No. 8 Seed- Minnesota Timberwolves (2012-13 – No. 12 Seed, did not make the playoffs)
Jan 18, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) and forward Kevin Love (42) smile during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Pistons 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013-14 season will be the Minnesota Timberwolves’ breakout season. Like the Warriors, their rise is dependent on their health. If Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love are healthy, the Timberwolves are a force to be reckoned with. Combine that with the coaching experience of Rick Adelman and young players like Alexey Shved and Nikola Pekovic, and you have a team that’s ready to make the splash into the postseason.
Love is still one of the best forwards in the game, and his abilities to stretch the floor is second to none. Rubio is a pure point guard who will make sure to feed his teammates before himself.
Notable Snubs – Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz.