Timberwolves III - How to Fix the Season

As we’ve all noticed, the Timberwolves have fallen below .500. How did this happen? How can a team who had one of the best records in the NBA last year, who returned the same team (less Gary “Pornstache” Trent), be so below average this year? I don’t think it’s really that difficult to see why they are doing as bad as they are, the question is…are they doing to do anything to fix it?

There are three main reasons the Timberwolves have fallen off this year: Michael Olowokandi, position chemistry, and the downward spiral of Sam Cassell. There is a corrective measure that can be taken to fix each of these problems, if Flip and McHale would just realize it. This is still a team capable of moving into the Finals this year. All they have to do is make a couple of moves.

Problem 1: Michael Olowokandi He is a cancer. I feel like Peter, spreading the gospel to anyone who will listen. I’ve been convinced of this since halfway through last season. A fun little game to play is to see which Kandi has more of, passes or fouls. Amazing.

Solution 1: They have to get rid of Kandi. Much like cancer, he is spreading his negative attitude and lackadaisical play to the rest of the team. They need to lop him off before he affects anyone else. Trade him. For anything. For nothing. It doesn’t matter! If someone offers you a dollar off a Big Beef Burrito from Taco Bell coupon, jump at the opportunity. If the worst comes to be, you need to cut him. Take the salary cap hit. Then, go and sign someone who is willing to play defense and rebound (and was acquitted of manslaughter) for the veteran minimum. Hell, put Ebi out there in Kandi’s spot. All I can do is hope and pray that Kandi goes Artest on someone and fixes the problem himself. Because I don’t think McHale is going to do anything about him.

Problem 2: Position Chemistry This has been a problem since Wally came back. Flip is putting too many “scorers” out there. And by “scorers”, I obviously mean people who only want to shoot the ball, not play defense at all and only care what their final stats look like (Yeah, I’m looking at you Cassell and Sprewell). Flip is not mixing in his role players like he did last year.

Solution 2: They need to keep a consistent mix of defenders and offensive players on the floor at all times. If this means not playing someone with a big ego (we’ll get to you in a second Cassell), then don’t play them. You’re paying them either way. Just putting the big money guys in the line-up does not produce wins. Here is the starting line-up I would use:

PG: Anthony Carter
SG: Latrell Sprewell
SF: Wally Szerbiak
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Ervin Johnson

You have three scorers out there, plus two excellent defenders. You have Johnson out there, who doesn’t bring anything to the table but at least he doesn’t steal anything from it.

For substitutes, you need to keep a good defensive balance. Madsen and John Thomas are the subs for Ervin. All three of them are interchangeable, though I’d start Madsen if he weren’t hurt. At all times, you must have 2 of these 4 on the floor: KG, AC, Eddie Griffin and Trenton Hassell. When KG is taken out, you need to have all three in. Troy Hudson will be the first sub off the bench for AC and Cassell is demoted to third string. Hoiberg also comes in for Spree as a change of pace guy, who can D up a bit. All of this eliminates the selfishness and makes sure that we have enough people on the floor that can play defense. It will work.

Problem 3: The Downward Spiral of Sam Cassell How did he fall so far, so fast. Not since Ben Affleck went from Goodwill Hunting to Gigli, has someone dropped so miserably. Sam could never play defense, which was always fine in the past. He made up for it with his scoring and playmaking ability. But now he has become a below average shooter. Sure, he can still light it up, but the 10 point nights are becoming more common than the 23 point nights. And 10 points with no defense is not good enough to start in the NBA.

Solution 3: Bench Sam Cassell. Put him as your third sting. Trade him if someone still believes he has something in the tank. He has nothing left to offer this team, except a bad attitude and an inflated ego. Cassell learned from Kandi; he’s bringing nothing to the table and when you get there, he’s made off with all the rolls (maybe to feed Spree’s kids, I don’t know). He needs to be a player that plays about 10 minutes a night and if his shot is falling, let him play more. That’s it.

If Flip and Kevin follow this advice, we’re going to be watching the Wolves move deep into May and possibly June. If they don’t heed my words of wisdom, we’re going to be arguing over who McHale should take with their lottery pick next year, because this team is not going to be playoff bound. Let’s go guys. As Spike Lee would say…”Do the right thing!”

If this sounds almost identical to How to Fix the Season I, it’s because it it. Why won’t they listen to me??