The NBA added four expansion teams in 1987, and one of those just so happened to be the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were one of the worst franchises in the NBA for a few years till they selected Kevin Garnett in the 1995 NBA NBA draft. The Timberwolves had just 29 wins, 15 wins, 19 wins, 20 wins and 21 wins in its first five seasons. Even though they had solid players like Isaiah Rider and Tom Gugliota.
In the 1995 season, Minnesota drafted Kevin Garnett and selected Stephon Marbury in the 1996 NBA draft. It was in the 1996 campaign that the Timberwolves first reached the postseason for the 1st time in franchise history. With Kevin Garnett’s leadership and all-around game the Timberwolves made the playoffs for 8 consecutive seasons, but they were eliminated in the first round for 7 straight years before ultimately reaching the Conference finals in the 2003-04 season.
After trading for Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell in the 2003 offseason, the Timberwolves enjoyed their best season yet winning 58 games, Kevin Garnett won his first MVP after averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. It was the first time in franchise history that the Timberwolves moved past the opening round and after winning the second round, Garnett leapt upon the scorer’s table. It was one of the more memorable moments in team history. But they never replicated their achievement as injuries, income disputes, and a trade would keep the team from getting back to the playoffs. Check out our NBA Finals odds for a more in-depth look at which teams are in the running to win it all this year.
After Garnett’s departure in 2007, the team returned to its losing ways. Minnesota hasn’t made the postseason since falling in the Conference Finals and are averaging just over 30 wins per season. They’ve had a lot of draft picks pop up and vanish, but fans are starting to get all excited again with the team centered around Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.
The Timberwolves are a organization that is starving for success. In its 23 year history, Minnesota have only made the playoffs eight times. To my mind the best Minnesota Timberwolves team of all time would go to the 2003-04 team that reached the Western Conference Finals. The 2003-04 Timberwolves proved that if you gave Garnett acceptable help, he would be in a position to reach the promise land. Although the Timberwolves lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, the 2003-04 team is without a doubt the better team in franchise history.
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