playoff team, but we have to continue earning our spot.” said Coach Thibodeau, briefly questioned about the team’s post-season hopes. “This is still a team learning how to win. It’s been a fine start, but we have more to do.”
More to do, and this is just the start. Hopefully it’s the type of start that can lead the team back to the playoffs, and then exceeding that one special season for the Timberwolves.
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