I'm not assuming the Wolves make that long of a playoff run yet. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games. It's a long season, per I want to see how well they are playing in March.
I'm not assuming it either. They have holes. Notably, a backup pg, and a
reliable wing scorer off the bench (Naz Reid is awesome, but he's not a wing). If we end up prying Tyus Jones away from the Wizards, it will almost assuredly mean Kyle Anderson goes (who is a tremendous glue guy and reliable stat sheet stuffer depending on what the team needs), and likely Shake Milton (no big loss). BUT, after watching every single game, I think this team has it in them to make that run, and make a significant jump. In my mind, right now, they are one of three teams that has a legitimate shot of coming out of the West as currently constructed. The Wolves, Nuggets, and Pelicans, if all healthy, have the best shot. Phoenix is unbalanced, the Lakers aren't deep enough, Dallas isn't deep enough, the Clippers have egos and aren't deep enough, the Kings...are a year away, and need size. Not saying those teams can't come out of the west, of course they can. But I think their holes are deeper than the Wolves' holes. Denver is still the class of the west. The Pelicans may sound like a surprise, but they aren't. If they stay healthy (big if), that team is incredibly deep. If they lose Zion, they slide back into the pack. But with him? They will be a handful.
But I really like what I see with the Timberwolves. I've been a fan of the Wolves since the expansion year. Teaneck, N.J.'s own Tony Campbell was my favorite player. Fell in love with them watching them play against the Knicks on TV. I can honestly say that no Wolves team has been this talented and deep. And yes, that counts the KG-Marbury-Googs years, the KG-Spree-Cassell years, and the Butler-Towns-Wiggins year. The Timberwolves are deep, really, really good, and the best team this franchise has ever seen. It will NOT surprise me one iota if they win the west. Not assuming that at all, because of the aforementioned holes. But it will not surprise me at all if they stay healthy and come out of the conference. that said, it would also not surprise me if they get bounced in the second round if they aren't able to fill one of the holes. You can't rely on a 36 year starting PG and him playing 30-34 minutes per game. Just not smart. That's why Tyus Jones is necessary. His assist-to-turnover ratio is just as low as Conley, he's now a better shooter than he was during his initial stint with the Wolves, he's comfortable in Minnesota (since he's from there), and just the perfect floor general for a winning team slotting in behind Mike "Bite, Bite" Conley.
I very much hope it happens. It needs to. Or someone of his ilk to come in and support Conley. So that Conley can play 26-28, and Jones or someone else can play 20-ish in a backup role.
Regarding the East...very interesting move by the Pacers. I think the Raptors fleeced them. I like Siakam. But THREE first rounders for a dude who can walk away at the end of the year? Indiana is really banking on him making a difference defensively. Uh...Indiana doesn't play defense...even with Myles Turner. Not sure how this trade did anything except give the Pacers a bit more size and scoring touch. And frankly, the Pacers have all the scoring they need. We'll see how it goes, but I still think they are behind the class in the East.
Toronto has really set themselves up well. I don't think losing Siakam is going to hurt them this year at all. They have their backcourt set (assuming they keep Quickley), and Barnes is the man moving forward. That group of Barnes-Barrett-Quickley will be great. And I can only see them improving via the draft. And like I said, they really will have fleeced the Pacers if Siakam walks. I am absolutely stunned the Pacers made that trade without locking up Siakam in the process.
Anyway, always interesting around this time to see what trades go down. Have to figure the Lakers will be wheeling and dealing. Chicago needs to figure themselves out. The Heat need a piece. Atlanta will be curious. Are they done with Murray? If so, where does he land? (I figured out a trade that works financially to the Wolves involving two first rounders, but I can't see why Atlanta would do that.)
Wolves have Memphis tonight in Minny. Timberwolves played sloppy as hell in Detroit last night. If they come out like that again, they are getting beat. Hopefully they got yelled out. Coach Finch was pissed in the post game (without appearing pissy, but he deadpanned he didn't like how they played).