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3 X-factors for the Timberwolves this season

By Adam Ziobrowski

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Free Agent signee Jeff Teague of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau on July 10, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Free Agent signee Jeff Teague of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau on July 10, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the Timberwolves want to find success in this very promising up and coming season, there are three ‘X-factors’ will help them do so.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a chance to turn heads in the basketball world this season. \n
With the excellent roster and coaching staff they have the Wolves can find themselves in the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. And now, ESPN projected the Wolves to win 50 games and grab the four-seed out West. That is shooting high for a team that won just 31 games last season.

However, as mentioned the Wolves improved their roster drastically this season. With the improvements the Wolves have a legitimate chance to win 50 games. How you may ask? Well, these three X-factors may have something to do with it.

Andrew Wiggins becoming a two-way star 

Glen Taylor requested that this happens in order for Wiggins to receive his desired extension and for good reason. Wiggins has shown improvement on offense each year since his rookie season. However, he still ranks among the worst on defense. As long as Wiggins can improve the slightest bit on defense, the Wolves will find themselves in more games and not playing so much come from behind.

But at the same time, he can’t lose focus of his offensive production as he is a viable part to the teams scoring. Wiggins being a threat on both sides of the ball will be crucial to the Wolves success this year.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 25: Andrew Wiggins
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 25: Andrew Wiggins /

Tom Thibodeau

The man in charge will have much to do with any success that the Wolves enjoy this year. Between not overworking his young stars to making sure the whole team understands his intense defense, Thibs has his hands full.

However, he should have a deeper bench to work with this year to help save the legs of his stars. Also, only a few players need to be able to learn his style of defense. Now in his second year and being more comfortable in Minnesota will only benefit him and the team more.

It’s now just a question of how Thibs will use his players and what rotations will work. It may take a month or two to find the right formula, however, Thibs will need to find it for the team’s success.

Jeff Teague paying off

It was clear when Ricky Rubio was dealt that the front office wanted a more athletic and a bigger shooting threat point guard. Jeff Teague is that guy.

The 29-year-old brings a career .355 three-point percentage to the team — definitely an upgrade from Rubio’s .315 career mark.

Jeff Teague counts as an X-factor as his performance isn’t necessarily a given or even expected such as Karl-Anthony Towns or Jimmy Butler, but his play will be vital to how the team finishes. If he can dish the ball half as well as Rubio did with the Wolves and shoot the slightest bit better, the team will be fine.

Of course, Teague needs to adjust to Thibs’ defense as well. Nothing else will matter much if he can’t defend such as Rubio did. But if Thibs didn’t believe Teague could handle this he wouldn’t have brought him in.

Next: Wolves Transition Offense Is A Sleeping Giant

Teague should be fine and is the final X-factor to the team’s success.

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