Ever since the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics before the 2007-08 regular season, they have been a disappointment in the NBA. The main reason for this is because this team is filled with young, inexperienced players who couldn’t lead their team to success. This season they won over half of their 44 games with their dazzling passes and newly found athleticism; hope is starting to join the Wolves’ path. But, there is always room to improve. There are three main solutions: move Derrick Williams to small forward, find a way to win without Rubio, and trade some players.
Derrick Williams, a former Arizona Wildcat, is 6’8’’, 240 pound power forward. This is a generally big size for the small forward and small for the power forward. The problem with his current position is mainly this: he plays the same position as star Kevin Love, who the powerhouse for the Timberwolves. With his crazy athleticism, he definitely could play small forward and have a size advantage over most small forwards in the NBA. The only disadvantage is that he would be defending superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. But if Derrick Williams works on his outer jump shot and defense, he could be a star in the future.
Ricky Rubio has had a sensational rookie season average 10.6 points per game and 8.2 assists per game. Unfortunately, the young Spaniard tore his ACL screening Kobe Bryant against the Los Angeles Lakers. His dazzling style of play was key in the TImberwolves’ offense. If Luke Ridnour works on his mid-range jump shot and Jose Barrea works on his passing, the Timberwolves can definitely make the Playoffs.
There are two players whose style of play don’t do the TImberwolves’ much good: Michael Beasley and Darko Milicic. Beasley isn’t mature enough to improve his mid-range jumper (which he seems to shoot EVERY possession he has the ball). Milicic has not lived up to the #2 Pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by fouling too much and missing several close shots. If we trade these two players for a viable player, such as Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard, the Timberwolves would be a much better team. They could also sign free agent Gilbert Arenas by trading Luke Ridnour, adding a good shooter to the back-court.
The Timberwolves’ definitely are not a perfect team, but they could if they took my advice. This young team could easily win over 50 percent of their games with my suggestions, possibly making a huge impact in the NBA.
~Chamalmy
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