SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 30. Minnesota Timberwolves

2014/2015 Projection:  23-59, fifth place Northwest Division, fifteenth place Western Conference Actual Finish:  16-66, fifth place Northwest Division, fifteenth place Western Conference	Projected 2014/2015 Finish 29	Actual 2014/2015 Finish 30
Team Statistics and League Rank Points Scored: 97.8 (23rd) Points Allowed: 106.5 (30th) Team FG%: .438 (24th) Opponent’s FG%: .487 (30th) Team FT%: .776 (6th)            Team Three Point FG%: .332 (25th) Rebounds per game: 40.9 (27th) Opponents rebounds per game: 43.6 (17th) Turnovers per game: 14.3 (23rd) Opponents turnovers per game: 14.6 (8th)	Individual Statistical Leaders Scoring (ppg): Kevin Martin (20.0) Rebounds per game:  Gorgui Dieng (8.3) Minutes per game: Andrew Wiggins (36.3) Assists per game:  Ricky Rubio (8.8) Field Goal Percentage: Gorgui Dieng (.506) Free Throw Percentage:  Kevin Martin (.888) Three Point FG Percentage: Kevin Martin (.393) Steals per game:  Ricky Rubio (1.7) Blocked Shots per game: Gorgui Dieng (1.7)
SDH’s Hero to Honor: +Andrew Wiggins  Those who have doubted that Wiggins has what it takes to be a cornerstone of a franchise must have been certainly quelled given his rather impressive debut on the NBA scene.  Upon entering the league, the Canadian who was selected first overall by the +Cleveland Cavaliers, but then traded to the Wolves for +Kevin Love, was scrutinized by media pundits and scouts on everything from his shot mechanics and dribbling skills to his character and ability to lead a franchise; however, after a rocky start, he turned his game up a notch and silenced any doubters of his All Star potential.  The 19 year old certainly proved himself not to be a "hoser" as he led the team in scoring while improving his point production every moths from the paltry 12.3 points per game he finish November with to the whopping 23.3 per game he finished by season's end.  Not only has he proven himself the elite scorer that many were skeptical of him being, but he has shown signs thanks to his length and athleticism that he has the potential to be on of the league's elite defenders as well.  Although he had little or no competition for the rookie of the year race, Wiggins has certainly made it known that not only does he deserve the award, but also that he has a very long and bright future in the NBA.	SDH’s Face to Forget:  Anthony Bennett We now shift the discussion from one Canadian basketball player who has lived up to the expectations of being selected the number overall pick in the draft to the previous one, who has thus far failed miserably to achieve such feats.  Last season, Anthony Bennett went down in NBA history as possibly the worst ever rookie performance for a number one overall pick and had the opportunity to remake himself upon arriving to Minnesota with his teammate and fellow countryman Andrew Wiggins.  Unfortunately, his sophomore season was almost equally as bad as his freshman year in the NBA as he was almost a non-factor on the team appearing in just 57 games, and posted such pedestrian number as 5.2 points and 3.8 boards in just 15 minutes per game.  He started the season pretty good finishing the month of November with 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting a rather efficient .532 from the field; however, that was sort lived as both his production, his playing time, and his place in the roster's rotation soon began to disappear.  There is still hope that at the age of 22 along with his versatile skill set and size, he can still salvage himself a somewhat decent NBA career; however, do not expect him to be anything more than a solid role player, because if his play is a sign of what may come, his ceiling as a player has possibly already been reached.
To be a +Minnesota Timberwolves fan has certainly been an exercise in masochism as NBA fans in that state have been forced to endure not only countless losing seasons, but a failed rebuilding period to go along with very poor executive decisions from their team's head office which resulted in the departure of another franchise player caliber star in Kevin Love just to see the team start from scratch once again.  This time the Wolves started with a new foundation built on the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, a long and athletic Canadian teenager who turned pro after completing his freshman year at the +University of Kansas , to go along with a crew of ragtag misfits who were just as young, inexperienced, and physically out-matched as he was.  It did not help when what little veteran presence the team had were sidelined for the majority of the season leaving the rest of the team, comprised of either teenagers or young men who had just reached the twenties to fend for themselves.  As can be expected, such a team that was so ill-equipped to compete in a grown man's league was made short work of by the more seasoned opponents and made their poor young cubs look less like "Timber Wolves," and more like "Timid Lambs" who were sent to the slaughter; nonetheless, despite the horrific and traumatic outcome to those poor souls, there can still be some positive signs of hope for the future.    This team has a roster that can be considered a virtual treasure chest of young talent mixed with veteran experience and had the Wolves been at full strength, they certainly would have given any NBA team a run for its money; Plus, fans can hold solace in the fact that with a 16 win finish, that will be the lowest their team will probably ever go thus giving a sense of hope that there will be nowhere else to go but up. Even though the season was a complete wash, there were still a bright spots that shined through an otherwise bleak and dismal season which was primarily highlighted by Minnesota's young core of rookies and sophomores led by their two 19 year old phenoms Anthony Wiggins and +Zach LaVine--both of whom virtually carried their inexperienced and injury plagued team throughout the entire 82 games.  Wiggins shined brightest of all as he proved worthy of his first overall draft status as he led the team in scoring in place of the injured Kevin Martin thus earning him NBA Rookie of the Year Honors; however, the biggest surprise had to be LaVine--a player who at first was not expected to play at all, but was suddenly thrust into the spotlight thanks to injuries of the team's starting point guard, Ricky Rubio.  At first LaVine seemed quite overwhelmed often resembling a deer caught in headlights, but a the season progressed, he grew from an insecure youth who often looked confused and unsure of his rose on the court and blossomed into a a much confident player who showed that at the tender age of 19, he can still certainly hold his own in the NBA.  His first two months came with a mixed bag as he both gave what looked to be a solid contribution on the court with his 9.0 points, 2.5 five rebounds, and close to four assists per game, but those impressive numbers were offset by his rather shaky shooting (.404 FG%, .256 3ptFG%) which can be considered understandable considering his age as well as his limited experience and understanding of the professional game.  Unfortunately, LaVine would struggle the next two months of the season as both his playing time and his production would see dramatic decreases to the point where he finished the month of February averaging just 4.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assist per game in just under 12 minutes of playing time; however, upon the start of March, he suddenly reawakened posting his best numbers of the season with 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting an amazing .426 from beyond the arc--and he was not finished yet. As if his sudden emergence was not good enough, LaVine took his game to stratospheric levels as he resembled an All Star finishing the month of April with 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game while shooting rather proficiently at .470 in the last 15 games of the regular season thus making his rookie performance almost as impressive as his 2014 NBA Draft classmate, Andrew Wiggins.  Wolves fans had to be delighted at the prospect of both their highly touted rookies exceeding even the most optimistic of projections, but that was not the last of good news as they would receive even more glad tidings and hope for the future with the breakout performances from second year players +Gorgui Dieng and Shabbaz Muhammad--two players who did not show much in their rookie years last season, but virtually stole the show from their most seasoned veteran teammates.  Similar to LaVine, Dieng was thrust onto the center stage thanks to the unforeseen season ending injury of the Wolves' high priced center +Nikola Pekovic and did not fail to disappoint as he posted a rather respectable showing of 9.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocked shots in the 73 game he played--49 of which he started; however, Dieng would be outdone by Muhammad, who went from being an absolute disappointment his rookie year to a far improved sophomore campaign.  His rather poor rookie performance both on and off the court had placed Muhammad on the team's "Black List" and was expected to be discarded by mid season, but he bounced back his second year showing a far more improved, mature and focused player than he was before and turn him in the eyes of Wolves fan from "Complete Zero" to "Fan Hero."  Although his season was cut short after just 38 games, his bounce back performance from his forgettable rookie campaign was rather noteworthy as he came of the bench to average 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting a rather proficient .489 from the field and .392 from the three point line in number 23 minutes of playing time per game and had he continued playing, he probably would have been in the running for the league's Most Improved Player Award had he not been sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. So in spite of all of the chaos and turmoil that had marked this 2014-2015 campaign, Wolves fans still had plenty to cheer for thanks to the superb breakout performances of their team's two rookies as well as the rather notable contributions of two second year players to go along with it; however, the good times would not end there as they would be given an extra treat to help digest the prospect of a long road ahead until their team becomes respectable.  By the league's mid season trade deadline, they would receive to surprise parting gifts in big men +Adreian Payne and Justin Hamilton--two players that saw little if any playing time in their former teams, but upon arriving in Minnesota, made the executives whom callously discarded them look like complete fools as they too proved their worth with impressive finishing performances.  Upon being drafted by the +Atlanta Hawks, Payne had not seen any playing time whatsoever either spending much of his rookie season either riding the pine at the end of the bench or bumming around with the team's +NBA DLeague affiliate, the +Bakersfield Jam; however, upon arriving to Minnesota he proved to be quite a valuable asset providing a solid 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in the last 29 games of the season.  Hamilton had spent much of his NBA career bouncing from the +Miami HEAT and +Charlotte Hornets as well as the D-League, but had a chance to prove his truth worth in the last 17 games of the season with the Wolves where he put forth a solid performance that will certainly give numerous NBA teams the incentive to give him a second look with his 9.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.  Both Payne and Hamilton would have either spent the rest of their seasons either rotting in the bench or rushing to find their next paycheck had not the Wolves opened their arm to them and they showed their appreciation by giving solid contributions making it not only a beneficial transaction for both parties, but also more seeds of hope for a fan base that has suffered for so long. After all the turnover as well as the turmoil that has marred this past season, the Timberwolves have emerged from it much stronger than it ever has been with the prospects of having two potential superstars in Wiggins and Lavine as well as two emerging young talents in Dieng, Muhammad, Payne and Hamilton to go along with returning veterans +Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and Chase Buddinger. Not only Wolves fans, but head coach Flip Saunders, must be salivating at the prospect of having all those players coming back next season as they could form quite an impressive nucleus to build upon for years to come and add the fact that they enter the off season with a chance to attain possibly the number one overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft makes the future even brighter for a franchise and a fan base that have had very little to be cherry about.  Just picture all the amazing highlights with Rubio at the helm pushing the ball with two young studs in LaVine and Wiggins on each side with Dieng, Bennett, Buddinger, and Muhammad witing in the wings for an alley-oop; however, all of this is just fantasy unless the team is is at full strength--a problem in which Minnesota has suffered to ensure for over the past few year.  So here's to keeping an open mind and optimistic attitude because right now that is all that T-Wolves fans have at this moment; however, at least both the team and fans have something going for them and that is that they cannot get any lower than they already are.

SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 28. Minnesota Timberwolves

+Minnesota Timberwolves  Win/Loss Record as of December 31st, 2014:  5-25, fifth place Northwest Division, 15th Place Western Conference	Projected 2014/2015 Finish 29 Current Rank as of December 31st 28
Team Statistics and League Rank as of December 31st,  2014:  Points Scored: 98.5  (20th) Points Allowed: 109.0 (29th) Team FG%: .435 (24th) Opponent’s FG%: .493 (30th) Team FT%: .720 (27th) Team Three Point FG%: .338 (22nd) Rebounds per game: 41.1 (23rd) Opponents rebounds per game: 43.6 (21st) Turnovers per game: 14.5 (24th) Opponents turnovers per game: 15.8 (5th)	Individual Statistical Leaders as of December 31st, 2014: Scoring (ppg): Thaddeus Young (14.3) Rebounds per game:  Gorgui Dieng (8.1) Minutes per game: Thaddeus Young (32.0) Assists per game:  Mo Williams (6.5) Field Goal Percentage: Shabbaz Muhammad (.500) Free Throw Percentage:  Mo Williams (.880) Three Point FG Percentage: Shabbaz Muhammad (.484) Steals per game: Thaddeus Young (1.7) Blocked Shots per game: Gorgui Dieng (1.6)
Worst of the Class: Andrew Wiggins This may be a bit harsh to ask, but does anyone else feel cheated about the debut of Andrew Wiggins: the man who was supposed to be the player who would define a generation?  So far he has not had the breakout rookie performance that everyone had eagerly anticipated--especially from his fellow countrymen from North of the US border.  His thirteen points and four rebound would be decent for any other NBA rookie, but this guy is supposed to be far superior than any NBA rookie that has entered the league for quite sometime.  Sure, he is just 19, but so were +LeBron James and +Dwight Howard, the two last high school players to go number one in the NBA Draft, although many would claim it to being unfair to compare him to such high a bar.  Nonetheless, Wiggins'  so-so performance is a telling sign of the overall disappointing showing of this years NBA Rookie class--one that was supposed to be one of the best in league history.	First of the Class: Shabbaz Muhammad Last season Shabbaz Muhammad was the poster boy for the immature, irresponsible, disrespectful young players whom the media love to unleash their ire on.  Along with being considered a draft day bust, Muhammad was also thought to be on his way out with the arrival the team's hand picked savior in Andrew Wiggins; however, this season, this one time prodigal child has silenced all his detractors with a sophomore peformance worthy of recognition and respect.  Muhammad has made the 2014/2015 season his coming out party as he went from getting absolutely no time whatsoever to becoming one of the team's key contributors averaging 14.0 points shooting at a near .500 clip while torching the three point like at nearly the same proficiency.  His production peaked at a phenomenal rate in December when he was up to scoring 18.0 points and grabbing 5 rebounds per game essentially becoming the Timberwolves' primary offensive option that month.  If he continues his scintillating play, he might earn himself the league's Most Improved Player Award, or if not, will certainly be remembered as one of the feel good comeback stories of the year.
After seven wasted years of attempting to rebuild after the post +Kevin Garnett era, the Wolves and their fans are once again back at square one having to once again say goodbye to another star in +Kevin Love starting again from scratch. Unlike the Garnett debacle, at least Minnesota fans could hold solace in the fact that not only did their team receive more than adequate compensation receiving two two of the last number one picks of the NBA Draft and a solid veteran in Thaddeus Young to help fill in the massive void that Kevin Love would leave behind.  To go along with their rather impressive haul, the Wolves also had a solid returning casts of veteran players in Ricky Rubio, agruably one of the league's top passing point guards as well as one of the league's top scoring shooting guards in Kevin Martin and a All Star caliber center in Nikola Pekovic.  Combine those three with the wealth of young raw talent that includes the first overall pick of last summer's draft and projected greatest NBA player in his generation, Andrew Wiggins, Wolves fans had something to be optimistic about despite the fact that their team had once again hit rock bottom.  Although their team would find itself on the outside looking in, at least the blend of youth plus experience would make it somewhat competitive and worth watching over the course of this painfully long regular season. Unfortunately, bad luck would once again hit this already down and out Minnesota Timberwolves team as they would lose all three of their established veteran starters within the first month of the season leaving the small young cubs to fend for themselves.  First Ricky Rubio would be lost for the start of the season after playing just five games of the regular season, then both Martin and Pekovic would be sidelined for the rest of the season four games later thus resulting in a team that would have been considered as a hungry young wolf pack transforming into lambs to the slaughter. All of the sudden, the future of the Wolves would be placed in the hands of a bunch of teenagers as well as inexperienced twenty somethings who had just left college and be thrust into a pool of blood thirsty sharks looking for fresh meat. So far this young team has been obliging their opponents to use them as a virgin sacrifices over the course the first three months of the regular season as the Wolves rest at the bottom of standings falling just short of the perennial tanking +Philadelphia 76ers and the train wreck otherwise known as the +New York Knicks.  Fortunately for the Wolves, their fans have taken their poor start in stride as they had already set not only this season, but subsequent ones for a loss knowing full well that they will not see the playoffs for quite some time. Head Coach and team General Manager Flip Saunders once again has inherited another disaster zone after having fled one in the Nation's capital; however, unlike his stint with the +Washington Wizards, where he was both unfairly blamed and subsequently fired for, at least he is starting at ground zero whereas the situation in Washington had deteriorated to a point where it was no longer salvageable.  At least in Minnesota, he will have the chance to build from the ground up and has a young, talented, athletic albeit very raw core of players as a foundation which include both the number one picks from the 2013 and 2014 NBA Drafts; in addition, Saunders does not nearly have the pressure to succeed as he did in his previous stint in Minnesota, nor in his other earlier held head coaching positions in Washington  and +Detroit Pistons.  In fact, the injuries which sidelined three of the team's key players from last season can be seen as more of a blessing than a curse as he is more capable of giving his young proteges more of a chance to play than they would have had Rubio, Martin and Pekovic not been sidelined for much of the season due to injuries.  Had they been not injuries, young talents such as rookie point guard Zach Lavine or second year center Gorgui Dieng would not have had the minutes nor the productive seasons that they have had so far. Right now, the 19 year old Lavine has held his own on the court as the Wolves' starting point guard averaging nearly nine points, four assists and a steal per game while Dieng has had a phenomenal sophomore season doubling his production from his rookie season in all statistical category. Their progress as well as the solid, although not very spectacular play of Andrew Wiggins thus far plus the rejuvenation of overlooked players such as former first round picks who had very lackluster rookie debuts in Shabbaz Muhammad, and Anthony Bennett have given the Timberwolves' front office and coaching staff quite the dilemma.  With their young players putting up solid performances thus far while their key veterans from last season sitting out with injuries, what will the coaching staff and front office do once they return back to action?  Both Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic were acquired in order to complement both Rubio and Love in the starting five, but with Love in Cleveland and the team heading into a new direction, both Martin and Pekovic seem quite out of place and almost a impediment to the development of the team's young core.  What makes matters even more complicated is that Pekovic, who was tabbed as the team's center of the future before being superseded by  his younger counterpart in Dieng, is in the second year of a five year 60$ million deal and it will be quite difficult to unload his contract considering his current status.  Martin's contract is not as bad considering he is in the second year of a 28$ million deal which makes his much easier to move; but to do that, the Wolves may have to take back a player with significantly less value than Martin in order to get any deal done. The Wolves have already started cutting ties with the previous regime by first trading away swing man +Corey Brewer as well as injured big man +Ronny Turiaf to the +Houston Rockets for second year guard Troy Daniels and two second round picks.  Although he provided a solid defensive presence leading the league in steals per game as well as decent offensive production, it became blatantly apparent that Brewer stood in the way of the development of the Wolves' hand picked star Andrew Wiggins and with the sudden emergence of Muhammad, it was just a matter of time that Corey had to go.  Brewer may have been the first, but he will certainly not be the last to bid farewell to Minnesota as the Wolves continue to cut ties as well as cap space to truly hot rock bottom and start at ground zero.  The second most likely candidate that may get the heave ho is power forward Thaddeus Young, who came in from the +Philadelphia 76ers in the Kevin Love trade and currently leads the team in scoring as well as minutes played; nonetheless, with his contract expiring at the end of the season it is doubtful that neither Young or the Wolves will want to continue their professional relationship.  At 26 years old and nearing his prime as an athlete, Young certainly does not want to waste his best years playing one a losing team heading nowhere while the Wolves will welcome getting at least something moderate in return instead of seeing him walk away as a free agent for nothing. The most likely scenario will see Young being traded by the regular season deadline or during the All Star break when contending teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences will be gearing for a final push for the playoffs; however, the same cannot be said for Martin and Pekovic due to the length of their contracts and the difficulty to find a deal that will best benefit the Wolves both in the short and long term.  The only player that both the front office and coaching staff of Wolves may see as a keeper in this transition period is Rubio, who when healthy has proven to stand among the top play makers in the league with his passing skills, strong on the court intellect and his ability to play lock-down defense on the perimeter.  At just 24 years old, Rubio has not only the experience, but the cunning and the insight of the most seasoned of NBA veterans thus making him a must have for a team of young, raw talented that not only lack the experience, but also any sense of direction.  Coach Saunders will certainly appreciate Rubio's leadership capabilities along with his ability to get the best out of his teammates, especially with the case of the future of the franchise, Andrew Wiggins playing alongside him in the backcourt.  There will be plenty of highlight videos to look forward to with Rubio at the helm lobbing passes to high flyers as Wiggins, Muhammad, Lavine, Dieng and Bennett to name a few; however, all of this is determinant on Rubio's health which he has shown to be less than reliable and until he proves that he can maintain himself through an  82 game season, then all of that potential will disintegrate. Once again, all that Wolves fans can do is hope that this time their team's rebuilding efforts will finally come to fruition after having their hearts cut out seeing its first attempt at returning to respectability shattered to pieces.  Losing Kevin Love was a huge blow, but at least the Timberwolves have a chance to recuperate much faster thanks to the arrival of Anthony Wiggins whose skills and athleticism give both the team and its fans plenty of optimism for the future.  Add along such diamonds in the rough as Bennett, Lavine, Muhammad, and Dieng into the mix, there is plenty to be excited about in the Twin Cities; however, it will certainly be a long tough road for these young basketball prodigies and there is no guarantee that the Timberwolves will even succeed with this rebuilding attempt.  They have the bad fortune to be stuck in the unforgiving Western Conference where even a 50 win season only guarantees a sixth or seventh seed in the playoffs once the regular season comes to a close so four, five, six,  seven or even eight years down the line the Wolves would be at an early first round elimination. If that is the case, then Wolves fans may once again see the departure of another NBA star and wait another decade for a chance to return to relevancy in the NBA.

SDH Presents Andrew Wiggins' First Career Double-Double in Win vs. Blazers

+Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the +Minnesota Timberwolves  over the +Portland Trail Blazers. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Warriors vs. Timberwolves, December 8th

+Stephen Curry  posted 21 points and seven assists and helping the +Golden State Warriors  to their 13th consecutive win with a 102-86 victory over the +Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Rockets vs. Timberwolves, December 5th

+James Harden scored 38 points and dished out six assists in the +Houston Rockets 114-112 overtime victory over the +Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: 76ers vs. Timberwolves, December 3rd

+Michael Carter-Williams (20 points, 9 rebounds) led the +Philadelphia 76ers  to an 85-77 win over the +Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents Zach LaVine's Career-High 28 Points vs. the Lakers

+Zach Lavine returned to Los Angeles and put on a show, leading the +Minnesota Timberwolves over the +Los Angeles Lakers. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Bucks vs. Timberwolves, November 26th

Larry Sanders scores 15 points, grabs seven rebounds and adds five blocks to help the +Milwaukee Bucks  to a 103-86 victory over the +Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents Wiggins and Parker Facing Off for First Time

+Jabari Parker and +Andrew Wiggins, the two top picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, faced one another for the first time in the regular season. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Knicks vs. Timberwolves, November 19th

Kevin Martin scored 37 points as the +Minnesota Timberwolves  rolled past the +New York Knicks  115-95. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, November 15th

+Monta Ellis scored a season-high 30 points as the +Dallas Mavericks beat the +Minnesota Timberwolves131-117 Saturday night. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Timberwolves vs. Pelicans, November 14th

+Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and dished out 9 assists as the +New Orleans Pelicans blew out the +Minnesota Timberwolves 139-91. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents NBA Recap: Rockets vs. Timberwolves, November 12th

+Dwight Howard scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while +James Harden added 23 points and 10 assists as the +Houston Rockets beat the +Minnesota Timberwolves 113-101.  Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!  

SDH Presents NBA Season Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

Check out this season preview of the 2014-15 +Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights and always keep up with all 30+NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH Presents Minnesota Timberwolves 1-on-1 with Anthony Bennett

Newly acquired power forward Anthony Bennett sits down for this exclusive interview with +Minnesota Timberwolves radio play-by-play announcer Alan Horton.   Catch more in-depth and up to date coverage from the Wolves--including, scores, recaps, highlights, analysis and commentary--as well as the rest of the +NBA right here on +Slap Dog Hoops.  You can also check out where I have the Wolves placed on my Worst to First Countdown by clicking here: http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.ca/2014/10/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_22.html. Finally, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!    

SDH Presents Minnesota Timberwolves 1-on-1 with Zach LaVine

+Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine sat down with Alan Horton to discuss his dunking, the youth on this team and what he's been up to this offseason.  Catch more in-depth and up to date coverage from the Wolves--including, scores, recaps, highlights, analysis and commentary--as well as the rest of the +NBA right here on +Slap Dog Hoops.  You can also check out where I have the Wolves placed on my Worst to First Countdown by clicking here: http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.ca/2014/10/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_22.html. Finally, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below.  It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!

SDH's 2014/2015 NBA Worst to First Previews and Predictions: 29. Minnesota Timberwolves

+Minnesota Timberwolves  Overall Win/Loss Record:  40-42  third place Northwest Division 2014/2015 Projection: 23-59, fifth place Northwest Division, fifteenth place Western Conference Preseason Rank 29
Last season’s Team Statistics and League Rank Points Scored: 106.9 (3rd) Points Allowed: 104.3 (26th) Team FG%: .444 (23rd) Opponent’s FG%: .471 (29th) Team FT%: .778 (9th) Team Three Point FG%: .341 (26th) Rebounds per game: 44.7 (6th) Opponents rebounds per game: 44.2(28th) Turnovers per game: 13.5 (10th) Opponents turnovers per game: 16.0 (2nd)	Returning Individual Statistical Leaders Scoring (ppg): Kevin Martin (19.1) Rebounds per game:  Nikola Pekovic (8.7) Minutes per game: Corey Brewer (32.2) Assists per game:  Ricky Rubio (8.6) Field Goal Percentage: Ronny Turiaf   (.598) Free Throw Percentage: Robbie Hummel   (.940) Three Point FG Percentage: Kevin Martin  (.387) Steals per game: Ricky Rubio (2.3) Blocked Shots per game: Ronny Turiaf (1.6)
Projected Opening Day Starters Based on Past Performances and Projected Impact: Ricky Rubio (PG) Andrew Wiggins (SG) Corey Brewer (SF) Thaddeus Young (PF) Nikola Pekovic (C)	Key Reserves Rank Based on Past Performances and Projected Impact: Kevin Martin (G) Mo Williams (G) Chase Buddinger (G/F) Anthony Bennett (F) Gorgui Dieng (C)
It is back to the drawing board once again for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they have had to send another franchise player away to greener pastures while the team is forced to pick up the pieces and start the rebuilding process once again.  After six miserable seasons, the team thought it best to part ways with its star, +Kevin Love, knowing full well that there was absolutely no chance of retaining him once he became an unrestricted free agent at season's end; however, instead of facing the upcoming +NBA season with feelings of fear, loathing and despair, there is actual hope and excitement as the opening tip off fast approaches.  For in losing their one time franchise foundation, they welcome a new face who may potentially become the next transcendental player of the future that will define a generation the same way that +LeBron James, +Kobe Bryant, +Allen Iverson and +Michael Jordan did before him. This new messiah will also be joined by a bevy of new additions that include last year's number one overall pick in the NBA draft, Anthony Bennett, along with the Wolves' first round pick, Zach Lavine--a high flying swing man who brims with All Star potential. Altogether with returning point guard Ricky Rubio and elite caliber big man Nikola Pekovic, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the makings of an exciting season that will keep their fans on their feet and their opponents on their toes. No one is claiming that the Wolves will become the surprise team in the league the same way the +Phoenix Suns sent a shock to the system last season, but Minnesota will certainly be a team that no +NBA team can take lightly.  Despite losing one of the league's top scorers and rebounders in Kevin Love, the Wolves still have one of the league's top assist leaders in Ricky Rubio who also finished second in the +NBA in steals per game last season.  Pair him with the long, fast and extremely athletic superman in Anthony Wiggins as well with the equally astonishing lightning quick rookie in Zach LaVine, you have the makings of endless highlight reels consisting of forced turnovers ending up with spectacular finishes.  Let us not forget Thaddeus Young, who Minnesota acquired from the +Philadelphia 76ers in the Kevin Love trade--a stretch four who can also run the floor on both ends and fly to the hoop with the best of them.  All of these flying wings with Rubio in the cockpit make for an exhilarating, action packed team that can make quick stops, push the tempo of the game, and score a whole lot of baskets. To balance the makings of an unstoppable aerial assault, the Wolves are also anchored by a deep and rather burly front court consisting of one of top centers in the game, the 2013 first overall pick in the NBA Draft, and a young up and comer who has shone on the international stage in the summer.  Many tend to overlook Nikola Pekovic's performance last season, but despite the fact he only played 54 games, he finished fourth among NBA centers in scoring with 17.4 points per game, shooting at a .540 clip as well, and grabbed nearly nine boards.  He will be backed up by Gorgui Dieng, who shined exceptional bright in the waning weeks of the 2014 season averaging a double-double of twelve points and eleven boards per game to go along with two blocked shots in the month of April. Anthony Bennett may be considered by many as one of the biggest flops in NBA draft history, but remember that much of his rookie season he had been held back by injuries that made him miss the entire Summer League as well as the pre-season resulting in his rather poor conditioning and equally poor performance.  However, after a rather impressive Summer League performance as well as entering the season at full health, Bennett will look to silence his doubters and prove why he was selected first overall in the 2013 draft. Add a dash of dead eye perimeter shooting in the forms of veterans Kevin Martin, Mo Williams, JJ Barea, and Chase Buddinger, you have a extremely explosive recipe of youth, talent, athleticism, size and skill that will have fans at the edge of their seats with excitement.  The responsibility of mixing these delicious yet dangerous ingredients will fall upon a familiar face in Flip Saunders, who had led the Wolves previously to seven straight playoff appearances followed by three straight appearances to the Eastern Conference Finals as coach of the +Detroit Pistons.  His resume took a severe hit with a rather forgettable coaching stint with the +Washington Wizards, but if there is anyone that can bring credibility to a long struggling and languishing franchise, it will be Saunders.  He already sports an excellent track record, minus the shameful debacle in Washington, and remains Minnesota's winningest coach in the franchise's history; however, handling such a rebuilding project will be daunting for any coach in his position.  Flip will certainly have quite the challenging time finding minutes for all the returning players, plus his talented youth who will need the playing time to develop, and somehow make a delicate balance in which this will all work. Nobody is expecting any miracles from this group, in fact the expectations will be rather low considering this team should be called the Timber-cubs instead of the Timberwolves due to the   youth and extreme lack of experience on this team.  Sixty percent of the teams fifteen man roster are under the age of 25, with five of them being 21 years old and younger, and two of whom are still "teenagers" themselves at nineteen.  There will certainly be a lot of growing pains with this young group, and patience will certainly be a necessity from the players, the coach staff, the front office, and most importantly, the fan; however, one thing that the Minnesota Timberwolves have is time.  In a rather deep and fiercely competitive Western Conference where five of the eight playoff spots are basically spoken for, there is little or no chance given to the Wolves to even crack the .500 mark, let alone make the post-season.  Nonetheless, even if they finish among the bottom of the league, the Timberwolves will still be considered as "Must See T.V" with an exciting lineup of young talent which other NBA teams better not take too lightly.