2009: Year of the Ox? Or is it the year of the Timberwolves?

[Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images]

Which NBA team has the best record in games played in 2009? No, not the sizzling Lakers, Cavs, Magic, or Celtics, but the left-for-dead, Timberwolves. At 9-2 in January, the Wolves have an overall record of 15-27 after going 4-23 in their first 27 games. That means the Wolves are 11-4 in the past 15 games!

Though the Wolves were not predicted to even compete for a playoff spot, they were strongly considered to be one of the more promising young teams. After the disastrous start to the season, many pundits wrote the team off and questioned whether the current team could improve and stay competitive in the future. Did McHale assemble yet another team with overvalued players, trade away a sure-fire pick, and draft another lottery bust? Should the Timberwolves blow up their roster and start from square one in this rebuilding process?

It looked really dismal in the beginning, but the team is getting better and better each game, primarily because of McHale’s hands-off and player-oriented coaching and the subsequent improvement of the young core. I feel more comfortable as a Wolves fan with McHale scribbling plays rather than making personnel decisions in the front office. Foye is starting to shine, Jefferson should be an All-Star, and Love is posting unbelievable numbers of 11.4 ppg, .532 fgp, and 9.9 rpg in 23 mpg this month. Talk about efficiency! If he continues this pace, he should be in the discussion for ROY. The biggest surprise, though, has been Carney’s energy and improved play after Brewer went out with a season-ending injury. He’s been supplying the much-needed athleticism at the wing and in the break.

It’s just past the midpoint of the season, so there are many more games to be played. I stated before that if the Wolves can win at least 30 games, I’d be ecstatic. The Wolves are rolling right now and if they win the games they should win and pull out some upsets, they can surprise some people at season’s end.