Talent and cohesiveness.
You can t win in the NBA without the former and you can t win big in the NBA without the latter.
How does either word apply to the Timberwolves, who just completed a typically lousy season, made yet another midseason coaching change and might not land a top pick in the 2021 draft?
Objectively, this season was a failure. The Wolves began with modest hope, then finished 23-49.
Subjectively, you can see the makings of a quality team, an entertaining team, perhaps the best Wolves team since the roster included not only Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell, but also Ndudi Ebi, Latrell Sprewell, Quincy Lewis, Fred Hoiberg, Oliver Miller, Michael Olowokandi, Mark Madsen and the other Ervin Johnson, just in case you forgot how any given roster can look like the cast of a Survivor -like game show.
Minneapolis/St. Paul – The NBA today named Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards as its Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April. Edwards earns his second Kia NBA Rookie of the Month award (March 2021) and is the third Timberwolves player to win the award multiple times, joining Karl-Anthony Towns (November, December 2015, January, February, March, April 2016) and Andrew Wiggins (November, December 2014, January, February, April 2015).
Edwards, who led the Timberwolves to an 8-8 record in April, ended the month scoring 345 points, grabbing 82 rebounds and handing out 53 assists. The last rookie to reach those levels in all three categories in one calendar month was Blake Griffin in January 2011 (364 points, 188 rebounds, 61 assists). The only other Timberwolves rookie to have a month like that was Christian Laettner in March 1993 (347 points, 193 rebounds, 70 assists). Edwards totaled 44 three-pointers in April, the most by a rookie in NBA in a single month,
From Jordan to LeBron, our experts pick every NBA franchise s greatest dunker
play
These iconic NBA dunkers know how to throw down (1:54)
Revisit some of the NBA s most iconic dunks from its most iconic dunkers, including Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. (1:54)
A dunk is worth just two points, but the best dunkers in the world always find ways to make it feel like more.
From signature in-game slams to unforgettable posterizations to you-had-to-be-there dunk contest moments, players from generations past and present have left an indelible mark on the game with their ability to finish at the rim.
But which player holds the crown for each franchise? With the slam dunk contest set for halftime of Sunday s All-Star Game this season, we asked our group of NBA insiders to vote on the most iconic dunker for each franchise. Let the debate begin.
From Jordan to LeBron, our experts pick every NBA franchise s greatest dunker
play
These iconic NBA dunkers know how to throw down (1:54)
Revisit some of the NBA s most iconic dunks from its most iconic dunkers, including Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. (1:54)
A dunk is worth just two points, but the best dunkers in the world always find ways to make it feel like more.
From signature in-game slams to unforgettable posterizations to you-had-to-be-there dunk contest moments, players from generations past and present have left an indelible mark on the game with their ability to finish at the rim.
But which player holds the crown for each franchise? With the slam dunk contest set for halftime of Sunday s All-Star Game this season, we asked our group of NBA insiders to vote on the most iconic dunker for each franchise. Let the debate begin.
Will Karl-Anthony Towns and D Angelo Russell become Stockton & Malone, or Pooh & Brew?
(After more than 30 years of woeful franchise history, this is my homage to the Wolves original pick-and-rollers, Pooh Richardson and Randy Breuer.)
Will the defense evoke memories of Sam Mitchell s elbows, or Isaiah Rider s ole s?
Will Ryan Saunders prove himself? Will the Wolves trade for a power forward? Will Ricky Rubio justify his rock-star status?
As in any team sport, there is not just one key for the 2020-21 Minnesota Timberwolves, but here s one that is being underplayed:
The Wolves past two first-round draft picks enter the season with relatively low expectations, or at least remarkably little hype. For a still-rebuilding franchise facing low expectations, with a proven inability to attract top free agents, Jarrett Culver and Anthony Edwards rank among the most pivotal individuals in the organization.