Weighing the Clippers’ chances of making the playoffs
By Abhishek S
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Composing a pair of All-Stars in Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony Towns, a gifted young scorer Andrew Wiggins, a dependable two way guard Jeff Teague and a competitive bench, the Timberwolves were touted as the next big thing entering the 2017-18 NBA season. However, Tom Thibodeau’s failure to generate an effective system led to the downfall of the Minnesota based franchise. Rumors involving off-court issues among teammates only added fuel to the fire. Having barely scraped into the playoffs, they were shoved aside by the Chris Paul led Houston Rockets in a mere 5 game series.
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With their two-way star Jimmy Butler recently rejecting an extension offer and Karl Anthony Towns entering the terminal year of his contract, the direction of the franchise has come under the microscope. Further, minimal modifications to their roster could be another point of concern. Their only free agency moves involved swapping Nemanja Bjelica for the more defensive minded alternative in Anthony Tolliver and extending Derrick Rose for a low-key veteran’s minimum deal. The loss of Sixth Man Jamal Crawford was compensated by incorporating two-way collegian Josh Okogie, while the shortage of a scoring wing in their second unit was rectified by the recruitment of the former Ohio College forward, Keita Bates-Diop.
While possessing the quality to feel secure about their playoff chances, deficiency of an appropriate system and shortage in depth will hinder them going forward. Possibly confronting obstacles to keep their All-Stars intact, they face a tricky course ahead. However, they currently carry ample strength to be classified as a playoff team.
PROBABLE STARTING 5: Jeff Teague; Andrew Wiggins; Jimmy Butler; Taj Gibson; Karl Anthony Towns
PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD: 7/10