Dec/090
T-Wolves Trending the Wrong Way
With the firing of McHale and a change of the guard at GM, Wolves fans finally had something to cheer about this past off-season. A new coach more famous for his eye wear than his coaching prowess and a new young team featuring a lightning quick point guard. To say there are growing pains would be an understatement, so far the 2009-2010 Wolves could be on their way to the worst season in NBA history.
The more disturbing fact to Wolves fans has been the steady decline of the franchise. CBS sports reports Wolves ticket revenue is off 24% this year, the second worst year-to-year decline in the NBA. The bigger story is that the Wolves are a below $500K club. There are only 8 NBA teams who average below $500K in gate receipts per game. There are 7 NBA teams (12 last year) who are averaging above $1M gate receipts per game this year.
These figures are important as it relates to free agents and building for the future. The Wolves, before the season even begins are $10M - $20M behind in revenue right from the start. If free agents are available to fill the Wolves needs, the Wolves simply can't afford them. Teams like the Nuggets and Blazers, both Northwest Division foes, can add depth, scoring and defense to their rosters, simply because they have the revenue to do so.
So what's it all mean? The only real way to re-build the Wolves is through the draft. That's the good news, the Wolves are loaded with picks and retain assets they can easily trade to gain more picks. The bad news, the Wolves are trending the wrong way. Each year the team loses more and more games and offers little hope a turn around is in sight.
The wins, they are not improving...
To be fair the new regime should be given at least a year to show some sort of progress, lets watch, wait and hope next year we won't be saying the same thing.
"With the first pick of the 2010 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select.....John Wall, Guard, Kentucky"
- John Wall Kentucky Guard
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