NBA Power Rankings – Ranking the top ten teams for the next NBA season (Part 1)
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Many people might disagree with me on this selection, but such have been their summer additions, that the Minnesota Timberwolves look set to make a deep playoff run come the 2012-13 season.
The team already had Kevin Love, the man who in the last two seasons has proven himself to be the best power forward in the league. Ricky Rubio is also slated to return a month into the season and we know very well that it was
this duo which kept the Wolves high up in the Western Conference last season, and their journey only came to an end when Rubio suffered a season ending knee injury.
What makes them scarier this time around is that David Kahn has managed to add a ten year veteran in Andrei Kirilenko, who was the Euroleague MVP last season, and Alexey Shved, who is tipped as the next big thing in European basketball.
Along with the Russians, the Wolves have signed a certain Brandon Roy, who will be coming out of retirement after undergoing a successful knee injury.
These five players possess enough talent to single handedly turn a game on its head on any given night, and their combo is something to look for. Then there are the reserves in the form of J.J. Barea and Chase Budinger.
The only apparent problem which has pushed them on the number ten slot in the list is the injury issue. Love, Rubio and Roy are all susceptible to injuries, and if they are to be successful, the T’Wolves will have to hope that
injury woes stay away.
9. Denver Nuggets
This is the team which likes to play the fast ball. Branded as the most offensively potent team in the league – last season’s credentials a testament to that claim - the Nuggets have apparently got all their bases covered next
season.
Their most glaring weakness last season was the defense, but with the acquisition of Andre Iguodala through the four-team Dwight Howard trade, they have pretty much found the solution. Iggi is not only one of the most explosive
wingmen in the league, but is perhaps the best when it comes to defending the perimeter. He will be the man, from whom the Nuggets can take a lead, and considering the options they have, and a feisty coach in George Karl, the path towards a deep post season
run seems clear.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Tags: