Eh, some observers would say, the release of the NBA schedule means nothing.
With apologies to Navin Johnson of the classic The Jerk ...
Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Timberwolves, Minnesota! We're somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. We're in print!
Things are going to start happening to me now.
With that, let's look at the top 5 home games on the Timberwolves schedule.
1. Home (and season) opener, Oct. 27, against Sacramento. A lot of people wanted Minnesota to pick DeMarcus Cousins in the 2010 draft. They would've traded his rights to the Lakers for Jerry Buss' daughter and a 1982 Harley, but that's what we've come to expect. Well, they didn't. They drafted Wesley Johnson, and Cousins ended up being drafted by ... wait for it ... Sacramento!! So, right off the bat, long suffering T-Wolves fans will get to see if the Johnson pick was the right one, at least for one game.
2. Dec. 22, vs Utah. The Flying Jeffersons come to town for the former Minnesota standout's first appearance in Minnesota since his off season trade. Jefferson was the only reason to tune in to games for the last few seasons, so I would hope that the Target Center gives him a nice welcome back to Minnesota.
3. March 27, against Boston. Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and the Boston Celtics come to town, and it will be a game of what could have been. Let's say that there was no lottery, and the worst team picked first in the draft, like they do in the NFL. The T-Wolves would've had the first pick in the 1992 draft, the year Shaq was taken first overall by Orlando. Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that they would've also been able to draft Kevin Garnett. I realize that would've acquired deft trading and maneuvering by the Wolves front office, so yeah, it's a stretch. But close your eyes and imagine. And then open them and watch the Celtics.
SIgh ... what could've been. /shuffles off to the corner and cries uncontrollably/
4. April 1, Miami Mercenaries Heat. By April, the Heat will be playing for the No. 1 seed in the East, or will have imploded with petty jealousy, selfish play, and someone ... anyone, hooking up with LeBron's mom. Allegedly. Again. We all hope it's the latter, because that whole "The Decision" show was as tasteless as boiled hominy. And we also wish Bosh, D Wade, and LeBron played for Minnesota.
5. Jan. 1, against New Jersey. Why is this an important game? Well, it's New Year's Day, and you'll feel like crap, being all hung over. The T-Wolves' front office will be desperate to sell tickets, so they might be giving them away for this game, and if you go, you'll have a realistic opportunity to see the T-Wolves...WIN!! Yes, WIN a GAME!!
For more coverage on the Timberwolves' 2010-11 schedule, please head over to Canis Hoopus, the best NBA blog in the Internet!