The NBA granted four expansion teams in 1987, and one of those expansion teams was the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were on of the worst teams in the NBA for several seasons until they drafted Kevin Garnett in the 1995 NBA draft. The team had just 29 wins, 15 wins, 19 wins, 20 wins and 21 wins in its first five seasons. Even though they had good players like Tom Gugliota and Isaiah Rider.
In the 1995 season, the Timberwolves drafted Kevin Garnett and acquired Stephon Marbury in the 1996 NBA draft. It was in the 1996 season that the Timberwolves finally reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. With Kevin Garnett's leadership and all-around game the Timberwolves made the playoffs for eight consecutive years, but they were eliminated in the first round for seven straight years before finally reaching the conference finals in the 2003-04 season.
After trading for Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell in the 2003 offseason, the Timberwolves enjoyed their best season yet winning 58 games, Kevin Garnett won his first MVP after averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. It was the first time in franchise history that the Timberwolves moved past the first round and after winning the second round, Garnett leapt upon the scorer's table. It was one of the more memorable moments in team history. But they never duplicated their success as injuries, salary disputes, and a trade would keep the team from getting back to the playoffs.
After Garnett's departure in 2007, the team went back to its losing ways. Minnesota has not made the playoffs since losing in the Conference Finals and are averaging just over 30 wins per season. They have had a lot of draft picks come and go, but fans are starting to get excited again with the team centered around Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.
The Timberwolves are a team that is starving for success. In its 23 year history, the Wolves have only made the playoffs eight times. In my opinion the greatest Minnesota Timberwolves team of all time would go to the 2003-04 team that reached the Western Conference Finals. The 2003-04 Timberwolves showed that if you gave Garnett adequate help, he would be able to reach the promise land. Although the Wolves lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, the 2003-04 team is without a doubt the best team in franchise history.
