Timberwolves: New Seasons and Old Opinions
By Stephen Litel
October 23rd, 2008
1 Comment
After some time off following the conclusion of the Minnesota Lynx season, I’m back in action as the Timberwolves conclude their preseason. Attending both Wednesday’s contest against the Bulls and Thursday’s game with the Bucks, I’m honestly coming into the season a clean slate.
Although I was at the Target Center with many other media members for the NBA Draft, I did not watch any Summer League games, I wasn’t able to attend the team’s media day and only met the new faces prior to tipoff on Wednesday. Nice enough guys, but as a basketball team, I have no idea.
You know what? I like it like that at this point.
As familiar media faces trickled into the media room Wednesday, I engaged in many conversations on how we all believe the 2008-09 season will play out for the Timberwolves. Opinions varied and many of the so-called experts--myself included--were hesitant to go out on a limb with an official prediction on the number of wins the team will achieve. Certainly, they will be better than last year’s total, won’t they?
Most believe they will, as those brave enough to make a prediction voiced their opinions varying anywhere from 28-45 wins for the team. Progress certainly, but a team full of excitement and hope? Again, nobody really knows.
Well, one person knows. Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune. His bellowing voice was heard throughout the media room, courtside and during Coach Wittman’s press conference postgame Wednesday, as Reusse dominated the questioning of the head man. The Star Tribune’s man clearly predicts more doom and gloom for the Timberwolves this season and beyond, as shown by his column Thursday.
Trust me, I completely understand my voice doesn’t resound with the public as loudly as Patrick Reusse, both professionally and in person. I will never compare resumes with the man because he would mop the floor with my measly existence, but I sometimes wonder where the joy has gone for some media members. There is always talk of remaining impartial and judging the product fairly, yet I see many who have their opinions set in stone prior to the season’s actual tip or, even worse, before arriving inside the building for the first preseason home game.
It’s unfortunate how one of the loudest media voices in town can’t see a small glimmer of hope when one is present. Will the 2008-09 season result in a playoff berth for the Timberwolves? Easy money is on no, but stranger things have occurred. Yet, the true silver lining is for the first time in years there is hope for the future of the franchise. The team continues to dig itself out of the hole they dug for themselves with bad draft picks, bad trades, bad contracts, bad play and a little bit of bad luck. Yes, a majority of the situation was self-imposed. It’s simply impossible to argue otherwise, but how about acknowledging the first step?
I’m not going to rip a team for an uninspiring performance during the preseason, especially when the coach continues to tinker with lineups while getting a look at the players who won’t see much action during the regular season. Maybe that is a bit naïve, but I believe that is the only way to be fair to the 2008-09 incarnation of the Minnesota Timberwolves. More importantly, I only think it’s fair to the team’s prized rookie, Kevin Love, to give him some time to get his wits about him as his professional career begins.
After all, Mr. Reusse, the regular season hasn’t even begun. Informed opinion begins next week.
