Why the Shocking Minnesota Timberwolves Are Locks to Make the NBA Playoffs

With Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love and other quality young talent on board in Minnesota, things are quickly starting to turn around for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Finally.

With all of that promising young talent, winning doesn't automatically come next, as is evident by the 3-7 start to the season for the Wolves. Minnesota has been in plenty of games, which is an improvement right there, but has yet to figure out how to win those close games.

That's to be expected of a young team. They actually have to learn to win.

Once they do though, look out because the Wolves will be returning to a place they haven't been in a very long time.

The playoffs.

Currently Minnesota's seven-year playoff drought is the longest active streak in the NBA. That's all about to change though.

Right now, despite being only a 3-7 team, Minnesota appears to be inching closer to the lottery again instead of the postseason, but once they put together a winning streak, and they will, that will all change.

The Western Conference is very tough, but the Wolves sit only two games out of the No. 8 seed. That No. 8 seed can be had.

It will be tough, but why not Minnesota?

Comparing their talent to the other teams that will be chasing that final playoff spot, you can make a case that Minnesota is the better team.

They have a dynamic one-two punch in Rubio and Love. They rebound well as a team and are a decent defensive club.

They could be a better shooting team overall, but make up for that with their other strengths.

With Rubio closer to moving into the starting lineup, it makes Minnesota better.

Once they learn how to win the close ones, the Timberwolves could finally get the chance to call themselves a playoff team once again.

It will be well worth the wait.