As for the 3-2 zone thought.  I say maybe it could work, but I actually believe playing zone defense is harder than man-to-man.  And if you are starting with marginal to weak defenders it makes it even worse.  Guys get lazy in zone and I can see that happening with Jefferson and possibly Love.  I have a personal bias though – I hate zone.  And I especially hate it when teams are not primarily zone teams because they just seem to get lazy when they go to it from playing man-to-man.  Teams like Cuse and the Chaney’s Temple squads were great because that was there primary defense.  I don’t think any NBA team could play zone as their primary defense.

There are mismatches for every team.  I think the advantages they might have won’t be enough to make up for their disadvantage on defense.  I also don’t think you are giving Sammy enough credit in the specific situation you stated.  Sammy against a 6-foot guard is a win for the Sixers a very high % of the time in my eyes.

Also, doesn’t playing two skilled power forwards give you some sort of advantage over a frontcourt like the Sixers’ consisting of a defensive center and a workhorse PF.  For example, given that you have two frontcourt guys who could both score, Minnesota would have an easier time creating frontcourt mismatches than the Sixers because they have 2 options while the Sixers only have one – if you get Sammy on Randy Foye, I don’t think Sammy could do much with that except shoot a jumper over him.

I was referring to Love’s passing ability actually.

He has some good moves down low, but is an EXCELLENT passer, a la Yao Ming. He and Jefferson down low will give Mike Miller a lot of open shots. And since this isn’t the 2004 Olympics, he’ll probably make them.

I find it odd that you say they have “a post player to run their offense through in Kevin Love.”

Kevin Love may be a lot of things, but I highly doubt he will be 1/3 the post scorer of Al jefferson(currently) at age 19? 20?

Having said that, I like Minnesota.  I feel as though you may be underestimating their complete and utter inability to guard anyone over 6-8 though since Love and Jefferson are both likely to be abused on the defensive side of the ball this year.  I would be very surprised if they won say 38 games.  30 games seems more likely to me.  If they didn’t have Mike Miller, I would say 25 would be quite an accomplishment.