NBA

Painful rebuilding process in Minnesota

T-Wolves not worst team ever, but they're not that far off

Jim Mone / AP

Al Jefferson is no Kevin Garnett, but at least he gives the Timberwolves a tiny bit of hope for the future.

Q: Do you think it was smart of the Bulls to pass on the Kobe Bryant and the Kevin Garnett trades?
— Chris Wales, Davenport, Iowa

A: I don't believe they did. They just couldn't get them to work. I don't believe the Lakers had any true intention of trading Bryant, and the way they played before Bynum was hurt would have subjected them to endless criticism if they made a deal. Though they entertained offers, I think they knew that in the end Kobe would reject them all as they would have made any team he went to uncompetitive. As far as Garnett, I believe the Bulls made the best offers to the Timberwolves, but Minnesota seemed to want to deal with Boston.

Q: With Andrew Bynum still being at least another year away from maturing into a solid full time center, the Lakers are still one big man away from being a top four contender. What happened to Kwame Brown? A beast of a body and a wimp of a center?
— David D. Suitland, Md.

A: Bynum's two months away, which is the time he'll need to return form injury. He came fast in the last few months and before he was hurt the Lakers were looking like a title contender. Kwame was a mistake for the Wizards and then for the Lakers, who gave up Caron Butler to get him. Lots of big guys don't make it, like No. 1 pick Michael Olowokandi a few years back with the Clippers. Kwame is just one of those. It happens.

Q: Why can't the Mavericks get any respect from the sports reporters? This is a good basketball team, probably one of the 4 best teams in the league.
— Johnny Whitney, Grapevine, Texas

A: They probably need to win a first round series again. I never quite understand this fans' lack of respect whine. What's respect? As far as I could tell, just about every national publication picked them top four in the West this season. Looks like they get too much respect. And that was coming off perhaps the biggest playoff collapse in NBA history to the Warriors, which was a year after perhaps the biggest Finals collapse in history after leading 2-0 and up 13 halfway through the fourth quarter of Game 3 and losing three straight with Shaq basically ineffective the whole series. You get ultimate respect when you achieve on the grand stage. They have yet to do that. It's also questionable now whether they are among the top four anymore the way they've played this season.

Q: I guess the Celtics are a lock for the Eastern Conference finals. Which team stands in their way? Is it the Pistons, Cavs, Magic or anyone else?
— Ronnie Reyes, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

A: What stands in the Celtics' way? Rajon Rondo? They have a point guard issue as when the playoffs come and teams try to slow them, they'll drop off Rondo and then foul him late. Can he make shots and late free throws? He hasn't shown it yet. Though the Celtics will be the best of the season, they are no lock to me to be in the Finals because they are weak at center and point guard. They could have trouble with any of those teams you mentioned as their strength has been defense and the question is whether their Big Three can sustain that through a long playoff run.

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