"No one in the Timberwolves' front office or locker room predicted an NBA playoff appearance this season. David Kahn, the team's president of basketball operations, never made the claim, and neither did Wolves coach Kurt Rambis. But Kahn and Rambis offered expectations of better results after a series of offseason moves that brought in nine new players and a more exciting style of play. On paper, it's hard to decipher any progress in the Wolves' 5-17 start, the NBA's second-worst record. In the locker room, however, the record has no connection to the promise that players and coaches can see. "None of us are happy with the losses, but all of us see some light at the end of the tunnel," forward Kevin Love said. "We know we have the foundation to be a really good team someday; if not this season, next year. I don't think I could have said that last year about the direction of where our team is heading." Love's reaction reflects the disappointment among players and coaches yet a sense that things will improve if the young team is given a chance to grow. Part of the growing process, in Rambis' eyes, is learning hard lessons from close defeats. Like Kahn, Rambis also believed the team would be better, but he indicated after Thursday's practice that he sees progress that isn't reflected in wins and losses. "From the beginning of the season, we truly have improved as a team in a lot of areas," Rambis said. "We know what our record says, but that doesn't say what our team is about and what we're trying to accomplish. We're still building something here." After Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City, in which the Wolves failed for the second time this season to hold on to a double-digit lead, players expressed anger at letting another game get away. Some players believed the outward emotion was a positive sign of better times ahead. "You can tell when teams are not on the right track," said swingman Martell Webster, who is in his sixth NBA season. "Teams will lose games, and guys don't care. That's not the case here. We want to have a better record, of course, but the mission is to build a winning team, and we're definitely on that track." " Read more: http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_16820739?nclick_check=1
