Minnesota Timberwolves By Bill Evans When the 2004-05 season began: Many were suggesting that 2005 might be the Year of the Wolf. After a trip to the Conference Finals, Minnesota looked poised to battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. What happened? The Wolves couldn't capture a playoff spot, much less compete for the NBA title. The bad karma started in training camp, when Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell aired contract gripes. Fittingly, Sprewell amassed the lowest scoring total of his career (12.8 ppg) and Cassell's average (13.5) was his lowest since 1994-95. By the end of the season, owner Glen Taylor was calling the acquisitions of Sprewell and Cassell “a failed experiment” despite what they accomplished the previous season. Flip Saunders became the fall guy for his team's failures in February. He was let go after a tenure that ranked only second only to Jerry Sloan when it ended with a 411-326 mark. Kevin McHale assumed the coaching duties for the remainder of the season, so at least he had an up-close look at the players he will be evaluating when the roster gets a makeover this summer. The only untouchable would appear to be Kevin Garnett, who started all 82 games in his 10th season with the Timberwolves. He delivered his customary 22.2 points, a league-leading 13.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.37 blocks per contest. With the retirement of Reggie Miller, Garnett more than any other player in the NBA is identified with a single team. What now? To Minnesota's credit, they finished 16-8 down the stretch, so the players never quit on McHale. Their 44-38 record put them a game behind Memphis for the final playoff spot. The cupboard is hardly bare. After forfeiting four first-round picks in the last five years because of the illegal Joe Smith contract, the Timberwolves will be participating this year. They own the 14th pick, and their needs correspond to the four positioned not manned by Garnett. Sprewell is a free agent. Cassell is in the final year of his deal and may be moved before he can throw another pity party. Wally Szczerbiak is the subject of annual trade rumors and center is Michael Olowokandi is…well…he's Michael Olowokandi, which is neither insult nor compliment. ============= 翻译 ============== 由翻译网站来的，请板友见谅 ================= 明尼苏达Timberwolves 由 Bill-Evans 当2004-05 季节开始了: 许多建议, 2005 也许是狼的年。 在到会议决赛的一次旅行以後, 明尼苏达看起来保持平衡作战为顶面斑点在西部会议。 发生了什麽事？： 狼不能夺取淘汰赛, 争夺NBA 标题。 坏羯磨开始了在训练营, 当 Sam Cassell 和 Latrell Sprewell 宣扬了合同牢骚。 Fittingly, Sprewell 累积了最低的计分的共计他的事业(12.8 ppg) 并且Cassell 的平均(13.5) 是他最降低自1994-95 以来。 在季节以前, 所有者幽谷泰勒叫Sprewell 和Cassell 的承购 "一个未通过的实验" 尽管完成了早先季节。 轻碰Saunders 适合秋天人为他的队的失败在2月。 他是放弃在排列只其次只对杰瑞Sloan 的占有权以後 当它以411-326 结束了标记。 McHale 承担 教练的责任为季节剩下的时间的凯文, 那麽至少他有关闭神色在他评估的球员花名册得到makeover 这个夏天。 唯一的untouchable 会看来是 凯文?Garnett, 开始所有82场比赛在他的第10 个季节与Timberwolves。 他提供了他习惯的22.2 点, 主导同盟的13.5 反弹、5.7 协助和1.37 块每比赛。 以Reggie 米勒的 退休, Garnett 更多比其他球员在NBA 被辨认与一个唯一队。 现在什麽?： 对明尼苏达的credit, 他们下来完成了16-8 舒展, 因此球员从未被放弃在McHale。 他们的44-38 纪录投入了他们赛在孟菲斯之後为最後的淘汰赛。 Sprewell 是一位职业运动员。Cassell 在在最後的该年他的成交, 也许被移动在他能举 办其它哀怜聚会之前。 Wally Szczerbiak 是年鉴贸易谣言主题并且中心是 Olowokandi 是 ... 好的... 他是迈克尔?Olowokandi, 是不侮辱亦不恭维的迈克尔。 --

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