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| Monday, August 28 Updated: August 29, 4:11 PM ET Wolves fans love the team, Garnett ESPN.com |
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In general, and not surprisingly, fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves are two things: excited about the future of the team and absolutely in love with one Kevin Garnett. Both of these themes are played out in the user comments we received about the team and the Offseason Spotlight on them. Here are some of the better e-mails we found. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
While I do agree with your prognosis for the upcoming season for the Timberwolves, I have one thing to disagree about. You listed Rasho Nesterovic as the biggest disappointment for the Wolves, while I say he performed as expected, if not a little better. Before the season, he was pegged to play 15 minutes a game as a backup to Dean Garrett, while he learned. Instead, he was forced to play more than the T-Wolves wanted, and showed a good deal of promise. Obviously, he is not Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal, but he did turn out to be a significant contributor to a team that won 50 games last year. In fact, during the last few weeks of the season and during the playoffs, he increased his intensity, and showed the potential to be a solid second-tier center. Shane Rose Minnesota
As a long-time season ticket holder I agree with most of your analysis for the Wolves' upcoming season. You however, have done what most other national media members have done -- that is to underrate Flip Saunders. I think what he has done with this team (with virtually no inside game) has been tremendous and I look for an even better season this year, like them becoming Midwest Division Champions!!! Bernie Jordahl Stillwater, Minn.
KG is a great player, but for the Wolves to really succeed he needs to learn to drive to the basket, especially without a big man. KG needs to help put opposing big men on the bench. And so does Joe Smith. That is the only way they will have a chance against teams with premier big men. I think Chauncey Billups will thrive in the Wolves family. All in all a very good prediction for the season, although I think they will be in the mid-to-high 50s for wins. Matt Champlin Minneapolis, Minn.
The way I see it you are on the money with this spotlight, it's just too bad the Wolves didn't see this in July. The situation was pretty good, they have one of the best players in the NBA and a solid couple of players around him (Brandon & Szczerbiak). All they needed to do this offseason was fill the shoes of Sealy and/or get a big man to play center -- and they did neither. Granted there wasn't a lot of options out there to get a big man, but at shooting guard ... How would Eddie Jones and Garnett together, what about Ron "I still might make something of myself yet" Mercer. There was some talent out there at the shooting guard position and they ended up with a backup at best that nobody wants (Billups). That should have been their first clue, but obviously they don't have one. Jon G Seattle, Wash.
I feel that the Timberwolves are exactly where they need to be in terms of building a great franchise. The team respects its coach and they play hard every night. The Timberwolves might not be the most talented team in the league but they have a leader with the heart to carry them a long way. Maybe as soon as this season we will see them emerge as one of the NBA's premier teams led by one of the league's premier players in Kevin Garnett. Lucas Arcement Abbeville, La.
The Wolves are a decent team, but in the West decent lets you slip into the playoffs, not much farther than that. KG is awesome, but more at the three, rather than the four. I think Wally could play well at the two, though his defense needs some work. The lineup should be Brandon, Wally (Peeler off the bench), KG, Smith, then pick up a decent center. Is McHale in shape as a small center? Then you have a decent team. Eric Hansen San Francisco, Calif.
The Wolves have a great chance of taking the Midwest title this year, securing themselves the No. 2 seed in the West. They are capable of beating any team out West, maybe not the Lakers, but with the No. 2 seed they wouldn't have to see them until the Conference finals.
If this team stays together for another few years, they can only get better. Garnett and Joe Smith are only 25, Wally 23, and Rasho and Avery 20. That's a lot of youth. I think a lot of teams in the NBA would like to have this kind of young talent.
I think the Timberwolves can be a top-three team in the West, but can't compete with the Lakers until they get a better than average center. Rasho will improve and could be as good as Sabonis, but needs to work on his strength. They can win 55-65 if they get stronger and beat the easy teams that they normally lose to, including the Clippers and Warriors. I think they will win around 58 games this year and get the third seed in the West. Adam Brooklyn Park, Minn.
The Wolves spotlight article by Eric Karabell was nice. However, I didn't seem to agree with his analysis on Garnett at one point. He said "Garnett is a wonderful talent, capable of carrying the team on his back some nights, but not to the degree that a Karl Malone or Chris Webber can." I'm sorry but that is a load of junk! All KG has done is carry the Wolves night in and night out, especially this past season. So what is Eric Karabell trying to suggest? that KG is inconsistent or something? He's one of the top three players in the league (the others being Shaq and Duncan), so by suggesting whatever it is he was trying to suggest is being ignorant in my opinion. We all know that KG is not the one who is lacking in anything or needs to change, the rest of the team does! Just because he doesn't pour out 40 points a night (which he is very, very capable of doing) doesn't mean he can't carry the Wolves on his back every night. Garnett is one of a kind. As Doc Rivers said himself "he is an energy superstar, he's one of those guys who plays with a role players mentality, but with superstar talent. It's a rare combination." But anyway, the main point I want to get across is that KG carries the Wolves every night just like Chris Webber carries the Kings and Karl Malone the Jazz; name me one person in the NBA who doesn't think so?
By the way, I have the utmost respect for Eric Karabell and I hope my comment doesn't suggest otherwise. I'm just voicing my opinion, OK, Eric?
I think you were correct on most of the details of the T-Wolves upcoming season. It will be difficult to compete with the front-tier teams in the West without a decent center, the loss of Malik was devastating to the team (and the NBA), and also the Wolves need another player to complement Garnett. From what I've heard, both Joe Smith and Rasho Nesterovic have bulked-up for the season, and the addition of Billups will take some of the pressure off both Garnett and Szczerbiak. In general I believe that the Wolves will improve on last season, and have a great year. Hopefully, they will be advancing in the playoffs. Eric Langsev Bricelyn, Minn.
I think the Minnesota T-Wolves are an upcoming franchise. The fact they have one of the top five players in the league definitely helps their cause. However, since the Wolves have entered the league they have lacked one thing, a quality big man. In three years two big men are free agents. Their names are Shaq and Zo. Maybe Minnesota should make an offer to them. In any event the Wolves have a chance in the near future to do something. Winning 50 games last year was no fluke Zachary Auster New York
The Wolves are on the rise. You can't tell me that KG can't carry his team on his back like Malone or Chris Webber. He is the best forward in the league. No matter where you put him. You could put him at the two-guard and he would be the best two-guard in the league. If Smith improves, look for him to play the four and for Garnett to play the three, and Szczerbiak will play the two. That's the lineup they need to win. What team has a 7-1 small forward with skills like KG? None. Exactly! Look for the Wolves to be the No. 4 seed in the West and win their first series. Shaq doesn't have MVP hands down this season. Look out for Da Kid. Malone and Webber are better than KG? You are nuts. HA! Give me a break. Austin Moorefield, Neb.
Kevin Garnett is developing into the best player in the NBA. Repeatedly, when facing the best players in the league at their respective positions he dominates in head-to-head matchups. All one has to examine are the recent playoff contests where he outshined the likes of Duncan and Wallace, among others. In the regular season he outperforms Webber and Malone, too. At the same time he continually guards the opposing team's best player (Kidd, Kobe, et al). Plus he maintains unselfish play, always moving the ball and keeping his teammates involved. He now must take his game, and his team, to the next level. I am excited at the prospects of seeing him do it. The next Michael happens to be 7-1! Matt Dainko Ventura, Calif.
Terrell Brandon seems to take a lot of unfair criticism from sportswriters. Wally Szczerbiak is an exciting player with loads of potential. I like the pickup of Chauncey Billups for extra offensive support from the perimeter, taking pressure off Brandon. I still don't think they have the inside strength to deal with San Antonio and Los Angeles. Prediction 52-30. Kirk Lamb New Baden, Ill.
I would like to see the Wolves get out to a hot start this year. I would love for them to get the fourth seed this year. They could challenge any of the bottom-half Western playoff teams and win a first round. As a Wolves fan, I didn't want to see KG go out in the first round again this year, but I thought they played the Blazers very well. Garnett's only 24, and most of the rest of this team is very young. They have one of the best coaches, a good GM, and a strong fan base. If you get a good center, and KG, Wally and the rest of the team keep improving, then in two or three years, this team will be going for the Western crown. However, they're still a couple years away. Robert Wood Portland, Ore.
The Wolves are a team in limbo. They could really use another big man who could grab 10 boards and block close to two shots a game, but there just aren't that many big men available. Plus they don't have the money. If this team wants to get out of the first round they have to have another star player with Garnett. Brandon is a solid player. The key will be Szczerbiak. Szczerbiak has the greatest upside of the remaining Wolves. At Miami of Ohio Szczerbiak was more than just a great player, he was legendary. If can translate that level of college dominance to the pros the T-Wolves may make it to round two. Logan Chapel Hill, N.C.
Greetings. While I agree with most of your comments, I disagree with a small few. The Wolves need to get better on the inside, true, but if they could get even a mediocre big man that can stay out of foul trouble and just focus on getting them boards at both ends I think they could go at least to the second round. I think on the whole Kevin McHale has done a great job, but I have heard that when Googs left town he passed on a trade that would have had Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell coming here. This trade would have ended their need for a center and a shooting guard. I think the feel for the Wolves around here in Minnesota is we've come a long way but there is an even longer way to go. I would really like to see them advance, but with the talent they currently have I don't see it for a while. Sadly, that has always been the story with them. Aaron Troost St. Paul, Minn.
I think your assessment of the Minnesota Timberwolves was very well done. The T-Wolves do lack a big body below and they also now must wonder about the backup PG position. But I feel with Kevin McHale having Nesterovic for an entire summer up in Minneapolis he will be a much improved player. Will Avery did have some bright spots in his first year and I think by the middle of the season he can give the T-Wolves a reliable backup. Billups can also back up Brandon at PG if Avery struggles. Finally, I look for the T-Wolves to win right around 55 games and finally win in the first round. Brady Moore Lewiston, Maine
I think you kind of understated the importance of the loss of Malik Sealy. Not only was he VERY consistent on both ends last year, he was Garnett's best friend on the team, therefore, crucial to the Wolves' chemistry. I do think this is the perfect team for Billups to be on and he may put up some decent numbers once he settles in. But it will take a while for him or any other newcomers to do the variety of things that Sealy did to help the club. The team needs to see improvement from all the younger guys (Nesterovic, Wally, Avery) and also from Kevin and Joe Smith, who are still just 24 and 25 respectively. Current players performing at a higher level is the only chance the Wolves have of improving because I believe they have taken a step backwards in losing Sealy and Jackson with only Billups to replace them. Eric Hohertz Minneapolis, Minn. |
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