We now know that the first game on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2019-20 schedule is a visit to Brooklyn to take on the Nets. Let’s take an early look at the matchup.
The new season is rapidly approaching and the Timberwolves can now begin preparations to visit the new-look Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 CT.
With the first game fully in the sights of the Wolves, what can fans expect to see?
In short, the buzz in Minnesota over the summer has so far been massive. Exciting times on the court with a new-look approach and young roster has taken a back seat in the headlines to the exciting front office that has been created.
With Ryan Saunders leading the Timberwolves, the basketball side of the franchise is set to have an exciting shakeup. Additionally, he has one of the biggest assets in the NBA in Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns is coming a huge season in Minnesota, averaging 24.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. After his much deserved inclusion in the All-Star Game for a second consecutive season, Towns rose to a new level and played some of his best basketball that we’ve seen.
With a coach that he knows and one which knows how to get the best out of the All-Star center, the Timberwolves will be an exciting frontcourt this year. But that’s not just up to Towns; the new-look Timberwolves have a huge supporting cast and a player that is still heavily overlooked league-wide.
Robert Covington is a huge asset — some might argue the most important “addition” made by the Wolves this summer — that unfortunately missed a huge portion of last season and from offseason pictures and videos seems to be healthy and firing on all cylinders.
Add that alongside a motivated and happy Andrew Wiggins and the excitement only intensifies.
Wiggins has taken a huge focus on improving his game so far this offseason and it seems to be paying off massively. Wiggins is looking extremely dangerous and looks like he can be even more dangerous than a 18.1 points per game return from last season.
This fantastic frontcourt will have the backing of a young and exciting back court to create the chances they need to propel them forward. New additions and draft day dealings have seen the Timberwolves land huge assets to further this roster and turn it into arguably one of the most exciting in the NBA.
Jarrett Culver, the No. 6 overall draft pick this past June, is the Timberwolves’ new star piece into an already impressive puzzle. Culver has the skills and talent to be able to play both guard positions. An incredible ball handler who is also a very capable scorer, he should be a perfect addition for the Timberwolves.
Add the already-impressive Josh Okogie to the list and you have a very nice backcourt who have incredible upside and could look to cause many teams problems over the course of the season.
To start the season, this impressive roster travel to the Big Apple and I believe they are more than capable to cause the Brooklyn Nets many problems on opening day.
Despite new additions Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, the Nets will be without the injured Kevin Durant. Without a full roster, the Nets may struggle for secondary star power.
They did, however, add other role players, including Taurean Prince, and retained exciting . young players including Rodions Kurucs and Jarrett Allen.
The Timberwolves have every asset and option at their disposal to cause the Nets serious problems ensuring they get a start to forget, although the point guard matchup will be key, as will Towns slowing down Allen down low.
For the Timberwolves, an opening night win in Brooklyn would be significant and would do wonders for the team’s confidence.
With the new season approaching, only time will tell how the new-look Timberwolves are able to cope over the 82 games, but they have every possibility to shock teams and become an elite level team with all the pieces at their disposal.