Following Minnesota Timberwolves’ General Manager David Khan’s selection of three point guards in the 2009 NBA draft, experts and fans alike expressed sentiments of bewilderment and outrage. These sentiments were undoubtedly warranted after the fall through of the Timberwolves’ selections throughout the course of the next two seasons due to the trading of Ty Lawson, the inability of Jonny Flynn to meet towering expectations complicated by a hip injury, and the decision of Ricky Rubio to remain a member of his club FC Barcelona. Three picks which could’ve seemingly suspended the franchise above the depths of despair, instead sent them spiraling rapidly downward.
But it seems that the Timberwolves, who haven’t seen a playoff berth since the Kevin Garnett era, can see the light at the end of the tunnel, or at least the stairway to that tunnel.
These past two seasons were marked by little success, but did provide glimpses of hope. Kevin Love’s emergence as one of the league’s marquee players and a double-double machine, the acquisition of a scoring talent in Michael Beasely, the potential of Syracuse’s Wes Johnson, and the rights to this year’s 2nd overall pick in the draft (probably Arizona's Derrick Williams), could prove to be the building blocks for this collapsing franchise. The potentially promising future of this franchise doesn’t end there though, as a series of recent developments swarming around Ricky Rubio has confirmed his signing of a contract with the Timberwolves to play in the NBA starting with the 2011-2012 season. The Spaniard’s decision to play stateside has come as a surprise to many, including all-star Kevin Love who Tweeted on June 1, “Ricky Rubio huh? I'll believe it when I see it.” The tandem’s ability to “Pick n’ Roll,” as Kevin Love also Tweeted about later that day, could be an integral part of the Twin City’s basketball future. The prodigy’s presence in Minnesota’s Target Center could revive the atmosphere in Minneapolis by adding a new dimension of viewership and means for additional revenue for the Wolves—similar to the Gasol brothers’ impact on both the Lakers and Grizzlies organizations.
These past two seasons were marked by little success, but did provide glimpses of hope. Kevin Love’s emergence as one of the league’s marquee players and a double-double machine, the acquisition of a scoring talent in Michael Beasely, the potential of Syracuse’s Wes Johnson, and the rights to this year’s 2nd overall pick in the draft (probably Arizona's Derrick Williams), could prove to be the building blocks for this collapsing franchise. The potentially promising future of this franchise doesn’t end there though, as a series of recent developments swarming around Ricky Rubio has confirmed his signing of a contract with the Timberwolves to play in the NBA starting with the 2011-2012 season. The Spaniard’s decision to play stateside has come as a surprise to many, including all-star Kevin Love who Tweeted on June 1, “Ricky Rubio huh? I'll believe it when I see it.” The tandem’s ability to “Pick n’ Roll,” as Kevin Love also Tweeted about later that day, could be an integral part of the Twin City’s basketball future. The prodigy’s presence in Minnesota’s Target Center could revive the atmosphere in Minneapolis by adding a new dimension of viewership and means for additional revenue for the Wolves—similar to the Gasol brothers’ impact on both the Lakers and Grizzlies organizations.
The Timberwolves still have a ways to go though, considering ESPN’s report that attendance hasn’t surpassed the 80% mark since the 2007-2008 season and the valuing of the team at 264 million by Forbes magazine, which ranks a measly 29th among all NBA franchises. The Timberwolves’ failure to perform on the court might actually overshadow the team’s ability to turn a buck taking into account the fact that they posted a dismal record of 32-132, ranking them as the worst team in the league over the past two seasons. The supposed future all star Ricky Rubio had struggles of his own throughout the duration of his time overseas, marked by his nagging foot injury and low production with a mere 6.5 points and 3.6 assists a game. The team’s inability to compete matched with their savior-hopeful’s hardships makes this team’s future gloomy and uncertain. At worst though, the Prodigal Son’s arrival will ensure the persistence of the long standing tradition of “waiting,” which the Wolves’ organization and fans have become so accustomed to.
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