NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
You ever just look at a team and think that something is missing but you don’t know what. That’s how I feel about the Minnesota Timberwolves. While they have one of the best records in the NBA this season, something is off with this team.
Anthony Edwards is a scoring machine. One could say he’s the best SG in the NBA at the moment. Averaging 24.6 points per game, he does have the numbers to back up that claim. Karl-Anthony Towns has returned to form but he does have his bad outings as well. Still, with an early season average of 22.2 points and 9.5 rebounds, Towns is showing that he can produce when called on most nights.
His partner in the paint is Rudy Gobert. For his career, no one has confused Gobert with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He’s a defensive, rebounding, and shot-blocking force on two legs. He does his job and he does it well, despite all the criticism.
Rounding out the starting unit is PG Mike Conley. Here is where things start to get a bit shaky for Minnesota. Conley is a pro. He’s always carried himself as such and he plays the game as one should. However, the Wolves need more from him than his averages of 11.5 points and 6.2 assists if they are to be considered true title contenders.
At the SF spot is Jaden McDaniels. The ultimate 3-D player. He fits in well with this unit despite his lack of scoring. His stat sheet won’t jump out at you but he plays his part and his fingerprints all all over the Minnesota Timberwolves’ stunning early-season record.
Can The Minnesota Timberwolves Win A Title
Their bench is a unit of hard-working players from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton, Naz Reid, and Troy Brown Jr. Not as loaded as the unit of the Philadelphia 76ers but how can you argue with their success so far? And yet, there is still something missing.
Maybe it’s Conley and his lack of being a true scorer when needed to be. Maybe it’s the lack of offense for Gobert. It also could be the shot selection of Edwards or the too many 3’s that Towns takes per game.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s one of those things that you can put a finger on. I just know it’s something. As good as they are, their true test will come playoff time and that’s where they tend to fail. The reason is not the coaching or lack of talent, but it’s something holding them back.
The early consensus was that Gobert and Towns could not play together in the same frontcourt. Well, they’re proving people wrong this season. Edwards is too young to be a leader. Well, he’s proving his doubters wrong. So what is it?
Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe the Minnesota Timberwolves are a complete team and I’m just looking for a reason not to like them.
