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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 2007-2008 SEASON ANALYSIS
At the start of the season, future Hall of Famer, Kevin Garnett, committed fully to the city of Minneapolis. He swore that, as the T-Wolve’s captain, he would do anything and everything he could to hold the ship steady as they sailed into another season with an embarrassing assembly of players around K.G.. The man meant well, but I would venture to say that deep down he knew that there was no way the Timberwolves could actually win in the harsh Western Conference with the poor teammates G.M. Kevin McHale had provided. Finally McHale yanked Garnett away from the T-Wolves steering wheel and traded him to the Celtics; everyone who knows K.G. was thrilled when he was sent to a veteran Boston team. In return, Minnesota accepted a full dose of youth and potential: Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected), a return of Minnesota's conditional first round draft pick, and cash considerations. By entrusting the Minnesota Timberwolves to such young and inexperienced ballers, McHale, in effect, shot down any opportunity to win in the NBA for the next couple of seasons. MILWAUKEE BUCKS -- TOP 3 PLAYERS1. Al Jefferson — 21 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, .9 spg, 1.5 bpg, 50% (FG%), 35.6 mpg
If Al Jefferson had a dollar for every time he overpowered his defender, he would make Bill Gates look like the orphan Annie. Big Al loves to bang, and he is the proud owner of two of the softest hands in the NBA. This enables him to simultaneously drop a heart-stopping elbow on the opponent using one arm, and flip in a teardrop with the other arm. Although the Wolves have many positions to fill before they become competitive again, the P.F. position is locked up for the next ten years by Big Al.
2. Rashad McCants – 14.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, .9 spg, 40.7% (3p%), 45.3% (FG%)
I would describe Rashad McCants as a presently-developing, spirited, and ruthless scorer. He is similar to Ben Gordon in the sense that he is a streaky yet dazzling outside shooter. The most notable difference between the two players is their shot selection. Gordon generally fires up three-pointers and long twos all night long, whereas McCants prefers to mix up his attack. He brings the defense out on him with his shooting, and then McCants viciously dives to the hoop looking to draw the whistle and finish the play with a score.
3. Randy Foye – 13.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, .9 spg, 41.2% (3p%), 81.5% (FT%), 32.3 mpg
When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Brandon Roy (6th overall) to the Portland Trail Blazers for Randy Foye (the 7th pick), an inescapable link was immediately formed between the two players. In his first two seasons, Foye has struggled with injury and learning the NBA game; Roy, on the other hand, already has garnered national attention as The 2006-07 NBA Rookie of the Year and a 2007-08 NBA All Star guard. Roy has led the revival of the Blazers, but Foye has faltered thus far in guiding his Timberwolves back to winning ball games. In a few years, I see Randy Foye’s size and skill set pushing him into becoming one of the best point guards in the League. As for the Roy-Foye comparison, I can’t imagine Randy Foye ever surpassing B-Roy in either accomplishments or team success.
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