Timberwolves and 76ers will compete for years to come
The two teams are similarly constructed overall, and that suggests that as of today, the teams are nearly equivalent. Will the Timberwolves improve with time? The Timberwolves hold five players at or under 23 years of age. By the same token, the 76ers boast eight players at or under 23 years of age.
On one hand, head on competition will not truly tell the tale this year. If either team faces their opponent with a key player out, that will play a huge factor in the outcome of that game. On the other hand, over the course of the season these two teams should remain close through the All-Star break. Both teams are playing at a high level, and both are powered by young stars who are out to prove themselves to the NBA.
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But competition is not the equivalent of rivalry. Minnesota has the talent and age to compete with Philadelphia, but not the ire. The Philadelphia 76ers bad blood will resurface as soon as the Sixers oust the Celtics in post season. With the Celtics accelerating their progress of exchanging young talent in favor of veterans, that day will make the changing of the guard in the NBA East.