Owing to a variety of factors, we have not paid much attention at all to the preseason for your Timberwolves.

But the regular-season tip-off is in a few hours at Target Center. Our butt will be in a seat, and our predictions -- and your smoke alarm test -- can start in earnest.

For now, this is the one thing we feel comfortable saying: the Wolves will be a playoff team this season.

They are fortunate to have a relatively soft early schedule, which will enable them to stay afloat while the new guys learn to play together and the two young cornerstones -- Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio -- heal from their injuries.

If we had to guess, their win total at the end of the season will be somewhere around 45. And that should be good enough for something like a No. 6 or No. 7 seed.

A playoff spot is a tangible goal, and it absolutely should be the expectation.

We'll formulate more outlandish opinions as we get more acquainted with this squad.

Older Post

Kobe Bryant urges patience, sells Lakers fans some revisionist history

Newer Post

Weekend Links with Jon Marthaler: Will the Twins regret not being able to hire Mike Redmond?