Customer apathy is a dangerous development in the unforgiving, multimillion-dollar world of pro sports. An ovation for a player on the visiting team, even of James’ caliber, is a sign of just that.
The Timberwolves, after falling to the Cavaliers 93-70 and running their losing streak to 11 games, aren’t only having trouble winning. Lately they’re not even competitive, leaving fans little reason to care right now in this post-Kevin Garnett funk.
“Definitely concerned with that, because you never want to lose by a large margin,” point guard Randy Foye said. “We’ve just got to go out there and … keep believing and keep fighting.”
Foye insisted the team’s spirit was still up, though coach Kevin McHale acknowledged the players looked “down in the dumps” for the first part of Thursday’s practice. Because of travel schedules and two sets of back-to-back games, this was their first full workout since McHale came down from the front office on Dec. 8 and replaced Randy Wittman on the bench.
The 70 points wasn’t a franchise low. The team scored 61 in a 2003 game at New Jersey.
The 11-game losing streak is five shy of the club record set twice at 16, once in the 1992-93 season and again at the end of the 1993-94 season and the beginning of the 1994-95 season.
Timberwolves players had to participate in a mandatory league-sponsored session after practice today. That meant little access for reporters. Seconds after the team huddle signaling the end of practice, players were shooed off the court lightning quick.
Suns Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin is organizing a Monday workout for four to six point guards. The group will include a mix of D-League and ex-NBA players, possibly including Troy Hudson and Damon Stoudamire.
If this message wasn’t clear when the Timberwolves fired Randy Wittman, Kevin McHale is no longer calling the shots in Minnesota. When Kevin addressed the media he explained that he “gave up” his front office duties to focus soley on coaching the Timberwolves. When in fact it seems more like those duties were taken away, as General Manager Jim Stack and assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg are now working the phones and calling the shots. Kevin has a voice in these discussions, but not the final say that he had several weeks ago. As Kevin’s Wolves make their way through the NBA schedule more and more stories are surfacing about McHale not being a very good X’s and O’s coach, not enjoying the travel and the late nights. He tried to defend the notion that he was “forced” into the job saying if he did not want to coach he wouldn’t be coaching, however more and more people close to this situation say it was very clear he did not want this role as much as he’s trying to convince people he did. The other interesting note about the situation is McHale does not have a contract beyond this year. McHale has always had a one-year deal with Glen Taylor that’s more of a handshake deal then a formal contract. It seems the Wolves are set up to move on, and it seems that move will likely be without Kevin McHale at the helm.
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