2013-14 NBA Preview: 10 Teams Best Suited To Play Small Ball
By John Kim
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Dec 29, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) against the Phoenix Suns at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Timberwolves are stacked at the guard position. Ricky Rubio, J.J. Barea, and Kevin Martin all have unique abilities in terms of playmaking, ball-handling and shooting. Having all three of them on the court at once gives the Timberwolves a dynamic and creative backcourt.
Chase Budinger and Corey Brewer can play the small forward and power forward positions. This ability to play multiple positions gives the Timberwolves an ability to spread the floor in the frontcourt.
Kevin Love is the real game-changer. He is an elite rebounder and surprisingly, an elite three-point shooter. The Timberwolves have three-point shooting threats up and down their lineup and that’s anchored by Love at either the stretch-four or center position.
Up and down their small ball lineup, the Wolves are not particularly athletic. Though they lack athleticism, Minnesota has speed, creativity and shooting ability that can keep up with any other team in the league.