As i was doing my everyday check of the ESPN archive yesterday, i came across this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/features/worst. It was an interesting look as to how the Timberwolves of this season are in prime position to become one of the worst, if not the worst team in the history of the NBA. As you can see, they have a chart comparing the Wolves season this year to the dreadful 72-73 76ers (a solid 9-73 record that year). Are they really that bad though? I'm aware of the 5-29 record up to date, but they can't be in the running for worst team of all time. Can they?
The answer is a solid, and overwhelming No in my opinion. In fact, i believe they have a decently talented team; believe it or not. They've been hit with some bad breaks this year, but are still putting quality performances out on the court night in and night out. So now your asking, Adam; how can they be putting in quality performances every night? They're 5-29, and in last place in the L. Well, when we take a deeper look into their season, we realize that they've lost 14 of their 29 games by less than 10 points. Most of those are by less than 5 points. This includes a 109-103 loss at Dallas.
They've been missing last year's breakout guard; Randy Foye, for the entire season as well. Add him back to this lineup, and I'm guessing they win at least half of those games that were decided in the 4th quarter (Foye was Mr. 4th quarter last year).
Now it's time to examine the roster... They have the typical rebuilding roster (what else would you expect after trading the Big Ticket?). However, unlike most other rebuilding teams; they have a building block for the future in Al Jefferson. Now the average Joe NBA Fan out there is asking, Who in the world is Al Jefferson? Well, he's the talented piece that they got back in the KG trade this summer. He turned 23 last week, and is putting up veteran PF/C numbers night in and night out. To date, hes averaging 21 pts, 12 rbs, 1.5 blocks, 1 stl a night for them. Not a bad piece to build off of. Then we take a look at the rest of this roster, and realize that they're surprisingly much more talented than you would think. However, they all are very young; which means they're going to struggle quite a bit against the older teams. Rookie Corey Brewer has shown he can play when given minutes this season. Rashad McCants is looking more and more like a go-to guy this season. Especially recently, with games of 27, 21, and 34 this week alone. He's getting 15 a night, and is looking more and more comfortable. That goes for Craig Smith and Sebastian Telfair as well. Both have showed flashes that they could be great this season, and have improved as the season went on.
That leads me to my next point. Smith, McCants, Telfair, and Jefferson have all looked better and better both as individual players, as well as playing together with one another since the season began. This can only lead me to believe that this will continue, and therfore; more and more games will be won as the season plays on. When they add Foye back to this lineup, they're sending out a lineup that looks like this:
PG Telfair- 10, 6, 3 a game
SG Foye- 15,4,4 last year
SF McCants- 15,3,2 a game
PF Smith- 11,5 a game
C Jefferson-22,12 a game
Now you tell me that once these guys all feel comfortable together and as an individual player in the NBA, that this team can't turn it around... To be honest, I'll choose this lineup post all-star break over most of the other non-contenders in a heartbeat. They may have started 5-29, but there is no reason to even think about comparing them to the 72-73 Sixers. My prediction; i wouldn't be surprised what so ever to see them win 25 more games, to finish 30-52. Which would mean over .500 ball from here on out, and yes, they can do it.
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