Minnesota Timberwolves: 10 Bold Predictions for the Team in 2011-12

If there is a NBA season in 2011-12, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot to work on before then, including the face of the franchise, Kevin Love.

The team is filled with young talent looking to take the next step.

Wes Johnson and the three rookies will look to make a big impact this season.

Michael Beasley and Love may slow down a bit after unimpressive offseasons.

Let's take a look at 10 bold predictions for 2011-12. 

10. Anthony Randolph Will Turn into the Poor Man's Lamar Odom

Anthony Randolph has turned out to be a bust for a couple of teams in the NBA, but the Minnesota Timberwolves will give him the opportunity to flourish.

Barring the hiring of Don Nelson, Randolph should see plenty of time as the first big man off the bench.

If Darko Milicic does not improve this year, look for the young German-born talent to emerge as a potential starting frontcourt mate alongside Kevin Love.

Randolph has similar size and physical tools to Lamar Odom, and may even be a bit more athletic.

If he can channel just a portion of Odom's ball skills, basketball IQ, and shooting ability this season, his physical assets will push him to the best year of his career.

9. Ricky Rubio Will Be a Better Scorer Than Most Think

Ricky Rubio has been under heavy criticism for his inability to score in Europe, but he will do better as a part of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The young Spaniard will thrive in an open, fast-paced offense.

It will provide him opportunities for easy lay-ins and a clear shot to work on: the transition pull-up jump shot.

Luke Ridnour, Rubio's soon-to-be backup, is actually pretty good at this shot and can help the rookie with his jump shot in general.

Most people believe Rubio will be near the bottom of the league's starting point guards when it comes to scoring.

I disagree.

He will surprise some people and average a modest seven or eight points per game in 2011-12.

8. Derrick Williams Will Almost Unanimously Win Rookie of the Year

Derrick Williams came out of Arizona as one of the most prized prospects in the NBA Draft, but the only thing that may hold him back next season is playing time.

For some reason, general manager David Kahn still believes in the potential of fan-musher Michael Beasley.

So, Beasley will likely be the starting small forward when the season rolls around.

Williams will have to work his way into the lineup through unique matchup sets and outplaying Beasley.

As you will soon learn, I feel that Beasley will struggle in 2011-12, opening the door for Williams.

Then, his true talent will be able to shine for about 30 minutes a game, allowing him to breeze to a Rookie of the Year Award as one of the most talented overall players on a young, upstart team.

7. Wesley Johnson Will Shoot 40% from 3 Point Range

Minnesota Timberwolves' fans should not give up on Wesley Johnson just yet.

Johnson did struggle in 2010, but it seemed as if fans expected him to play like a wily veteran.

Whether it was his older-than-average age or the lack of a true outside option, the Timberwolves community was very tough on the rookie.

Still, he had some bright spots that let fans keep hope, including his explosive performance in the Rookie-Sophomore game during All-Star Weekend.

This year, Johnson will look to make improvements in his game, and his shooting percentages should be an area of focus.

Danny Granger, a player of similar stature, improved his three-point percentage by 5.9 percent in his sophomore campaign.

Johnson will do the same, rising from 35.6 percent to about 40 percent in his second year. 

6. Darko Milicic Will Become a Top 6 Center in the West

Darko Milicic showed flashes of dominance last season as part of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Let me repeat that for those that just wiped their eyes for 20 seconds.

Darko Milicic showed flashes of dominance last season as part of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There is no denying it; Milicic had a number of games and small portions of games in which he proved he had the skills to dominate elite big men in the NBA.

One of the best examples was his man-handling of Pau Gasol in November en route to 23 points and 16 rebounds.

The problem was that he could not string together great stretches of games.

This year, as Milicic continues to mature, he will turn into a top 6 center in the West as he improves his consistency.

5. Malcolm Lee Will Find a Role as a Defensive Stopper

Many times, second round draft picks struggle to make the team in the NBA, but in the case of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Malcolm Lee will not only make the team, but he will find a role.

Lee may be the only true shooting guard on the team aside from Wayne Ellington.

That will give him an abundance of opportunities to find playing time from deep off the bench.

Defense appears to be a one of general manager David Kahn's concerns, at least considering his comments to the media.

This may be why the team selected Lee in the second round rather than a European project to stash overseas for a few years.

Lee is a true defensive presence that could find himself guarding the other team's best scorer on most nights.

4. David Kahn Will Be Fired by Season's End

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has given general manager David Kahn every chance in the world to succeed, but when a new coach struggles as horribly as Kurt Rambis did, Kahn's cluelessness will be revealed.

A general manager can only hold a job so long by winning less than twenty games in consecutive years.

This year, the team will be a little better, but it won't take the strides that Kahn will need to keep his job.

Quite simply, this team lacks the experience, chemistry, discipline, talent and trusted leadership to compete on a nightly basis.

They will likely win somewhere between 20 and 25 games (assuming there is a full season), which will turn out to be the demise of Kahn.

3. Michael Beasley Will Fall out of Favor

I am predicting a free-fall for Michael Beasley in Minnesota this season.

Yes, general manager David Kahn thinks he can play alongside Derrick Williams.

Yes, Kahn thinks Beasley can be an elite scorer and go-to option in this league.

Yes, I also said I believe Kahn will be fired by season's end.

Some seem to believe Beasley is still blossoming into the next Carmelo Anthony.

This will never happen.

Despite Anthony's thuggish outer appearance, he is a true competitor with high basketball IQ. 

Beasley's game is well-represented by his attitude on the court. He is lazy at times, he can disappear (daydreaming?), yet shows quick flashes of greatness that seem to come and go faster than your average lightning bolt.

He does not have the tenacity of an NBA superstar and probably never will.

This year, when faced with the adversity of competing with a rookie for his starting spot, he will falter tremendously.

2. Ricky Rubio Will Be Top 10 in the NBA in Assists

The Minnesota Timberwolves were beyond excited to get Ricky Rubio signed, and since then, there have been two schools of thought on the young Spaniard emerging.

Some believe he will struggle mightily in his first season adapting to the new style of the NBA.

Others feel he will turn into an instant sensation playing in the wide-open Timberwolves' system.

I prefer the latter.

Rubio has shown transcendent passing ability in his extended amount of time playing in Europe.

This ability is becoming more rare in the NBA, making true passers the clear-cut leaders in assists each year.

Next season, Rubio will join that class and crack the top 10 in assists per game in the NBA.

1. Kevin Love Will Take a Huge Step Back

Kevin Love is the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise, but the abundance of public appearances that aren't coming on the basketball court is getting scary.

No one can blame him for wanting a little more press. He did play for a big-time college program on the west coast, and has adjusted quite well to playing in the midwest.

Now, however, his actions are beginning to send the message that his dedication level is not all that high.

Love said yes to seemingly every interview during the basketball season. This offseason, he has emerged on TV screens for non-basketball reasons.

It makes those on the outside question his commitment to the team and the game.

Should he really be playing beach volleyball during the lockout when players are doing everything from working out on their own to gaining experience at Rucker Park like his teammate Michael Beasley?

Probably not.

We do not know what he does behind the scenes. Still, his pattern of actions lead me to think he will not be improving as much as the rest of the league next year.

Plus, on a team with a new potential go-to threat in Derrick Williams, Love will have to be even more efficient in getting his points.

So, from a statistical standpoint and team impact standpoints, look for Love to decline, or at least fail to improve, next year.