Is anyone concerned that Minnesota will be good this year?

[Leor_77]

We all talk about their coveted pick, as we should, but when you look at that team, they really did improve this year. Kevin Love has came into his own, Darko has shown glimpses of being able to be a solid center, and Rubio + Derrick Williams have a good chance of being effective contributors to that team. I'm not saying they make the playoffs this year, but I definitely expect a much better year from them. Of course, there is the obvious chance that we would luck out, much like Cleveland did with our pick, but that is extremely unlikely.

[mkwest]

I think they'll be better, but still a lottery team (unless they make a significant trade to drastically upgrade the team). Kahn has made some questionable moves over the years, but I can't deny that he has done a nice job at accumulating young talented players. That doesn't necessarily build a winner, but he can decide to keep some and use some as trade chips. I expect them to be in playoff contention in another season or 2, but they're going to have to consolidate imo.

There are a lot of talented players that are likely to come out in the 2012 draft, so it's still a valuable pick regardless if we use it ourselves or in a trade.

After Kahn's comments at last year's draft and Minnesota's lottery history, I'm almost expecting it to be number 1

[adiedanny]

One word "Kahn"

[DangerCurtis]

There's no denying that Minn. looks much better than years before and of course Beasely has become a sort of a leader for the team. Nonetheless, they're still a young team with a fresh coach, so couple that with a more than likely lockout and you have a recipe for another lottery bound team.

Likewise, next year's draft is already being projected as an extremely strong draft for obvious reasons, so likely, the draft pick will carry a ton of weight if we decide to use it in a trade or use it ourselves.

To answer your original question, nope not worried at all. Of course this is playing the odds and we all saw how well that worked out for us.

[RutgersBJJ]

Unless Rubio can come in and dominate with double digit assists you guys have nothing to worry about. At best that team wins 30 games.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I'm sure the Twolves will be improved, but I'm sure they won't be a playoff team.

[mkwest]

Unless Rubio can come in and dominate with double digit assists you guys have nothing to worry about. At best that team wins 30 games.

It would be a huge improvement if they can win 10-13 more and I don't think that anyone from their fans/organzation would be disappointed with that.

[Sofia]

I can't really see them getting in top 12 west teams. They may jump Sac and Gsw but I can't see them passing us, Suns, Rockets, or Jazz, let alone any playoff teams from last season.

[RiversideClips]

I think w/ the Wolves being so young, it might take them time to gel. If there is any sort of Work Stoppage over the CBA, I think the Wolves may have a horrible season. I am just hoping that the Clips play well next season,the Wolves don't & 12" Free Agents want 2 B Clippers.

[freshie2]

The only time you need to be concerned is when you hear a sportscenter tease that the Wolves have made a trade...they're not doing much with that core group in the near future. A group of talented tweeners without any leadership/toughness/defense.

[madmaxmedia]

Unless Rubio can come in and dominate with double digit assists you guys have nothing to worry about. At best that team wins 30 games.

This. What was really great was them picking 2 point guards back to back the other year, and Rubio staying in Europe so long. Imagine if Rubio had come over immediately, and they took BPA with the other pick.

[Ranma]

Chat with Chad Ford [6/29/11]

Daoud (Toronto)
Worst team in the NBA next season: Toronto or Charlotte?

Chad Ford (1:20 PM)
I'd put the Raptors at the top of the list. Minnesota next. Charlotte, Cleveland and Sacramento in the next group ... that is if none of them make significant changes via trade or free agency.

[Canomad]

i think the bobcats and minny clearly should be the favs to be the worst teams next year. followed by the raptors and cavs. honestly i dunno how see how the bobcats are gonna win games. that team might have the least talent on the roster then any team in the NBA right now. cant depend on 2 rookies and buncha scrubs to get it done. but no way the t wolves are better then the clips this year. avoid a bad start like last season and a healthy eric gordon and an improved blake griffin(scary i know) dj and bledsoe. i honestly believe that if gordon was healthy all of last year and the clips didnt start off the season 1-14 they could have made the playoffs. or atleast come realllly close.

[MambaTime]

David Kahn is their GM. He'll find a way to screw their team up before the season starts.

[JGlanton]

They may have added some raw talent in Rubio and Williams, but that doesn't mean that they've added wins. They have not added any defense at all, which is sorely needed, and with the new rooks they have added more turnovers, miscues, and messed up assignments. It's up to their returning group of players to increase the win total, and frankly, I wouldn't be on it with that group. It's still the same, with the same flaws, just a bunch of junk playing alongside Love. And yes, Beasley is junk, he scores but does nothing to contribute to winning except for the occasional hot game. In the current configuration, I'm putting them at 19 - 24 wins, and a lock for a bottom 5 record.

[gensu3k1]

There's a serious chance they'll be worse. Is Williams clearly better than Beasley? He seems like pretty much a Beasley clone, if anything. The last thing the Wolves needed was another slow small forward. It's possible that Williams will be a significant upgrade, but a 10 game upgrade? I don't see it.

And Rubio suuuuucked last year. Maybe he'll open things up in the NBA game and fulfill his potential, but based on last year's performance alone there's reason to question whether he'll even be better than Ridnour (who actually had a pretty good year for the Wolves).

The biggest thing they have going for them is that Rambis won't be the coach.