As things fall apart in Minnesota, all fans can do is hope.
They say it’s always darkest before the dawn.
I hope they’re right… Because there has never been a darker time in this franchise’s history. And that’s saying something. We went through seven long years in the league’s cellar. We followed that up with seven years of first round futility. And last year an internal cancer killed what was supposed to be our first championship season. But as bad as those times were, I don’t think they’re anywhere near as awful as what I see today.
It’s hard to believe that it’s the case, seeing as this Wolves squad is probably the second-most talented team the Timberwolves have ever put on the court. It’s even harder to fathom when you consider that our players aren’t putting personal agendas above the good of the team. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true.
It’s true because no matter how bad things got in the past, there was one thing that never characterized the T-Wolves nation – apathy. Before, it didn’t matter if we were the eighth seed going into San Antonio and looking down the barrel at a fifth consecutive first round exit. Despite the overwhelming odds, there was always that part inside of us that thought “Just maybe…”
I haven’t seen anyone think “Just maybe…” in quite a long time. That notion has been replaced with “Here we go again…”, “They’re going to screw things up like usual…”, and “We’ll never get anywhere”. And you know, after seventeen years of this, I can’t blame them. But I also refuse to join them.
The one thing that kept us going throughout all those trying years was a hope. It was a hope that no matter how hard our path was, or how large the obstacles were, somehow, someway, there would be better days ahead. Even if it wasn’t today, even if it wasn’t this season, we knew those days would come. And right now, I don’t think anyone can see them in our future.
And so we’re faced with a choice. We can either accept the lot we’ve been given an continue the downward spiral until we’re back to the depths this franchise originated in, or we can do something about it. Instead of wishing that those better days would come, we can make them happen right here, right now.
It all starts with letting go of the past. It all starts with forgiveness. You don’t like Kevin McHale’s moves? Fine. But instead of complaining about them for the next six months, channel that energy into cheering for the players we do have. You don’t like the way a player’s playing? Fine. But instead of blasting him constantly and destroying his confidence, why don’t you just root for him to turn it around? You don’t like the minutes Coach Casey is giving you? Fine. But instead of blaming him, why don’t you just work harder? You feel betrayed by the front office? Fine. But instead of making threats that you’re going to walk out the door, why don’t you reassure your fans that you’re sticking with them for life, no matter how bad it gets, and watch the way they embrace you like never before.
You want things to be better? Then make them better. Forget how good it used to be, or how you thought it was supposed to be. Put your eyes and you heart on how good it can be.
I’m just one voice. And every fan, player, coach, executive, dancer, and pop-corn vendor in this franchise can easily drown my sound out. But I hope they all listen. I hope that this team, through the support of its fans, reaches greater heights than we ever thought possible. I hope that Kevin Garnett always wears the word “Timberwolves” across his chest. I hope that we can all shout with him as he hoists the title.
I hope for better days.
