NBA Western Power Rankings Week 5: Thunder thrive, Grizzlies rise

Nov 27, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22), guard Zach LaVine (8), forward Kevin Garnett (21) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) look on during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The The Timberwolves won 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

8th: Minnesota Timberwolves (22 points)

By Jose Salviati

Record: 8-10

Record last week: 3-1

With apologies to Dennis Green, the Timberwolves continue to be exactly who we thought they would be. This is a very young team building around 20 year olds Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns who if you add each of their ages together are still younger than Kevin Garnett. Ok, that’s a joke, but you get the point – these kids are young. Like any talented but young team they will need time to grow. One game they will show flashes of brilliance and then in others they will crash and burn. This week saw the Wolves go 3-1 with a crash and burn (of sorts) against the Clippers. Victories against the 76ers, Hawks and Kings rounded out their week.

While no team is jumping up and down after a win against the 76ers, a victory against the Hawks is cause for celebration. I realize that we are focusing on the Western Conference in these ratings but they do still play basketball east of the Mississippi and the Hawks are amongst the best back on that side of the Country.  Endure the ups and down this season Wolves fan, better times are ahead if the franchise can keep this core together.

Next: Los Angeles Clippers