Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

3 teams Minnesota Timberwolves fans should cheer for in playoffs

By Dylan Jackson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts after the ball is given to Charlotte Hornets with 11 seconds left in regulation as Julius Randle #30 and Reggie Bullock #25 of the New York Knicks also respond in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2021 in New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts after the ball is given to Charlotte Hornets with 11 seconds left in regulation as Julius Randle #30 and Reggie Bullock #25 of the New York Knicks also respond in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2021 in New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next

The Minnesota Timberwolves will not be in the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season because of their horrific year – consistent with injuries across the board, a mid-season coaching hire, and COVID-19 not making things any easier.

That does not mean there aren’t teams Timberwolves fans should be pulling for, though – as there is a lot of Minnesota connections throughout the NBA.

The Timberwolves aren’t in the playoffs for a variety of reasons this year, but next year could be different, especially if players such as Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels continue to progress.

There are lots of teams Wolves fans most certainly are not going to cheer for – most notably the Miami Heat, whose best player is Jimmy Butler – someone that is partly famous for erupting a Minnesota practice, lashing out at then-general manager Scott Layden.

"“At one point in a scrimmage, sources said, Butler turned to GM Scott Layden and screamed, ‘You (bleeping) need me. You can’t win without me.’ Butler left teammates and coaches largely speechless. He dominated the gym in every way. Jimmy’s back.” – ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski"

Butler was subsequently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and a future second-round pick.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of many small-market teams in the NBA – a league where two teams holding 34 total championships (which is about 46-percent).

There are 11 teams in the Association that do not have a championship, six of which do not have even a finals appearance. The Timberwolves have only reached the conference finals once (2003-04) before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in Kevin Garnett’s MVP season.

Home/Timberwolves News