The New York Knicks may be the reigning NBA champions, but they won’t be the only team drawing people’s attention this upcoming season. In Minnesota, after a run to the Semifinals, the Minnesota Timberwolves made one of their biggest moves to date with the acquisition of LaMelo Ball.
To say the anticipation is building for this team would be an understatement, as even some of the world’s most iconic stars have taken notice. This week, hip-hop legend J. Cole became the latest to give them a mention, praising their new star-studded backcourt at his latest concert in Minnesota.
“Y’all got my favorite n**** Ant-Man in this motherf***er. And to make it even more unfair, y’all got my other favorite n**** LaMelo Ball in this mother… oh my god. Y’all gone be a f***ing problem,” Cole told a crowd of fans in Minnesota.
J. Cole isn’t as prominent in the basketball scene as someone like Drake, but he does have some history. He has played professionally overseas and even tried to make his NBA debut a few years back. He has since given up those pursuits, re-dedicating himself to making music. Clearly, though, he still has some time to catch up on basketball.
It’s hard to say why Cole (a two-time Grammy Award winner) holds the Timberwolves in such high regard, but he’s not wrong about their current place in the NBA hierarchy, and Anthony Edwards himself is a big reason why. The young NBA superstar has become a fan favorite for his dominant skillset and cut-throat nature. With career averages of 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, his ascension has changed everything for Minnesota.
So while the Wolves have been mediocre historically (zero NBA championships), Edwards has set them on a path to glory, and it’s become the pride of Minneapolis. Between Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota has one of the best, well-rounded cores in the NBA that’s capable of competing against any opponent. If they can stay healthy, there’s no reason why they can’t compete with the likes of the Spurs and Thunder in the West.
Of course, the addition of LaMelo only makes them more powerful. After six uneventful years with the Hornets (with averages of 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists per game), he finally has a chance to play meaningful basketball, and he has fully embraced the opportunity. Already, he’s taking the initiative and setting a positive example with early displays of leadership, humility, and hard work. There is still a long way to go to ensure success, but J. Cole believes the best is yet to come.
Ultimately, the Timberwolves’ performance remains to be seen, but it’s clear they have come a long way since their era of mediocrity. No longer are the Timberwolves a laughingstock in the league; they are now a must-watch experience for fans and a more-than-respectable opponent for any team. If they’re able to go all the way this season (or sometime in the near future), you can bet that J. Cole will be the source of some of the loudest cheers.
