As Timberwolves fall, here are 3 positives to look forward to

You may not be pleased with the outcome of the Minnesota Timberwolves lone preseason game at Target Center, but don’t allow the team’s only loss in their five-game preseason schedule to dampen your mood. There was plenty to appreciate even in a loss where the Timberwolves were beaten by ten points.

This one was never about winning. Preseason games are designed to allow NBA teams to shake off the cobwebs, knock off the rust, and experiment a bit with the rotations and schemes to see what works, and what doesn’t.  While the Timberwolves did not win the game, the team flashed brilliance even in the jaws of defeat.

After falling behind by as much as 17 points, the Timberwolves did manage to recover in the second half to inch back to within ten points of the Nets. So what silver linings did I discover in this one? I found three that are worth sharing:

III: Gobert is really good

The Timberwolves really had this game as the first real opportunity to compete with both Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. Neither has had the chance to synch up and build chemistry. But I have to say, from what little I witnessed from their ability to compliment one another on the basketball court together, I did thoroughly enjoy what I saw.

But even on his own, Gobert gives the Timberwolves an upgrade on both offense and defense. Just watch how he grabs the offensive rebound off a missed Jaden McDaniels shot and scores:

The difference maker in this one is that the Brooklyn Nets were able to sink their three-point shots with phenomenal accuracy. That will not be the case every night. Gobert was solid in 30 minutes as he scored 16 points, hauled in eight rebounds, and even came up with four steals. That’s not bad for a guy who continues to work on playing on the Timberwolves roster.

II: Slo-Mo will compete for the NBA Sixth-Man of the Year Award

The truth is that Kyle Anderson comes in and simply delivers. That’s exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves need, particularly on a night when so little is going their way.

He is such a calming and consistent factor for the team. In 24 minutes off the bench, Kyle Anderson put up 11 points, hauled in five rebounds, dished out three assists, and even got one steal and one block.

But he was one of the team’s most dependable shooters. He shot four of six from the floor as well as hitting three of three from the free-throw line. This was only preseason, but it’s not lost in the box stats that the Timberwolves were keen on identifying those players in rotational roles who can help bring positive energy off the bench as well as help elevate the performance of their teammates.

Kyle Anderson scored well in both categories.

I: Karl-Anthony Towns may soar playing alongside Rudy Gobert

Yes, Karl-Anthony Towns is trying to restore himself to basketball weight, power, and stamina after a prolonged illness. But there is already lots to love about these two. On two separate occasions, one of the Timberwolves bigs would drive to the basket, then dish the ball to the other for points. When it was Rudy Gobert feeding KAT, Towns delivered a three-pointer. When it was Towns feeding Gobert, it was a solid behind-the-back pass that allowed Gobert to score on an easy dunker.

Even weakened in this one, Towns scored 15 points and hauled in nine rebounds, and dished out four assists. He is nowhere close to mid-season form, and he hit on just four of his 12 shots from the floor, and on just one of six from beyond the arc. But he will get healthy again, and with that health, his shooting accuracy will return as well.

I loved what little the Timberwolves showed from both Gobert and Towns. The biggest question, whether they are truly compatible, was already answered with a resounding yes. Now it’s just getting them ready for the season opener.

I’m even more excited now than before.