Hype and spin are so ubiquitous these days. Let's start with our dearly departed KG, who initially nixed a trade to Boston, and now is waxing eloquent about the tradition and history of the Celtics. Is it real, or is it the fact that he was able to sign another significant extension and now has two upper level stars to play with? Next, we have the Iron Ranger who after years of acquiring soft, jump shooting talent to surround KG, now is claiming smash mouth basketball is the style du jour. Moving on to our broadcaster extraordinare, Jim Petersen, who last year during the first half of the season proclaimed Mark Blount the second best center in the Western Conference. We can only hope that if Bad News Blount gets moved, Petersen will remember his words and not throw him under the bus as he did Mike James recently--another player who Petersen recommended the Wolves acquire. Finally, we have the Wolves organization as a whole, selling all the new players, pushing Al Jefferson as one of the next breakout stars, while simultaneously lowering the bar for the team.
What are we, the ordinary, uninformed, "never-played-the-game" fans supposed to believe? For the sake of selling tickets and keeping the franchise relevant, there's a whole lot folks at Club Timberwolves who want you to drink the kool-aid, and believe something special is beginning. Whether any fan chooses to believe is totally an individual decision, but I think we all should be asking ourselves questions along the way to keep things honest. For example, why would a team acquiring a majority of talent from one the worst teams in the last couple of years suddenly be "hype worthy"? Why would a VP who has utterly and completely failed to support a fabulous Hall of Fame type of player in his prime years now be able to build the right chemistry and talent to make a run at championship? As for Boston, why would three superstars who have yet been unable to make a significant dent in their post-season careers immediately be able to make a run at a championship?
What cuts through hype and spin are results, evaluating the gaps between promise and performance. Based on previous results, I would say the chances of the Wolves being worthy any time soon are poor. And, because the East Conference is still weak, Boston may take a run deep into the playoffs, but they won't win a ring.
Don't take my word for it though. See and judge for yourself, and don't believe anyone's sell job. We're better (and smarter) than that.
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