Wolves fans can sense that they’re in for something special.
NBA Quarterly Update
Talk is cheap. It’s easy to run your mouth, but it’s tough to back it up. And for the past seven years, I’ve been doing way too much talking, and absolutely no backing it up. It’s not my fault really. I’m a victim of circumstances. I just happen to be a huge optimist and a huge Minnesota Timberwolves fan. And that, my friends, is a combination destined for heartbreak. For the past seven years I’ve headed into the month of April expecting to see some magic, only to have my dreams shattered time and time again. Each year I would argue to the death that the Wolves had a shot. I would root my heart out during the games. And ultimately, I would end up sitting in front of the TV with knots in my stomach in utter disbelief that we had been eliminated in the first round yet again.
I’ve been a Timberwolves fan for a large majority of my life. I really can’t even remember what it’s like to not be a Timberwolves fan. It’s become part of who I am. And it hasn’t been easy. Steph, Malik… I could rattle off the list again, but you all know it. We’ve heard it all before. It’s been seven years. Seven. I mean really stop and think about that. Seven years. This spring, I’m graduating from college and heading off to medical school. The Timberwolves first made the playoffs when I was in ninth grade. It might not feel like it, but it’s been a long time. Somewhere along the line three in a row turned into four, then five, six, seven. Eighth time’s the charm right?
Hey, no one can question our loyalty. We’ve been right behind the Wolves every time. We wanted it so bad, it hurt. We believed even when everyone else said we were crazy. But after seven years, I’m finished with it. I’m done talking without having anything to back it up. There aren’t going to be any bold predictions, just realism. Because after all this time, I’ve finally learned something. When everything is on the line, it doesn’t matter how bad you want it or if you believe. The only question is “Can You Feel It?”
I have a question for you. When was the last time you saw somebody with a “You Gotta Believe” poster at Yankee Stadium? Yeah, I can’t remember seeing it either. That’s because “You Gotta Believe” is for Cubs fans, Red Sox fans, and fans of any other baseball team that can’t spend half a billion dollars on their infield. “You Gotta Believe” is for losers. The Yankees and Lakers don’t have to believe. They know. Being a Patriots fan, I’ve had the privilege to see my team win two Super Bowls in the past two years. I don’t think there’s been a team that’s won two championships while being so disrespected and overlooked. And while I had every reason to declare with righteous indignation that my team was being cheated, I knew I could let my team do the talking. Out of the past three seasons, I did the most talking during the year they didn’t make the playoffs, because I felt it slipping away and had to convince myself we still had a chance. Fans like to talk about how bad they want it. We pride ourselves on being more hungry than the cocky Lakers fans. But the real reason that fans are so hungry is that they’ve never experienced winning and they’re scared that their opportunity is slipping away. So what’s my point? I know that Timberwolves fans couldn’t care less about the Patriots and my experiences with them. But my point is this: When the Patriots were on their way to the Super Bowl, I knew they would make it there. It’s not that I’m psychic. It’s that when your team finally clicks clicks the right way and the all the right pieces fall into place, you just know it. You can feel it.
Right now, I feel it for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There, I said it. Seriously, I’ve been thinking about writing this article for over a month. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I had to be sure that I was right. After beating the Kings and Pistons, I was going to start it. But then we lost to the Spurs. And then after ending the Nets 14 game winning streak, I was actually in the process of writing it, and then we lost to Philly. But after the absolute pounding we gave the Mavericks last night, the one team that really given us trouble all year, I knew it was time. I can feel it.
I guess it’s up to you, what you want to take from this. You might think that what I’m saying is a total bunch of crap. But seriously, I can feel it. I’ve been here before and every time without fail, whether it’s been the New England Patriots or Colorado Avalanche, I’ve been right. So here I sit, with 21 games left in the regular season and the chips on the table. I took a look at the hand I’ve been dealt with this Timberwolves team, and I’m going all in. There’s no turning back. I am so convinced that this is the team that will finally make my dreams come true and win it all, that I’m willing to put any future credibility that I may have with sports on the line. I’ve been saying that the Wolves were going to win it all for nine months, but now I’m telling you that’s how it’s going to be.
But this season isn’t about me and what I think. This season is about Kevin Garnett and every T-Wolves fan who’s had their heart ripped from their chest for the past seven years finally having their moment in the sun. But between now and that glorious day, each and every one of us has two options. We can sweat it out, over-analyze, and bite our nails on the way to the championship, or we can sit back, relax, and soak it all in as we watch our team win it all. The path you take is up to you. You only have to look inside and ask yourself, “Can You Feel It?”
Predictions:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division:
1. New Jersey
2. New York
3. Miami
4. Boston
5. Philadelphia
6. Washington
7. Orlando
Central Division:
1. Indiana
2. Detroit
3. Milwaukee
4. New Orleans
5. Cleveland
6. Toronto
7. Chicago
8. Atlanta
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Midwest Division
1. Minnesota
2. Dallas
3. San Antonio
4. Memphis
5. Houston
6. Denver
7. Utah
Pacific Division
1. Sacramento
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Portland
4. Seattle
5. Golden State
6. Los Angeles Clippers
7. Phoenix
PLAYOFFS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Indiana
2. New Jersey
3. Detroit
4. Milwaukee
5. New Orleans
6. New York
7. Toronto
8. Cleveland
First Round:
Indiana over Cleveland
New Jersey over Toronto
Detroit over New York
New Orleans over Milwaukee
Conference Semifinals:
Indiana over New Orleans
New Jersey over Detroit
Conference Finals:
New Jersey over Indiana
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Sacramento
2. Minnesota
3. Dallas
4. San Antonio
5. Los Angeles
6. Memphis
7. Houston
8. Denver
First Round:
Sacramento over Denver
Minnesota over Houston
Dallas over Memphis
Los Angeles over San Antonio
Conference Semifinals:
Sacramento over Los Angeles
Minnesota over Dallas
Conference Finals:
Minnesota over Sacramento
NBA FINALS:
Minnesota over New Jersey
