Given Jaden McDaniels' injury, leaving his playoff status uncertain, and the surging play of both the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves will likely be underdogs in their first-round series. I get why it might be easy to write off this erratic bunch as not true contenders or first-round exits.Â
Nevertheless, being doubted is a familiar spot for the Timberwolves. Two years ago, despite being the No. 3 seed, the Wolves were just slight favorites against the Phoenix Suns, whom they eventually swept. After this, nobody gave them a chance against the defending champion Nuggets, whom they later defeated in seven games.
And last year, despite winning just one less game than the Lakers in the regular season, 11 out of 12 ESPN experts picked LA. Of course, the Wolves beat them in just five games en route to their second straight conference finals. Anthony Edwards and company used the media's expectations as a source of motivation last playoffs, and they'll have to do the same again this year.Â
Getting back to the conference finals (and certainly getting past this threshold) will be tricky in a loaded Western Conference. Regardless, the Wolves have defied expectations before, and the possibility that they'll do so again can't be discounted.
The Timberwolves can prove everyone wrong again
Within all likelihood, the Wolves will face off against the Nuggets or Lakers in the first-round. Pundits will (somewhat understandably) peg these teams as favorites. However, the Timberwolves' size, experience, and two-way balance give them a clear blueprint to success, especially given that both teams are subpar defensively. And that's not even mentioning that Ant is a top-five level player in the league.Â
If the Wolves can win their first-round matchup, taking down the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder will be an uphill battle. Pundits would undoubtedly write them off in this scenario. Heck, I don't think I would pick them. However, I would certainly give them a genuine chance. The Spurs lack experience, and Minnesota's regular seasonsuccess against OKC adds to the possibility of an upset.Â
If the Wolves can win their first-round matchup, taking down the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder will be an uphill battle. Pundits would undoubtedly write them off in this scenario. Heck, I don't think I would pick them. However, I would certainly give them a genuine chance. The Spurs lack experience, and Minnesota's regular season success against OKC adds to the possibility of an upset.
Currently, from an outsider's perspective, the Timberwolves' making another conference finals run might feel improbable, but I guarantee that's not the mindset within the locker room.
Overall, Wolves are clearly at their best when people count them out, so sleep on them at your own risk.