The combination of Tom Thibodeau and another year of seasoning for their talented young core was cause to think this could be the season the Timberwolves would make the long-awaited leap back into the postseason.
20 games in and it looks like those notions were a tad premature. Thibodeau’s defensive principles are yet to sink in with his new team, who’s currently 25th in the league in defensive rating. His fingerprints are all over the minutes being played by his three stars, with Karl-Anthony Towns (34.8), Andrew Wiggins (36.5) and Zach LaVine (37.2) all getting as much run as they can handle.