Why I am a bigger believer in the Minnesota Timberwolves right now

Reason I: Timberwolves remain confident and hungry

Were you taught to always leave the table hungry? Well, if that applies to basketball, that certainly explains what the Minnesota Timberwolves did in Game 1 of the NBA Play-In Tournament. While the Minnesota Timberwolves certainly did enough to win Game 1, they did not do it long enough to win.

The Timberwolves roster was razor thin for this one, and yet the team had to compete on the road in overtime. Any scenario with too few players exerting too much effort for too long is not a good way to expect a happy ending. And as expected, the Timberwolves are still seeking their on-ramp to the NBA Playoffs.

Some have openly expressed puzzlement over how the Timberwolves regroup after such a hard-fought loss. I think it’s self-evident. The Timberwolves played hard enough to win. With the return to the starting lineup of Rudy Gobert, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be in much better shape for Game 3 of the NBA Play-In Tournament, and here’s why.

The domino upgrade effect

Gobert as the starting center will push Town to start as the team’s starting power forward. That, in turn, will allow the team to sit Taurean Prince, and allow him to deliver his energy off the depleted Timberwolves bench. Likewise, fewer minutes for Towns will allow him to stay rested, and hopefully avoid the foul trouble that plagued him against the Lakers.

Don’t discount the veteran leadership of PG Mike Conley Jr. right now, either. He was incredibly effective at leading the team on the floor as well as putting points on the scoreboard as well.

Anthony Edwards will have a more natural opportunity to score with Rudy Gobert posting near the basket as well.  The Timberwolves will need an offensive surge out of Ant-Man to compete in Game 3. And the team discovered that Nickeil Alexander-Walker can also be trusted to put in some quality minutes for the team.

Ultimately, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to compete in the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive season. That job is not done yet.