The
Timberwolves are the state of Minnesota’s professional basketball team. They
are one of only seven teams in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference
of the NBA. On January 12, 1984, after almost 25 years without professional basketball
in the state, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich made his mark by assembling a
30-member team of Minnesotans, led by former Minneapolis Laker star George
Mikan, to bring the sport back to the state. Over the next few years this
group attempted to purchase teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio
Spurs, and the Utah Jazz with no avail. However, in 1987 the state was awarded
a new basketball franchise.
The
Timberwolves name was developed when the owners started a “name the team”
contest, where the timber wolf was suggested and finally selected as the team
Mascot. The first season for the team was conducted in 1989, where they had 22
wins and 60 losses. That year the Timberwolves also had their first draft
pick, Jerome “pooh” Richardson, who was named the NBA All-Rookie First Team in
1989-90.
At the
end of the 94-95 season, Kevin McHale, the former Boston Celtics star, was
named as the successor to retiring Jack McCloskey as the Vice President of
Basketball Operations. In the 1996-97 season, the team made the playoffs for
the first time in team history. Also under the directorship of McHale, in the
late 1990’s the team signed Kevin Garnett, a graduating high school student
with a promising future in basketball.
Garnett
proved to be a solid move for the Timberwolves. At this point in his ten year
career, Garnett has been named an eight time NBA All Star, six time All NBA,
six time All Defensive and four time All Interview. He has been named player
of the month eight times and player of the week twelve times. He led the
league in rebounding and double-doubles for the 04-05 season. He was the first
NBA player to receive four player of the month awards in one season. He was
also named the MVP of the 52nd annual All Star Game in 2003. He was
named NBA All-Rookie for his first season (95-96), and was named NBA MVP for
the 03-04 season. He was also a member of the 2000 Men’s Basketball Olympic
Team, which took gold at the 2000 Olympics.
Also
providing entertainment during Timberwolves games is their mascot, Crunch, and
their dance team. Crunch is a Timber wolf through and through – he even has
his own jersey! Crunch can be found throughout the game keeping fans energized
and excited about the team. The dance team is made up of sixteen girls ranging
in age from nineteen to twenty-seven. They never use a particular dance more
than three times throughout the entire season, and their wardrobe consists of
almost fifty different outfits.
As a
team, the Wolves play together on and off the court. They are heavily involved
in the local community, participating in many community service initiatives
developed especially for the team. They have helped to bring the NBA supported
Read to Achieve program, which is a year round literacy program across the United States. They have a “Junior Wolves” program, which is designed to promote the sport
among the youth of the community through summer camps, pre-game clinics, and
holding mini-games during half time at Wolves games. The Timberwolves also
honor the top ten youth basketball players in the state each year, five boys
and five girls, based on their performance throughout the season. Additionally,
youth basketball teams can raise money for their programs by selling programs
before and during Timberwolves games, and take the profits from selling these
programs back to their organizations.
The
Timberwolves are the pride of Minnesota Basketball fans and with great
leadership from their MVP Kevin Garnett, the wolves are sure to keep impressing
ticket holders with every game!
Now that the Minnesota Timberwolves have first round draft picks back from the Joe Smith scandal, they can begin to re-build the team with some fresh talent. The team is currently in the process of putting the right players beside superstar Kevin Garnett in order to get back the playoffs. After many straight seasons of playoff appearances peaking with the 2003-04 Western Conference Finals run, Timberwolves fans are starved for another playoff appearance. You could say we are, hungry like a wolf. As the Timberwolves continue to add young talent, Timberwolves tickets will only become more desirable in order to see these new and exciting players.
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