By Warren Blatt Jun 20, 2007, 16:40 GMT
- How much more can All-Star forward Kevin Garnett take? After advancing to the 2004 Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves have missed the playoffs three straight years.
Minnesota ended with a poor 32-50 record in 2006-07 and looked like a team with no sense of urgency. Garnett had another excellent campaign, as he averaged 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 76 games.
Randy Foye posted 10.1 points, 2.7 boards and 2.8 assists during his rookie campaign, while Ricky Davis registered 17.1 points and a team-best 4.8 assists per game. Big man Mark Blount put up respectable numbers with 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Forward Craig Smith showed potential in his rookie season, and guard Marko Jaric played a lot of minutes but did not produce the way Minnesota had hoped they would.
The Timberwolves did acquire veteran forward Juwan Howard from Houston for guard Mike James on June 14th. The 6-9 Howard averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 boards in 80 games for the Rockets in the 2006-07 campaign.
Garnett needs help. The Timberwolves have apparently decided to continue to try and win with their All-Star forward, even though his name continues to pop up in rumors. They have the seventh pick in the draft and need an impact player.
It would not be a shock if the Timberwolves selected point guard Mike Conley of Ohio State if he is available. If Minnesota decides to try and get some frontcourt help, Spencer Hawes of Washington, Florida's Joakim Noah and Georgetown's Jeff Green are all possibilites.
Minnesota needs to make some personnel moves and draft night is the right place to start. Change and new faces are needed here.
Key Player(s): Mark Blount (Center), Ricky Davis (Guard), Randy Foye (Guard), Kevin Garnett (Forward), Trenton Hassell (Guard), Juwan Howard (Forward), Troy Hudson (Guard), Marko Jaric (Guard), Rashad McCants (Guard), Craig Smith (Forward).
Team Needs: Scoring, outside shooter and a physical presence to go next to Garnett.
Draft picks: 1st round (7th overall), 2nd round (41st overall).
© 2007 The Sports Network
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