<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Timberwolves haven't inspired this much anticipation since their inaugural season of 1989-90. After the most active offseason in franchise history, the Wolves could have three new starters in Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell and Michael Olowokandi. Superstar Kevin Garnett is signed for six more years, and the starting backcourt of Wally Szczerbiak and Troy Hudson is back, as well. However, the Wolves have some questions to answer as they open training camp today at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. Here's a look at the 10 biggest: 1. Can this be the first Wolves team to get past the first round of the playoffs? Yes, but only if the Wolves can put their egos aside and play as a team. No other NBA team made as many offseason moves as the Wolves. Cassell and Sprewell are at the point in their careers where winning is more important than individual accolades. Hudson and Szczerbiak can score. Many people have the Wolves picked as the third- or fourth-best team in the Western Conference. 2. Can coach Flip Saunders get this team to mesh? Six scorers, one basketball; something has to give. Saunders has proved he can get the best out of a group of average players. Now he has to find a way to get his most talented team ever to play together. Saunders said he had a similar situation when he coached in the Continental Basketball Association. The difference between the two is that players in the CBA would do anything to reach the NBA. Will this group of NBA players make the necessary sacrifices? 3. Will Garnett regret signing his contract extension? Garnett had the option of waiting until next summer before deciding to sign with a team. But he stayed loyal to the Wolves and signed an extension Wednesday. The Wolves showed their commitment to Garnett by supplying him with the best set of teammates of his eight-year career. Another first-round loss in the playoffs could have Garnett re-thinking his decision. 4. How will Wally Szczerbiak handle not being the No. 2 scoring option? For the past two seasons, Szczerbiak was the Wolves' No. 2 go-to player, after Garnett. Now he is going to have to adapt to being the third, fourth, even fifth scoring option on some nights. The addition of so many scorers might even help Szczerbiak because it won't allow teams to key on him, which should allow him to get more open looks. 5. How will Troy Hudson handle possibly not starting? It was just five months ago that Hudson showed he could take over a series. Hudson, who averaged 14.2 points during the regular season, increased his average by nearly 10 points, to 23.5 points against the Lakers, including 37 in Game 2. With the addition of Cassell, Hudson might be coming off the bench this season. Expect Hudson and Cassell to play in the backcourt together at times.</div> For questions 6-10 http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress...rts/6919746.htm (thanks for the link Dexter)
Yep, I saw this article yesterday. Here are the answers to all of the questions: 1.Yes 2.Yes 3.No 4.Good 5.Handle it like a pro 6.Wait and see 7.Yes 8.Yes 9.Trent knows how to score a little 10.Ebi shouldn't care, just feel lucky that he's playing for the future World Champions
I really like question no. 2. Its not one that has been asked a lot. Flip Saundars has always been underrated as a coach, not only has Kevin had little to work with, so has Flip. This will be his year to show what he can do to please 5 all star caliaber egos, and Troy Hudson. No. 4 is the biggest in my mind, Will Wally be satisified with winning and not getting as many shots as Kevin and Sprewell/Cassell. If he accepts a role as a 3rd or maybe the 4th option, as plays it well, the Timberwolves will be so great on offense. Look at the Mavs, they know it goes through Dirk first, then they will get theirs, hopefully Wally will accept this.
Oh yea, and the question "Willy Kevin reget signing the extension?" ... a very retarded question in my mind. Kevin knows is one of the few rich rich rich players that has is priorities straight, he probably thought this out well, discussed it will the people that it needed to, and made the best decison.
