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Minnesota Timberwolves Garnering National Attention

By Paul Bellesen

Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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After drafting back to back Rookie of the Year winners, in addition to multiple other great players, the Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to take a big step this upcoming season.

With cornerstone players in place in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach Lavine, the expectations for the Minnesota Timberwolves are higher than ever. After another top five draft pick this year, this team is loaded with young talent.

In the second half of last year’s NBA regular season, it looked as if the Minnesota Timberwolves were trending up. When former head coach Sam Mitchell finally put the right lineups on the floor, the Timberwolves saw increases in many different stats.

They finished the season 12-16 after the All Star break, with a 17-37 record before. The team finished with the most efficient lineup in the NBA in that time. That lineup consisted of Ricky Rubio, Zach Lavine, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, and Karl-Anthony Towns. That lineup produced a .51/.449/.845 shooting line in that time.

The Timberwolves downfall was on the defensive side of the ball. Also early on in the season, there were rumblings of tension between Sam Mitchell and players on how he coached the young players.

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The franchise solved those problems in one full swoop. They went out and hired the top coaching candidate available in Tom Thibodeau. Known for his defensive genius, Thibodeau should be able to transform this team on that side of the ball.

Next they head into the draft, and grab the defense first, pure point guard Kris Dunn. Dunn showed versatility in his two Summer League games, and he should be able to contribute early on this team.

In free agency, the Timberwolves made some low key, team friendly deals to sure up their second unit. Adding some veteran help to mesh with this group of young stars was a smart move.

It seems that the hype train is at the station, and everyone is boarding. Writers in the national media are predicting a playoff berth. That would end the playoff drought in Minnesota professional basketball that started in the 2005 season.

We have seen Andrew Wiggins featured in Adidas ads this offseason, as he is releasing his own signature model.

Zach Lavine is the co star of a new Nike ad, with dunk contest runner up Aaron Gordon. Lavine is becoming a star in his own light.

Karl-Anthony Towns has been everywhere this offseason. From Jimmy Kimmel, to Foot Locker ads, to Disney Shows. Towns is becoming a household name across the nation, and consequently soon throughout the world. He has the personality to be a superstar.

Towns is one of the faces of the new NBA 2K17 video game with a few other superstars. This is huge for a player coming out of their rookie season. He is actually the face of their NBA 2K17 mobile app game.

Next: Predictions for Top 20 NBA Players-Karl Anthony Towns

People are taking notice of this team, and for good reason. Can the NBA season come fast enough?

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