NBA: Healthy Timberwolves eyeing playoff spot this season

Kevin Love was named the Western Conference Player for the week for putting up three huge double doubles in as many games.

He, along with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin, has been instrumental in taking the Timberwolves to a record of 3-1 in the opening week of the NBA.

Kevin Love was named the Western Conference Player of the Week

While they had a close win in overtime against the Orlando Magic, they did win dominating games against Oklahoma City Thunder (without Westbrook) and New York Knicks at the Garden. They ended the week in a disappointing one point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night.

A talented and healthy bunch, Timberwolves would look to make a strong statement this season by making the Playoffs. But do they really stand a chance to stay on course all through the regular season and make the Playoffs? Let’s have a look at what and who hold the key.

Kevin Love:

He sat out the remainder of last season after injuring his hand for a second time in two months and right from the first press conference in this year’s pre-season he has been all business and right now his performance is certainly speaking for itself.

In the games played in the opening week, he averages a double double of 26.5 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. He hit a clutch shot from beyond the arc against the Magic to send the game to overtime and is averaging 80% from the charity stripe. He has returned to hitting tough shots late in games for the Timberwolves.

Spike Lee couldn’t resist sharing a hi-5 with Love after he hit a tough shot against Spike’s beloved New York Knicks.

So one thing does seem certain that: Kevin Love is back. Healthy and fit, he has found his groove very early in the season and is determined to keep it going.

Supporting cast:

Their wins haven’t been all Kevin Love. The Timberwolves have a strong supporting cast in Corey Brewer, Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio.

Nikola Pekovic resigned with the franchise in the off-season on a 5-year deal which would pay him 60 million. The team requires his inside presence.

While Love steals the spotlight, Pekovic makes contributions quietly but effectively. While everyone has been talking about Love’s four double doubles, Pekovic has also recorded two double doubles in the four games played with another game reading 8 points and 12 rebounds.

Although his defense can be debated, he can improve as he has a long tenure to look forward to with the franchise.

Corey Brewer’s numbers don’t say much, but he is a healthy and consistent double figures contributor and the defense he brings along is invaluable.

His job on Kevin Durant in the opening game resulted in Durant scoring his least points in a defeat since he started winning scoring titles and eventually the victory for the Timberwolves. “That was a one-of-a-kind performance by Corey,” new Wolves shooter Kevin Martin said in the locker room afterward.

He knew what matchup he had tonight. He knew he was guarding the best offensive player in the league. He showed up.”

Capable of stealing the show himself once in a while, starting point guard Ricky Rubio is an essential member in the Love’s supporting cast

Their back court combo of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin have been destructive together. While Ricky Rubio has been at his crafty best in the 4 games, averaging 9 assists and 4 steals a game, Martin has been on a hot shooting streak this season. He shot 5-5 and 5-8 from beyond the arc and has huge games of 30 and 23 against the Knicks and Cavs respectively.