Head coach Rick Adelman already slashed heavy critics to his team in the preseason as he felt the team wasn’t playing hard enough. That trend might continue in the regular season as this team doesn’t have a lot of cohesion to play together. Alexei Shved and Ricky Rubio play a similar style, and the fact that Derrick Williams and Kevin Love don’t work together are two examples of what could happen in Minnesota as the season advances.
Simply put, this team doesn’t have enough talented players to contend for a playoff spot. Ricky Rubio is a solid point guard, Nikola Pekovic has grown into a presence down low and Kevin Love is one of the best forwards in the NBA, but outside of them the rest of the players have more question marks than certainties.
This team needs to have more experience in the NBA before trying to push for a playoff spot. The fact that the most seasoned player in the roster is journeyman Kevin Martin (nine years in the league) is the best example of it.
Ricky Rubio is a point guard that hasn’t progressed as many expected. Alexei Shved is a good piece off the bench but needs to shoot better to be efficient. Derrick Williams will enter a decisive year for his future. The Timberwolves' young players haven’t grown as expected, and they will need to take the next step this season -- something that looks highly unlikely.
Kevin Love spent most of last season on the shelf. Ricky Rubio has also spent significant time sidelined in his two years in the league. The fact that they aren’t able to put their best players on the court on a consistent basis will ultimately doom the Timberwolves just like last year.
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