When you thought that was over, You could feel it all around,
When everybody's out to get you, Don't you let it drag you down.
Cause if you ever feel neglected, If you think that all is lost,
I'll be counting up my demons, Hoping everything's not lost.
- Coldplay
I didn't care what anybody thought. I didn't care what anybody said. I was not about to quit on the Timberwolves. No matter how much they got dragged through the mud by the media, no matter how many of my fellow fans turned their back, no matter how high the deck may have been stacked against the Wolves this season - no matter what - I had to at least give them a chance.
I don't think there's ever been a Timberwolves season that has begun with so many question marks. Other years we basically knew what we were getting, whether it be another season in the cellar, another first round exit, or an unforgettable playoff run. This year, I don't think anybody really knew what to expect. Would KG be healthy? Did the trades we made help? How's our new coach going to be? Will McCants be able to step up? Would our team have the right chemistry? And in the midst of all the uncertainty, people clung to the one truth that's held fast throughout this franchise's sixteen year history: Nothing ever ends well for the Timberwolves.
It's hard to stay positive after sixteen years of utter frustration. It's even harder to stay positive after sixteen years, when there's no guarantee the seventeenth will be any better. And so I can't say that I blame anybody who was less than ecstatic about our prospects heading into this season. But I just couldn't bring myself to give up before we even started. Not when we had a roster full of players who would give the effort this team lacked last year. Not when Kevin Garnett was on our team.
I made a promise to myself that no matter what, I was sticking with this team. No matter how painful it got, I was going to make it across the finish line with my guys. And if in the end, I was the lone voice crying out in the midst of a vanished crowd, then at least the Wolves would have one person cheering them on.
I can tell you this - that crowd isn't vanishing any time soon.
It hasn't been smooth sailing for the Timberwolves during these first twenty games. There's been more than one occasion where a missed free throw, unnecessary technical, or lucky shot turned the tide in a nail-biting game. The team's been 0-3 in overtime thus far, and they've squandered a fair share of big leads. But at 12-8, a record that could easily be 17-3 if not for the aforementioned mishaps, one thing is clear. This is a Timberwolves team that will reach it's full potential.
All those off-season question marks are starting to be answered with a resounding "Yes." Kevin Garnett, the ultimate team player, is thriving in Dwayne Casey's "team" centered approach. Rashad McCants has shown flashes of brilliance. Trenton Hassell's defense is back to back to form. Eddie Griffin has become one of the league premiere shot blockers. Marko Jaric has stayed healthy thus far, and is the "pass first" point guard this team so desperately needed. Michael Olowokandi has, at times, looked like a number one draft pick. Troy Hudson's heroic play has been reminiscent of his 2003 playoff series against the Lakers. And above all, Wally Szczerbiak has made an amazing return to All-Star status.
With only one-quarter of the season past, many of the early wrinkles have been ironed out. So there's no reason to believe that the Timberwolves' Northwest Division leading .600 winning percentage won't be improved in the coming months. Already, the media and other doubters have begun to notice that this team has played far better than expected. They are finally beginning to realized what I saw in this team all along. When you have a group of players who are willing to give all they have, work towards a common goal, do all the glamourless little things it takes to get there, you're going to have success. And when you equip that group with a fearless leader, second to none in his work-ethic and desire, and the best player on the planet, well, then you're going to have incredible success.
Maybe this team isn't on a crash course to the NBA Finals. Maybe this season is going to add another eighth first-round exit to our resume. But no matter what the outcome, I can guarantee you that this team will accomplish one thing: Break the age old truth that nothing ever ends well for this franchise. Because when you have a team comprised of players with the character and heart of the Minnesota Timberwolves, you can be assured that "Everything's Not Lost".
Predictions:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division:
1. Philadephia
2. Boston
3. New Jersey
4. New York
5. Toronto
Central Division:
1. Detroit
2. Indiana
3. Cleveland
4. Milwaukee
5. Chicago
Souteast Division
1. Miami
2. Washington
3. Orlando
4. Charlotte
5. Atlanta
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Division
1. Minnesota
2. Denver
3. Seattle
4. Utah
5. Portland
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. Phoenix
3. Golden State
4. Sacramento
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Southwest Division
1. San Antonio
2. Dallas
3. Memphis
4. Houston
5. New Orleans
PLAYOFFS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Detroit
2. Miami
3. Philadelphia
4. Indiana
5. Cleveland
6. Washington
7. Milwaukee
8. Chicago
First Round:
Detroit ove Chicago
Miami over Milwaukee
Washington over Philadelphia
Indiana over Cleveland
Conference Semifinals:
Detroit over Indiana
Miami over Washington
Conference Finals:
Detroit over Miami
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. San Antonio
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Minnesota
4. Dallas
5. Phoenix
6. Memphis
7. Denver
8. Golden State
First Round:
San Antonio over Golden State
Los Angeles Clippers over Denver
Minnesota over Memphis
Dallas over Phoenix
Conference Semifinals:
San Antonio over Dallas
Minnesota over Los Angeles Clippers
Conference Finals:
San Antonio over Minnesota
NBA FINALS:
Detroit over San Antonio
