Last night’s NBA lottery left the Timberwolves with the No. 3 pick in the June 26 NBA draft and on the outside looking in regarding the consensus first two choices, guard Derrick Rose and forward Michael Beasley. Better lottery luck no doubt would have left Wolves coach Randy Wittman feeling better.
Back in April, Wittman heard the news along with others inside and outside the organization that Kevin McHale thinks the Wolves are capable of winning up to 20 more games next season. The statement by the Wolves vice president surprised the local basketball world and put Wittman in even a hotter box than this past season when the team finished 22-60, the third worst record in the NBA. That brought Wittman’s career NBA coaching record to 96-192. His record in Cleveland was 62-102 in two seasons. He is 34-90 in about one and one-half seasons with the Wolves.
Wittman hasn’t been surrounded by extraordinary talent in his head coaching assignments. He won’t be next season either. The Wolves are young and trying to develop a winning nucleus, competing in the Western Conference against several teams that are much further advanced in both abilities and experience.
With declining interest in the team and an absence from the playoffs since 2004, the Wolves management and ownership need a team that looks like it’s improving. If next year’s model doesn’t fit the profile, it’s a duh to wonder if Wittman won’t get the blame and a pink slip.
Up to a 20 game improvement? In franchise history the biggest improvement was the 1996-97 season when the Wolves won 14 games more than the year before. That team had soon to be super star Kevin Garnett, in his second NBA season, plus a sensational rookie point guard in Stephon Marbury, and a versatile veteran forward in Tom Gugliotta who could score, rebound and pass.
The last time the Wolves lost at least 60 games in a season was 1994-95 (21-61 record). In the 1995 draft the Wolves had the No. 5 pick and chose Garnett. The next season the team went 26-56, winning five more games even after adding Garnett.
Over the years, of course, the Wolves have often drafted poorly. No matter who they come up with picking at No. 2 this year, the odds are long that there will be a 20 game improvement in wins next season.
Let’s make it a 10 game upgrade and cross our fingers. I think Wittman will breathe easier.