Wolves: Garnett blasts past but loves team's future http://www.startribune.com/511/story/717352.html Trying to steer the conversation away from the Timberwolves' flops and failures of 2005-06 and toward the season to come, Kevin Garnett offered a wink and a predicament to his inquisitors. "Last year was like pure ... ," Garnett said, at which point he dropped in a word that absolutely is not allowed to reach your breakfast table via newsprint. Or airwaves, for that matter. "I know you guys can't use [that word] in your columns or in your cameras, so I'm going to say ... ," Garnett said, flashing a knowing smile as he used the word twice more. "So make sure y'all edit that." Deal, as long as he and the rest of the Wolves edit their equally malodorous 33-49 record from last season. The team's worst finish since Garnett was a rookie (26-56 in 1995-96), it kept Minnesota out of the playoffs for the second consecutive spring and stoked speculation that Garnett himself soon might want out, frustrated by a string of dead-end seasons. The dwindling days of April were the worst; Garnett sat out the final last games with what was termed "tendinitis" rather than endure the team's backpedaling to a better draft position. He didn't talk with Twin Cities reporters over the final 10 days, went into his usual media blackout for a few months, then levied some familiar but fresh shots in a national magazine piece in August. "I just wish that the Minnesota Timberwolves would work a little harder, or work as hard as I work in the summertime," Garnett was quoted in SLAM magazine. Asked if he would want to leave if the Wolves didn't improve, the nine-time All-Star said: "I got to. If you're not working towards a championship, then why are we in this?" No wonder an NBA writer from USA Today showed up at the Wolves' otherwise uneventful media day Monday, hoping for a headline. He didn't exactly get one. "I've always said that as long as this team is trying to win and goin' in the right direction, I'd be here," Garnett said. "My goal is to win. Not anything short of that. When I feel like the organization was going in another direction, then it's probably time for me to move on. "If they're going to make a move and move me, whatever, that's what it is. It's not going to make any difference when I touch the floor or when I go at it. I'm ready, man. I'm psyched. I'm out to enjoy this year like I should." From agitated in August to excited in October. What changed? If Garnett is being honest, it was the commitment in September. Following Garnett's lead, most of the 14 Timberwolves under contract for all of 2005-06 showed up early for the coming season. Way early, by NBA standards, anywhere from four to six weeks before their required arrivals. Newcomers (Randy Foye, Mike James) and returnees (Ricky Davis, Trenton Hassell) alike got busy in the practice gym, scrimmaging, lifting, shooting and apparently bonding. Garnett fed the efforts -- literally, in fact, by bringing them home for lunch on a bunch of days. Every team in the NBA is undefeated at the moment, but the Wolves already feel way over .500 on spirit alone -- no small feat, given the way last season went. Head coach Dwane Casey had dinner with Garnett Saturday and heard his star player say he hadn't been this pumped since Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell showed up three years ago. "Last year was such a big disappointment that it fueled me to really remember why I play, and why we all love to play this game and play with emotion," Garnett said. "To try to incorporate that on the court, but to enjoy one another on the court, also." He added: "I can't really get y'all to understand not only how big it was for us to all be around each other but how well it went. Guys have really opened up, and I feel like we're working toward something special." Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale admitted he never showed up a month early for a Boston Celtics camp. But then, those teams were together longer than some families; the Wolves haven't had the luxury of that longevity. "These guys had to get to know each other," McHale said. "I was really impressed by Mike James coming in and getting to know the guys. Kevin taking guys over to his house. The older guys embracing the younger guys and kind of telling them what it's going to be about. "Chemistry is such an important part of our game. If you have it, you find a way to win games. If you don't have it, you find a way to lose games. We found a way to lose games last year." Get a load of this stat: In 2003-04 when the Wolves won 58 games, they led at halftime 42 times. Last season, they led at halftime 43 times. But they went 23-20 in those games, compared to 37-5 in the franchise's best year ever. "That shows me we're not that far away," said Fred Hoiberg, in his new gig (with Rob Babcock) as assistant general manager. "KG realizes how important chemistry is. Last year, we struggled in that area." If the formula fizzles this time, it won't be for lack of trying. "I've been here since Aug. 18," Foye said. "I worked out that night, and I've been going ever since. [Garnett saw] me working out. He said, 'Young fella, come shoot with me. Let me show you some drills."' Guard Troy Hudson said of Garnett: "If we're winning, he's happy. We all know the other things that are going on in his mind when he's not winning. But he just wants to win. You can't blame him for that." So it wasn't all altruism that drove Garnett's plan. "Really, it was just self-interest in wanting to get to know 'em," he said. "I can't really express how much we've been around each other. ... We all linked up and made it work. "There's got to be something within each other. If this is going to work, we're going to have to take some responsibility themselves to promote this in the right direction." --

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