Image via WikipediaWhat can we possibly add to the amount of words that have been written or spoken about the Minnesota Timberwolves this season? How about this? At 17-65, they're the worst team in the NBA.The Wolves' season mercifully ended Wednesday with a 121-102 loss to the Houston Rockets, which was played before a museum-quiet Target Center audience (or at least that's how it sounded on TV). That's their fifteenth consecutive loss. But who's counting, right?
Coach Kurt Rambis hasn't been officially fired yet, but it doesn't look good for him after two seasons. He and his boss David Kahn were brought in by owner Glen Taylor to change the culture of losing, which has been the mark of the Wolves since Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics and Kevin McHale left the front office for the TV booth. Well, the culture of losing hasn't changed. It's gotten worse.
Kevin Love, who's had an All-Star caliber season, has been wearing street clothes for the last few games due to an injury. He might need that wardrobe to go on job interviews should he decide to go into free agency.
What's the future for the Timberwolves? Do they have one? Kahn believes he can sign both Love and Ricky Rubio, who has been playing in his native Spain since being drafted two years ago. Other than that, getting any decent player with NBA experience is going to be a challenge, given that LeBron James has become the example for those players who want to ditch the small market teams they play for in favor of the bright lights and warmer weather.
Of course, there's always the NBA draft. But since a labor dispute that develops into a players' lockout could very well happen, most of the college underclassmen who might have declared themselves draft-eligible could instead decide to stay in school. Besides, the Wolves never seem to have much luck in the draft lottery anyway.
There is hope for Minnesota's long-suffering pro basketball fans. Maya Moore is coming to town . . . to play for the WNBA Lynx, another franchise that's had as much success as the Wolves have had.
--------------------
Did you know that the NBA holds playoffs to determine a champion each spring? They usually involve teams ABC puts on display Sunday afternoons, such as the Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Since the Wolves haven't been in the playoffs for a long time, it's understandable that you've probably forgotten.
When the playoffs conclude in June, the final two will be the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs. That is, if you still care.
No comments:
Post a Comment