Wolves finally win one!

[ozzie]

Why would you want to get a 2nd round pick for 2 large expiring contracts? Most 2nd round picks are pointless and with the $ coming off the books they have a chance to sign some FA to help the squad......... Wolves in 2010

[maros91]

Some 2nd round picks do make it. Since 2001- Trenton Hassle, Gilbert Arenas, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer, Steve Blake, Kyle Korver, Anderson Vareijo, Chris Duhon, Craig Smith and Paul Millsap. I do believe Cuttino Mobley and Manu Ginobli were also 2nd round picks as well. I agree most are pointless, but there are some pretty big names on this list that have made it pretty big.

[ozzie]

Those are big what if's and yeah some 2nd rounder and even undrafted players make it but let the contracts expire and try to sign some proven ball players instead of getting more draft picks for Mchale to screw-up......

[Scott M]

From Jim Souhan, Star Tribune

Tonight, Timberwolves fans eager to mourn Kevin Garnett's absence from Target Center might have to do so by mourning Kevin Garnett's absence from the Target Center floor.

KG is expected to be in the building but not in the Boston lineup because of an abdominal strain suffered the last time the Wolves played the Celtics. Garnett either took a shot to the abdomen, or he simply hasn't gotten over the precisely aimed low blow he received from his successor, Al Jefferson, during their heated exchange on the court that night.

Garnett yelled "Eleven years! Eleven years!" at Jefferson, reminding him of his All-Star berths. Jefferson responded with the kind of surgical strike we expect of smart bombs and heckled comedians: "We both have one thing in common -- no championships."

That's when Garnett started throwing elbows and issuing even more than his customary doses of profanity. After the best team in the NBA this regular season beat the worst by one point, Garnett walked around the court popping his jersey as if he had finally won a title.

That was embarrassing. So tonight as all you nostalgic Wolves fans fondly remember the departed superstar, I'll be watching the other team, the team that did what it had to do in trading Garnett, the team that, now that it finally has started competing, has more to offer than its record indicates.

The Garnett trade was great for the Celtics. Even if they flame out in the playoffs, Celtics GM Danny Ainge took a worthwhile gamble to make an important franchise relevant.

The Garnett trade also was great for the Wolves. For all of his mistakes the past 10 years, Wolves VP Kevin McHale has made two excellent deals in a row, deals that make this year's struggling team far more promising than the stagnant Garnett-led teams of the previous two seasons.

In trading Garnett, he landed Jefferson, who is younger, cheaper, a better fourth-quarter scorer, a better offensive rebounder and eager to improve. Jefferson took it to Yao Ming the other night, shooting over him from the outside, faking him off his feet, dunking on him, spinning him like a top with low-post moves that could have been stolen from the movie "The Illusionist."

I'd rather watch Jefferson tonight than even a healthy Garnett, regardless of their team's records.

McHale got two first-round draft picks in the deal, plus point guard Sebastian Telfair, who is, to punish him with faint praise, better than expected, and swingman Ryan Gomes, who, when he asserts himself, displays a fine array of NBA skills.

Center Theo Ratliff is useful when healthy. More important, his salary will come off the books this summer. And Gerald Green was worth a try as a talented but unpolished throw-in.

The next major trade McHale made looks lopsided in his favor. He sent Ricky Davis and Mark Blount to sabotage the Miami Heat, receiving Antoine Walker, a first-round pick, Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien in return.

Trading Davis and Blount for Pat Riley's mousse valet would have been a good deal. Getting Walker -- who is a better teammate and has a shorter contract than Blount -- and a first-round pick and the expiring contracts of Doleac and Simien makes this a steal.

Now that the Wolves are playing defense and finding options to complement Jefferson on offense, this, too, can be said: As lousy as the NBA's reputation is nationally, and especially in this town, many nights there is artistry on the court.

Against Houston, Telfair dribbled from foul line to baseline to the elbow, faked high, then dropped a bounce pass under a defender's armpit to a cutting Jefferson, who maneuvered between two tall defenders to somehow finish at the rim.

It's a beautiful game when played well, and the Wolves finally have improved from unwatchable to intriguing.

******************************************

Great article by Souhan. Details from the last Celtics-Wolves game. It's no surprise Garnett pumped himself up for the game and told himself that Big Al was trying to show him up or something. That's just Kevin, like many athletes he has to make up slights to get himself motivated. I think things will be more pleasant if KG is in the building tonight.

Not so sure I'm ready to pat McHale on the back for anything.

[Sandmannd]

You can say what you want about KG, but I'll always be a fan. He popped his jersey, but he always did that in the heat of a win. I hated to see him go, but I think the wolves should be better in the long run. Nice that he's at least making an appearance for the fans but it woulda been nice to see him play.

[smartguy]

KG is my generation's Kirby Puckett. I still cheer for him.

[Sandmannd]

Agreed smartguy. He's always gonna be the first superstar for the wolves.

[Scott M]

Nice little game for the Woofies last night. Something to build on hopefully.

[Scott K]

They looked pretty good last night. Had the lead and pretty much kept it up. They will have a nice core of young guys to build on this off season, and they will be able to build off of the draft also in the next few years. They are a couple years away, but there is good things to come with this team!

[tisosy11]

I don't know about that...they will definately be better in the next couple years. But the guys they have now....asided from Big Al are so incredibly hit or miss.

Hopefully that is part of being young, and it could work it self out.

There is stacks of potential on the pups but who knows if it will work out...