Bucks-Timberwolves Preview

4/15/2008 10:23 PM

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
STATS Editor

The Minnesota Timberwolves weren't expected to have a good season after trading away Kevin Garnett, and that's exactly what happened.

The Timberwolves (21-60) close out the first season of their rebuilding process Wednesday night when they host the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also in a similar mode.

Minnesota knew this would be a difficult season after dealing Garnett - its best player in franchise history - to Boston. Garnett is one of the leading candidates to win league MVP and has led the Celtics to the best record in the league.

The Wolves are on the opposite end of the spectrum with the second-worst record in the NBA. They will continue to build around Al Jefferson, the key acquisition in the Garnett deal.

Jefferson, who scored 30 points in a 115-103 loss at Detroit on Tuesday, emerged as the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and is third in the NBA with 54 double-doubles.

Minnesota is also hoping to see improvement next season from three first-round picks from the last three seasons - Rashad McCants (2005), Randy Foye (2006 by Boston) and Corey Brewer (2007).

Milwaukee (26-55) will likely have an offseason full of change after failing to match last season's 28-win total. The first one could come fairly quickly since coach Larry Krystkowiak is widely expected to be fired as the Bucks begin rebuilding with new general manager John Hammond.

"We've got a lot of work to do. This isn't going to be easy," Hammond said. "But you know what? That's a part of life, taking challenges and seeing if you can work hard and take a situation that may not be as good and try to make it a little better."

One of the players Hammond will have to make a decision about is point guard Ramon Sessions, who the Bucks hold a contract option on. The rookie turned in a big effort on Monday in a 151-135 loss to Chicago with 20 points and a franchise-record 24 assists.

He became the first Buck to ever reach 20 in both categories, although the Bucks lost their seventh straight.

"You dream about stuff like that and to actually do that is a big thing," Sessions said. "It's too bad we couldn't get the win, but those 24 assists would have been nothing without my teammates so I tip my hat to them for letting me get those."

Milwaukee has won four straight against Minnesota, including a 95-92 win on Dec. 15 in this season's lone matchup.