http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_5700480 Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman called for a shakeup following the team's regular-season finale Wednesday night, saying the roster needs major changes after the team missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. His stance marks a sharp contrast to the direction management took the past two summers, when tweaks were said to be enough. After a 116-94 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center, Wittman was clear about what the 32-50 team needs: "A shakeup, I think. The roster is unbalanced a little bit. We don't have bigs that can guard bigs. A lot of different things need to be done. We have to find guys that are caring for one another, that are playing for one another. I just don't think we have that mix together right now." Wittman didn't identify players he believes didn't live up to his standards. But it's clear all the players share the blame - to what degree might be revealed by this summer's moves. Asked if he thinks the organization shares his view that major changes are needed, Wittman said: "We're going to find that out. I think they'd better. We're almost in the exact same position we were last year. Three years out of the playoffs. We've got to make changes." Wittman was part of a shakeup in January when he took over after Dwane Casey was fired. The Wolves were 20-20 then but stumbled to their first 50-loss season since 1995-96. They ended with a seven-game losing streak, the last five without injured all-star forward Kevin Garnett. In the locker room, players had mixed opinions as to whether major changes are needed. Rashad McCants said a few tweaks could be enough. Marko Jaric said a shakeup might be good for the team. But most players agreed they should be honest with themselves about their performances. "Clearly we're all being evaluated, from players to management to coaches, and we can all improve," forward Mark Madsen said. "But the biggest thing is look at ourselves in the mirror. If each man in the locker room looks at himself in the mirror, good things are going to happen. ... If we can't be motivated off the frustration of this year, then something's wrong." Reacting to Wittman's call for a shakeup, guard Mike James said: "If that's what they want to do, let them do what they want to do. Everybody needs (to be accountable), from the coaching staff to the last player on the roster." Before Wednesday night's game, Wittman said he planned to sit down soon with management to discuss his future. Wittman said he hadn't talked about his situation with management since he replaced Casey on Jan. 23 and had no indication what might happen. Owner Glen Taylor has said Wittman's fate would be decided after the season. Vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale will address the media today, and Wittman's status will be one of the topics. "We'll sit down here hopefully in the next couple days, and I'll have a better understanding," said Wittman, under whom the Wolves were 12-30. "I'm not saying I've got a bad feeling. I haven't had a conversation. We'll have that." By his own admission, Wittman's half-season in charge was difficult. But he vowed to learn from the experience and improve. "I felt I was coaching on a carousel this year, trying to change and tinker things to the point that maybe there was more confusion than good out of it," Wittman said. "But when you go on a slide, you try to do whatever you can. When you don't have your foundation of what you want to do, there was no training camp and everything leading up to that, it was hard. No question. But you learn through tough times, too." As an NBA head coach, he has been associated with three teams that failed to make the playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers, plagued by injuries, suffered two 50-loss seasons under his direction from 1999 to 2001. Taking over in the middle of the season in Minnesota was more difficult because of the timing, Wittman said. "It's tough when a coach is let go, and you have to step in," Wittman said. "That's the first time I've ever done that. It's hard. It's a lot harder than having the ability to have what you want to do in place and in line." In the last three months of the season, the Wolves had one of the NBA's worst records. "It's hard to try to put any kind of coach in a situation with a half of a season," Wolves veteran Ricky Davis said. "You've got the nucleus going with another coach, Casey, and then it changes. Maybe you give him a whole year and see what happens." --

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