A low noise, almost inaudible. It sounds like a car being started from miles away.
Then, a projector light.
"And it's over! Elton Brand and the Toronto Raptors have brought a PBSL Title to Canada!"
Brand and Tom Gugliotta hug, then Brand is presented the AD23MVP Memorial Trophy. He raises it in the air and roars.
Jump cut to an interview: Brand sitting at the podium, wearing a Raptors Championship hat, his arm around the trophy as if it was a girl in the front seat of his car at a drive-in movie. He's getting handsy.
"This is amazing. I can't think of a feeling better than this. This is the dream, the pinnacle of all my hard work."
The noise from before grows a little louder, though still faint. It sounds menacing, but not urgent. It sounds like growling.
WHEN CHAMPIONSHIP PAST
[/size]Another jump cut, this time to Minneapolis. Tracy McGrady and Tyson Chandler side bump as Chris Bosh walks towards the locker room. Rip Hamilton stands on his tip-toes as he whispers something in Bosh's ear. Bosh nods, but he isn't really listening.
"These young Timberwolves are a promising team, but that promise will have to wait until next year as they're eliminated in 6 by the Kings."
MEET PROMISING FUTURE
[/size]The projector goes black again, but only for a moment. Then it begins to show pictures. Slowly at first, but then quicker. The low growling is no longer miles away. It's in your ear, and it's getting louder. More real. More menacing.
No more growling. This is a roar now. The wolf is defiant, angry, predatory. The wolf is ready to attack.
THE PRESENT
LOOKS
GOOD
LOOKS
GOOD
The wolf howls as the projector goes dark again. Dark like caves with no escape. Dark like the night with the moon hidden by thunder clouds. Dark like the path to the Western Conference.
The lights turn on, and coach/GM The JNR stands at the podium, smiling. Behind him sits the entire Timberwolf roster. Elton Brand sits to the left of Bosh, who is seated next to Rip. Rip is whispering something in Bosh's ear. This time he's listening.
The JNR: Welcome to the 2005-06 Timberwolves Press Conference. Let me read a brief statement about the state of the team, then I'll open the floor up to questions.
Last year we made the playoffs as the 8th seed, ending our three year drought. We lost in six games to the Kings, which was about what we expected. Then this year, we faced a very tough restricted free agency period. Three players all with a chance to leave. We ended up signing Earl and Jason to reasonable deals, and when the Toronto Raptors sent a deal to Joe Johnson, we negotiated and decided to shake up our roster.
We loved Joe. He was a dynamic scorer, and he will definitely contribute to the Raptors. But we thought that someone with a championship pedigree would be essential on this team. So we are pleased to introduce Elton Brand to our team. He brings scoring, athleticism, and a will to win. He along with Rip and Chris will be the leaders of this team.
We were also able to bring back Jim Jackson, as well as bring in wing depth with Tyrone Nesby. We brought in Tyronn Lue in a trade for depth as well.
We had a disappointing preseason, but we know where our issues lie. This team will score, and it will be scored upon. The key to our success is to tighten our defense to where it's respectable. The other key to our success will be flexibility. With Brand, Bosh, and Rip, we have players who can play multiple positions. I have a reputation for being a wild coach who doesn't believe in positions, and I think that will work to our advantage this year. I can think of at least six different starting lineups that I want to run, with players in positions that may make you raise your eyebrows.
Our goals are simple: make the playoffs again, and make more noise when we're there. We don't think we're a title contender, but we do think we can make some teams nervous. With Brand, we have a championship past. With Bosh and Rip, we have a promising future. So for now...the present looks good.
We'll now open it up to any questions you may have.
