2005 Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

At the time of publish the NBA regular season is around the corner. What better way to get you locked and loaded for a winning season than a free season preview from Maddux Sports. We remind you that MadduxSports.com is an expert NBA handicapper and offers NBA Picks against the point spread. For more information on this years basketball package click here. Onto the individual team preview for this years Minnesota Timberwolves.

2005 Minnesota Timberwolves Team Preview

Wolves’ power forward Kevin Garnett, who’s now played a decade in the NBA, started all 82 games last season and played an average of 38.1 minutes per contest. He led his team in both rebounds and points per game with 13.5 and 22.2 respectively. For the past three seasons Garnett has ranked first in the league in the multi-stat gauge of player versatility—Efficiency Rating. In the last three seasons he’s compiled 208 double-doubles; that’s 50 more than his nearest competitor Tim Duncan. Yet, despite the fact that one of the best players in the NBA plays with a vengeance for the Minnesota franchise, the team did not make the playoffs last year and they may not make them this year.

Problems for the team include their lack of depth, experience, and defense. They had the fewest steals, forced turnovers, and trips to the foul line. They can shoot, they just can’t stop other teams from shooting, nor can they force opponents to make mistakes. About 70% of the team’s players have been in the league 5 years or less. Now consider the fact that the Timberwolves have a rookie coach on the bench this season. What chance do they have in a division as competitive as the Northwest?

The new guy standing on the side of the court in a nicely tailored suit is Dwane Casey. Casey, who spent 11 years as an assistant with Seattle, is well respected, known for having a great work ethic, and is very good at developing young talent. He’s credited with helping Seattle develop its effective uptempo style of play on offense. He says although that may be true, his emphasis in Minnesota will be first and foremost on defense. This makes sense since it is the area this team is most lacking.

Casey takes over a team that is riddled with question marks and prime for shaping and refining. It’s a big challenge for any coach, especially a rookie. But that first-time status may be in Casey’s favor, giving him some time to feel out his team and his new job. The Wolves in the playoffs this year? Probably not. The Wolves finding their identity? Probably.

For more information on the 2005 Minnesota Timberwolves Team, click here to visit their official team website.