A bygone season of transformation and evaluation gives way this coming Timberwolves season to greater expectations and a newfound sense of urgency.
Now in their second season without superstar Kevin Garnett, the Wolves have added veteran Mike Miller and lottery-pick rookie Kevin Love and re-signed free agents Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith to a team that last season won five of its first 39 games and 17 of its final 43. This time last year, coach Randy Wittman was committed to a franchise mandate that called for him to play and consider all the young players assembled in Garnett's absence.
This season, third-year guard Randy Foye promises, is the time to prove last season's premature marketing campaign that urged fans to join the organization in a pledge that said, "Let's Build It."
"This year, we really have the players to do something," Foye said.
The Wolves' off-season moves were predicated upon building around young star Al Jefferson, who in his first season with the team averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Miller and Love both were acquired in a midnight draft-day trade with Memphis that sent away O.J. Mayo's rights for a three-point shooter (Miller) who will spread the floor and allow Jefferson more room to work down low and a multi-skilled rookie (Love) whose passing skills and outside game are expected to perfectly complement Jefferson's low-post game.
This season, Wittman says he will play "guys who deserve to play, which is different."
When asked what that meant, Wittman said that -- for example -- Telfair would become his starting point guard if he outplays Foye.
"We're going to play who makes this team the best," Wittman said. "Guys are going to have to prove they deserve their playing time. I don't think we'll have to go through as many growing pains as we did last year. I think I've got a good grasp of who this team is now."
Wolves basketball boss Kevin McHale has suggested his team could make a seismic leap and win as many as 20 games more than last season's 22-60 record. Wittman and Miller aren't making any victory predictions, but Miller did say this:
"I'm telling you this right now: If we keep the core together, the future is really bright for this team."
COACHING STAFF: Head coach -- Randy Wittman, 4th year overall, 2nd with Wolves (22-60). Assistants: Jerry Sichting, Dean Cooper, J.B. Bickerstaff, Ed Pinckney, Brent Haskins.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 22-60 (4th in the Northwest Division).
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 36-46 (4th in the Northwest Division)
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: Randy Foye, an explosive scorer in a point guard's body, begins the season as the team's starter, but Sebastian Telfair's ability to run a team could eventually create a change. Randy Wittman's job security is threatened if the Wolves don't show significant improvement.
