NBA power rankings 2012: Timberwolves plummet amid losing streak

The Minnesota Timberwolves' five game losing streak and plummet down the Northwest Division standings is now accompanied by a similar drop in power rankings across the Internet.

Their biggest drop comes from John Schuhmann of NBA.com, who has dropped the Wolves eight spots down to No. 22. Despite the return of Kevin Love, Minnesota continues to lose and as Schuhmann points out, he and J.J. Barea have shot a combined 38% in their three games together.

ESPN's Marc Stein also has Minnesota at No. 22, but gives a hat-tip to Love as he is "trying so hard to make [his injury] up to a beat-up squad." Sam Amico of Fox Sports pegs the Wolves at No. 21, but feels good about Minnesota's future now that Love has returned. "Love is too good and the Timberwolves are still plenty dangerous," Amico writes.

The power ranking of SB Nation's Seth Rosenthal is much more positive on Minnesota's season to this point, slotting the Wolves at No. 16 despite the skid. Rosenthal expresses concern, however, over "the lack of production and defensive resistance Minnesota's been getting from a motley platoon of would-be/should-be reserve guards."