2012/13 NBA Team Rankings & Previews: #12 Minnesota Timberwolves
#12 - Minnesota Timberwolves
2011/12 Record: 26-40, no playoffs
2012/13 Projected Record: 47-35, playoffs
Key Additions:
Brandon Roy - Shooting Guard
Alexey Shved - Shooting Guard
Andrei Kirilenko - Small Forward
Chase Budinger - Small Forward
Greg Stiemsma - Center
Key Departures:
Martell Webster - Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Michael Beasley - Small Forward
Wesley Johnson - Small Forward
Wayne Ellington - Shooting Guard
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour
Shooting Guard: Brandon Roy, Alexey Shved
Small Forward: Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger
Power Forward: Kevin Love, Derrick Williams
Center: Nikola Pekovic, Greg Stiemsma
The X Factor:
Ricky Rubio
The Wolves were 21-20 with the young Spaniard in their lineup last year, 5-20 with him sidelined (no, that's not a typo). So obviously Ricky Rubio's full (and quick) recovery from his knee injury is vital for the Wolves to have any shot at the playoffs this season.
Summary:
Despite still being run by their much-maligned front office, the Wolves seriously upgraded their squad in the offseason. Some pundits have them pegged for as many as 57 wins this year. While that might be a tad bit optimistic, there's no doubt that Minnesota is a serious playoff contender this season. And, depending on Rubio's health and what they get from new additions Andrei Kirilenko and Brandon Roy, they might not just make the playoffs - they might do some damage in the NBA's second season, too.
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#13 - Dallas Mavericks
#14 - New York Knicks
#15 - Atlanta Hawks
#16 - Chicago Bulls
#17 - Utah Jazz
#18 - Golden State Warriors
#19 - Portland Trailblazers
#20 - Milwaukee Bucks
#21 - Cleveland Cavaliers
#22 - New Orleans Hornets
#23 - Washington Wizards
#24 - Toronto Raptors
#25 - Sacramento Kings
#26 - Phoenix Suns
#27 - Houston Rockets
#28 - Detroit Pistons
#29 - Orlando Magic
#30 - Charlotte Bobcats
K-Love broken hand. Out 2 months. Bye bye playoffs.
FREAKIN DEVASTATING. Ughghghgghghghgh.......
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@CollegeWolf Awe crap - these things always happen when I'm offline for a couple of hours. Goodbye playoffs for sure - can't survive with Love and Ricky out at the same time.
TWolves!!! Nothin gonna stop us now! We could get the 7th or 8th playoff spot in the West if we catch some breaks this year.
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@CollegeWolf It didn't sink in how pathetic they were last year without Ricky until I typed that stat in the article. They have to hope he gets back quickly this year or they're screwed.
@Jeff Fox Yep, sadly. With him missing the first month (or maybe more?)... that's why I personally think our Over/Under of Wins should be about 40.5 A slow start without Ricky will be killer. And then you have the inevitable Roy breakdown and AK injury(ies).
