Even before the season ended, the Timberwolves were looking forward.  Looking forward to all things draft related and the possibility of the Most Important Draft Day Decision in franchise history.

• A little dramatic?  Absolutely.
• True?  Same answer.
• Strong alliteration?  My English teacher Dad would be proud.

The 2010 NBA draft Lottery and the draft itself are crucial for the direction and perception of the franchise that has asked us, the fans, to be patient –“we are going through tough times”.  Aka “rebuilding”. This draft is important not only because we can add stellar players like Kentucky point guard John Wall or Ohio State ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Evan Turner,  it will also give us a clearer few of General Manager David Kahn’s vision for this team as he solidifies that core of players that will become relevant in a few seasons.

However, this team is young, and we would get even younger.  Would we then have to revamp the rebuilding plan?  It would seem so.  Flynn becomes a back-up and Rubio becomes a Knick, a Clipper or a Heat – even though that sounds weird, it is grammatically correct. And because the expectations need to be pushed back one more year, Al Jefferson most certainly would be traded and we would be looking for the new big man. This season has been difficult to watch and, at times, care.  It does make it easier to do so when you believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and this would make the tunnel longer and darker.

Possible starting line-up in this scenario:  Wall, Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes, Kevin Love and Dark Milicic.  Off the bench you have:  Ramon Sessions, Ryan Hollins, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Damien Wilkins.

Other Side of the Magical Coin Let’s say the Wolves get the No. 1 pick and draft Wall, don’t trade Jefferson and for some un-known reason Rubio decides to play in Minnesota this season. Just imagine press conference.  Kahn leans to the microphone and declares his plan a success; we have our superstar and a team that can grow with him – not unlike Cleveland with LeBron James or Oklahoma City with Kevin Durant. Then Kahn introduces Wall with his shiny-new Wolves jersey, people clap, cameras click and bulbs flash wildly, and we would all be very happy.

Suddenly, Kahn announces he has another special announcement.  Rubio will be coming to play with Wall.  The buzz-factor just kicked-up six notches, season ticket sales jump 5000% and Timberwolves would be the lead story on every sport show and sports blog in the country for at least two to three hours – media rolls over pretty quick, but we will take anything we can get. Holy Crap Target Center would be packed!  Even with a team that would struggle to win 30 games, Minnesota would have the two most talked about draftees over the last two years on the same team.  Jersey sales go up!

• Romantic?  It is a Minnesota basketball fans “wet dream”.
• Possible?  I give it a .43% chance.

What do I really think the Wolves should do if they land the No. 1 pick? Trade down. Get a player and a lower lottery or mid-round pick, draft Cole Aldrich or Greg Monroe, draft Xavier Henry with No. 16 from the Ty Lawson deal, then pick Luke Babbitt with 23^rd pick from Philly.

Possible starting line-up in this scenario:  Flynn, Henry, Brewer, Darko Milicic and Jefferson.  Then off the bench you have Love, Aldrich/Monroe, the Ryan’s: Gomes and Hollins, Babbitt, Wayne Ellington, Ramon Sessions, and the player added in the trade.  Plus you probably still have money to spend this free agent season or next.  Let’s say it together – “Upgrade”!

While all this pretending is nice, the real decision will take into account factors that we don’t know about.  And no matter what they decide to do; there will be those of us that will hate it and those of us who will love it.  Either way, we can only hope they don’t pick four point guards and then only get one.  Seriously.

Other Minnesota Basketball News

• Minnesota Lynx are a talented squad and start season with a win.
• McHale takes on the LeBron issue.
• Cole Aldrich in Minnesota?  If the Wolves  follow the instruction above, definite possibility.

Much like Love's face in the pic, this game was ugly!

Kevin Love had another great performance off the bench. Unfortunately for him, he did not get a double-double so he is dead to me. Al Jefferson continues to struggle. I think Kurt Rambis really needs to think about moving Big Al to the bench and limiting his minutes. He is clearly struggling and it is likely from knee pain or fatigue, so what is the benefit of continuing to trudge him out there as a starter for 25+ minutes? With Love, Darko, and Hollins you can easily restrict Jefferson to roughly 20 minutes a game.

Moving on; as a team Minnesota only shot 40% from the field last night. That will not get it done against any team let alone a team as well rounded as OKC. The Wolves were real strong from the line (15 of 17), about right on their average for rebounds, and slightly below average in rebound diff (-4). Damien Wilkins took a step backwards (0 pts in 15 minutes) after having back to back great games.

Beast!

Once again the Wolves had absolutely no answer for Russell Westbrook as he almost secured another triple-double. Westbrook is one of the fastest risers at the PG position in the NBA. He is quickly becoming one of the best. Remember this kid is big, physical, fast, and is actually learning how to play point at the NBA level. I repeat he is learning HOW to play PG at the highest level of competition in the world. The kid is uber talented. Jonny Flynn just does not match up well physically on offense or defense. Just wait til next year Russell when we can place Wall or Turner on you! Just kidding, but next time the Wolves play him they might need to play Sessions significantly more or give Flynn more help.

Overall I am not surprised by the outcome of this game. I had it closer because the last two times they have played it was real close, but on paper this is a significant mismatch. Oh well time to forgive and forget. The Wolves next game is tonight against Portland.