The Minnesota Timberwolves are clearly in a rebuilding phase, but even as they rebuild its hard to overlook the talents of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and rookie Jonny Flynn. New head coach Kurt Rambis has some nice young players to work with - they may not win a ton of games but they should be scrappy while they build.
Here is a preview of what to expect this season, and what we here at HOOPSWORLD see as we look into the state of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009-2010.
Travis Heath:
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in full-fledged rebuilding mode and new GM David Kahn has already said as much. Translation: don't expect the Wolves to be anywhere near the playoff hunt for the next couple of seasons. The Wolves have a superstar in the making if he can stay healthy in Al Jefferson. However, other young players on the squad such as Kevin Love, Corey Brewer, and Jonny Flynn still have a lot to prove. The big story moving forward will be what will, or perhaps will not, happen with Ricky Rubio. Whatever the case, is it too much to ask the Wolves to stop acquiring additional point guards for at least the next calendar year? No matter how you slice it, it's going to be a long season for the good folks of Minnesota.
5th Place, Northwest Division
Bill Ingram:
The Ricky Rubio defection was unfortunate for the Timberwolves, but it actually makes life a little bit easier for the next two seasons. After all, the team drafted another starting point guard in Jonny Flynn, and now he'll get the chance to start without having to worry about Rubio. Ramon Sessions was a solid pick-up, as he's ready to step in and play at a high level now, and is already familiar with the NBA game, where Rubio would have had a learning curve. The Timberwolves now have a solid backcourt to go with their impressive front court, but are still likely to finish last in the brutally tough Northwest Division.
5th Place, Northwest Division
Luke Byrnes:
Minnesota is in full-on rebuilding mode but has some bright young pieces on the roster heading into the 2010 NBA season. Rookie point guard Jonny Flynn possesses great leadership skills and tons of guts to go along with his remarkable ability. Kevin Love averaged over eleven points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes per game as a rookie last season. Al Jefferson, who has averaged at least 16 points and eleven rebounds in each of the last three seasons, claims he will 100 percent when training camp starts after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee back in February. The addition of Ramon Sessions will help, but this is a team that is once again bound for the lottery.
5th Place, Northwest Division
Joel Brigham:
Losing Ricky Rubio to Spain for the next two seasons hurts, especially when one considers that Mike Miller and Randy Foye—two of the team's top six scorers—were shipped out for the pick that landed Rubio. Regardless, Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions are more than affable point guard prospects in the meantime, but beyond those two and star frontcourt Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, there aren't a lot of positives on this roster, despite GM David Kahn's better efforts. A lot of moves were made this summer to bring in some veteran help, but guys like Chucky Atkins, Damien Wilkins, Mark Blount, and Darius Songaila aren't not going to see the majority of the minutes; the kids are. As a result, Minnesota is going to struggle while all those young guys continue to develop and grow.
5th Place, Northwest Division
Yannis Koutroupis:
There's finally reason for hope and optimism in Minnesota with the moves they've pulled off. It'd be nice to have Ricky Rubio from an entertainment standpoint, but all signs point to another last place finish in the Northwest and his presence may not have even changed that. It's too early in the rebuilding process to think that they can surpass the three playoff teams in the division or the Thunder. They're worried about the future in Minnesota though, making progress more important than wins.
5th Place, Northwest Division
Top Offensive Player: Al Jefferson is a superstar in the making and is without a doubt the best offensive player the Wolves have on the roster. Scouts and coaches alike rave about his footwork on the low block. He can finish with both hands around the basket, and the pump-fake he uses that mimics his jump hook gets even the most disciplined of defensive players to bite. Let's hope Big Al comes back fully health from last season's ACL tear. If he does, expect him to put up All-Star numbers.
Top Defensive Player: While the Wolves hope Corey Brewer can develop into a shutdown defender on the perimeter, he's not there yet. As such, Jefferson also takes home the top spot in this category. His blocked shots per game have increased every season he's been in the league reaching 1.7 per contest before he went down injured last season. Jefferson isn't an elite defender yet, but he is starting to make opposing players think twice about shooting little lay-ups and flip shots around the rim.
Top Playmaker: The hope this summer was that either Ricky Rubio or Jonny Flynn would one day evolve into the top playmaker for the Wolves After the late signing of Ramon Sessions, though, the team's immediate outlook has changed a bit. Sessions is a crafty player who is adept at breaking down defenses and getting into the lane. Let's not forget, Sessions once dropped 24 assists on the Chicago Bulls in a game two seasons ago. Given past history, one would have to conclude that Sessions will be the best playmaker on the roster this season.
Top Clutch Player: If Minnesota needs a bucket late in the game, there's little doubt the ball will go through Jefferson. However, it's often tough for him to get a shot up late in games as teams will send double and sometimes triple teams. What this will create is the opportunity for other players to get open looks. That said, if the Wolves could write the perfect script, Jefferson would be the player taking the lion's share of the big shots late in games this season.
The Unheralded Player: Ryan Gomes can step out and hit the outside shot, take slower players off the dribble, gives good effort defensively and on the boards, and isn't a guy who demands a ton of touches. He's really a jack of all trades who could be an important piece for the Wolves in the future as the team continues to rebuild.
Best New Addition: Minnesota added four new point guards to the roster this summer not counting the unsigned Rubio. Two of those point guards, Sessions and Flynn, will likely vie for the title of best new addition. Flynn has a great work ethic and is a good teammate, but Sessions is a little more seasoned. Expect Sessions to win the starting job and the title of "Best New Addition" at season's end.
Who We Like
1. Al Jefferson - What's not to like? Jefferson is a budding young superstar who will put up at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a night for the rest of his career. While Jefferson has gotten in better shape every year of his career, weight is a concern. And weight plus knee injuries usually aren't an equation for a long career. Let's hope Jefferson defies these odds and plays for at least another decade. If he does, he'll make his fair share of All-Star appearances.
2. Kevin Love - The second-year forward from UCLA was deemed a bust by some before he even stepped on a NBA court last season. If the early returns are any indication (over 11 points and nine rebound per game last season), Love will certainly not be a bust. No, he's not the most athletic player in the league, but he's smart and is learning how to use his girth around the basket. A commitment to conditioning and a drive to prove his critics wrong could equate to substantial long-term success for Love in Minnesota.
3. Ryan Gomes - Every team needs a player like Gomes. One night he can score 20+ points and the next night he can make a critical defensive play just when the team needs it. Numbers don't tell the whole story with this guy and his leadership will prove valuable during a rebuilding year in Minnesota.
4. Ramon Sessions - It took a little while, but Sessions eventually found a home this offseason in Minnesota. And at about $4 million annually, he could turn out to be a steal. Sessions quickness and ability to get in the paint makes him an ever present threat. The next step for Sessions will involve improving his outside shot and learning the tricks of the trade that all true floor generals in the NBA learn through experience.
5. Jonny Flynn - It's hard to have a conversation with this kid and not instantly become a fan. He's affable, a good teammate, and works hard every second he's on the floor. He's also shown a knack for rising to the occasion late in big games as we saw last season at Syracuse. What he lacks in size he will make up for with heart.
Strengths
In the big picture, youth is one of Minnesota's biggest strengths. This is not a team that is going to compete for a playoff spot this season and probably won't do so for the next couple of seasons. However, the modest expectations will provide an opportunity for some of Minnesota's young talent (and young coaching staff) to grow together. Provided GM David Kahn can keep the core together, we could see the Wolves develop chemistry over time much like we've seen the young Portland Trail Blazers do over the course of the last couple of seasons. The Wolves will lose more than they win this season. That said, if this team can develop a gritty mentality, expect to see the young Wolves steal a number of games from playoff caliber teams this season.
Weaknesses
While youth is a strength for the Wolves in the long-term, it's something that will hurt the team late in games this season. Don't be surprised if the Wolves stay in most of the games they play only to make some critical errors that cost them late. While Jefferson is a great weapon, he's a dependent player who can't create his own shot. Minnesota doesn't have a seasoned and trusted player on the perimeter they can give the ball to and let him make plays when the offense stagnates and that will hurt the Wolves this season. Flynn and Sessions have a chance to develop into this kind of a player in the future, but both are lacking the experience needed to be able to come through on a consistent basis this season.
The Coach's Chair By Mike Moreau
What Needs To Be Said On Opening Day....
We have one of the best young core groups in the league. We can defend better, our scoring should be improved, we can get out and run with our perimeter guys, and we can attack inside on the halfcourt. Al, this is the year you become an all-star. You are not only our go-to guy on offense, but we need a greater commitment defensively. Corey, we need you to be that lockdown defender, and everyone needs to raise their level of play on the defensive end. Ramon, I can't wait to see the excitement you and Jonny bring to this team. Kevin, double doubles should be routine.
- Mike Moreau
The Burning Question
What Will Happen With Ricky Rubio? It's kind of sad when a player that isn't even on the roster is the biggest story heading in the season, but that's what happens when you draft a guy with the fifth overall pick and can't get him signed. Continued speculation about what the future will hold for Rubio and whether or not the Wolves will look to trade his rights will likely persist all season long. Truth is, no one really knows what the future holds for Rubio, but that's the very reason so many people are so interested in his situation. It will be intriguing to see whether the ongoing Rubio saga will become a distraction this season in Minnesota.
I think we are definitely not 5th for sure, could be better than the Thunder, if injury happened we could even go up to #3
bah I'm just angry right now.......we are a lot better than those bastard experts think