The Timberwolves are in third place in the Western Conference, and that does not appear to be a fluke. They are winning while getting to know one another, and have won seven of their last nine games.

Their loss at Phoenix was inexcusable, but in their last four victories they haven't just won, they have methodically dismantled their opponent. We haven't seen that since ... well, you know.

They beat the Spurs for the first time in 13 tries and did so with Jimmy Butler shooting poorly and Gorgui Dieng out because of injury. They no longer require their best players to excel to win the average game.

Perhaps the most important development of the early season in terms of an individual player is the emergence of Nemanja Bjelica. He is making 53 percent of his three-pointers. Suddenly the Wolves have a second five — Bjelica, Tyus Jones, Shabazz Muhammad, Dieng and Jamal Crawford — that might be better than some of the franchise's past starting fives.

JIM SOUHAN