Minnesota Timberwolves: Reaction to the Painfully Truthful Letter to the Fans

If you haven’t heard this story, the Minnesota Timberwolves, not everybody’s pick to win the Championship this season, decided to print an open letter on the back of the Minnesota Star Tribune in which they justify the acquisitions made, and make it quite clear that it is “not likely” that the team will be bringing any rings back to Minnesota. You can read it in full here.

The ad, which emphasises the exciting basketball that should be played in the Target Center this season, is an incredibly bizarre way to sell tickets. Not a tactic used by any other team that I have heard of. Can you imagine if all the teams in the NBA started openly defending the acquisitions that they’ve made? 

Most teams have the confidence not to need to. Right now the Timberwolves have nothing to gloat about, yes they have improved the team and contrary to popular opinion, David Kahn is doing a better job than he is given credit for. But it’s not the time to be taking adverts out in newspapers, advertising the strides the team has taken before a second has passed on the shot clock, even before a hot dog has been cooked in the Target Center.

Not only that, the letter didn’t touch on the sale of Al Jefferson. If they had, it would have been far more purposeful, as that is what is bothering Timberwolves fans right now. Yes, his sale will give Kevin Love (who was excellent in the FIBA) the space he craves, and yes Michael Beasley can also play power forward. But why bemoan the fact the team is lacking a dominant player after trading away arguably the strongest gambling chip for peanuts.

Also, the final sentence alludes to two things: that they are not sure what the Ricky Rubio situation is, and that they are planning on writing another letter.

It’s almost as if Voltaire’s quote should be said in reverse. I approve of what they say, but I really wish they didn’t have the right to say it!

One thing I will agree on though, is towards the end it says “Enough talk. It’s time to play.” I can’t wait to see what this new team can do. Just no more adverts, please?