2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Those are all the years that the Wolves have no gone without playing past April...even into late April. That's just a part of the story, the overview if you will. Within that streak of suck have been so many embarrassing nights and stretches of futility that it's mind numbing. So many bad draft picks that at points it would have been easier to be a Browns fan. I tried to think of more possible examples but few organizations have had that level or length of disgraceful performances.
It hasn't all been bad by the Wolves, sometimes it's the opponent that have celebrated milestones at the expense or at the home of the Timberwolves. But like a new day, it's starting to change.
A few weeks shy of two years ago the Timberwolves won the first first overall draft selection in the franchises history. A season after whamboozling the Cavs into taking Kevin Love in exchange for the last two number one overall players. Anthony Bennett was a washout but Wiggins can be one of the best scorers in the association on any night he plays (and I still think his defense will come around). Thad Young would actually make a lot of sense for the current rosters make up but he wasn't long for Minnesota either.
But that still leaves us with two all star potential players, the former being a guy that starting this year and going forward the next 15 years should be in all - star and all NBA conversations. Towns is the rock upon which this team's future success will be built. When was the last time the Wolves could say that about a 21 year old?
None of that even hinted at the third person of the trinity - Zach Lavine. It will be a long while before we know how he will come back from the ACL tear but I suspect that with his work ethic, the fact that he won't be able to immediately tap into that ocean of athleticism may help his overall game. Give him the time to develop and learn the mental parts of the game, which his body will then be able to go out an execute. Because let's be honest about it, even if he loses a little bit of what he had, his athleticism was so profound that he'll still surpass most even with some degradation!
Towns
Wiggins
Lavine
The core.
But there's more then those three, thankfully!
I will honestly shed a tear if Rubio gets traded this year. The dude's been as classy as anyone could be under the circumstances and has BALLED OUT since not being traded.
Add to those four Kris Dunn, Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammed and Tyus Jones. Things will change, the roster will be turned over some but I think those guys round out the list of players who should absolutely be back next year. That would leave seven slot on the roster open, likely more then will actually open up but that's a topic for another day.
All that is to say that the Timberwolves are finally having things go their way. Want more proof? Look at the fact that Westbrook didn't extend his NBA record number of triple-doubles against the Timberwolves!
Then there is the new logo. I've gotten inquiries about my thoughts on it and felt like directing those people back on here so I'm adding it as a partially related footnote.
The first is still my favorite. The second I included just because of how bad think it is. The third is the newest. The new one makes obvious ties back to the best or at least a variation of that one. The green has again been included, even though it never makes the most sense. Who needs five team colors?! seriously, it just excessive, but they go with it anyway.
The Basketball/moon/background is a nice, albeit not terribly original feature of the art.
I don't think they made a mistake with it but it also wasn't as big of a deal as they made it out to be. If anything, I'd rather see them come up with a new version of this guy:
The coolest part of the unveil may be the video that they put together to go along with it. If you haven't seen it yet, do give yourself the necessary four minutes to watch it!
To sum up, we all know about the long history of misery for Timberwolves but everything from the players to the logo have been getting an overhaul and as long as the things that matter most continue to trend upward it will fun very soon. For now, the season's over and we're back in the lottery. It's not with dread though, not this time, this time it's with anticipation and excitement. Maybe 2017 can be what I thought 2016 was bound for but for now, let's just enjoy the improvement and the progress!