Dunking With Wolves
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Dear Timberwolves fans: This is the year

By Adam Ziobrowski

BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After 13 long seasons it is important for Timberwolves fans to know the suffering is almost over. This year’s squad is ready to end the NBA’s longest playoff drought.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, you read that right: it has been 13 seasons since the 2003-04 Timberwolves, led by Kevin Garnett, made it to the Western Conference Finals. This was also the final time the Wolves would get a taste of playoff basketball.

You could say it has been all downhill from that point. Garnett was dealt in a lopsided trade to the Celtics. Numerous of draft busts. Poor front office personnel. It is safe to say not much has gone right for the Wolves since their first, and only, conference finals appearance.

That is, until the day Kevin Love wanted out of Minnesota. After trading the franchise player, the Wolves started their most recent — hopefully final — rebuild by acquiring Andrew Wiggins from the Cavaliers. The Wolves would add Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyus Jones and Kris Dunn through the draft for talented youth. LaVine and Dunn were used to help acquire superstar Jimmy Butler. The team then entered uncharted territory by signing big name free agents this summer.

Taj Gibson brings a strong defensive presence to the team. Jeff Teague is a ball hawk on defense while adding more versatility at the point. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year and 37-year-old Jamal Crawford brings much-needed experience as well as a consistent shot from three.

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Even with an injury that will sideline him indefinitely, rookie big man Justin Patton adds to the youth movement. He has the ability to turn into a true contributor down the road and should fit Tom Thibodeau’s system perfectly.

Between all this talent and =Thibodeau entering year two at the helm, how could this not be ‘the year’ for the Wolves? On paper this team is a ligament six, five, or even four-seed in the West. The key words here are, of course, “on paper.”

Seeing as how the talent, youth, and hype are all there, it is time to make it click. You can look however good you want on paper, but you have to translate that into the season and beyond.

The Wolves have been talked about more than ever on a national scale because of who they have acquired this off-season to add to their young nucleus Towns and Wiggins. Heck, there are talks about Kyrie Irving wanting to join the fun up north.

After the record-setting year for Towns last season, its hard not to imagine him one-upping that. You know Wiggins will take more strides towards reaching his ceiling. Dieng will continue to be a solid player and Tyus Jones is geared-up for a breakout year.

Also, the man who can make an impact on both sides of the court is stretch-four Nemanja Bjelica. While his shooting percentages were down last season, Bjelica scored more points and grabbed more boards while still being a solid defender. All he needs to do is find some consistency and he will be a consistent threat.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 4: Nemanja Bjelica
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 4: Nemanja Bjelica /

Speaking of defense, stop me if you have heard this before — or don’t because I’m going to tell you anyway: this team needs to tighten up on defense or they have no shot of being competitive in the playoffs. I believe the defense will improve, no question. The players from last year know what to expect and the incoming ones such as Gibson, Butler and Teague can adjust (more so Butler and Gibson with his history with Thibs.)

Offense will also be a factor in picking up the defense, which it is good enough to do. There are enough weapons now to run up the score at will. However, games will go much smoother if the Wolves can play lock-down defense from time to time to avoid shootouts.

Besides, what other teams in the West are there to compete? Ignore the Warriors, Rockets and Spurs and think about the other 11 teams in the conference besides the Wolves.

You can count out the Suns, Kings, Mavericks and, dare I say, Lakers. The Grizzlies, Pelicans and Trail Blazers are all question marks. The Clippers and Jazz took hard hits the off-season and won’t be as dominant. That leaves the interesting Nuggets and Thunder who have both improved mightily.

Next: Timberwolves Thoughts: Origins of Fandom

Forget winning a series. Just be happy that after 13 seasons, the Wolves will find themselves back playing meaningful basketball. And after all this time, it is fair to say that good things come to those who wait.

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