That is one reason right there to appreciate the Twolves owner Glen Taylor. He is rarely seen or heard. I enjoy Mark Cuban's antics as much as the next person, but he could endear himself to his players just as easily without drawing so much attention to himself. Owners need to act professionally, it doesn't matter how you got your money. You don't just represent your team, you represent your city, state, and millions fans. If asked to name on trait of Taylor I would change, I think it would have to be his loyalty to under performing personnel, namely Team President Chris Wright. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations, including hiring David Kahn and letting him run wild.
Wright has been with the team for 21 years, and aside from the drafting of Kevin Garnett, it is safe to say he has put his stamp of approval on countless poor decisions. Possibly the worst of all of them was letting Kevin McHale fire Flip Saunders, using him as the scape goat for his repeatedly poor drafting and trading. I'm not saying Flip is a HOF caliber coach, but he took failed prospects and cast offs and made them competitive. Kahn has tried to do this, taking young talent that has not lived up to expectations and hoping Rambis could work magic. He failed.
It's easy to make the joke that Kahn was sitting by his equal at the Draft on Tuesday. Of course by that, everyone means the 14 year old boy sent by the Cavaliers to attend the lottery. I don't agree, David Kahn's basketball expertise is at least comparable to that of a 16 year old. A 16 year old kid who spends every waking hour playing World of Warcraft.
Although it is widely agreed upon that this draft is basically a crapshoot, it doesn't stop every Twolves fan from assuming we will make the wrong choice. The only consolation is having the #2 pick, which means they can't make they the worst 1st overall in the history of the draft. This is not unjustified pessimism, look at their draft history. Aside from Garnett and Kevin Love, the draft is nothing but a wound that opens and festers every June. Even Love, who has quickly become a fan favorite, is still young. His rebounding was unbelievable this year, but on a better team is he going to put up 20 plus ppg? I do believe that the only players drafted by the Twolves between 1995 and 2005 who is still in the NBA are Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Of all the players drafted since, Brandon Roy is the only one who is a starter and not for the Twolves. Not to mention the fact Ray Allen never played for the Twolves, he was traded on draft day for the Franchise Killing Storm named Starbury.
All of that goes along with the fact the Twolves have never had the #1 pick and have never moved up in draft order higher than what their record would have dictated. This coupled with an almost equally embarrassing record when it comes to trades, makes the draft not a joyous occasion. While so many other fans welcome the fun of Draft Night or impending opportunities free agents might bring, most fans in Minnesota spend the offseason nervously waiting for the next move that will inevitably break their collective hearts.
I have no idea who the Twovles will be drafting, it's seems doubtful Duke PG Kyle Irving will be there at #2. If they decide to go with Arizona's Derrick Williams they need to trade Beasley, there is already enough of a log jam of athletes at SF on this team, and he could get them the most in return. My advice would be to trade the pick. Unless they really think Irving will fall into the 2 spot, trade it as soon as possible. Trade it to another team who gives them proven leadership, or who they think will be in lottery again next year.
