MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
2008-09 Record: 24-58, 4th in Northwest Division of the Western Conference
Pace: 90.4 (15), Off: 107.5 (24), Def: 112.9 (25) / 14 Blowout Losses
Last Appearance in Playoffs: 2003-04, Lost Western Conf. Finals
2009 Draft Signings: Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington
2009 Unsigned Draft Picks: Ricky Rubio (staying in Spain), Henk Norel (going to Europe)
2009 Las Vegas Summer League: 1-4, Team FG%-.435, Leading Scorer-Flynn, 15.0 pts
Player Additions: Ryan Hollins, Darius Songalia, Chucky Atkins, Damien Wilkins, Mark Blount, Oleksiy Pecherov
Player Losses: Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Sebastian Telfair, Mark Madsen, Kevin Ollie, Shelden Williams, Craig Smith, Jason Collins
Key Free Agents Not Signed: Rodney Carney
New T-Wolves GM David Kahn has conducted an unbelievable flurry of activity in the offseason. Just look at all those names above. And in between the dizzying comings-and-goings, he has admirably pursued various avenues in getting Ricky Rubio on the roster this year, but to avail, as Rubio announced this week that he's staying in Spain for the next two years. Jonny Flynn has got to be secretly overjoyed at the prospect of developing into the Wolves numero uno point guard, despite his claims of disappointment over the Rubio news. Flynn looked really strong in the Summer League, fearless and a real team player.
Oh yeah, they also have a new head coach, Kurt Rambis, who envisions a fast break, running offense for his new team. And he doesn't rule out having to give up some wins this season so that his young players can develop on-court.
This team just needs time to interact and play the game with each other. Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer look to be healthy, and Kevin Love was getting it together the second half of last season. And it is rumored that they are presenting an offer sheet to Ramon Sessions. This is a team starting over.
o well.....i wanna say at least we are better than any of those 5 teams if we are not at least in the next level...