Which way will the Timberwolves go?

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 06/28/2006

The NBA Draft is this week, and it’s the first one in years that high school athletes are not eligible for thanks to NBA Commissioner David Stern. The Timberwolves, two years removed from the playoffs, have the number-six pick of the first round.

 

Head Coach Dwane Casey says Kevin Garnett is going nowhere, meaning the organization has determined that he will not be traded this off season.

 

Take it to the bank — with the possibility of a trade here or there, one of the following players will be taken by the dogs with no bite: Shelden Williams, Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani, or Brandon Roy.

 

“We’re trying to find a diamond in the rough,” said Casey. The unknown is an amazing thing in this business, because you don’t want to miss on the next Kobe Bryant, Tracey McGrady, or anybody like that. A lot of times you’ll take a chance on a guy.

 

“The last time we drafted as high as the number-six pick of the first round, the Timberwolves selected Wally Szczerbiak, who had a excellent career here with us before he was traded last year,” Casey said.

 

“So we will get a player who is going to be a part of this franchise for a long period of time. Whether he’s going to be ready to step in and break into our rotation next year…I hope he does, because that means we’re going to be a pretty good team or he’s going to be a pretty good player, because that means he’s going to have to come in and beat out some solid starters. Hopefully he can come in next year and make a big contribution, but with the number-six pick you will get a good player.”

 

 

Dwyane Wade is the real deal

 

While many of the nation’s experts convinced you Miami had no chance of beating heavily favored Dallas in the NBA Finals, I told you they would win and predicted that Wade was on the brink of greatness (see column written June 8-14 previewing the NBA Finals). Wade was the unanimous MVP, averaging 34.7 points a game.

 

Wade gave much credit to Coach Pat Riley: “I’m the type of player who goes through a stage in the game when I mess up,” said Wade. “But every time I look over there at Coach, he’s just as calm as ever. I love Coach Riley for coaching me so much and being a mentor to me, and I’m excited about our future together.

 

“Hard work and dedication and faith and belief that anything can happen — this is a prime example of it. So I’m just living in my moment right now.

 

“Being MVP is great,” said Wade. “I’m the MVP because I put up the points, but Udonis Haslim was our defensive MVP because of what he did on Dirk Nowitzki.” On being compared to Michael Jordan? “There’s only one Jordan, but I’m flattered because I’ve got a long way to go to even get to Jordan’s level. But I like my start right now where I’m at in my young career, being on top.”

 

Oprah Winfrey I am not!

 

However, in my travels I do enjoy reading books. In the last year I’ve read and strongly recommend the following books; let’s call it the Larry Fitzgerald Club of best sports books to read.

 

Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise and Fall & Redemption of the Black Athlete, written by a longtime colleague, William C. Rhoden

 

Wright Up Front is the story of Rayfield Wright, the Hall of Fame offensive tackle of the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Getting Open is the powerful unknown story of Bill Garrett, who broke the color line in major college basketball.

 

Remembering Herbie, celebrating the life and times of hockey legend Herb Brooks, written by Ross Bernstein.

 

Swinging for the Fences — this book is about Black baseball in Minnesota, edited by Steven R. Hoffbeck.

 

75 Memorable Moments in Minnesota Sports by Joel A. Rippel.

 

Sports Immortals: Stories of Inspiration and Achievement, written by Jim Platt and James Buckley Jr.

 

Baseball in Minnesota: The Definitive History written by Steve Thornley

 

This Sporting Life: Poems About Sports and Games edited by Emilie Buchwald and Ruth Roston.

 

 

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio, 89.9 FM, at 8:20 am, and Monday evenings 6-7 pm. He welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzger ald.com.