The Western Conference is as loaded as ever, and the Minnesota Timberwolves might struggle to take a leap. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets are all seen as frontrunners, and behind them, things are crowded.
The Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors all have immense talent and deep aspirations, but are seen as the second tier of talent.
The Wolves, to their credit, have made the Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons, although they are yet to break through as the premier team to beat. Pau Gasol, one of the best players of the 21st century, revealed how he thinks Minnesota can take a leap.
GettySPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: 2023 inductee Pau Gasol speaks during the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2023 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Pau Gasol Puts Responsibility on Anthony Edwards’ Shoulders
Anthony Edwards is by far the best player on the roster. Over the last three seasons, he has averaged 26.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game while improving his 3-point efficiency.
“It starts with, obviously, with Anthony Edwards,” said Gasol of the Timberwolves’ chances this season while appearing on ESPN. “And I love his confidence. I love his swagger. He can play like anybody out there, but he has to do it every single night, and he has to lead this team in a way that he carries everybody over.”
Edwards, unlike a lot of his young peers, has an established supporting cast around him. Julius Randle is an All-Star, Rudy Gobert is the best defender of his generation, and role players like Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid are proven on both sides of the ball.
However, in order for Edwards to emerge as one of the best players in the league regardless of age, he needs to show that his team can take a leap, and Gasol expects him to get the most out of his team.
“I think Julius will continue to thrive,” he predicted. “McDaniels is a great player. Donte is a great player coming off the bench. They see if the youth continues to develop in their team. Everybody has to contribute and chip in.”
Crowded Western Conference Could Push Wolves Out
Last season, Minnesota won 49 games, good for sixth place. Just like last season, the Thunder, Rockets, and Nuggets are expected to finish ahead of them, and with the Mavericks, Lakers, Spurs, Kings, Warriors, and Clippers lurking, if not improving, Minnesota will have to take a step forward to avoid the play-in tournament.
The West, for much of the last two decades, has been head and shoulders better than the Eastern Conference, and there is no indication that things will change. In fact, the expectation is that the divide between East and West will only grow in the upcoming season.
For the Timberwolves to take their long-awaited leap, Edwards will need to get his teammates more involved in the offense, and aging stars like Mike Conley and Gobert can’t afford to take a step back.
The burden of success might fall on their best player, although without a major offseason addition and the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Wolves might struggle to match last season’s success, much less take a step forward.
Ex-Lakers Star Reveals How Timberwolves Can Take Next Step