2007-2008 NBA Season Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett: 1995-2007. Basketball pioneer, winner, loyalist.

This is what essentially would be read on Garnett's Minnesota Timberwolves tombstone, if such a thing were to be made. It can be argued that KG stayed in 'Sota, as he likes to say, a bit too long as things were falling apart years before his trade to the Boston Celtics. But with a roster filled with lots of potential and youth, the Timberwolves can't worry about Garnett anymore.

The 2007-2008 season can be summed up in this one word: competition. Minnesota will have plenty of this, as there are a plethora of players at nearly the five positions.

The battle for the point guard spot may be a vicious one. Sebastian Telfair, a disappointing 2004 lottery pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, must prove himself in light of being called the so-called savior of future point guards. He will compete with Timberwolves choir boy Randy Foye, the seventh pick overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. Foye spent time as a combo guard and may ultimately end up as a shooting guard, but the point guard spot is primarily his to lose. Marko Jaric will likely be third-string, though at 6'7", he'll be able to fill in at the 2 and at small forward.

The shooting guard will likely be a battle between Rashad McCants, the explosive former North Carolina Tar Heel coming off of microfracture surgery, and Corey Brewer, the two-time NCAA champion Florida Gator. The best bet is for McCants to start, as he has assets that translate much better to winning, as Brewer has to gain strength and extend his shooting range to really play big minutes. Gerald Green, though, may be a wild card for this and the small forward position.

Touted as a Tracy McGrady doppelganger, Green has shown bits and pieces of real star ability, but his third season will really be the test, especially being one of the last players to jump from high school to the NBA in 2005. Ricky Davis also is game to compete and be the starting small forward, but anything is possible with the glut of talent available.

Al Jefferson will be the main focus of the Timberwolf team, as his star is shining brighter and brighter. After finally showing All-Star ability in his third season since becoming a 2004 lottery pick by the Celtics, 2007 was the year that Jefferson proved his worth, but 2008 is projected to be the year Jefferson puts it altogether for an All-Star bonanza.

The bench should be strong with combo forwards Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith also showing All-Star ability and giving the young team a legitimate chance to win some important in 2008. Should Juwan Howard stay with the team and if Mark Blount ever remains consistent in his post play, Minnesota will be dangerous-maybe not playoff team-dangerous, but they'll be scary enough to catch a few teams at the wrong time of the year.