I hate to say it. But I can't lie to myself. Six games into the season, it's becoming a little too clear to deny it: The Wolves suck. Again.
I, like the few other remaining Timberwolves fans on Earth, thought this year would be different than last year. I thought Randy Foye would prove himself and contend for Most Improved Player, I thought Al Jefferson would make the leap from a good scorer to a great team player, I thought Mike Miller would make it rain, and I thought Kevin Love would surprise everyone as a scrappy, tough hustler who has a deceiving amount of talent for a big, lumbering white guy.
One out of four ain't bad, right?
Aside from Love's rockin' start, the team has been disappointing on almost all counts. Foye has started in a terrible slump, and hasn't put together a stretch yet where he both shot well and ran the offense well. Mike Miller is a better rebounder and passer than I thought, but we wanted him for his shooting. And, aside from the epic double-OT loss to the Spurs, he's been pretty mediocre in that regard. Big Al is putting up stats again this year, with four double-doubles in six outings. If the box scores told the whole story, you'd think that Al is just like KG was in his final Wolves seasons, a star surrounded by garbage. But watching the games shows a different story: Al bulls his way to the basket if he has the ball or has a good chance of getting it, but otherwise he doesn't help the team. Each game, I get a little more worried that Big Al is becoming another Zach Randolph: Stats and talent, but no intangibles or "little things," and alot of losses. I hope I'm wrong. But given the choice between building my team around Al or Kevin Love, I'd take Love and laugh all the way to the bank.
So, yeah. But this is not to say I don't think they can turn it around. We're only six games in. And despite the fact that this season has started disturbingly and depressingly similar to last season, this team is undeniably more talented than last year's. The Wolves have shown some significant fight at times (The whole Spurs game, most of the Blazers game) and have been in position to win five of their opening six games (the 109-121 loss to Sacramento being the exception). Foye could figure things out, someone could light a fire under Big Al, and things could start to click. Change can come to Timberwolves country. Yes, we can!


Damaris Lewis
DeLeah Caro



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MNfan09
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They need to fire McHale and Wittman. Until the talent evaluation and coaching is better they will never know what the players they have are capable of.
packerfaninminnesota
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