Minnesota Timberwolves
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{{current sport-related|image=Basketball current event.png|mini=1|2008-09 Minnesota Timberwolves season}}
{{NBA team |
color1 = silver |
color2 = #054EA4 |
name = Minnesota Timberwolves |
logo = Minnesota Timberwolves logo.jpg |
imagesize = 180px |
web = timberwolves.com |
conference = [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]]|
division = Northwest Division |
founded = [[1989]] |
history = '''Minnesota Timberwolves''' <br> 1989-present |
arena = '''[[Target Center]]''' |
city = [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] |
colors = blue, black, silver, green <br> {{Color box|#054EA4}} {{Color box|black}} {{Color box|silver}} {{Color box|#00A550}}|
coach = [[Randy Wittman]] |
General Manager = Jim Stack |
owner = [[Glen Taylor]] |
affiliate = [[Sioux Falls Skyforce]] |
league_champs = '''0''' |
conf_champs = '''0''' |
div_champs = '''1''' ([[2004]]) |
}}
The '''Minnesota Timberwolves''' are a professional [[basketball]] team based in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], [[United States]]. Their organization is a member of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).
==Franchise history==
===Early Ineptitude===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:MinnesotaTimberwolvesOld.png|left|125px||thumb|Logo, 1989-1996|]] -->
Professional basketball returned to the Twin Cities in [[1987]], when the NBA granted one of its four new expansion teams (the others being the [[Orlando Magic]], [[Charlotte Hornets]], and the [[Miami Heat]]) to original owners [[Marv Wolfenson]] and [[Harvey Ratner]] to begin play for the [[1989-90 NBA season|1989-90]] season. Known as the Timberwolves, they made their debut on [[November 3]], [[1989]] losing to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] on the road 106-94. Five days later they would make their home debut at the [[Metrodome]] losing to the [[Chicago Bulls]] 96-84. Just two nights later the Wolves would get their first win, beating the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] at home 125-118 on November 10th. The Timberwolves, led by [[Tony Campbell]] with 23.2 ppg, went on to a 22-60 record, finishing in 6th place in the Midwest Division. Playing in the cavernous Metrodome, the expansion Timberwolves drew over 1 million fans including the 3rd-largest crowd in [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] history at 49,551 on April 17, 1990 that saw the Timberwolves lose to the [[Denver Nuggets]] 99-88 in the final home game of the season.
The next [[1990-91 NBA season|season]] the team moved into the [[Target Center]] and won 29 games, however they fired their head coach [[Bill Musselman]]. They didn't fare much better under Musselman's successor, ex-[[Boston Celtics|Celtics]] coach [[Jimmy Rodgers]] finishing with an NBA-worst 15-67 record. Looking to turn the corner, the Wolves hired former [[Detroit Pistons]] general manager [[Jack McCloskey]] to the same position, but even with notable first round selections such as [[Christian Laettner]] and [[Isaiah Rider]] in the 1992 and 1993 NBA Draft respectively, was unable to duplicate his "Detroit Bad Boys" success in the Twin Cities as the Wolves on-court mediocrity continued. One of the few highlights from this era was when the Target Center served as host of the 1994 [[1994 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] where Rider won the [[Slam Dunk Contest]] with his between-the-leg "East Bay Funk Dunk".
As winning basketball continued to elude the Wolves, Ratner and Wolfenson nearly sold the team to [[New Orleans]] interests in [[1994]] before NBA owners rejected the proposed move. Eventually, [[Glen Taylor]] bought the team and named [[Kevin McHale]] general manager.
===Building a Contender===
In [[1995]], the Timberwolves selected [[Kevin Garnett]] in the draft, and [[Flip Saunders]] became coach. [[Christian Laettner]] was traded along with [[Sean Rooks]] to the [[Atlanta Hawks]] for [[Andrew Lang]] and [[Spud Webb]]. Also, first-round pick [[Donyell Marshall]] was traded the previous season for [[Golden State Warriors]]' forward [[Tom Gugliotta]]. These trades paved the way for rookie Kevin Garnett to become the go-to player inside. Garnett went on to average 10.4 ppg in his rookie season as the T-Wolves finished in 5th place in the Midwest Division, with a 26-56 record.
In [[1996]], the T-Wolves added another star player in the draft, swapping [[Ray Allen]] to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] for the rights to [[Stephon Marbury]], the 4th overall pick. The addition of Marbury had a positive effect on the entire team, as Kevin Garnett and [[Tom Gugliotta]] became the first Wolves to be selected to the All-Star team. Gugliotta and Garnett led the Timberwolves in scoring as the team made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a record of 40-42. However, [[1997 NBA Playoffs|in the playoffs]] the Timberwolves made a quick exit as they were swept by the [[Houston Rockets]] in 3 straight games. The T-Wolves also decided to change their image by changing their team logo and colors, adding black to the team colors and replacing the original logo with a logo featuring a snarling wolf looming over a field of trees. It was also during the season that Minnesota began to play on the [[parquet floor]] also used by the [[Boston Celtics]] and the [[Orlando Magic]] in every home game at the [[Target Center]].
In [[1997]], Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury established themselves as two of the brightest rising stars in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. Garnett averaged 18.5 ppg and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Marbury averaged 17.7 ppg and dished out 8.6 assists per game. Despite losing leading scorer [[Tom Gugliotta]] for half the season the Timberwolves went on to post their first winning season at 45-37 making the playoffs for the 2nd straight season. After dropping Game 1 on the road to the Seattle Supersonics in the playoffs the Timberwolves earned their first postseason win in Game 2 winning in Seattle 98-93. As the series shifted to Minnesota the Timberwolves had an opportunity to pull off the upset as they won Game 3 by a score of 98-90. However, the Wolves dropped Game 4 at home as the Sonics went on to win the series in 5 games.
In [[1998]], a year after signing Kevin Garnett to an unprecedented 6-year, $126 million contract, the Timberwolves were used as the poster child of irresponsible spending as the NBA endured a 4-month lockout that wiped out the season. With an already cap-heavy payroll the Wolves were forced to let Tom Gugliotta walk away in part because they want to save money in order to sign Stephon Marbury to a long-term contract and in part because Tom Gugliotta did not want to play with Stephon Marbury. This moved proved unsuccessful, however, as Stephon Marbury wanted to be the biggest star on a team and subsequently forced an in-season trade by refusing a contract extension. In the 3-team midseason deal that sent Marbury to the [[New Jersey Nets]] the Wolves got [[Terrell Brandon]] in return and a first round draft pick in the 1999 draft (which turned out to be the sixth pick). The Wolves made the playoffs for the 3rd straight season by finishing in 4th place with a 25-25 record. In the playoffs the Timberwolves were beaten by the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in 4 games.
====1999-2004====
In [[1999]], the Timberwolves drafted [[Wally Szczerbiak]] with the sixth pick in the draft. He had a solid season finishing 3rd on the team in scoring with 11.6 ppg. Led by Kevin Garnett, who averaged 22.9 ppg and 11.8 rebounds per game, the Timberwolves enjoyed their first 50-win season finishing in 3rd place with a solid record of 50-32. However, in the playoffs the Wolves fell in the first round again, losing to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in 4 games.
Guard [[Malik Sealy]] was killed in a car accident in the summer of [[2000]]. A drunk driver crossed onto the wrong side of the street Sealy was driving on, causing the fatal crash. Sealy's vehicle did not have airbags, which potentially could have saved the player. Sealy's number has since been retired, with the number 2 jersey memorialized with Sealy's name on a banner hanging from the rafters of Target Center. The drunk driver was convicted, sentenced, and jailed. He has since been arrested twice more for driving while intoxicated.
Also in that season, a free agent deal signed by [[Joe Smith (basketball player)|Joe Smith]] was voided by the NBA, who ruled that the Timberwolves violated proper procedure in signing the contract. The league stripped the T-Wolves of five draft picks, fined them $3.5 million and suspended general manager Kevin McHale for one year. (Smith would eventually sign with the [[Detroit Pistons]] before re-signing with the T-wolves in 2001.) Despite the trouble the Wolves made the playoffs for the 5th straight season with a 47-35 record. In the playoffs the Wolves were eliminated in the first round again by the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in 4 games in the spring of [[2001]].
With the arrival of newcomers [[Gary Trent]], [[Loren Woods]], [[Maurice Evans]] and the return of [[Joe Smith (basketball player)|Joe Smith]]; the Wolves started the season on fire by winning their first six games and a franchise-best 30-10 start. One of the wins included a franchise record 53 point over [[Chicago Bulls|Chicago]] in November. They would finish with a 50-32 record, their second ever 50 win season that was highlighted by another All-Star appearance by Garnett and a breakout season by [[Wally Szczerbiak]], who earned his first All-Star appearance. Once again, Minnesota lost in the first round of the playoffs, getting swept by the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in three straight.
[[2002-03 NBA season|2002-03]] seemed to look up for the Wolves. [[Kevin Garnett]] had a great season, finishing second in [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] voting while averaging a solid 23.0 ppg and 13.4 rebounds per game as the Timberwolves finish in 3rd place with a 51-31 record. With home court advantage for the first time facing the three-time defending champion [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. After being blown out at home in Game 1 the Timberwolves had a chance to take a 3-1 series lead as they led heading into the 4th quarter of Game 4 in Los Angeles. However, the Lakers came back to win the game on the way to winning the series in six games, as the Timberwolves were eliminated in the first round for the 7th straight year.
In [[2003]], the Timberwolves made two strong offseason moves, trading away forward Joe Smith and injured guard Terrell Brandon in a multi-player deal for [[Ervin Johnson]], [[Sam Cassell]] and embattled guard [[Latrell Sprewell]].
During the [[2003-04 NBA season]], the Timberwolves became the team to beat in the Western Conference. They finished the season as the top seed in the Western Conference with a record of 58-24, and beat the [[Denver Nuggets]] and [[Sacramento Kings]] in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs. Kevin Garnett leapt upon the scorer's table upon the completion of Game 7 in the Sacremento series, one of the more defining moments in franchise playoff history. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves' run ended in the Western Conference finals as the team lost to the Lakers, the previous Minnesota franchise. Due to an injured hip, Sam Cassell played only sparingly during the series with the Lakers. Kevin Garnett finally earned his first MVP award with 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
====2004-2007====
In the [[2004-05 NBA season|2004-05 season]], the Wolves kept the same team from the previous season. The team was plagued with contract disputes and the complaining of key players [[Latrell Sprewell]], [[Sam Cassell]], and [[Troy Hudson]]. Coach [[Flip Saunders]] was replaced in midseason by GM [[Kevin McHale]], who took over the team for the rest of the season. The Timberwolves finished 44-38, and missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
During the 2005 offseason, [[Kevin McHale]] and the Wolves started their search for a head coach. McHale interviewed [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]] assistant coach [[Dwane Casey]], [[San Antonio Spurs]] assistant [[P.J. Carlesimo]], former coach [[John Harding Lucas II|John Lucas]] and Wolves assistants [[Randy Wittman]], [[Sidney Lowe]] and [[Jerry Sichting]], among others.
On [[June 17]], [[2005]], the Timberwolves hired [[Dwane Casey]] as the new head coach. This was Casey's first head coaching job. He was the Wolves' 7th head coach in their 16-year history.
In the [[2005 NBA Draft|2005 Draft]], the Timberwolves selected [[Rashad McCants]], a shooting guard from [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|North Carolina]] with the 14th overall pick of the 1st round. The Timberwolves also selected [[Bracey Wright]], a guard from [[Indiana University (Bloomington)|Indiana]] with the 17th pick of the 2nd round (47th overall).
During the offseason, they traded All-Star [[Sam Cassell]] and a protected future first-round draft pick to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] for [[Marko Jaric]] and [[Lionel Chalmers]]. They also signed free agent [[Nikoloz Tskitishvili]].
On [[January 26]], [[2006]], the Wolves traded forward Wally Szczerbiak, centers Dwayne Jones and Michael Olowokandi, and a future first-round draft pick to the [[Boston Celtics]]. In return they received forward/guard [[Ricky Davis]], center [[Mark Blount]], forward [[Justin Reed]], guard [[Marcus Banks]], and two second-round draft picks. In a separate trade on the same day, the Timberwolves traded [[Nikoloz Tskitishvili]] to the [[Phoenix Suns]] for a 2006 second-round draft pick. The Timberwolves finished 33-49, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
In the 2006 NBA draft, the Timberwolves selected future Rookie of the Year [[Brandon Roy]] with the 6th overall pick, [[Craig Smith]] with the 36th pick, [[Bobby Jones]] with the 37th pick and center [[Loukas Mavrokefalidis]] with the 57th pick. The Timberwolves traded Brandon Roy to the Portland Trail Blazers for Randy Foye and cash considerations. The Timberwolves then traded forward Bobby Jones to the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2007 second-round pick and cash.
On [[January 23]], GM Kevin McHale fired head coach [[Dwane Casey]] and replaced him with [[Randy Wittman]]. McHale explained in a news conference that it was inconsistency by Casey that led to the firing. Casey had compiled an overall record of 53-69. They finished the 2006-07 season with a record of 32-50, allowing them to keep their 2007 first-round pick.
===Rebuilding the Team===
[[Image:KGtradePC 08.07.07.JPG|thumb|300px|right|(L to R) [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Al Jefferson]], [[Gerald Green]], [[Ryan Gomes]], and [[Sebastian Telfair]] pose for the cameras on [[August 7]], [[2007]].]]
On [[June 14]], [[2007]], the [[Timberwolves]] traded [[Mike James]] and [[Justin Reed]] to the [[Houston Rockets]] for [[Juwan Howard]].<ref name="MikeJamestraded">{{cite web
|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2903593
|title=Rockets, Wolves finalize swap of Howard, James.
|publisher=ESPN
|author=Marc Stein
|date=2007-06-14
}}
</ref>
In the [[2007 NBA Draft]] the Timberwolves selected [[Corey Brewer]] and [[Chris Richard]] from the National Champion Florida Gators.
On [[July 31]], [[2007]], the Minnesota Timberwolves reached a deal to trade All-Star [[Kevin Garnett]] to the [[Boston Celtics]] for [[Al Jefferson]], [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Gerald Green]], [[Sebastian Telfair]], [[Ryan Gomes]], two first-round draft picks, and cash considerations. This is the largest combination of players and picks ever traded for a single player in NBA history.
On [[October 24]], [[2007]], the Timberwolves traded [[Ricky Davis]] and [[Mark Blount]] to the [[Miami Heat]] in exchange for the Heat's [[Antoine Walker]], [[Michael Doleac]], [[Wayne Simien]], and a 2008 protected first-round draft pick (lottery protected in [[2008]], top 10 in [[2009]], top 6 in [[2010]], beyond: unprotected).
On [[October 29]], [[2007]], The Timberwolves waived Juwan Howard after reaching a contractual buyout agreement, worth $10 million of roughly $14.25 million which Minnesota would have owed him. The Timberwolves waived Wayne Simien to finalize their roster to 15 players. The Wolves traded a top 56 protected NBA draft pick to the Spurs for cash and Beno Udrih whom was immediately waived.
====2007-08 season====
Minnesota began the NBA preseason with two games in [[London]] and [[Istanbul]], as part of NBA Europe Live 2007. On [[October 10]], The Wolves lost to [[Kevin Garnett]] and the revamped [[Boston Celtics]] 92-81. To start the season, the Wolves began 0-5 before finally ending the drought with a home win over [[Sacramento Kings|Sacramento]]. That drought also brought about speculation of the possible dismissal of current coach Randy Wittman. The youngest team in the NBA{{Fact|date=July 2008}} began adjusting to life after trading franchise star Kevin Garnett to Boston, meanwhile playing without budding talent Randy Foye for the first half of the season. Guards Sebastian Telfair and Marko Jaric were deputized as starting point guards during Foye's injury absence. The Timberwolves finished the season 22-60.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings ESPN - NBA Standings, Pro Basketball Standings, NBA Team Records<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On a handful of occasions during the season, the team showed flashes of its potential in wins or very close contests with the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs. They will debut a new logo and uniforms at the beginning of next season.
==Radio and Television==
===Radio===
The Timberwolves flagship station is [[KFAN]] 1130 AM. KFAN has been the flagship since the team's inception, except for a brief two year hiatus to [[KLCI]] BOB 106.1 FM for the [[2006-07 NBA season|2006-07]] and [[2007-08 NBA season|2007-08]] seasons.
===Television===
Games are broadcast on [[KSTC-TV]] Channel 45 and [[FSN North]]. Broadcasters are Tom Hanneman and Jim Petersen.
==Season-by-season records==
{{main|Minnesota Timberwolves seasons}}
== Team accomplishments ==
'''8 Playoff Appearances''' (1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004)
'''Division Titles''' 1- 2004 (Midwest Division)
== Players ==
{{main|Minnesota Timberwolves all-time roster}}
===Retired numbers===
* 2 [[Malik Sealy]], F, 1999-2000
===Current roster===
{{Minnesota Timberwolves roster}}
==Head Coaches==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
!No.!!Name!!Years!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Games!!Post Season
|-
!1!![[Bill Musselman]]
|1989-1991||51||113||.311||164||-
|-
!2!![[Jimmy Rodgers (basketball)|Jimmy Rodgers]]
|1991-1993||21||90||.189||111||-
|-
!3!![[Sidney Lowe]]
|1993-1994||33||102||.244||135||-
|-
!4!![[Bill Blair (basketball)|Bill Blair]]
|1994-1996||27||75||.265||102||-
|-
!5!![[Flip Saunders]]
|1996-2005||411||326||.558||737||1997-2004
|-
!6!![[Kevin McHale]]<sup>1</sup>
|2005||19||12||.613||31||-
|-
!7!![[Dwane Casey]]
|2005-2007||53||65||.449||118||-
|-
!8!![[Randy Wittman]]²
|2007-pres.||34||90||.274||124||-
|-
!colspan="2"|19-year Total!!1989-!!649!!877!!.425!!1526!!1997-2004
|}
: <sup>1</sup>Finished 2004-2005 season as interim head coach.
: <sup>2</sup>[[January 23]], [[2007]] Relieved head coach Dwane Casey of his coaching duties. Wolves assistant coach Randy Wittman took over for the remainder of the season. 2006-2007 season as interim head coach.
: Stats Current as of the end of the 2008 season.
== See also ==
*[[Minnesota Timberwolves draft history]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/ Minnesota Timberwolves official web site]
*[http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/min/twolves.html Sports Encyclopedia Timberwolves Page]
*[http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ Timberwolves information from 1989-present]
*[http://www.mnsportsfans.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2 Timberwolves Central Discussion Community]
{{NBA}}
{{MinnesotaTimberwolvesCoach}}
{{Minnesota Sports}}
[[Category:National Basketball Association teams]]
[[Category:Minnesota Timberwolves| ]]
[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1989]]
[[Category:Sports in Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Basketball teams in the United States]]
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