Minnesota Timberwolves Capsule
COACH: Flip Saunders (sixth season, 180-178 overall)
LAST SEASON: 50-32, third in Midwest Division, lost to Portland in first round
WHO'S NEW: G Chauncey Billups (free agent), F LaPhonso Ellis (free agent), F-C Sharone Wright (free agent)
WHO'S THROUGH: G Bobby Jackson
SLAM DUNKS: At 24, F Kevin Garnett (22.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 5.0 apg) is one big playoff run from being the top overall player in the league. He can score, rebound, block shots, play defense and fire his fellow teammates up with the best of them and has found a versatile partner in second-year F Wally Szczerbiak (11.6), who has the looks of a player that will just get better each and every year. G Terrell Brandon (17.1, 8.9 apg) is no Stephon Marbury, but he may actually serve Garnett and Szczerbiak better with his patient, calculating, unselfish style. Saunders not only has his players' respect but has a brotherly relationship with former college teammate and current Wolves GM Kevin McHale.
AIRBALLS: The loss of F Malik Sealy to a tragic car accident will be emotionally difficult to overcome. Sealy was one of Minnesota's most popular players and presented a daunting scoring threat from the off-guard position with his 6-7 frame, not to mention his ability to shut down opposing swingmen. The Joe Smith mess could be crippling to a franchise that has been stuck at the same level for four years. Defenses will swarm on Garnett like never before if Smith is not there to offer some help. C Rasho Nesterovic (5.7, 4.6 rpg) can make a difference in the middle but is already experiencing back problems.
COACHSPEAK: "The maturity of our rookies will help. Last year we started Nesterovic and Szczerbiak and Garnett was only 23 at the time. We were very much a young team so their going through that will help them in the next battle."
GAME PLAN: Home-court advantage in the opening round is a must, meaning the Wolves will have to emulate Utah, a team that consistently challenges for the division title and finds itself at home for at least the first and most often the second round each and every year. Last season was one of streaks -- both good and bad -- which often has a draining effect on a club's psyche. The Wolves are in need of a long, smooth regular-season ride if they hope to make a big dent in the playoffs.
