Watch the Timberwolves on TV, at Target Center or in their locker room and it’s evident the players like one another. They also have more than a collective clue about relating to the public and media. The Wolves are at an all-time low after 23 games with a 3-20 record, but they’re ahead in personality from last season’s crew.
The Wolves have 10 new players on the roster from last season. They also have seven players who are first, second or third year players.
So far the record is dismal with Seattle having the next poorest record in the NBA at 7-18. The poorest Wolves team record for 23 games prior to this season was 4-19 in December of 1991.
Center Michael Doleac, acquired in the trade with Miami earlier this year, has played with six NBA teams. He describes his new teammates as a good group and added that “chemistry” is definitely not a problem in the locker room.
Guard Marko Jaric is in his third season with the Wolves and he agrees with Doleac. “I think this team is made with a lot of good guys,” he told Sports Headliners last week. “They’re trying to work. They’re trying to sacrifice for the team. We don’t have on and off the court a problem. I think we have a very good chemistry. …”
Jaric knows a lot of fans and media are discouraged with the team’s start. He said the club has played aggressively on offense and defense, and coach Randy Wittman has done a “good job” of teaching a team that includes inexperienced players. But the “pieces” haven’t come together, Jaric said. With 59 games remaining, he said there’s time to change the results for the better.
Obviously this isn’t a comfortable beginning to the season for Jaric and others. “This is a tough year,” Jaric said. “I didn’t play in too many winning seasons (before) but this is definitely so far the worst start. But, you know what? I know that can change and I strongly believe in that.”
Although the Wolves are 1-9 in their last 10 games and have a five game losing streak, Doleac said last week that losses aren’t going to deter this team. “I don’t think anyone’s confidence is going to be hurt,” he said.
The Wolves have lost five games by four points or less. “We need to learn how to win,” Fred Hoiberg, assistant general manager, said on Monday. “Everybody has seen how many close games we’ve had. We need to experience winning. We need to get it rolling in the right direction.”