This time, the mission doesn't feel hopeless.
Unlike recent seasons, when the Timberwolves gave us little reason to express confidence in the postseason, these players maturing before our eyes and uniting together must be taken seriously.
This growth alone won't be enough to topple the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals that begin Saturday, but it's a starting point.
This is too: The Wolves won't be overmatched in talent. Their ceiling is high enough that their playoff run could extend into June. The question is whether the Wolves can consistently play at their peak, or close to it, throughout this series.