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Timberwolves Roundup: Power rankings and Wally Szczerbiak

By Ben Beecken

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2017 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2017 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Let’s take a spin around the internets and see what folks are saying about the Timberwolves through the first two-plus weeks of the NBA season. Plus, thoughts from … Wally Szczerbiak?

The start of each and every week during the NBA season means that a bunch of power rankings are released. And that apparently isn’t exclusive to teams anymore, either; we have also been blessed with weekly player power rankings from ESPN.

But first, to the overall team rankings.

Prior to Monday night’s overtime road victory over the Miami Heat, ESPN.com slid the Timberwolves back from #10 to #13. Not an inaccurate ranking, although it does have the Thunder, whom the Wolves have already beaten twice, at #11.

Of course, the Timberwolves’ point differential (somewhat inconsequential after only seven regular season games, although not worthless) is fifth-worst in the Western Conference, so somewhere in the #10-13 range seems about right.

CBS Sports, for their part, also has the Wolves at #13, although their ranking includes the win over the Heat. They, however, have OKC at #15.

In terms of ESPN’s weekly player power rankings, Karl-Anthony Towns slotted in at #4 prior to Monday night’s game. he followed New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Golden State’s Kevin Durant. They note Towns’ monster performances against OKC, back on Sunday the 22nd and at Target Center on Friday, the 27th. In two games against the Thunder, KAT is averaging 30 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocked shots.

Also from ESPN.com, a “5-on-5” debate on a few questions surrounding the early stages of the NBA season was released. There was only one Wolves-related mention in the article, and that was Kevin Arnovitz’s answer to the question, “Which player has been the most disappointing so far?”

Arnovitz cheats, sort of, in listing both Towns and Andrew Wiggins. His answer centers on the defense (or, perhaps more accurately, lack thereof) played to this point by both budding stars, suggesting that the Wolves will never be more than an average defensive team if they both don’t improve.

He’s right, and we’ve covered that here extensively. And while this is probably more an indictment on all early season blanket statements (we’re all guilty of this, of course), it’s a silly response to a silly question. We’re merely seven games into the season, and three-fifths of the Timberwolves lineup is brand new. It’s Year Two under Tom Thibodeau, and Towns and Wiggins are still painfully young.

Lastly, old friend Wally Szczerbiak gave an interview with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. The pair discussed the Timberwolves, which is below, in part. (Check out the entire bit here.)

"[The Timberwolves will] always have a special place in my heart. I always root for the Timberwolves and it breaks my heart that ever since KG and I left they haven’t made the playoffs just goes to show you how hard it is to win in the NBA and it takes a little bit of luck. But I think the fact that they have multiple number one draft picks and are developing talent, the future is bright for them…"

That does it for this edition of the Timberwolves Roundup.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns defensive issues can be fixed

There will be plenty of coverage throughout the week here on Dunking With Wolves as the Wolves return to action on Wednesday night in New Orleans.

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