Minnesota Timberwolves 2005 NBA Preview

The one thing that I really think most Timberwolves' 2005-2006 NBA previews have ignored is how much Minnesota will miss guard Freddie "The Mayor" Hoiberg coming off the bench to knock down threes like I knock down shots of whiskey. Losing him to injury makes things all the tougher. It's going to be a hard season for the Wolves (last year's biggest disappointment), but not impossible for a nice run into the playoffs. I see things working out better than most prognosticators. I'll let you in on a little secret that will help. Kevin Garnett hit the weight room this summer. The Big Ticket looking like Karl Malone is a scary thought. He'll need it because he will lead the NBA in minutes played this year if he avoids injury. Look for him to have another MVP type season, and he's going to need one to get back into the postseason.

The change in coach from Flip Saunders to Duane Casey could be problematic early. Saunders' playbook read more like "War and Peace" than a locker room chalk board. Casey wants this team to run the court and keep running even when things get sloppy as long as they play defense. That style will take time to learn and the Wolves don't have a ton of games to experiment. One or two games could easily be the difference between playing deep into May or going on an early golf vacation.

Minnesota rid themselves of veteran crybabies Cassell and Spree. Good move. New point guard, Marko Jaric, likes to play defense and handle the ball efficiently. And he's a speedy 6'7". Thank goodness, because back up point guard, Troy Hudson, doesn't play defense and loves to shoot. Ishy. Off-guard Trenton Hassell has one job only: shut down the opposition's top scorer. He's good at it and relishes it because he knows that, on any other team in the NBA, he's probably fighting for minutes with the second string. Anything he adds offensively is a bonus.

Szczerbiak can score. And that's important because Wally will be the go to guy after Garnett and, many nights, the first option on offense. This is the first year he has that designation unquestioned. He works hard on D, but the 'tweener size and the lack of quickness makes him a liability. If losses start to mount early in 2005, look for the perennial trade talk player to actually be traded.

Rookie Rashad McCants won't have much of a grace period because the Wolves need him now. They need his youth, his athleticism, ability to create shots, and yes, his bitter personality. He caused his share of locker room problems at UNC, but he also was a leader on the National Championship team. If he's smart (which I believe he is), he'll play hard on defense, keep his mouth shut, and stay within the offensive game plan. At this time next year, chances are good he'll be second in line to KG in the pecking order.

I could write a book and the problems Minnesota has at center. I won't waste my time or yours. Olawokandi and Griffin suck. The rest of the roster is okay at best. Madsen works hard every night, Carter has veteran leadership, and Frahm might fill the Hoiberg shooting void.

Worst case scenario: KG gets injured, Szczerbiak wines, McCants doesn't buy into his coach, and Olawokandi walks to the bank everyday with a big smile on his face. No playoffs and Glen Taylor must rebuild his franchise starting with the firing of general manager Kevin McHale.

Best case scenario: KG wins MVP, McCants becomes a legitimate starting small forward, Szczerbiak gets traded for a center in the middle of a contract year, and the Wolves win close to fifty games getting a first round home court advantage in the playoffs. And I am giving Garnett the benefit of the doubt to make that happen.

© Mark Lindquist