The Minnesota Timberwolves have the second-best record in the entire NBA, which we did not think we would be saying after Christmas Day before the season started. They are looked at as a true threat in the league, for the regular season, that is. But because this is all so new for this franchise, they are not looked at as a true championship contender.
2023 has been very good to the Timberwolves, though, as it has seen them lose just seven games of 29 total, which is impressive and their best record through 30 games ever. The Timberwolves are an elite defensive team, probably the best defensive team in the league, and have a pretty good offense to coincide with that on the opposite end of the floor.
But, like we said, it is new, and that postseason experience really isn't there. I think for postseason experience to matter, you have to win a series first, and the Wolves have gotten to the first round, but they lost to the Denver Nuggets last season.
But if you ask one NBA legend what he thinks, he will tell you the Wolves can be a problem.
"Minnesota has all the pieces," Isiah Thomas said. "They have size, they have intelligence, they play well together, and then they (are) tough. KAT is healthy. He and Gobert create a problem. Then they got the one that nobody can stop, Edwards, Ant-Man, he's on a different level."
And he is right; as far as talent and skill, they have everything they need. But, there are really only two guys on this team with postseason experience who have found their team winning and advancing, and that's Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, who has been to the Western Conference Finals before.
The Timberwolves are opening a window to what could be a potential contending team. They have never won a championship or really been even close. So, this is different for this franchise. But one legend thinks they can do it based on the roster.