NBA's East-West role reversal might benefit Wolves

Timberwolves interim head coach Sam Mitchell cites NBA history as proof it's too much to imagine his team can rise from 16 victories a season ago to the playoffs this season, given that in recent years the Western Conference's eighth and final entrant sometimes needed 49 or 50 victories just to reach the postseason.

And then there's this season.

Admittedly it's still early, little more than a month gone, but if the regular season had ended Friday the Timberwolves would have earned the West's final playoff spot with their 8-10 record.

Once so weak there were calls to change the NBA's playoff qualifications, an improved Eastern Conference this season is producing what could be a sea change…