Minnesota Timberwolves: Top 10 Moments in Franchise History

The history of the Minnesota Timberwolves is loaded with exciting players, extraordinary accomplishments and intense playoff games. While the team's history may not match up to that of the Lakers or Celtics, it has had some unique moments.

Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Sam Cassell and Stephon Marbury have given Timberwolves fans a number of memorable moments.

Here's a look at some of the best.  

First Playoff Berth

The young Timberwolves clinched their first trip to the playoffs in 1997 under the guidance of Flip Saunders. 

The Timberwolves were the up-and-coming team that year. Fans were stoked. Even though they ended up losing in three games, it felt like a winning season just for the fact that the team made it to the postseason.

The growth of Garnett, Gugliotta and Marbury, and the revamping of the logo, gave fans optimism for the future.  

Beating Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls for the First Time

I remember the date: Dec. 30, 1997.

The Chicago Bulls were one of the only teams the Timberwolves had never beaten in their short history. Jordan's team was experienced, battle-tested and proven winners. The Wolves were raw, but full of potential. Jordan ended up scoring 33 points, but the Wolves' "Big Three" of Marbury, Garnett and Tom Gugliota combined for 66 points.   

At the end of the season, the Bulls ended up winning a sixth NBA championship, while the Wolves lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Seattle SuperSonics.

Even so, the Timberwolves showed they deserved respect with a major win over the reigning world champs. 

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Kevin Love's 30-30 Game

Kevin Love's breakout performance was the first time a Timberwolves player was a lead story on ESPN SportsCenter in years.

K-Love put up a maniacal 31 points and 31 rebounds against the New York Knicks. The last players to accomplish that same feat were Moses Malone, Robert Parrish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Wolves fans were delighted with the comparisons.  

League Attendance Record

Playing in the Metrodome is not an easy task.

The Wolves called the dome home for their first season, and the new team drew more than a million fans during their first year of existence.

Even though enthusiasm for the team has hit peaks and valleys since their initial season, it's still fun to see that banner hanging in Target Center.  

Kevin Garnett's 2004 NBA MVP Award

The Big Ticket was finally crowned the Most Valuable Player in 2004. Garnett was the near-unanimous choice, earning 120 of 123 first place votes. 

The award came on the heels of the team's best season and solidified Minnesota as the team to beat in the West.

Garnett was the "it" guy in the Minnesota sports that year.  

Getting Ricky Rubio

The Timberwolves' 2009 draft provided much fodder for NBA analysts, as David Kahn's point guard bonanza caused him to be the laughing stock of NBA fans. Many writers and fans wondered if Rubio would even come to play in Minnesota. Kahn kept telling fans Ricky was coming, but fans remained skeptical. 

That all changed a few weeks ago.

Rubio told the world he would be taking his talents to Minneapolis. Even though he has not played a single game for the team—and he may not for a while—Rubio's decision to play for the Timberwolves makes him the most buzzed-about draft pick in Minnesota basketball since Kevin Garnett.

Drafting Stephon Marbury to Create Original Big Three

This moment had so much potential. It was the beginning of a new era for the Wolves, as they were no longer a cellar dweller, but young, hip and the league's future.

Looking back on the draft, Ray Allen would have been a better choice, but nowhere near as an exciting one (at that point). Garnett and Marbury were childhood friends and excited to play together again.

After years of mediocre basketball, fans were finally optimistic and excited for the Timberwolves.  

Kevin Love's Double-Double Streak

KLove provided another bright spot for the team during the dismal 2010-2011 season.

The Wolves' current power forward had a double-double in an astounding 53 straight games, the most since Moses Malone in 1980.

Love's breakout performance contributed to him being the league's leading rebounder, first team All-Star since KG and the Most Improved Player.

Pretty good accomplishments to list on his resume.  

Advancing to the Conference Finals

2004 was the year to be a Timberwolves fan. Kevin Garnett earned his first MVP. and it seemed like Kevin McHale had finally put together a solid supporting cast to help The Big Ticket.

Cruising to a franchise-best 58-24 record, the Wolves were poised to finally break their one-and-done playoff curse. The team defeated Denver in five games and drew the Sacramento Kings the next round.

Both teams played with an intensity usually reserved for prison fights. Kevin Garnett and former teammate Anthony Peeler came to blows during one game.

The series went to seven games. Garnett played the most ferocious basketball Minnesota fans had ever seen; "Da Kid" earned a stat line of 32 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 steals.

Looking back on it, this game was the pinnacle of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball (so far). The Wolves ended up losing to the Lakers in the conference finals and haven't been back to the playoffs since. 

Drafting Kevin Garnett

This moment was the genesis of the most memorable basketball in Minnesota history.

The Big Ticket did everything for this team. He still is No. 1 in all relevant statistical categories and most likely will be for a while.

His intensity, his goofiness and the pure unadulterated excitement fans got while watching him made Garnett the most beloved player in team history. Fans still get a bit misty-eyed whenever Kevin returns to Target Center, and their tears will probably continue until the day KG retires.