2014-2015 Season prediction thread

[Calinks]

Predict various things about the upcoming season in this thread and we will see who does the best job. I'll kick it of with a basic format, you can add more predictions or predict as few things as you want to.

Record: 26-56

Surprise player: Shabazz- He will play hard and be a glue guy who can be relied upon.

Biggest disappointment: Rubio will still not be able to shoot well enough and his floor general skills wont have the impact needed to make us want to commit to him going forward.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: Yes
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Over
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Season summary: We will have a season with ups and downs, a lot of fans will start to get bitter as the losses pile up. There will be a couple deals a few months in. We will have problems shooting, finishing, and defending for big stretches. Dieng will continue to impress, Shabazz will open a few eyes. Bennett will tantalize with potential. There will be serious talk of trading Rubio from fans.

[Klomp]

Record: 32-50 (Not great, but still one of the best seasons since the Garnett trade)

Surprise player: Kevin Martin (I think he will be much better than he was last year, on both sides of the ball)

Biggest disappointment: Nikola Pekovic (He won't stay healthy, despite the decreased minutes, and will struggle to fit in along the new up-tempo style)

Over/Under or Yes/No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under

[Feilong]

Record: 31-51

Surprise player: Mo

Biggest disappointment: Nikola Pekovic

Over/Under or Yes/No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under

[minimus]

Record: 30-52 (without Martin, Pek injuries)

Surprise player: Mo Wil. And GRIII- if we trade Budinger, he will earn some playing time behind Wiggins and Brewer.

Biggest disappointment: Team defense, team offense. Lack of balance, go-to scorers, size at PF position will lead to some tough loses.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: Yes
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Season summary: Transition period for our team. Rookies will shine. Good atmosphere in the locker room. Flip will seek trades to improve roster [/quote]

[Merc_Porto]

Record: 49-33 (yeah you can call me crazy )

Biggest disappoinment: C.Budinger

Surprise player: A.Benett and Mo Williams

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over (10.3)
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under (13.7)
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Why the 49-33 ?

Because if im defending the theory in this last 3 months that we are a better team now, than we were with K.Love, i got to said, we going to have a better record, that is logic.

Major chances

We lost K.Love
(superstar)

We won: A.Wiggins, T.Young, A.Benett, Mo Williams, Lavine, Dieng (more minutes), a coach, and a bench.

That is why i think we can reach more than 40 wins.

If the Phoenix of last year can reach 48 wins (some projections last year give to them 12 wins in the begining of the season) i think we can top that



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[packforfreedom]

Record: 38-44

Surprise player: Bennett, he might be no bust

Biggest disappointment: Shabazz, but will lead the team in FGA per minute.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under

There will be a game, where Wiggins, LaVine and Bennett score a total of 70+ Points: Yes

[southern wolf]

Record: 28-54

Surprise player: Anthony Bennett - plenty of minutes for him, lost weight, decreased expectations.

Biggest disappointment: Pek- I think he'll miss quite a few games with injury again, may be a little content with his contract and will piss off fans hear by holding back Dieng's development.

Over/Under or Yes/No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: Yes
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Under (rebounds)
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under

[Nitroglycerin]

Then only important prediction. Will we make the playoffs? Absolutely

[Foye]

Record: 28-54

Surprise player: Gorgui Dieng, GRIII

Biggest disappointment: Shabazz - I still don't think he should be an NBA player. He plays just awkward.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: Yes
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

[Yes We Kahn]

Record: 34-48

Surprise player: Mo

Biggest disappointment: Rubio

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

[guest81]

Record: 49-33 (yeah you can call me crazy )

Biggest disappoinment: C.Budinger

Surprise player: A.Benett and Mo Williams

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over (10.3)
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under (13.7)
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Why the 49-39 ?

Because if im defending the theory in this last 3 months that we are a better team now, than we were with K.Love, i got to said, we going to have a better record, that is logic.

Major chances

We lost K.Love
(superstar)

We won: A.Wiggins, T.Young, A.Benett, Mo Williams, Lavine, Dieng (more minutes), a coach, and a bench.

That is why i think we can reach more than 40 wins.

If the Phoenix of last year can reach 48 wins (some projections last year give to them 12 wins in the begining of the season) i think we can top that



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I actually admire the blind faith. I just hope we won't have to talk you down from the bridge come december

[guest81]

Record: 26-56

Surprise player: Pek. He'll be close to a 20-10 guy and be just shy of the all star game.

Biggest disappointment: Bazz. While it's great he got into shape, that wasn't his problem. I haven't herd at all if he's learned to pass or can shoot from anywhere other then the left box. We'll see if he's even as effective posting up now that he's lost 40 pounds.

Bonus Flip the coach: The only thing people say about him is that he's not Adelman. Through the preseason the Wolves have been right around the 14's for 3's attempted, which is like at the bottom. It harks back to the problem with Flip and his outdated system of shooting way too many long twos. This team is going to have trouble scoring as it is, and Flips system is probably the worst suited for this squad.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: Yes
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over/Push
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

[Merc_Porto]

It is not blind, I explained, is not a single player, a very good one (K.Love) who will make us fall in 15 Wins. Especially when you add everything I mentioned.

Ei, but maybe you are right, and im going to be so wrong about that.

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[kmgarnett21]

Record: 29-53

Surprise player: Rubio - I guess I'm the only Wolves fan who still likes and/or believes in Rubio. He'll never be a 50% shooter, but I think he will be a more aggressive/efficient scorer this year than any other.

Biggest disappointment: Shabazz - He was the ONE player I didn't want to draft 2 years ago b/c I thought he was overhyped. And LaVine - I don't think he'll do much at all this season. I don't think he's ready for the NBA, both mentally and physically. I hope they prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

Over/Under or Yes/No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: If not no, then just right there
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over on points, even on rebounds
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over (Wiggins & Bennett)


Man, you guys are really down on Rubio.

[southern wolf]

One thing I didn't mention is sooner or later as the losses pile up I think we'll see more of our young starting five together on the court, which would be a good thing. I'd like to see a lot of this lineup later in the season if playoffs are out of the question.

C- Dieng
PF - Bennett
SF- Wiggins
SG - Lavine/Bazz/GR3 (whoever's looking like the best prospect)
PG - Rubio

[Grits n Gravy]

Record: 35-47

Surprise player: Anthony Bennett - He will prove the doubters and haters wrong. Thanks to the perfect situation on the team he will earn a time share with Thad Young by the all star break. Always believed in his talent and potential and it shall be fulfilled.

Biggest disappointment: Shabazz Muhammad - Despite the work on the body I don't think his perimeter skills have taken any kind of step forward and thus will be the same limited player offensively. While his defense will be improved I think anyone expecting any kind of leap this year will be disappointed.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Yes
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Under
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Season summary: Will be an incredibly exciting brand of basketball played and be very fun team to watch. There will be growing pains and frustrations at times with the young guys but it will be just what they need to learn and grow. The team will finish well ahead of expectations in terms of record but the real results will be in the learning curve and growth shown by our younger players over the course of the season. Ricky Rubio will shoot over 42% from the field and show that he is worthy of the contract extension he will sign in the next two weeks.

[Grits n Gravy]

I did my prediction without reading anyone else's and now having read them see many concur with Shabazz as the disappointment. Hope he proves us all wrong.

[wildvikeswolves]

Record: 30-52

Surprise player: Shabazz Muhammad- Since everyone else is picking him to disappoint

Biggest disappointment: Nikolai Pekovic

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Yes
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Over (not by much)
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over (Wiggins, Dieng, Muhammad)

[Basti]

Record 28-54

Why? Lots of losses early on with some close to or actual double digit losing streaks. As the schedule eases up a little later in the season (if I remember that correctly), however, I see us pulling off some small winning streaks giving us hope for next year. But still, the win-loss column won't be as good as this team will hopefully look at the later stages of the season.

Surprise player: Ricky. He may struggle early on with his new role but I think (or maybe it's just hope, I don't really know) he will adapt rather quickly. Plus, while it's been a while since Flip was a coach, his system favors point guards. That should help him, too.

Biggest disappointment: Barea. Why? Still on the team, I'm afraid.
On a more serious note, my pick will be Pek for reasons he has little control over. By that I mean injuries (even with reduced minutes, his ankles can't deal with that huuuuuuuuuge body of his) and even if he was mostly healthy, playing reduced minutes will most likely give him worse stats which will lead more casual fans to think he regressed. Also, now with Love gone and less space to work with in the post, he will face tougher competition.

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: Yes
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Yes
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: Tough one, I'd say slightly below
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Yes, but only two in Wiggins and Dieng. Maybe Bennett but I don't really believe it'll happen but he'll certainly have a better sophomore year.

[Hisa]

I know im a little late, but since we are 2-2 and my prediction is going to be bolt anyway, it shouldnt matter

Record: 50-32 (lots of close games though, but i think we are going to be much better in closing games)

Over/Under or Yes/No

Timberwolves are bottom 5 team halfway through the season: No
Timberwolves are bottom 5 team at the end of the season: No
Timberwolves are a top 5 team in steals: Yes
Dieng will average over 8 PPG and 8 RPG: Over
Rubio will average 9.5 APG: Over
Rubio will average 14.5 PPG: A tough one, probably slightly under
Two wolves will make the rookie/soph game: Over

Season summary: We will make the Playoffs, in one of the toughest conferences of all time. Seriously i think other than the Lakers, every team in the West has a shot at the Playoffs. Our depth will help us a lot, Hummel, Lavine, Turiaf and GR3 will get into the regular Rotation eventually and Bud,Shabazz maybe also Brewer, will be the end of bench guys because they dont fit our team well. The bench contribution is going to be very good as well.