3 benefits to Minnesota Timberwolves wake up call in fisticuffs finale

What is the first thought that comes to mind about the Minnesota Timberwolves right now? Well, in my best sarcastic voice:

Oh, the horror.

The Minnesota Timberwolves threshold of competitive mindset spilled over into a bench brawl between two key contributors. But it didn’t stop there, A frustrated forward for the team, defensive dynamo Jaden McDaniels, fractured his hand and will be unable to compete for the team in the NBA Play-In Tournament and quite likely throughout the NBA Playoffs.

He has rightfully been touted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as a candidate for this year’s NBA All-Defense First Team honors, and he deserves that honor this year:

But this Timberwolves team is now forced to circle the wagons, to let bygones be bygones, to rely upon those who remain healthy to pick up the slack and deliver success to this NBA organization and a success-starved fanbase, and to do so in the course of just 48 hours.

Savor the moment, Minnesota Timberwolves fans

Let’s take a moment and pause right now. Breathe in, breathe out. The Timberwolves team is finally showing some of the signs of being a highly competitive team, a forge that is not heated up by comments on social media, not driven by likes and retweets, but hard truths shared in that in-your-face style that is both unforgettable and undeniable.

This is the painful part of the no pain no gain mantra, a necessary and vital means of holding one another accountable, no matter what the implications might be. As unsightly as it may appear to casual fans, and as much fuel as it gives to those who have been horrified at the cost of taking high-stakes risks to knock down the door to the next level of NBA competition, the Minnesota Timberwolves are becoming the team that they need to become. Now, what does that all mean?