Back-to-back losses to the Cavaliers and Warriors weren’t enough to convince NBA analysts that the Timberwolves should fall in week two power rankings. Sure, wins over Dallas and the Lakers didn’t hurt, either.
Sports Illustrated: No. 4 — Kevin Martin is off a terrific start with his new team. A reunion with coach Rick Adelman seems to have reinvigorated the sharpshooter (or maybe it’s just playing with Ricky Rubio), who is averaging 23.9 points and hitting 57.1 percent from three-point range (20-of-35).
ProBasketballTalk: No. 4 — Yes, Kevin Love is putting up historic numbers and the offense is clicking, but the Timberwolves are winning because they have a top-10 NBA defense so far this season (sixth in points allowed per possession). It’s early, but if they maintain that they become a much more dangerous team.
CBS Sports: No. 3 — The win over Dallas showed me a lot, and I love how Kevin Love is stepping up and leading this team. The bench needs an upgrade, though.
Yahoo! Sports: No. 4 — After beating the Lakers, the T’wolves will stay in L.A. for a showdown against the Clippers on Monday. The matchup between Kevin Love and Blake Griffin is usually entertaining.
ESPN: No. 3 — Who else reading along wishes they were cursed with Kevin Love’s “limited natural ability” as GMs call it? And who else has noticed how well Kevin Martin and Corey Brewer click next to Love? He’s finally got targets for those long-awaited Love outlet passes that must have the Vikings drooling.
