2011/12 3rd TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART ONE)Nagging injuries and a young team struggling to finish games meant that the Minnesota Timberwolves stuttered down the stretch slightly, finishing the season 12-17 to finish 40-42 (0.483). This left Minnesota tied for eighth position in the West with the Utah, but unfortunately the Jazz held the tiebreak over the Timberwolves and Minnesota once again missed out on the playoffs, this time by the slimmest of margins.
For the season, power forward Kevin Love led the way as he averaged a 20-10 for the year, and was supported strongly in the frontcourt by Michael Beasley, who showed that he has what it takes to have a long and successful NBA career. Newcomer Eric Gordon played well before injuries slowed him considerably down the stretch run, as was the case with his backups Corey Brewer and Martell Webster. The Timberwolves got solid but inconsistent play from three of its rookies, Floyd Bradley, Johan Svensson and Ricky Rubio. The main problem that was exposed to Minnesota's front office during its playoff push was its lack of quality production from its bench.
Where to now for the Timberwolves? They've taken the step from a terrible team in rebuilding phase under former coach Kurt Rambis to young and up-and-coming under the tutelage of Jay Triano. Now the next step is to solidify their base and make the playoffs in 2012/13. Anything less will be unacceptable. Minnesota has already locked up two of its three top players to long term deals in Kevin Love and Eric Gordon. Kahn must finally make a decision on the improving Michael Beasley, whose contract is now up. I'd say Kahn will first see how the NBA Draft plays out, with Minnesota holding three lottery picks (their own plus one from Toronto from the Chuck Smith-Floyd Bradley trade and the Clippers from the Jonny Flynn-Eric Gordon deal). It's looking like one of those three will be top five, which is good since the draft only goes about four deep, with a big drop-off in talent after that. You may see Kahn deal at least one or two of those three lottery picks and try to convert it into a veteran and a first round pick in next year's draft, which will be a stronger and deeper draft. Aside from that, there are a few bench players whose contracts are up, namely Martell Webster whom won't be re-signed and Jordan Hill who the team is still undecided on. Either way, it should once again be an interesting off-season in Minnesota.
PLAYER STATSF- Kevin Love: 20.2ppg, 9.9rpg, 52.0% FG, 40.8% 3Pt (PER: 21.73)
F- Michael Beasley: 18.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.0bpg, 1.0spg, 47.9% FG, 40.0% 3Pt (PER: 17.41)
G- Eric Gordon: 17.4ppg, 1.9spg, 51.2% FG, 35.4% 3Pt (PER: 16.71)
F- Corey Brewer: 12.0ppg, 1.0spg, 48.5% FG, 31.7% 3Pt (PER: 15.80)
G- Floyd Bradley: 10.7ppg, 5.6apg, 1.0spg, 44.1% FG, 14.0% 3Pt (PER: 13.18)
F- Johan Svensson: 8.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 46.5% FG (PER: 13.07)
G- Ricky Rubio: 8.5ppg, 5.5apg, 1.0spg, 47.1% FG, 21.6% 3Pt (PER: 17.31)
F- Martell Webster: 5.6ppg, 41.5% FG, 40.4% 3Pt (PER: 8.15)
G- Wayne Ellington: 4.7ppg, 46.6% FG, 40.5% 3Pt (PER: 10.97)
G- Marcel Moore: 4.1ppg, 2.1apg, 34.6% FG, 14.3% 3Pt (10.47)
F- Jordan Hill: 3.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.1bpg, 38.1% FG (PER: 9.71)
C- Nikola Pekovic: 3.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 50.0% FG (PER: 10.52)
F- Benjamin Dragic: 1.6ppg, 1.3rpg, 0.8bpg, 42.9% FG, 33.3% 3Pt (PER: 20.29)
C- Joel Przybilla: 1.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 0.8bpg, 45.5% FG (PER: 6.43)
G- Malcolm Hoffman: D-League
G- Marc Scott: D-League
PLAYER PICS
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Floyd Bradley.



















