The T-Wolves have a big challenge ahead of them at the season’s mid-point.
NBA Mid-Season Report
If the Minnesota Timberwolves have learned one thing over the course of this NBA season it’s that it doesn’t take very long to fall down from the top. What they’re in the process of learning right now, is that it takes much longer to climb back up there. As distant as all those years of heartache seemed the night the Wolves defeated Denver to win their first ever playoff series, the memories of a team that was supposed to make a title run after last season’s trip to the conference finals seem even further away in the midst of the Timberwolves current struggles. Minnesota fans had waited fifteen years to witness the level of excellence displayed by last year’s team. So it’s no surprise that they’re frustrated that things have reverted back to old form so quickly. If asked to describe last season, many would use the words “unforgettable”, “thrilling”, and “the best ever”. Ask those same people to come up with a word to define the current one and you’ll likely get “horrible”, “disappointing” and “I-want-to-beat-my-head-against-the-wall”.
The Wolves have found out the hard way that with great ability comes great expectations. Whether it’s fair or not to force a veteran team that’s a year older and still battling injuries to exceed the greatest performance in franchise history, that was the expectation put on them. With success comes the pressure to continue that success. And the Wolves have found out just how difficult that can be, especially when you have to do it with a bull’s-eye on your back. I’m sure that throughout all the frustrations, criticisms, and doubts that every person in the Wolves locker room has noticed how quickly and how drastically things have changed since June. And I’m sure that as they’ve noticed, they had to look deep down inside themselves and ask “Is it worth it?”.
Was it inspiring enough, watching that final second tick off the clock after seven straight first round exits? Did it feel good enough to leap onto the scorer’s table and cheer with thousands of fans after Chris Webber’s three-pointer rattled out in Game 7? Did it mean enough, that after being down to the Lakers three games to one, this battered team fought back against all odds to give its fans one more win at home? Was it worth it? After all the confetti on the floor has been swept away, the fans have gone home, and the moments have become memories, is it worth it? Especially now, when all the supporters have become critics and the hopes have become letdowns, is it worth it?
I know their answer. For each and every one of them, it’s “Yes.” I know the answer is “yes” because when all is said and done, it’s not about the beginning or the ending. It’s about the journey. All the Larry O’Brien trophies in the world don’t mean a thing, if there was a struggle to win them. The praise and accolades from the fans ring hollow if it didn’t take hard work to earn them. Everyone wants to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but it’s the grueling 82 game marathon preceding it that makes it special.
I don’t have the answers on how to bring this team back to where it was last season. I can’t make a promise that they will ever get there again. I don’t know if this season will end with a trip to the draft lottery, an eighth first round exit, a return to the conference finals, or an NBA title. What I do know is that ultimately, that’s not what’s really important. We spend so much time worrying about what the ending is going to be, that we miss out on the journey. Years from now, the win/loss column won’t mean a thing. What will matter is the experience we had as a couple of coaches, some players, and thousands of fans all striving together towards some end. Each day, we get one step closer to reaching there. Enjoy it, because it’s worth it.
Predictions:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division:
1. Boston
2. New York
3. New Jersey
4. Toronto
5. Philadelphia
Central Division:
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Indiana
4. Chicago
5. Milwaukee
Southeast Division
1. Miami
2. Washington
3. Orlando
4. Atlanta
5. Charlotte
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Division
1. Minnesota
2. Seattle
3. Denver
4. Utah
5. Portland
Pacific Division
1. Phoenix
2. Sacramento
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Golden State
Southwest Division
1. San Antonio
2. Dallas
3. Houston
4. Memphis
5. New Orleans
PLAYOFFS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Miami
2. Detroit
3. Boston
4. Cleveland
5. Indiana
6. Washington
7. Orlando
8. Chicago
First Round:
Miami over Chicago
Detroit over Orlando
Washington over Boston
Indiana over Cleveland
Conference Semifinals:
Miami over Indiana
Detroit over Washington
Conference Finals:
Detroit over Miami
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. San Antonio
2. Phoenix
3. Minnesota
4. Sacramento
5. Seattle
6. Dallas
7. Houston
8. Memphis
First Round:
San Antonio over Memphis
Phoenix over Houston
Minnesota over Dallas
Sacramento over Seattle
Conference Semifinals:
San Antonio over Sacramento
Minnesota over Phoenix
Conference Finals:
Minnesota over San Antonio
NBA FINALS:
Minnesota over Detroit
