Minnesota Timberwolves - Their draft history and the Duke Star Kyrie Irving
The Minnesota Timberwolves is one team, which has not been very lucky in its selection of draft picks. The young team that came on the league map, back in 1989 had their
first draft pick in the same year on June 27th. From there on, the Wolves have been on a bumpy road and have had a tale full of mishaps, considering their picks.
The team however accomplished a great deal of success when they acquired their drafts back in 2009. In addition to being lucky, the Timberwolves also used the trades to
their utmost benefit. They succeeded in getting fifth and sixth picks in the very first round of draft day, raising hopes for the first time in many years.
Minnesota executed their picks and chose Ricky Rubio, the phenomenal Spaniard along with Jonny Flynn, the point guard from Syracuse. Rubio, the young and talented point
guard from Barcelona was considered one of the most exceptional guards ever produced by Europe.
However, just when the Wolves were expecting him to grace the Twin Cities, something unimaginable happened. The player chose to stay in his country and till present no one
can predict if he will ever leave Spain to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) or not?
The 22-year-old Flynn, on the other hand, made an average of 13.5 points per game during his rookie tenure with Minnesota, but his sophomore time was marred with injury.
Unfortunately the player could only start eight out of 53 games that he played this season. Eventually, season 2010-11 turned out to be as bad for the Wolves as 2009-10 was. Disappointed to the very core, they closed the second straight season as the weakest
team in not only the Western Conference, but also the league.
Minnesota’s draft history is astounding and sad at the same time. The Wolves were depleted after losing tough guy Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in 2007. They also
had to trade Ray Allen who became King of three pointers later in season 2010-11. Both the players joined Boston, who rejuvenated their squad by the addition of these two veteran players.
The sad tale this season though, has left the Timberwolves with a golden chance to avail their lottery ticket. Minnesota Timberwolves who are in a dire need of a lottery
pick are at the prospect of receiving first overall draft pick this year. The first pick will hand them over the opportunity to receive the best accessible point guard. The 19-year-old Kyrie Irving of Duke is currently the top point guard available. The Duke
freshman has averaged 17.5 points per game in his career so far. The player is all set to make an entry into the 2011 NBA draft where he would be all set to be selected by the Wolves.
Despite being hampered by a toe injury that kept him off the regular collegiate season, the star played a vital role after stepping into the NCAA tournament. His inclusion
will definitely bolster the Timberwolves, who already have proficient players in form of forwards like Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. Wesley Johnson is also a great prospect. All the Wolves need right now is to add a point guard who knows when and where to
pass the ball.
Only time will decide what the 2011 draft holds for the Wolves, but one thing is for sure that whoever they get, they need to make the best use of him to get back into the
mainstream.
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