Minnesota is in full tank mode. They wrecked Kevin Garnet's 351 game consecutive starts record, the longest active streak in the league, to tank the rest of the games for the season. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/14305183.htm ------------------------------------------------ Timberwolves sit Garnett, beat Hawks BY RICK ALONZO Knight Ridder Newspapers MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves ended exhibition play in October. It resumed Sunday, with six games remaining in the regular season. The Wolves' season took perhaps its strangest turn Sunday when Kevin Garnett was shut down, perhaps for the rest of the season, as the youth movement hit full speed. Garnett had made 351 consecutive starts, the longest active streak in the NBA. That ended against the Atlanta Hawks, but rookie Rashad McCants scored a career-high 28 points in the Wolves' 84-83 win. With the Wolves eliminated from playoff contention, Garnett didn't even suit up Sunday. Ricky Davis, the Wolves' second-leading scorer, also was out and might not return. Officially, the explanation listed on an injury report was that Garnett (right knee tendinitis) and Davis (left groin strain) are battling nagging injuries. In reality, the Wolves shut them down because the team essentially has begun summer-league play a few months early. Casey said he hasn't determined whether Garnett and Davis will see the court again before the season ends. "With Ricky's groin the way it is and to save miles on Kevin's knees, it's just better to go ahead and not even be tempted to give them those minutes," Casey said. Garnett watched the game from the locker room. A team spokesman said during the fourth quarter that Garnett had left the building and would not be available for postgame comments. Davis watched from the bench and also left early. Garnett had started every Wolves game since Feb. 19, 2002, when he missed a victory at Dallas for personal reasons. The Wolves improved to 3-11 with Garnett sitting out, dating to his rookie season in 1995-96. It remains to be seen whether the NBA will have anything to say about Minnesota's use, or lack thereof, of Garnett and Davis to ensure competitive balance and equity. Teams competing for playoff positioning might not be too happy about the Wolves using a less-than-full-strength lineup. Four of the Wolves' five remaining games are against teams jockeying for playoff seeding. Utah still is mathematically alive for the playoffs, and it picked up a win Friday against the Wolves as Garnett sat out the fourth quarter. Casey said he still is trying to win games and doesn't think the team will hear from the league. He also said his first obligation is to develop the team. "We owe it to our fans to develop and to be ready for next year, so that we don't go through the same thing next year," Casey said. That process is well underway. (end of the article was cut because it was not about the benching)
So has KG played his last game as a T-Wolve? I'm thinking no he is that whole franchise. If they trade him there taking steps backwards and I'm not sure that franchise would surive a few cold years of rebuilding. They should trade for Stevie. Ben Wallace a FA??? Try for him. I can see KG demanding a trade he's probaly felt hes done all he could. But I see no benefit of Minnesota trading him if hes happy. It shouldnt be to hard to build around KG it's a shame they've failed. By far my non-favorite rocket ever.
We should be doing the same thing with our stars here in Houston ~ lets see what the youngsters can do...
I don't think it will help to sit Yao out at all. He missed a lot games because of his toe injury. I would have liked to see him play 82 games plus the entire playoffs in a hypothetical situation which is what NBA Basketball is about. Resting Yao Ming won't do him any good.
Clutch - this has got to be a huge item in the Lottery Race - am eagerly awaiting the CF wrap-up of this bold new move by the T-wolves. Great job on that btw!
"right knee tendinitis" That's the same "injury" T-Mac had when he got shut down during that horrible Magic season prior to being traded here. Hopefully the Wolves will hire Weisbrod and he will take anyone not named Yao or T-Mac for KG.
Marc Stein mentioned in his chat today that the Wolves have to give up their 1st round pick this year if they draft outside of the #10 pick (I think part of the Boston deal earlier this year?). So right there is your incentive to tank.
I cant believe this team didnt trade Spreewell when they had the chance. I cant believe they traded Cassell rather than upgrading the backup point. I cant believe they paid Joe Smith under the table and lost those picks. I cant believe they fired Flip. Everyone bashes the Knicks. The Knicks take risks, the Wolves just sit there and deteriorate...They wont make the finals anytime within the next 10 years. Knicks will.
I agree with you that the Wolves have made some mistakes. I don't agree though that the Knicks are going to make the finals anytime soon.
