***OFFICIAL 2022-23 WINS PREDICTION THREAD***

[Q-is-here]

If you listen closely, you can hear it....sneakers squeaking, whistles blowing, coaches bellowing out instructions, balls bouncing, er, you get my meaning!

Yes, it's that time of the year again, where we each stiffen our spines and look squarely down the barrel of another season and put our reputation - dare I say our family's reputation - at stake in predicting the wins total for our beloved Minnesota Timberwolves.

Some of you may be ready to immediately respond. Some of you may still be consulting with your Dr., lawyer, financial advisor, ex-wife, and astrologer....Whatever your process may be, all are welcome!

What you got?

[Q-is-here]

Here is a list of past winners. Some have moved on to pursue other interests, having reached the pinnacle of Wolves fandom by nailing their prediction. Others are still around, chasing that dopamine rush one feels when they realize they have won. It can be a life-changing experience.....

'21-22 - Lipoli, Crazysauce, ItsJustSoSab
'20-21 - Coolbreeze
'19-20 - COVID SEASON - No winners, boooo!
'18-19 - Logo
'17-18 - Khans2K5
'16-17 - Bleedspeed
'15-16 - Kiwi

These are the champions. Who here wants to join this illustrious group? Do you think you have what it takes?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

For reference, Vegas has the Timberwolves over/under for wins set at 48.5. I'm undoubtedly taking the over. I'm going with 52 wins and a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

I believe that Minnesota was legitimately a good team last year and I'm ignoring chatter that indicates they were simply lucky or fortunate. They finished seventh in offensive rating, 13th in defensive rating, and 10th in net rating en route to a 46-36 record. They then beat the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in game and frankly outplayed Memphis in their six-game series.

Essentially, that same team is returning along with a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-NBA center in Rudy Gobert to anchor the middle and battle-tested veteran Kyle Anderson. We're fair to expect growth from talented young players heading into their third or fourth seasons such as Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaylen Nowell. We should also expect an improved campaign from D'Angelo Russell as his surroundings now better fit his strengths while compensating for his weaknesses. All of these pieces compliment the franchise's best player currently in Karl-Anthony Towns who I expect will make the transition as a stretch-four with relative ease.

Minnesota has the personnel to play a multitude of ways while also establishing a dominant size advantage nightly given their length at every position. I'm expecting this Timberwolves team, if relatively healthy, to firmly rank among the top-10 in offense and defense on their way to a 50-plus win season.

[thedoper]

49 for me

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm torn this year. I'll go with an even 50.

[Monster]

Q I have a couple data points yet to gather and then enter into my projections. The computer program that does the calculations on these things runs on Windows 95 so it usually takes a while for it to spit out the numbers.

[TAFKASP]

I'm torn this year. I'll go with an even 50.

I own 50 and have been wrong ever since .. welcome to the club!

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm torn this year. I'll go with an even 50.

I own 50 and have been wrong ever since .. welcome to the club!

You're going to be right this year

[Q-is-here]

Q I have a couple data points yet to gather and then enter into my projections. The computer program that does the calculations on these things runs on Windows 95 so it usually takes a while for it to spit out the numbers.

I know what you're up to....Like Lip, you like to watch a few pre-season games before making your prediction - or worse - change it after making an initial one! I'll have none of it! Tuesday is the (very) unofficial deadline!

[Monster]

Q I have a couple data points yet to gather and then enter into my projections. The computer program that does the calculations on these things runs on Windows 95 so it usually takes a while for it to spit out the numbers.

I know what you're up to....Like Lip, you like to watch a few pre-season games before making your prediction - or worse - change it after making an initial one! I'll have none of it! Tuesday is the (very) unofficial deadline!

You said we could consult with whatever whomever to help us decide and now you are complaining about my methods? Make up your mind! :)

Also I don't even know when the first preseason game is. It could have even been today and I wouldn't have even known. Lol