Ricky Rubio is the most exciting player the Minnesota Timberwolves have seen in years and is on pace to win the Rookie of The Year.  Kevin Love is a double-double machine and warrants serious Most Valuable Player consideration.  They will win the Timberwolves many games throughout their careers but they need skilled players around them to make the playoffs.

The Wolves are 13-12 currently and if the season ended today, they would finish one game back of the last playoff spot.  They are riding a three game winning streak thanks in large part to the play of their second year center, Nikola Pekovic.

Pekovic is a 6'11" 290lb punisher who John Hollinger labeled as having a "bull-in-a-china-shop" approach.  This is partially true as Pekovic did lead the league with a remarkable 9.8 fouls per 48 minutes last year.  However, he has really worked hard to harness his power and has brought his number down to a respectable 6.6 fouls per 48 minutes.

How does this help the Timberwolves make the playoffs?

Nikola just recently became the Wolves starter due to ineffectiveness and injury to Darko Milicic.  In the four games he has played this month Pekovic has put up these tremendous numbers:

18.5ppg, 10.5rpg, .8bpg, 1.0spg, 66%FG, 76%FT

These numbers aren't hall of fame quality but I would bet 25 NBA teams would take them.  When Pekovic starts, the Timberwolves are 4-1.

With Kevin Love rebounding as well as he does, having Pekovic there to help is a big load off of Love's shoulders.  The center position as a whole has been very important to the Timberwolves as this wonderful statistic from Hoopstats.com shows us:

When the Timberwolves Center position wins their matchup (based on efficiency rating difference) the Wolves are a perfect 6-0.

Maybe most importantly is that the team likes him.  Ricky Rubio sent kudos his way via Twitter as did Kevin Love.  This kind of chemistry is extremely important and can help the Wolves make it through the tough times as a team.

I'm not ready to slot the Timberwolves into the NBA playoffs just yet but if Rubio, Love, and Pekovic continue their excellent play it's just a matter of time.

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