Timberwolves need a shakeup!

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 2/1/2005

 

 Last year, the Detroit Pistons won the NBA prize, beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals four games to one. This 2005 NBA season was supposed to be the year that Kevin Garnett, the reigning league MVP and highest-paid player ($28 million annually) finally got what he desires most — an NBA Championship.

After 44 games, it appears the Timberwolves have lost their focus. They are struggling along with a 24-20 record in a dogfight with Houston, Memphis and the Lakers for the eighth playoff spot in the tough Western Conference. They just completed a losing month of January, going 8-9, and had to win five straight to do that.

When this season began, the popular question around NBA circles was if the Lakers would make the playoffs with Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, Gary Payton and Phil Jackson all gone. The new-look Lakers with just Kobe Bryant are 2-0 against the Timberwolves.

Last year, the Timberwolves were number-one in the Western Conference, 58-24, and reached the Western Conference Finals. Guard Troy Hudson even did a CD titled “Let’s do it again.”

“This season started with Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell both demanding new contracts. The Timberwolves offered Sprewell a three-year, $21 million deal, which he took like a slap in the face; he makes about $14 million with his current deal.

Sprewell said, “Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me. I’ve got a lot at risk here. I’ve got my family to feed. Anything can happen; it’s a long season. You never know.” That statement has hurt Sprewell with his teammates and the fans.

Consider this: The Timberwolves have been in the playoffs eight years in a row. Not until Sprewell and Cassell got here did they become an impact franchise, a team that is viewed as a title contender.

I asked Sprewell if there is a misconception about him in the public. Would he like to change it? Sprewell said, “I don’t worry about what people think about me. That’s the least of my concerns. Everybody is going to have their own opinion regardless. It’s not my obligation to go out and try and change what people think. I just do what I do and try not to worry about that stuff.” 

I asked Garnett recently what’s wrong with his team. He replied, “There’s nothing wrong.” He obviously is protecting his teammates, because his contract has become a problem. Remember when Stephon Marbury was here? He could not play with Garnett after Garnett got that record contract.

Last year, Garnett and Cassell were All-Stars. Cassell, coming off season-ending surgery, has not played as well as last year but is still very capable of getting it done.

One of the biggest mistakes Coach Flip Saunders made was starting forward Wally Szczerbiak. Instead of Cassell being the number-two option in the offense to Garnett, it was Szczerbiak, with Cassell becoming number-three. Sprewell, already unhappy about his contract, became number four.

Saunders has been bringing Szczerbiak off the bench last week. The team has not once looked like a title contender. The top teams are San Antonio (36-10), Phoenix (36-10), Seattle (30-13), Sacramento (30-13), Dallas (28-14), and Miami (30-13).

If this team misses the playoffs, Saunders and Kevin McHale should turn in their keys to owner Glen Taylor. This team is underachieving with the talent and experience they have. Last year, they lost 24 games out of 82; this year they have lost 20 of 44.

Something must be done. It’s not about being the league’s MVP, but about winning the championship. Tim Duncan of San Antonio has been MVP twice, and he has also won two NBA titles. O’Neal has three titles. Even Rasheed Wallace has a championship.

Garnett has got to will this team to a title. If he doesn’t, it won’t happen. The talent is here, but this season right now has been a major disappointment.

Super Fitz: Eagles vs. Patriots

I’ll be in Jacksonville, Florida, covering my 27th Super Bowl this week, with live reports daily at 8:20 am and 5:20 pm on KMOJ Radio, 89.9 FM, plus my column here in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com and the National Programming Network.