Minnesota Timberwolves Mount Rushmore: Rough Past, Bright Future
The Timberwolves have returned to competitiveness in 2022, with a current 42-30 record during the 2021-2022 season. It has been a big struggle since the franchise was first founded back in 1989, with just 8 above-.500 seasons since then. Despite these losing years, the four guys that make up the Timberwolves Mount Rushmore represent the franchise in the very best ways.
Kevin Garnett
Garnett is the Timberwolves’ GOAT, and it’s just not close at all. Any stat you can name, chances are he leads the franchise all-time in it. Points. Rebounds. Assists. Steals. Blocks. Win Shares. I’ll stop there, and as a side note, no other player is particularly close in many of those categories. Garnett at this point is the only superstar to play an extended period of time with the Wolves, before he left to pursue a ring in Boston, which ultimately worked out very well for him. The NBA legend is simultaneously a bright spot for the franchise and, as essentially the only one, a grim reminder of the lack of talent they have had.
Kevin Love
Love is another player who shined very bright during his time in Minnesota, and ultimately left and won a ring with another team. Love became a superstar during his six years with the franchise, and during his final four, he averaged 23.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 1.8 3-pointers made per game. At the time, Love’s shooting was unique for his height and made him one of the most dynamic big men in the NBA. Among Timberwolves all-time ranks, Love places fifth in total points, third in rebounds, and third in win shares. He gave the city his all, but like Garnett, ultimately found his ring in another city.
Ricky Rubio
There were many players who could fill this spot in the Timberwolves Mount Rushmore, but I chose Rubio as I feel he has never got the proper respect and recognition he deserves. During Rubio’s first six years of his career with the Wolves, he averaged 8.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, some of the highest totals amongst the entire NBA. Whether or not his shot is on, his defense and playmaking has always been exceptional. He has a firm grip on the #2 spot for Timberwolves all-time assists and steals, with only Garnett ahead of him in both categories.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Let’s end on a very positive note. In fact, I believe Towns is the most underrated player currently in the NBA. This season, he’s been doing a phenomenal job gaining respect, whether that be through him winning the 2022 3-Point Contest, exploding for a 60-point game, or leading the Timberwolves to a current 42-30 record. Purely looking at scoring and efficiency metrics, Towns doesn’t differ from superstars such as Devin Booker and Zach LaVine, yet people consistently rank him lower. Already 2nd in Wolves points and rebounds all-time, he is the face of the franchise, and can have success with the help of Anthony Edwards in the coming years.
