A challenge to the Timberwolves players as the playoffs draw near.
NBA Quarterly Report
This is it. This is what it’s all come down to. It’s the final stretch – one final shot to prove that this team has what it takes, one chance to prove that this team stands for something other than disappointment. Over this final quarter of the season, the Timberwolves will have the opportunity to rise to the occasion or seal their fate. If past history is any indicator, it may just be the latter. After contract complaints, playing time issues, a fired coach, and about twice as many losses as there should have been, these Minnesota Timberwolves have hardly given people any reason to believe that this season will turn around. Over the past sixty-games or so this team has tinkered with every possible combination trying to find success, all to no avail. The problem is that the clock has struck midnight for this franchise, and unless success if found immediately, it will be too late.
Nobody believes in this team right now. But what else is new? Nobody’s ever believed in this team. Not when they spent seven years bottom-feeding, not when they experienced seven straight first-round exits, and certainly not last year when they shocked the world by coming up one healthy point guard short of the title. So it shouldn’t matter if not a soul in the world outside of a loyal few believes that this team can get it done. What does matter, however, is whether or not the men who put on the uniforms believe in themselves. What matters is whether or not they have an iron-clad determination to not let this team fail. When things get rough, are they going to dig down and fight through it? Are they going to tear each other apart, or band together and become a team? Will they be content to prove everyone right, or will they finally show the world that this is a team with the heart of a champion?
It’s all up to them how those questions are answered. Nobody’s going to force them to do it. No one is there to help them out. Believe me, I wish there was something I could do to fix this, because I’d do it. But there’s nothing more anyone can do. It’s all on them. That’s why I make one last request in a season where I’ve gotten on my knees and begged this team in more ways than I know how to start playing the right way. And that final plea is this: “Save Yourselves.”
Sam Cassell, I know you’re hurting, but fight through it. We need you. Nobody that’s ever played the game knows how to come up big in the final moments like you do. Come up big for us in these final moments. Save yourself.
Troy Hudson, play the game. When you’re on fire, you may just be the most unstoppable player in the league. But remember when you’re not, and be the best point guard you can be. Save yourself.
Anthony Carter, I love watching you play. You make things happen, and it’s exciting. Keep making them happen. Save yourself.
Latrell Sprewell, get that fire burning inside you. You’re the one that everybody watches. Lead by example, play with passion, and everyone else will do the same. Save yourself.
Trenton Hassell, you’re the anchor. Keep playing lockdown defense. And even though most people don’t see it, I know you’ve got game on both ends of the floor. Stay aggressive. Save yourself.
Wally Szczerbiak, you’re one of the main reasons this team still has a chance. Your unselfishness hasn’t gone unnoticed. Neither has your uncanny ability to score. Keep running the floor and attacking the basket. Save yourself.
Fred Hoiberg, you may be known for your incredible three-point percentage, but everyone on this team knows that you’re the best at doing the little things that go unnoticed. Playing good defense, not turning the ball over, making the extra pass, putting up good shots, being where you’re supposed to be. Keep it up. Save yourself.
Ervin Johnson, the days of logging heavy minutes may be past, but you’ll always be a positive influence and a leader. Make the most of the time you have. Save yourself.
John Thomas, keep hustling. Prove to the world why you deserve to be in this league. Keep working on the small things, because they add up to big results. Save yourself.
Mark Madsen, you’re the consummate teammate. Your energy is infectious. Your willingness to do the dirty work is a big reason why this team is still alive. Keep scrapping away. Save yourself.
Eddie Griffin, you’ve risen above your checkered past and proved that you have what it takes to make it in this league. Keep grabbing the boards. Keep making the big blocks. Save yourself.
Michael Olowokandi, nobody’s ever been willing to give you a real shot. All they want to do is talk about the past. Well here’s your shot. Play with passion and heart, play your game, and they’ll all be talking about how you stepped up and helped turn this team around. Save yourself.
And last, and certainly not least… Kevin Garnett, where do I begin? How can I ask you to do any more than you’ve already done? Kevin, you know they’re never going to give you your dues. They’ll always be hyping Kobe, Shaq, and LeBron. Tim Duncan is always going to have those rings. All the MVP awards, all the stuffed box scores, all the courage and passion don’t mean a thing. All that they can think of is a list of seven first round exits. Don’t let them add a wasted season and missing the playoffs to that list. It’s not fair. It never has been for you, hast it? I don’t know how you can possibly do more. I don’t know how you can turn it up a notch. I don’t know how you can do it. I just know you have to do it . This was supposed to be your team. This was supposed to be your time. If you fail now, they’ll never let you live it down. Don’t give them what they want to see. Don’t satisfy them. Don’t fail. Save yourself…
Predictions:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division:
1. Boston
2. Philadelphia
3. New Jersey
4. Toronto
5. New York
Central Division:
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Indiana
4. Chicago
5. Milwaukee
Southeast Division
1. Miami
2. Washington
3. Orlando
4. Charlotte
5. Atlanta
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Division
1. Seattle
2. Minnesota
3. Denver
4. Portland
5. Utah
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. Washington
6. Indiana
7. Orlando
8. Chicago
First Round:
Miami over Chicago
Detroit over Orlando
Indiana over Boston
Cleveland over Washington
Conference Semifinals:
Miami over Cleveland
Detroit over Indiana
Conference Finals:
Miami over Detroit
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. San Antonio
2. Phoenix
3. Seattle
4. Dallas
5. Houston
6. Sacramento
7. Memphis
8. Minnesota
First Round:
Minnesota over San Antonio
Phoenix over Memphis
Seattle over Sacramento
Houston over Dallas
Conference Semifinals:
Minnesota over Houston
Phoenix over Seattle
Conference Finals:
Minnesota over Phoenix
NBA FINALS:
Minnesota over Miami
