The entire world seems to be watching the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture these days. The big name Lakers are flopping around like a wounded fish while other, more deserving, teams are actually trying to play their way in.

Then there’s one young team, in particular, that’s playing a game within a game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves can’t seem to stay healthy this year. Franchise player Kevin Love, currently out with a broken hand, has consistently reminded anyone who’ll listen that he isn’t sold on the team long-term. He quietly regrets signing a four-year extension last year.

Minnesota is currently 17-25 after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers at home last night. They’re slipping of the playoff picture fast. The positive is that they have seven straight more home games (starting Friday vs. the Lakers). They also have their head coach, Rick Adelman, back from his extended absence.

If they’re to be in the discussion come April, the time for a push is now.

Kevin Love is eyeing a mid-March return from injury, just in time for the playoff race. But if Minnesota doesn’t take advantage of this current home stretch, then what would be the point? He may just decide to just sit out the rest of the season.

Love had this to say recently: "I don’t know who labels people stars, but even [T-Wolves owner] Glen Taylor said, ‘I don’t think Kevin Love is a star, because he hasn’t led us to the playoffs,’"

"I mean, it’s not like I had much support out there. That’s a tough pill to swallow."

With the offseason around the corner, Love isn’t a lock to be back next season.

So, if Timberwolves fans want to see Kevin Love put on that jersey again, they better hope this team stays gets back in playoff contention right now.