Timberwolves "not likely" to win 2011 championship

[Andrew]

Wolves spell out rebuilding plans in ad

The team took out a full-page ad in Monday's Star Tribune sports section, featuring a long open letter to fans that acknowledges the negatives, points to the positives, and spells out the plan for improvement.

Included in the letter are these words: "So will we challenge for the NBA championship this year? Not likely."

Perhaps the most honest thing an NBA team has ever said.

[Axel The Great]

OMFG!!! NO! THIS IS SO SHOCKING!!! jk.

Similar to what you said Andrew, it is obvious the Wolves won't be winning any titles in quite a few years. Maybe even never.

[Lamrock]

If they were really being honest, they would have put "not likely to win 20 games"

[shadowgrin]

Full text

The time for talk is over

Okay, not quite. Right after this long-winded letter. Because we do have a lot of good things to talk about.

Fourteen months ago we laid out a plan: First, we would become a running team that plays an exciting up-tempo style of basketball. Second, we would get younger in order to build a team that could improve together and compete for a number of years. Third, we would instill a culture of hard work throughout our organization. Fourth, transparency. We’ll always let you know exactly what’s going on, occasionally via long-winded letters.

That was our plan over a year ago and it hasn’t changed one iota. In the off-season we added young, athletic wing players Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster and Lazar Hayward. They join Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington as guys who can get up and down the floor quickly and shoot the ball from the perimeter. We re-signed Darko Milicic and added Nikola Pekovic, giving us two more up-tempo big men to run with one of the best outlet passers in the game, Kevin Love. We took advantage of our cap room to acquire a potential star in Michael Beasley, who was the number one prospect in his high school class of 2007 and averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds in his one college season. And finally, we added Luke Ridnour, a push-the-pace player who becomes the team’s elder statesman at the age of 29.

We now have more shooting, athleticism and depth at every position, which will make us a better team this season. So will we challenge for the NBA championship this year?

Not likely.

Ouch. This honesty thing is a bit painful. But the reality is, we still need that one dominant player.

It’s possible that that player could already be on our roster. We have eight guys who were selected in the top seven picks of their respective drafts, and the average age of those players is 22. So the potential is there for someone to emerge. But in case that doesn’t happen, we’ll continue to manage our salary cap so that we have the flexibility to make that one move that can change a franchise.

We are confident, however, that this team will be exciting to watch. For the first time in years Wolves fans are going to feel like they’re missing out if they aren’t in the arena. So in addition to player development we’re working hard on fan development, starting with variable pricing and Flex Pack ticket packages that let you pick the games and seats that you want. The bottom line for fans is: We’re making it easier than ever for you to be part of our turnaround.

There’s been a lot of talk this off-season. The naysayers certainly have been vocal. And while we can understand a certain amount of skepticism, we know we’ve turned the corner. And we’re anxious to get after that first tipped ball so we can start to prove it.

Enough talk. It’s time to play.

Oh, wait. We forgot to talk about Rubio.

Next time.

[benji]

You guys are just a bunch of negative nancies.

[Kenny]

Gutted... absolutely gutted

[Andrew]

We took advantage of our cap room to acquire a potential star in Michael Beasley, who was the number one prospect in his high school class of 2007 and averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds in his one college season.

Not mentioning his first couple of years in the league definitely helps put a more positive spin on things. He's still young and has ample opportunity to be a solid NBA player of course, but that's trying a little too hard to get Timberwolves fans pumped up about them bringing him on board.

Still, got to give them credit for being honest yet upbeat.

[Murat]

Ouch, was it their target last year?

[Killer Crossover aka OG]

I hope Kevin Garnett is coming back soon

[rise]

Keep hoping. I can't see the Wolves winning more than 20-25 games this season. It's only that high because I believe in Martell Webster and Wesley Johnson. Hayward isn't a bad option either.

[Murat]

Me too. I won't count Michael Beasley. Mostly 30.

[rise]

It's pretty sad when you're saying "This team was lucky to get Beasley!" It's something else to say Beasley might be a factor, but that might be taking it too far...

[Axel The Great]

You guys are just a bunch of negative nancies.

benji still goes on with his humor.

[The X]

Beasley will do great, haters are gonna hate

[rise]

benji still goes on with his humor.

So does The X.
lol he thinks beasley will do something! lol

[J@3]

Wtf @ the Rubio line.

[Axel The Great]

benji still goes on with his humor.

So does The X.
lol he thinks beasley will do something! lol

Beasley will be beastly with the Wolves.

[rise]

In comparison to their other players/

[Andrew]

Ouch, was it their target last year?

In theory it's every team's goal every year; it's just not a realistic goal for everyone.

[rise]

Ouch, was it their target last year?

Nope. That was the Nets.

[Laxation]

In other breaking news, drugs are bad for your brain

[Patr1ck]

So they are taking note from a certain basketball video game company, I see.

[Murat]

Beasley uses marijuana, so he won't help to Wolves, will make T-Wolves ill like himself.

[koberulz]

Using marijuana is not a disease.

[The X]

Beasley 19 & 8 this season