Take heart, Wolves fans. It gets better.

It's a new world order in the NBA. The Spurs, Lakers and possibly even the Celtics -- teams that combined to win 10 of the past 12 championships, including at least one each in the past four seasons -- are coming down the other side of the mountain.

In their place is a group of teams that occupied the bottom of the NBA standings not that long ago but is now poised to contend -- or dominate in some cases -- in the league for many years to come. We'll look specifically at four teams, all of which are still alive in this year's playoffs. Remember, Timberwolves fans: Not too long ago, these teams were a lot like Minnesota:

Rock Bottom: In the six seasons after Michael Jordan retired following the 1998 championship, the Bulls never won more than 30 games and had victory totals in the teens three times.

Key acquisitions: Great fortune has been the key here. After three trips to the playoffs, the Bulls slipped into the lottery following a 33-49 record in 2007-08. They overcame huge odds to land the No. 1 pick. At the time, there was a sizable debate: take Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, pictured. Chicago took Rose, and now he's the league MVP for a team with the NBA's best regular-season record.

Overall outlook: With Rose and the team's defensive toughness, multiple championships are not out of the question.

Rock Bottom: Franchise won just 43 combined games in during the seasons ending in 2008 and 2009, enduring a relocation from Seattle to Oklahoma City between those seasons.

Key acquisitions: This team is built on great draft picks. Kevin Durant, pictured, (No. 2 in 2007, after Greg Oden went No. 1), Russell Westbrook (No. 4 in 2008), Serge Ibaka (No. 24 in 2008) and James Harden (No. 3 in 2009)

Rock Bottom: Went 13-69 in 2004-05, part of a three-year run in which the Hawks won just 67 games.

Key acquisitions: It's been a steady build for the Hawks. Josh Smith was the No. 17 pick in the 2004 draft; Al Horford was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft; Joe Johnson, pictured, was acquired in a 2005 trade with Phoenix, and while Atlanta probably had to overpay to keep him, he has been vital; Jamal Crawford came in a 2009 trade with Golden State.

Overall outlook: This year marks the Hawks' third consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals. While they might never emerge as one of the truly elite teams in the East, it is a pretty nice run.

Rock Bottom: Hadn't made the playoffs for four consecutive years before this season, including a stretch of three seasons with just 68 combined victories from 2007-09.

Key acquisitions: Stole Zach Randolph, pictured, from the Clippers in a 2009 trade for Quentin Richardson; solid contributions from Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo, players drafted or acquired shortly after being drafted; veteran toughness and leadership from offseason free agent Tony Allen.