Kaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhnnnn!

When everyone thinks of iconic sitcoms set in Minnesota, really only one comes to mind. What's that you say? Little show set in the third rated newsroom with a girl who had spunk? I hate spunk. No that show of shows was Coach. It had it all, depending on how you define "all". When you think about it, the Minnesota Timberwolves are a lot like that plucky ABC show that took place in Minnesota (and also at the end, Orlando, but there's no fun in that, is there?). I mean, when you think of sitcoms, do you really think of Coach? Have you heard anything from the guy who played Dauber since then? Well compare that to Mark Blount. Who was a better coach, Luther or Kevin McHale? Take your time on that one. The show was about lovable losers who gave us a lot of laughs (your laugh miles may vary) and eventually won a mythical championship. Maybe the Wolves can win something in a few years as well. Not now, don't rush things.

All things fantasy with the Wolves start with Al Jefferson. Dude can straight up 20 and 10, block it a li'l, and be a nice big man in your lineup at the end of the first round. Since he'll be at the end of round 1, you have your choice of coming back with a solid PG at the beginning of round 2, or a second big like Bosh. It's really going to make the fact you don't have a high draft number be all right. I'm going to say the knee is alright and he's ready to rock. Add to the fact that Kurt Rambis is going to push the pace this year, and you've got the makings of a decent team to follow fantasywise, just don't expect them to real world it.

So who else is fantasy worthy on the Wolves? Well, in standard leagues, it's probably only going to be Kevin Love. He says he wants to average a double double this year. See, it's nice to have goals. And I'm pretty sure he can actually do it. Doesn't mean you should draft him in a round you can express with one hand (maybe if you use your thumb and forefinger to make a seven, but you don't need to do that). If you're going to go with big men who score a little and rebound but don't steal, block, shoot 3's, or pass, you should go David Lee --> Luis Scola --> Kevin Love. You'll get all the decent percentages and low turnovers, so those guys aren't completely useless. They just need to fit in your overall strategy.

Hey, Ryan Gomes ain't so bad either. He'll be there in the late rounds of your draft, but don't pick him, save those spots for upside guys. He'll be the guy you pick up when the Wolves play a 4 game week, or if there is an injury to one of the above. If you've got a streamer in your league, he's most likely well aware of Mr. Gomes.

I like Ramon Sessions. I can see the lure of Johnny Flynn. I don't know if I like them splitting time in the backcourt, and if Minnesota ever wants to defend anyone, I can't see them on the court at the same time, so it will be a pure minute split. Feel free to draft Ramon late, and hold or drop depending on how the minutes and stats shake out.

Right now on Yahoo!, Ricky Rubio has an average draft position of 129.9. I'm going to say you don't draft him at #130. Call it a hunch.

Man, there really isn't much to this team after Big Al. But GM David Kahn has sent Minnesota up with a lot of expiring contracts. Some teams are going to find themselves out of it in February and come calling to Minny to bail them out. Really, the Twin Cities is not going to be a free agent destination, so I think they will trade to get some guys with contracts that go out a couple of years. I wouldn't be surprised if something happened with Golden State in the coming months and they just acquire draft picks like Oklahoma City. If anything happens before the trade deadline, Minnesota could be a team to watch after the All Star break.