Abandoned.
The T’Wolves have been boarded up…
By Myles Brown
I have to be honest with you. If I were a beat writer I’d have killed myself by now. The only question is how I would have done it. Hanging from one of the doorknobs? Cooking up a couple of hot shots? Or maybe some poor soul would discover my tortured carcass sprawled across a press table, skull hollowed out by the horrors my eyes could no longer endure.
Okay, perhaps that’s a bit much. But this is still pretty f–king bad. I’m talking “Meet Patrice up at the playground…” bad. Damn, there I go again…
Anyone who knows me is more than familiar with my affinity for The Wire and has been subjected to at least ten minutes of my ranting and raving. The way this show has contextualized how America is losing-to drugs, poverty and bureaucratic indifference-is beyond fascinating. It’s true. Too many crime dramas have become parodies of themselves, dripping with simplistic stereotypes. These hackneyed depictions render a dying people and their plight to mere props for law enforcement, portrayed by well coiffed young men and women who’ll deliver you a conviction in 45 minutes or less. It’s bulls–t. David Simon knows this, and has broken the mold with not only a resolute narrative of modern crime, but also it’s broadened landscape and enablers. On Sunday nights, Americans tune in to see the parallels of crumbling institutions-our police, our schools, the drug trade on our corners-and the victims who fall through their cracks. The Wire successfully explains to us why swift and satisfactory justice is a rarity in this world, delivered solely to those who live in the right zip code. Which is one of many problems for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Isiah Thomas made us all laugh last week with his championship aspirations, but his statements weren’t completely ridiculous. If he were fired today, despite the lingering reminders of his bad decisions, the Knicks could be on their way to a championship in just a couple of years, if only because of location. They’re still in New York, the country’s biggest market and the games’ Mecca, a serious enticement for a superstar such as Kobe or LeBron. Knowing that they’re one of the leagues premier teams is a reason for the woeful outcries of the Knicks faithful, but also a source of encouragement for their future. They can’t stay this bad forever. Right?
Meanwhile, it’s been damn near impossible to properly contextualize just how bad the losses are in the Target Center, but leave it to resident genius Britt Robson to adroitly summarize the current state of affairs. “This is a team without a strength.” Indeed. At 4-29, the Timberwolves face a daunting January schedule and have plummeted past even the lowest of preseason expectations as they raise questions of historical ineptitude. Is this the worst team ever? I don’t think so, but that’s little consolation for what’s definitely the worst team in the league today. And I say that with as much reverence as one can muster for such a damning statement. This is a group of generally hard working and respectable players. I’ve seen them practicing to improve their perceived flaws before games and I’ve seen their humility after an upset victory. This team wants to win and should definitely have more than four so far. Their collective talent and will kept them competitive with some of the leagues elite early in the season, however they continually succumbed to fourth quarter pressures that fans hoped were learning experiences for a young crew. After a stunning win over Phoenix and overcoming a 20 point deficit against Indiana in December, it appeared that the team had indeed learned something. But so had the opposition.
LeBron James referred to contests with this lowly franchise as “trap games”, and recent opponents have been sure not find themselves ensnared in one. Following their last win against the Pacers, the Wolves have been mired in a nine game losing streak, averaging 15 points per defeat. Excluding their victories against Sacramento and New Orleans, they’re losing by 16 a game against teams they’ve already faced this season. The lesson from the aforementioned learning experiences apparently was that teams simply weren’t giving their best effort and the potential revealed in those close games has been cloaked with doubt ever since. As a team with practically no experience and marginal talent, the Wolves must know that every game requires their best effort. And even when that is given, it only encourages the next team to dispose of them quickly to send a clear message that even Minnesota’s best effort isn’t good enough. Any modicum of hope is to be sought out and killed. There are no more moral victories.
However what’s particularly frustrating is that Minnesota has little, if any, recourse. Usually a franchise steeped in such futility makes a drastic move to shake things up. But what would that be? Get rid of the coach? That would be the third midseason firing in the last four years, and they’re still paying the last coach’s salary. Besides, as maligned as Randy Wittman is, the fact of the matter is that his bad decisions only compound the problem of this team being ill equipped to compete in the Western Conference. So no, Wittman shouldn’t be playing Jefferson at center or Corey Brewer at the two and he probably should be making a more concerted effort to find rotations that allow these neophytes time to develop. But even if those changes are made, how much better would this team be? Would they have twice as many wins? Big difference. So maybe they should make a trade? The only bait they have to offer is injured center Theo Ratliff’s expiring $11 million contract and they’d rather free up some cash. But for whom, you might ask? There has only been one great player in the history of this franchise and he left after management failed to surround him with complementary talent. Who honestly wants to come here to compete as he did and isn’t just looking for a big payday? It would seem safe to assume that players will go wherever they see an opportunity to win, but the only thing this team is in a position to win is the draft lottery. And those ping pong balls aren’t all they’re cracked up to be either. Just ask Boston.
So the only thing the Wolves can do right now is wait. Wait and see if Randy Foye’s return-if it happens-can open up the floor for his lesser talented teammates and take them out of the stagnant half court game they’ve been dragging through. See if Al Jefferson’s savvy can translate to the defensive end of the court like his role models, Hakeem Olajuwon and Tim Duncan. See if this team has the “fight” that their coach frequently refers to. Even if they’re unsure of what they’re fighting for.
27 Responses to “Abandoned.”
Jan.7 at 4:05 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
FIRST! Well done. Beat writers, don’t take it personal.
Jan.7 at 4:14 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Best show in the history of television
Jan.7 at 4:17 pm
Myles Brown says:
Indeed.
Jan.7 at 4:18 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
it’s not even a stretch to say that. It’s a fact.
Jan.7 at 4:36 pm
j_e says:
“OH, INDEED” - omar. and yeah, not even tommy carcetti with the $54mil from the republican govenor could save the twolves.
Jan.7 at 4:43 pm
Sam Morehouse says:
When you blow up a team, this is what happens. They have young talent, a more than serviceable big man, and are about to have a ton of cash freed up. Things are in place for them to contend in a few years, and at that point it’s up to management and coaching. All that aside though, props for all of “The Wire” references in the post. I love that Chris and Snoop pic too! Best show since Oz.
Jan.7 at 4:46 pm
riggs says:
i hate how snoop looks like lil’ romeo….yall ever seen her actually look girly? shes pretty cute.
Jan.7 at 4:54 pm
Gumdrop says:
The current state of the TimberWolves sheds a great deal of light on the past Garnett era. Everyone who criticized the Big Ticket for his inability to win a playoff series (excluding ‘04) ought to be ashamed of themselves. The Wolves got about 62 players in return for the 1 that they sent to Boston, and look how far they have fallen.
Jan.7 at 4:54 pm
white hot eboy says:
As much as the subject matter let me down, the piece is outstanding. Great work as usual, Mr. Brown. I still hold out for the Kobe/street cred piece.
Jan.7 at 4:54 pm
Ryan Jones says:
What is The Wire? Is this a show on the TV?
Jan.7 at 4:56 pm
Gumdrop says:
That said, I don’t get HBO and so have never seen the Wire, I hope that doesn’t get me banned. Does it present the grim realities of life as accurately as say, “Flavour of Love”, if so it’s got to be goood.
Jan.7 at 5:08 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Good stuff, Myles.
Jan.7 at 5:40 pm
Myles Brown says:
The Wire is what people are gonna use to hang themselves if we don’t string some f*cking wins together around here. Apparently there were some paper bag fans in the stands yesterday, but I missed them. Interestingly enough, they probably didnt pay for their tix either. Caribou coffee was giving away TWO free tix for everyone who bought a pound of coffee from any local retailer. At least I got a free mug out of it…
Jan.7 at 5:51 pm
H to the izzo says:
I don’t watch the Wire(I’ve tried),but I find the T’Wolves a lot more entertaining than they really are,Al Jefferson has had a lot to do with it
Jan.7 at 6:08 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Myles, did you happen to catch class of ‘08 stud Jrue Holiday at the Target Center on Friday? I assume his high school team could beat the Wolves in a best of 7 right now.
Jan.7 at 6:10 pm
TADOne says:
Ryan, Marko Jaric would like to speak with you.
Jan.7 at 7:02 pm
Allenp says:
Did anyone notice that Riggs things Lil Romeo is cute? Just saying.
Jan.7 at 7:03 pm
Allenp says:
*thinks
Jan.7 at 7:48 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
The Wolves will get a good pick this year and grab a good free agent. They’re going to be good a lot sooner than the Knicks, Griz, Clips, Kings or Heat. The Wolves are better off than you give them credit for. They’re still recovering from the Joe Smith fiasco and they are in the midst of the ultimate rebuilding job. Their only bad contracts are Jaric (7.6 through 2011) and Walker (10 through 2011). If they can package one of those with Ratliff for another big man (J. O’Neal?), they’ll be fine.
Jan.7 at 7:57 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Or Ratliff, Craig Smith and Walker for Vince and Collins?
Jan.7 at 8:05 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Last one: Ratliff, Craig Smith and Walker for Gasol and Stoudamire.
Jan.7 at 8:57 pm
Myles Brown says:
No, I didn’t make it to the high school shootout on Friday, but a friend said it was the most fun she’d had in the Target Center all year. And I have seen tape on Jrue. He could start for the Wolves tomorrow.
Jan.7 at 9:12 pm
Myles Brown says:
And Bryant, that’s what Im saying. There was only one great player in this franchises history and he was drafted here. When he was shopped around the lig, players the Wolves wouldve received in a trade balked at the idea of playing here. This city is not one of the top draws in the sport and management themselves are exactly an eniticing bunch either. Sure, they paid KG, but they also took away the best years of his career with sheer ineptitude (Joe Smith…). So all this franchise is really known as is ‘the sh*tty team that KG was far too loyal to’. It’s going to be tough to get over that rep, and I honestly don’t know who would be willing to take a chance with them. Al & Foye are loyal players and solid building blocks, but this team needs more and it sure as hell aint Vince Carter or Jermaine O Neal. Though that Gasol proposal is interesting…
Jan.7 at 9:45 pm
bootlace says:
The way the lottery works, no team is ever doomed I think. You can get lucky and get a Tim Duncan/LeBron James that singlehandedly revitalizes your franchise..or you get some good young guys here and there and can end up like the Portland Trailblazers today. This is why American sports and the drafting system is so great - you look at any soccer leagues around the world and its the same 2 or 3 teams who have been dominating for the past several decades!
Jan.8 at 9:22 am
Froggiestyle says:
So I’m talking to my boyz who have had season Woofie tix for a while now and I ask them if they stuck with the team given …. well you know … and they said that they were approached before the season by some marketing heads to upgrade to executive type boxes at the same rate. So in a panic move to save the ticket holders, they now get free (quality) food and drink (I forget about drink prices but…). At least for the time being marketing heads are wooing the *broken* hearts of Wolves fans thru their stomachs. Hey it makes sense to me (eff those skanky nachos). I naturally assume that means they have to leave just before the fourth quarter to avoid losing their “lunches” while the hapless Pups choke (every 4th Q). When they asked if I had a chance to catch any games here in France, I told them that, I had to be honest, I hadn’t missed a KG (in green) game yet - expletives ensued. PS. the Wire is the Bombay.
Jan.8 at 11:26 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
since the wire has come back on, everyone finally recognizes that guy on the cleveland bench.
Jan.8 at 12:58 pm
Myles Brown says:
Oh, Jimmy. Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. You’ve certainly gotten yourself in some sh*t this time…