Basketball does exist in Minnesota

With the trade of KG, I think many Timberwolves fans were left disillusioned and wondering what the point of life was. This was especially true for the writer of this post. In my short 27 years of life most spent as a fan of both the Vikings and Timberwolves, I had seen the Vikings trade away my favorite players Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper and now I had to watch the Timberwolves trade away the only face the franchise has really every had. Before this trade, when you said the Timberwolves everyone instantly thought of Kevin Garnett.

Now I think the trade was necessary if the Wolves were going to become successful long-term and I hope it allows KG to have the team success he deserves, but I also think the trade wouldn't have been necessary if we didn't have an inept owner and GM. I blame Kevin McHale for Kevin Garnett not being able to be a Timberwolve for life, but now I am starting to think McHale is learning from his mistakes (either that or Fred Hoiberg is really pulling the strings and McHale will soon be gone).

Today the Twolves traded Ricky Davis and Mark Blount to the Heat for Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a protected 1st round pick (lottery protected in 2008, Top 10 protected in 2009, and top 6 protected in 2010, unprotected after that).

This was a great move by the Timberwolves. First, it got rid of the team destructing attitude of me-first Ricky Davis (anyone remember when he missed a shot on purpose so he could get the rebound in order to get a triple-double?) and it got rid of the 3 year contract of Mark Blount. In return we get the 2 year contract of one time favorite player of Holy Hitter, Antoine Walker. Michael Doleac is a who-cares make it work and a big body. Wayne Simien is an intriguing players. A former first rounder who has had knee issues his rookie year and had solmonella poisining last year. He is 6-9 and a about 260 pounds which means he is another big body to put down low with the new face of our franchise Al Jefferson (who by the way is dominating the pre-season for the Twolves. He is putting up similar points and rebounds as KG but lacks the overall game in terms of assists, etc.). One article I read believed that the Twolves would probably pull off one more trade before the season began, so we will take a wait and see approach on this one. I am also excited that we now can get a 1st round pick back (making us about even with our worthless Clippers trade for Jaric where we lost a 1st rounder, which we should have until it is unprotected in 2012).

THE ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR MCHALE AND TAYLOR TO DO NOW IS SIGN AL JEFFERSON TO AN EXTENSION BEFORE THE OCTOBER 31st DEADLINE. (His price tag is only going to rise if he plays the season and then is able to receive offers from other teams)