In Stretch Of Tough Games, Thunder The Latest Test For Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are still a team where you get a bigger kick out of watching a quality opponent come in than you do watching the home town team.
And no doubt that's the scenario Wednesday night. Oklahoma City is here and they are well-built. But are there are hints the Timberwolves could someday be a similar franchise? Mike Max explores.
It's Oklahoma City in town, that's a cache name in the NBA. In part because they've got championship contending talent in it's prime.
"Definitely. I mean we've had some tough games. We just played Cleveland and now we've got OKC and then we've got a couple more tough games so this is definitely a challenge for us," Shabazz Muhammad said.
It might be a stretch, but there are people who out there who believe and will suggest that the Oklahoma City Thunder are now who the Timberwolves could one day be once the young talent on the Timberwolves' roster matures. It might be a stretch, but optimism is all we have right now.
It's hard to invest in a team that only shows occasional flashes. Rule No. 1 has to be not to be in awe of the opposition.
"You always want to respect who you're playing, but not to the point to where you don't start the game as aggressive as you would be," head coach Sam Mitchell said. "I think at some point during the game we always realize that we can play with these guys."
But is the ceiling really high enough that you can envision this group turning into an organization like the Oklahoma City Thunder? That's rare air.
"It's tough to say I mean they have two of the best players in the league right now and of course we've got a lot of young guys who can be the top guys but it takes time," Ricky Rubio said.
So the word is don't start comparing them to the elite, but more importantly, don't quit when you get beat.
"Why should they give up? Did you give up on your first job? Why are they supposed to be any different than us? Did any of y'all give up on your jobs?" Mitchell quipped.
