Can the T-Wolves stay healthy this year and force their way back into the post-season?
The Minnesota Timberwolves will want to leave season 2012-13 in the rear view mirror after suffering a mini fall from grace for a team that promises much more.
Injuries plagued the team last year so in a bid to try and give themselves more depth they went hunting on the player market this off-season.
In the T-Wolves’ basket they collected Corey Brewer from Denver, who should give them solid output off the bench and another wing shooter from mid and long-range.
Kevin Martin from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who could be a very handy pick-up with his ability to hit from beyond the arc, with his three-point percentage of 42.6 per cent last year a career-high for him.
But again it will fall to the two biggest stars on the team in the form of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
Rubio missed much of last season after suffering a serious knee injury, but he still he still has the capability to turn into one of the league’s premier playmakers.
If he is to make that next jump in class in his third season in the NBA, he will need to improve his accuracy from the field, which currently sits at only 36 per cent for his career.
But if he can continue to make passes like these then expect his side’s offence to be humming and Rubio to be on highlight reels all season long.
The other star in the side is Love, who also will be happy to start a fresh this season after injury concerns plagued his last year.
Normally good for at least 20 points and 10 rebounds every game, the former All-Star’s production dropped off to be 19.3 points and 14 rebounds last season from just 18 games, before he succumbed to broken bones in his hand.
But early signs are that Love is back to his best and will be a force to be reckoned with.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 7th
Rankings
Offence: 8
Defence: 7.5
Front court: 8
Back court: 8
Bench: 6.5
Coach: 8
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