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Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Sep. 30 at Los Angeles Lakers

By Christian Anton

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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 - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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 – SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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) /

Major Key for Minnesota: Cohesiveness

The major key for Minnesota will be how their new players fit with the returning ones.

When a team goes through a major transformation the way the Timberwolves did, it takes time to learn how to play together and adjust. Although the talent level is there, it will be up to the players to get comfortable playing together before they get rolling.

Watching how Butler plays off of KAT and Wiggins will be fun to watch for Timberwolves fans. However, before they can come together as a team they need to feel each other out and create a level of consistency on the court. Many of the shots that Butler had in Chicago won’t necessarily be there for him so it will be interesting to see how he fits in alongside the Wolves established scorers.

The other x-factor will be defense. Will the addition of multiple veterans help on the defensive side right away or will it continue to be a slower progress? My guess is it will be rocky at first but as the season goes along the team will grow defensively.

Both Butler and Gibson were brought in to establish a staunch Thibodeau defense and personally, I am excited to see how he will create another defensive weapon with this unit.

Saturday night will be a big indicator of where this team will be starting the season.

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