(via @ Snapshotkyle )

Looking back at some historically great players and when they achieved their first MVP season here is the list. The median age for a first MVP season was 26. But a majority (~60%) of the players on the list achieved this milestone between 24-28 years old. Obviously there is competition to consider. But in general this provides some insights as to when players might reach their competitive peak. It also must coincide with team success as the MVP is usually given to the top player on one of the top teams.

Anthony Edwards just turned 25 so he has entered the range where his first MVP season would most likely occur. Given the offseason moves the team made this summer, I am more excited than ever for what the next 2-3 years might look like for our team.

Derrick Rose 22

Wes Unseld 22

Wilt 23

Bob Pettit 23

Bill Russell 23

Moses Malone 23

Julius Erving 23

Kareem 23

Bob McAdoo 23

Michael Jordan 24

Lebron James 24

Giannis Antetokounmpo 24

Dave Cowens 24

Oscar Robertson 25

Bill Walton 25

Nikola Jokic 25

Kevin Durant 25

Allen Iverson 25

Tim Duncan 25

SGA 26

Steph Curry 26

Kevin Garnett 27

Shaquille O'Neal 27

Larry Bird 27

Magic Johnson 27

Willis Reed 27

Bob Cousy 28

Joel Embiid 28

James Harden 28

Russell Westbrook 28

Dirk Nowitzki 28

Kobe Bryant 29

David Robinson 29

Charles Barkley 29

Steve Nash 30

Hakeem Olajuwon 31

Karl Malone 33

A few players surprised me. Kobe year 12. Iverson year 5. Magic year 8 after 4 titles.

🏀 MIN 116 - 133 CHI

FINAL

Top performers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Steals (6): J. Clark 3, Z. Pullin 1, D. Timme 1, N. Omier 1
Blocks (2): J. Beringer 1, J. Clark 1
Turnovers (11): Z. Pullin 3, T. Shannon Jr. 2, D. Timme 2, C. Williams 1, N. Omier 1, I. Evans 1, A. Reeves 1
Fouls (22): K. Martin 5, A. Reeves 5, J. Beringer 3, Z. Pullin 2, D. Timme 2, I. Evans 2, C. Williams 1, J. Clark 1, T. Shannon Jr. 1
Plus-minus: T. Shannon Jr. -3, N. Omier -4, J. Beringer -5, J. Clark -5, C. Williams -7, D. Timme -8, Z. Pullin -9, I. Evans -10, A. Reeves -13, K. Martin -21
Did not play: T. Lyles, J. McDaniels, J. Kuminga, E. Freeman, R. Gobert, R. Zikarsky, D. DiVincenzo, A. Dosunmu, L. Ball, B. Hyland, A. Edwards (Coach's decision)

Chicago Bulls

Steals (8): D. Peterson 2, J. Hawkins 2, J. Smith 1, N. Powell 1, P. Williams 1, J. Sellers 1
Blocks (10): C. Wilson 2, L. Miller 2, O. Robinson 2, M. Buzelis 1, J. Giddey 1, J. Hawkins 1, J. Sellers 1
Turnovers (15): O. Robinson 3, M. Buzelis 2, C. Wilson 2, L. Miller 2, J. Smith 1, N. Powell 1, J. Giddey 1, P. Williams 1, N. Essengue 1, D. Swain 1
Fouls (30): N. Essengue 5, M. Buzelis 4, J. Smith 3, D. Peterson 2, L. Miller 2, O. Robinson 2, T. Jones 2, J. Hawkins 2, D. Swain 2, J. Sellers 2, C. Wilson 1, N. Powell 1, J. Giddey 1, P. Williams 1
Plus-minus: M. Buzelis +14, C. Wilson +12, N. Powell +11, J. Sellers +10, O. Robinson +9, J. Smith +8, J. Giddey +8, J. Hawkins +8, P. Williams +6, J. Bridges +2, N. Essengue +2, T. Jones +2, L. Miller 0, D. Peterson -1, D. Swain -2, B. Hield -4
Did not play: Z. Collins, I. Okoro, T. Awaka, N. Claxton, I. Stevens, B. Boston Jr. (Coach's decision)

Team stats

Eastern Conference standings

Seeds 1-6 make the playoffs; 7-10 go to the play-in.

Western Conference standings

Seeds 1-6 make the playoffs; 7-10 go to the play-in.

ESPN Gamecast · Box score · Play-by-play

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Thoughts-

25 minutes and only three fouls for Beringer! Some of the shots didn’t fall but liked the activity offensively. Thought he actually wasn’t super impactful on the defensive end (relatively for him), and he has to do a better job on the glass.

Good Clark game. Liked his confidence in his three point shot. Did the class Clark defensive stuff.

TSJ had some nice drives but didn’t really see anything outside the usual. Looks like some of that slow down change of pace he found in Pacers game might have been a one off. He’s gotta find that in his bag again if he wants to be a consistent positive contributor. Has to contribute to rebounding as well.

Cody was solid, three pointer wasn’t falling but the mechanics looked fine.

Evans had a great start but once Chicago applied pressure on him he struggled. Loose handle and got too trigger happy.

Unfortunately my guy Pullin struggled with main rotation guys physicality from the Bulls. I did like how he was able to scale back his role into a more true PG sense - the offense was better when he was on the court. 10 assists!

Timme was solid and frankly more NBA playable than Rocco. Unfortunate we can’t fit him into a two way slot. I’m assuming Freeman has been hurt.

So excited for season to start and see how we look out the gate. I’m pretty optimistic, worried about front court size especially if Kuminga struggles to find his role offensively. If Gobert misses extended time we’re in trouble. The ceiling is really high, it’s not a hot take to say it’s a very realistic possibility we could be a top 3 offense top 10 defense team. Also want to keep in mind this isn’t an all in year, the team will largely be intact the next three years. I think we go 51-31 and finish in the top cluster of the non-OKC/SA group of four.

Delicious

Am I the only one with this reaction? No doubt, there are reasons this team could underperform. Health, center rotation, etc.

But I just instantly lose respect for anyone that is just baffled by the Wolves' roster changes this season. Stan Van Gundy, Michael Pina, Kirk Goldsberry, etc.

I know, who cares about what some writers/ex-coaches think. I'm just bored and wanted to see if I'm alone in this?

OG #5

Does anyone know if there’s a season opener watch party at target center for season ticket holders next Wednesday?

🏀 Timberwolves Daily Discussion — Friday, October 16

3-3 · 8th in Western Conference · Streak L2

Today: MIN @ CHI

Discussion: Game thread

Matchup

Injuries: MIN: Rocco Zikarsky (Day-To-Day), Trey Lyles (Day-To-Day), Bones Hyland (Day-To-Day), Jonathan Kuminga (Day-To-Day), Jaden McDaniels (Day-To-Day) · CHI: Tobe Awaka (Day-To-Day), Isaac Okoro (Day-To-Day), Zach Collins (Day-To-Day), Nic Claxton (Day-To-Day)

Upcoming

Recent results

Western Conference standings

Seeds 1-6 make the playoffs; 7-10 go to the play-in.

Around the league

Final

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With how thin our PF position is, GG Jackson would be a great addition as a back up 4 who would give us a bit more size. Not sure what it would take, obviously the Wolves locker room vibes are great right now but a dream would be if he got dumped my Memphis. Probably no chance but one can dream!

Will the new look T-Wolves win 50 plus games this year?

Who will win the 2026-27 Kia MVP?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 77%
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 10%
3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 7%

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?

1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 73%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 13%
3. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
4. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 3%

» Last year: Anthony Edwards – 70%

Highest percentage of total votes on position questions

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 16% T-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami – 15% T-2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 15%
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 13%
3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 12%

» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 19%

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?

1. Philadelphia 76ers – 73%
2. Miami Heat – 10%
3. Charlotte Hornets – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors

» Last year: Atlanta Hawks – 53%

What was the most underrated player acquisition?

1. Tobias Harris, San Antonio – 20%
2. Mitchell Robinson, Boston – 17%
3. Naz Reid, Charlotte – 10%

T-4. LaMelo Ball, Minnesota – 7%

T-4. Lu Dort, Atlanta – 7%

T-4. Jonathan Kuminga, Minnesota – 7%

T-4. Peyton Watson, Cleveland – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Isaiah Joe, Detroit; Kawhi Leonard, Toronto; Sandro Mamukelashvili, L.A. Lakers; Kelly Oubre Jr., Indiana; Zaccharie Risacher, Dallas; Anfernee Simons, Philadelphia; Dean Wade, Philadelphia; Aaron Wiggins, Atlanta

» Last year: Desmond Bane – 17%

Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?

1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 30%

T-2. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 17%

T-2. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 17%

1. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta – 10%

T-5. Stephon Castle, San Antonio – 7%

T-5. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta; OG Anunoby, New York; Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City; Derrick White, Boston

» Last year: Dyson Daniels – 31%

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 97%
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 3%

» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 80%

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 43%
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 37%
3. Mike Brown, New York – 10%

» Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Chris Finch, Minnesota; Steve Kerr, Golden State

» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 52%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

1. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 30%
2. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 23%
3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 20%
4. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 10%
5. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Mike Brown, New York; Chris Finch, Minnesota; Nick Nurse, Philadelphia

» Last year: Tyronn Lue – 40%

Which active player will make the best head coach someday?

1. Mike Conley, Boston – 50%
2. T.J. McConnell, Indiana – 13%
3. Jalen Brunson, New York – 10%
4. Draymond Green, Golden State – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Jrue Holiday, Portland; Tyus Jones, Denver; CJ McCollum, Atlanta; Andrew Nembhard, Indiana; Fred VanVleet, Houston; Derrick White, Boston

» Last year: Chris Paul – 27%

Which team is the most fun to watch?

T-1. Minnesota Timberwolves – 30%

T-1. San Antonio Spurs – 30%

T-3. Denver Nuggets – 10%

T-3. Philadelphia 76ers – 10%

» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder

» Last year: Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder – 27%

Which team will have the league’s most efficient offense this season?

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 27%
2. Denver Nuggets – 20%
3. New York Knicks – 17%
4. Boston Celtics – 13%
5. Philadelphia 76ers – 10%
6. Los Angeles Lakers – 7%

» Also receiving votes: Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves

» Last year: Cleveland Cavaliers – 40%

Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?

1. Philadelphia 76ers – 27%
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 17%

T-3. Los Angeles Lakers – 13%

T-3. Utah Jazz – 13%

T-5. Golden State Warriors – 7%

T-5. Indiana Pacers – 7%

T-5. Portland Trail Blazers – 7%

» Also receiving votes: LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors

» Last year: Philadelphia 76ers – 47%

Which player is the most athletic?

1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 63%
2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 20%
3. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 10%

» Also receiving votes: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Dylan Harper, San Antonio

» Last year: Amen Thompson – 58%