Here’s a simple graph that plots our hot start this season against a few notable Timberwolves seasons from the past:
* **1999–00**: Following the midseason Marbury trade a year previous, the Timberwolves posted their first 50-win season. 23-year-old Kevin Garnett finished second in the MVP race, to Shaq.
* **2001–02**: The Wolves got off to what remains the hottest start in franchise history, 28-9, but Terrell Brandon suffered a career-ending injury a few weeks later and the team failed to keep pace.
* **2002–03**: Despite the loss of Brandon, Minnesota posts its third 50-win season.
* **2003–04**: Kevin Garnett’s MVP campaign saw the Wolves take the Western Conference’s top seed thanks to a nine-game win streak to close the season. 58 wins remains a franchise best, and we would go on to lose the WCF to the Lakers in six games.
* **2014–15**: When it comes to abysmal Timberwolves seasons, there are plenty to choose from, but I picked this one due to its relative recency.
* The best first half in franchise history is the 30-11 start posted in the 2001–02 season. Assuming we take care of business against Detroit and Memphis, a tough win against the Thunder on Saturday would match that mark.
* Your 2023-24 Timberwolves are currently on pace for 59 wins, which would be a franchise best. With a much easier slate in store for the second half, can they keep pace?
I’ll likely post updates to this graph in our Daily Discussion threads as the season proceeds. I hope the historical context is appreciated!
Pole2019
Big ball danced a little too close to the sun
nbd789
placated
This is amazing. Thanks for putting it together.
Calinks
Damn that 01 team was BALLIN and they just disaster
yourloudneighbor
Crazy how many times we were the 7 or 8 seed up against Dallas , LA, SA etc and having 50 wins
7 Comments
Here’s a simple graph that plots our hot start this season against a few notable Timberwolves seasons from the past:
* **1999–00**: Following the midseason Marbury trade a year previous, the Timberwolves posted their first 50-win season. 23-year-old Kevin Garnett finished second in the MVP race, to Shaq.
* **2001–02**: The Wolves got off to what remains the hottest start in franchise history, 28-9, but Terrell Brandon suffered a career-ending injury a few weeks later and the team failed to keep pace.
* **2002–03**: Despite the loss of Brandon, Minnesota posts its third 50-win season.
* **2003–04**: Kevin Garnett’s MVP campaign saw the Wolves take the Western Conference’s top seed thanks to a nine-game win streak to close the season. 58 wins remains a franchise best, and we would go on to lose the WCF to the Lakers in six games.
* **2014–15**: When it comes to abysmal Timberwolves seasons, there are plenty to choose from, but I picked this one due to its relative recency.
A few notes for discussion:
* The Timberwolves have held the top seed for nearly two months straight, while all other teams in franchise history combined for [sixteen days total](https://old.reddit.com/r/timberwolves/comments/186i0l9/we_have_now_held_the_1_seed_for_ten_consecutive/). This is despite previous teams having roughly as good a record—but the West was notoriously brutal in the KG era!
* The best first half in franchise history is the 30-11 start posted in the 2001–02 season. Assuming we take care of business against Detroit and Memphis, a tough win against the Thunder on Saturday would match that mark.
* Your 2023-24 Timberwolves are currently on pace for 59 wins, which would be a franchise best. With a much easier slate in store for the second half, can they keep pace?
I’ll likely post updates to this graph in our Daily Discussion threads as the season proceeds. I hope the historical context is appreciated!
Big ball danced a little too close to the sun
This is amazing. Thanks for putting it together.
Damn that 01 team was BALLIN and they just disaster
Crazy how many times we were the 7 or 8 seed up against Dallas , LA, SA etc and having 50 wins
41 games is half the season