Big Ticket Throwback | '03-'04 Timberwolves MyLeague (PS4)

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Platform: PS4
Quarter Length: 11
Sim Quarter Length: 12
Difficulty: All-Star
Sliders: ThatMichiganFan's All-Star Sliders

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Explanation

When I do my season preview write-up and in-season reports and whatnot, I’ll be acting like the 2004 Timberwolves are the 2015 Timberwolves. Meaning, 2003-2004 was Kevin Garnett’s ninth season, so for the purposes of this MyLeague, Garnett’s rookie season would’ve theoretically been during the 2007-2008 season. It shouldn’t be a huge deal but I wanted to clear up what might be a little bit of confusion when I start doing previews and reports and whatnot.

Since I will be replacing the current Timberwolves with the 2003-2004 Timberwolves, I swapped the current Timberwolves roster with the current 76ers roster and dropped the top young players on the current 76ers into the FA pool.

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Garnett: “It’s My Time”

It’s been a somewhat tumultuous start to Kevin Garnett’s career. The on-court production for the 9-year vet has been nothing short of outstanding. It’s his playoff success, or lack thereof, that has started to draw harsh criticism. Garnett has led his Timberwolves squad to the playoffs each of the last seven seasons. Unfortunately, all seven of those playoff appearances ended in the first round. In his 29 playoff games during that stretch, Garnett averaged 21.1 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game, 1.6 blocks per game, and 1.3 steals per game showing his prowess as a dominant two-way player. However, Minnesota’s playoff record in that same stretch is a paltry 7-22. Ardent Garnett supporters would tell you he hasn’t had the necessary help to even win a playoff series, let alone make a deep playoff run, and those supporters would be correct to an extent. However, with fame and glory comes criticism and doubt. And no one is more aware of that than Garnett himself.

Quote:

“Why would it upset me? It’s true. I haven’t gotten out of the first round, yet. Let the critics knock me, I know what I got to do to shut them up.”

Minnesota has a newfound hope this season, though, with the addition of four time All-Star shooting guard Latrell Sprewell and two time champion point guard Sam Cassell. Sprewell, who is entering his twelfth NBA season, has career averages of 19.1 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 1.5 steals per game. Last season with the New York Knicks, Sprewell averaged 16.4 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 37% from three. Sprewell was a three time All-Star with the Golden State Warriors (1994, 1995, and 1997) and a one time All-Star with the Knicks in 2013. Sam Cassell is entering his eleventh season in the NBA, and has career averages of 15.9 points per game, 6.1 assists per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game. Cassell averaged 19.7 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 1.1 steals per game last season while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Quote:

“Adding two good veteran players like that to this team should help us take the next step,” commented Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders. “They give us two more scoring threats, two guys who can score 20 or 30 points any given night and can also defend on the other end. They’re savvy, battle-tested players who will provide a great deal of locker room leadership.”

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NBA Season Summaries

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Minnesota Timberwolves Season Summaries

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2015-2016 Minnesota Timberwolves Season Preview

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2015-2016 NBA Preview

NBA Conference Predictions

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Matchup Preview

Matchup Preview *|* October 28, 2015
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Minnesota Timberwolves (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Los Angeles Lakers (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Projected Starters Sam Cassell Point Guard DeAngelo Russell Trenton Hassell Shooting Guard Jordan Clarkson Latrell Sprewell Small Forward Kobe Bryant Kevin Garnett Power Forward Julius Randle Ervin Johnson Center Roy Hibbert