Why The T-Wolves Will Make The Playoffs This Year

It's been dark days in Minnesota since KG left town. Missing on multiple lottery picks the past few years put the Wolves into a hole. Since Minnesota is not a marquee NBA market, free agents don't flock there. This makes the draft that much more important. GM David Kahn has somehow manged to stay employed despite drafting Jonny Flynn and Wesley Johnson. But now the Wolves enter this season with more hope than ever before. In the West, there are playoff spots for the taking, and Minnesota will take one. Here's four reasons why.

They Have a Legit Star
If you have followed the NBA at all for the past two years, you know by now that Kevin Love is a stud. His rebounding and scoring make him virtually unstoppable. Since coming out of UCLA in 2008, Love has improved in every facet of his game. The best addition to his repertoire is outside shooting (which he can now brag about after beating Durant in the three-point contest). A team leader who has improved every year, Love is clutch and the best power forward in the league.

They Have a Spark Plug
Little was known of 2009 draft pick Ricky Rubio. There was much speculation considering his Spanish league numbers were down and he waited two years before coming to the NBA. But Rubio proved that he can flat-out play. Though not a great shooter, Rubio didn't hesitate in becoming one of the league's best passers. Before tearing his ACL, Rubio was by all accounts the second best rookie. Rubio plays with the flare (and hair) of a young Pete Maravich. The Wolves love what they have in their young Spanish point guard.

They Have a Head Coach Who's Been There
Rick Adelman has lead two franchises to multiple playoff runs. In the early 2000s, he coached a talented Kings team that could have won championships, but never got past the Shaq-Kobe Lakers. Later he was the coach of a Rockets team that featured Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Adelman's Rockets would only win one playoff series, as Yao and McGrady could never stay healthy at the same time. Of all the coaches that have bounced around the NBA over the last 20 years, Adelman is the best one. He will get this group of players to perform together at a peak level.

They Have Guys With Something To Prove
The Wolves selected Derrick Williams number two overall last year. His showed flashes of promise with his superior athleticism, but he could never maintain a high level of play. At 6'8" Williams is a tweener forward, but he would fit best as a small forward. If he can develop a consistent mid-range shot, his power and athleticism should help him become a force at his position. The Wolves also acquired Brandon Roy this offseason. His retirement last year was truly sad for all of basketball, so it's great to see Roy back in the league. If Roy's knees can hold up and he can get back to All-Star form, the Wolves may have gotten him at a huge bargain. Roy will be very motivated playing for a new team this year. Roy is such a respected talent that you just really hope he can stay healthy.  

Utah won't be back in the playoffs next year. This leaves an open eighth spot in the West. The Wolves will be the team to beat for that spot. The Rockets will fight for that spot with their young scorers. The Hornets will also be right there as they have a budding superstar in Anthony Davis and two young stars in Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers. But in the end, the Wolves will take that final playoff spot. They have the star, coach and supporting cast to give Minnesota that long-awaited playoff berth.