Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 bold predictions for preseason

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an important preseason ahead of them. With lots of new pieces, it’s crucial they quickly learn how to play together. Here are 5 bold predictions for the games ahead.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot of work to do in a shortened period of time. In order to avoid back-to-back games as much as possible, the NBA decided to extend the regular season this year. That means the preseason (practices, games, etc) is much shorter this year.

The vets celebrate it, while the younger players understand it’s a missed opportunity of sorts. They don’t have nearly as much time to get acclimated to the speed and strength of the league and prove what they can do.

As those young guys will so learn, it’s all about adjusting on the fly. They’ll have to adapt quickly or fall to the wayside.

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Regardless of the shortened time, preseason is still a vital time for every team. Especially a team such as Minnesota who is bringing in a plethora of new talent. It’s absolutely critical for these guys to learn how to play with one another. While watching film is a big first step, the best way to learn is to get on the floor with your new teammates.

Minnesota will get that chance as they opened up training camp on Sep. 23. They will practice for a week before having their first preseason game on Sep. 30 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Then, they will travel to China will they will play two games against the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Obviously, the Warriors won’t play their full complement of stars for a huge portion of the game, but it will still be a big test nonetheless.

After their three exhibition games are over, these five predictions will become true to Timberwolves’ fans everywhere.

5. Aaron Brooks wins the initial point guard battle

Aaron Brooks was brought to Minnesota because of his experience in Tom Thibodeau’s system. It’s important to note, however, Tyus Jones has the same amount of experience in the scheme.

Overall, though, Brooks has him trumped in the NBA experience category which is where I think he’ll gain the advantage in early October.

Presumptuously, he was signed due to concerns about Jones ability to handle full backup point guard duties. He’s also proven to be a better outside shooter and shot creator in the past.

Notably, he struggled last year to the tune of 13.0 points and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes. That was the worst point total of his entire NBA careeFortunatelyley, he’s come to the right place to try to recapture some of his early career magic. Or right coach, rather. The last time he played under Thibodeau, he dropped 18.2 points and 5.0 assists per 36.

The scoring department is where he has the biggest advantage over Jones. His added offensive firepower will be welcome off the bench and be a nice compliment to his teammates.

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By season’s end, my guess is Jones overtakes the backup role. He’s too gritty and smart not to. However, it will take him some extra time as Brooks regains his Thibs magic and comes out of the gates firing.

4. There will be at least one major injury.

As Timberwolves’ fans, we have all experienced heartache more times than we can imagine. Sam Cassell getting hurt in the Western Conference Finals. Drafting Jonny Flynn ahead of Stephen Curry. Missing out on the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes despite having the best record. Heck, I won’t even mention the 13-year playoff drought. Whoops.

Unfortunately, something major will happen again this season. I’m so afraid of jinxing someone, I didn’t even put a picture of a current player at the top of this slide. I even have my toes crossed as I’m writing this, but I have a bad feeling there will be an injury to a major player on the roster and, as always, fans will be left wondering what if.

Outside of the frontcourt, there’s precariously little depth at the wings and point position. With only Jeff Teague, Brooks and Jones having any experience running an offense full-time, they’d be hard-pressed to replace any of those guys for a large amount of time.

The same is especially true for the wings. Andrew Wiggins, Jimmy Butler and Jamal Crawford appear to be in line for the most minutes. Of course, Shabazz Muhammad will help out a little as well, but he can only play the 3.

Let’s hope and pray that nothing bad happens to any of the major contributors this year. A healthy Wolves team will spell trouble for the rest of the NBA. However, if something does, you didn’t hear it here first.

3. Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns gel right away.

One of the major keys to the Timberwolves season is for their two star players to gel on the floor.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Each of these guys is a great player in their own right, but it’s critical for them to morph their skills and play off one another if they want to take a big leap this season. Look at teams like the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs excel because their players mesh well together.

I’m sure Butler and Towns will have studied each other’s tape to see where the other likes the ball on the floor. This is probably more important for Butler as we will unquestionably see some Butler-Towns pick-and-rolls as the season wears on.

However, Towns must also be aware of where his lead playmaker likes the ball. Hint: his hot spot is on the right wing. This will help both players excel, as they will know where to find each other in a pinch.

Obviously, the more they play together the more comfortable they’ll become. However, it’s still critical for them to start on the right foot this preseason.

2. Butler and Andrew Wiggins…. don’t

As well as Butler and Towns will mesh, Butler and Andrew Wiggins will butt heads like two deer fighting over a doe.

Part of the problem, but certainly not all, will be the position. Each player is probably better suited at small forward, where they can use their great blend of height and athletic ability. Last season Butler spent 64 percent of his time at the 3, while Wiggins spent 93 percent. It’s important to note, however, Butler does have experience playing at the 2, with 70 percent or more of his minutes coming there from 2013-2015.

The bigger reason these two won’t gel is due to their similarities on the offensive end.

Both players need the ball in their hands to truly be successful. They each like to run a combination of pick-and-rolls, isolations and other sets that rely on them being the primary decision-maker. With all the added playmakers in Minnesota, one of these guys is going to walk away every night wishing they had the ball in their hands more often. And that will likely be Wiggins.

Butler is way too good of a ball-handler and playmaker to take opportunities away from him. That means Maple Jordan will have to learn to play off-ball as a cutter and slasher. He hasn’t shown me he’s able and willing to excel in that role.

If he does have that willingness to play off-ball more often, it would be a huge sacrifice for the team. However, until proven otherwise, I’m skeptical.

1. An undefeated preseason.

Due to an extended regular season, the preseason slate has been shortened this year. That means the Timberwolves only play three exhibition games on Sep. 30, Oct. 5 and Oct. 8.

The September game will come against the Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota is already out west, holding their training camp in San Diego. That means it won’t be a far commute to their first game on Saturday.

The October games, however, are a completely different story. The Wolves will have to travel to a whole different country to square off against the Golden State Warriors, as they play them twice in China.

Minnesota will certainly try to give their new guys time to gel with their old guys so expect to see them for a decent amount of time on the court. Because of this, it will give them an edge over both opponents, especially the Warriors.

The Warriors core has been together for years now and understands how to play well together. They don’t necessarily need that time Minnesota does.

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I expect Thibodeau to have his guys playing hard from the jump, leading them to an undefeated preseason.