Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

2017-18 Season Outlook: The optimist, pessimist, and realist

By Josh Bungum

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 9, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 9, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 26: The first overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns and 22nd pick Tyus Jones of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits on June 26, 2015 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 26: The first overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns and 22nd pick Tyus Jones of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits on June 26, 2015 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Realist.

Now that we have been through both a manic and depressed state in the last five minutes, let’s get realistic.

There is almost no way the most optimistic of results comes to fruition. As much fun as it would be to have this team accomplish such great feats in just one season together, the truth is that a monumental jump with a completely reassembled team is almost unheard of.

The same can be said for the pessimists out there that are setting the bar laughably low. Sure, injuries may happen. But even if they do, there should be enough elite talent, high-end coaching, and veteran leadership to navigate this team to a low seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The truth is that Andrew Wiggins will probably continue to improve playing for the same coach in consecutive years for the first time in his career. His counting statistics might not show it (as he’ll be the 3rd option), but he will become a more well-rounded player and facilitator with a guy like Jimmy Butler helping guide him.

Karl-Anthony Towns will almost assuredly take another noticeable step forward. But the expectation next year cannot be for him to be in the MVP discussion. He’ll take some time to adjust while incorporating another superstar into the fold and finding his place among the pecking order. His defense will likely go from porous to passable before he takes that step to being elite. He likely will eventually be in the debate for top NBA player, but let’s pump the breaks and let his game evolve organically.

Jimmy Butler and his familiarity with his former coach’s system will ease the transition to his new team. He, along with Gibson, will guide the young Wolves through these advanced principles and will likely lead to a noticeable jump in defensive rating.

There will be bumps along the way, but nothing that will cause the car to swerve off the road. It will take time for elite players like Towns and Butler to blend their skills. It is probably accurate to expect Andrew Wiggins to take some time to learn where his spots are with two other high-end offensive weapons. Thibodeau will need to learn which offensive and defensive sets work best with his new personnel groupings.

The point is, we all need to enjoy the ride. The old saying “hope for the best, but expect the worst” is probably a pretty good guide for Wolves fans that have suffered through so many awful seasons. But for the first time in a long time, the ‘hoping for the best’ will likely be closer to the end result than its counterpart.