It was talked about a lot last season. The Minnesota Timberwolves could often look like a moody bunch, particularly when things weren’t going their way.
This could be the year the Wolves mostly look like they are just having fun. The team has already taken a liking to new point guard LaMelo Ball. With less than three months remaining before the regular season begins, the camaraderie this group has showcased this offseason could lead to better results.
Less moments of moodiness should be in store for the Timberwolves
An 82-game schedule can seem tedious at times. That has certainly appeared to be the case for the Timberwolves over the past couple of years. Finishing with consecutive 49–33 records feels like underachieving. Sure, they won three playoff series over the past two seasons, but they have also come painfully close to being a play-in team both years.
In an interview with Christopher Hine, formerly of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Chris Finch talked about the moodiness the team displayed and mentioned that Ball has an "infectious quality." Watch him at any point during his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, and Ball nearly always seemed to be having a good time on the court.
Anthony Edwards quickly befriended the soon-to-be 25-year-old. At Fanatics Fest, Edwards revealed that Ball had been staying at his home. There was some concern that Ant-Man wouldn’t be too happy that his close friend Naz Reid was dealt away, but those concerns have quickly dissipated.
The Wolves are also younger this year, with Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Joe Ingles moving on. That puts more of an onus on Rudy Gobert to be the veteran leader. Ball and Edwards have spearheaded an effort to get the team to work out in France with Gobert. Social media posts emerged yesterday of some of the roster landing in France. Building that chemistry even before training camp should work wonders.
We just saw a team with noticeable chemistry win the title. Of course, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart have been close since their days as Villanova Wildcats. Even Jose Alvarado, acquired in February, seems to have that same infectious quality that Finch described Ball as possessing.
The “Twin Turbos”—Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland—remain together. Jaden McDaniels has been seen getting reps on the court with Edwards and Ball. It's worth noting that McDaniels has long had a close bond with Edwards as well.
Overall, the camaraderie the team is already showing can help it get through that 82-game schedule without lulls, and this should help leave the moodiness issue behind them.
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