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ended 2007 with an NBA-worst record of 4-26, and already they were looking to build for the future, and cut their losses in season 2007-08.

There were rumblings in the local media that head coach Randy Wittman may be fired, but nothing ever eventuated.

The new year did not bring a turn in fortunes for the hapless Timberwolves, as they dropped their first three games of 2008, before dropping another five in a row mid-month.

It took until late January for the Timberwolves to string two victories together for the first time in season 2007-08, but they still finished January with a fairly dismal win-loss record of 9-36.

February began with a strong 21-point home victory over fellow cellar-dweller the Los Angeles Clippers, however once again the Timberwolves couldn't capitalize, dropping their next five games.

Minnesota finished February with a terrible 12-45 record, and were vying with the Clippers and a couple of others for the dishonor of finishing the season with the worst record in the entire NBA.

March began with a brace of losses on the trot, before the return of Foye to full health and on-court action saw the Timberwolves record some better results.

The Timberwolves won seven games for the month, which was a positive considering they'd only won 12 in the previous four months.

Minnesota finished the month with a 19-53 record, their March tally of 7-8 by far their best for the 2007-08 NBA season.

Their improved form in March seemed to be obliterated in April, when they began with six straight losses, before the Timberwolves ended their season on a better note, winning three of their final four games for the season.

After finishing the season with a 22-60 win-loss record, mercifully for everyone connected to the Timberwolves franchise, they did not receive the ignominy of finishing with the worst record in the NBA, and nor did they finish with the worst record in their division.

The Timberwolves finished above the equally-dreadful Seattle Supersonics, with Minnesota ending their season a whopping 32 wins behind division champion, the Utah Jazz.

Better performers this season for Minnesota included talented power forward Al Jefferson, point guard Sebastian Telfair, and fellow point guard Foye, when he was available.

Personally, I disagree with Minnesota's decision to trade Garnett.

I understand they did so in order to build their youth stocks, and rebuild for the future, but I still feel having Garnett there, starring night-in, night-out and teaching the younger brigade would have been eminently more beneficial.

However, Minnesota have made their bed, now they have to lie in it.

With their current squad, they are going to take some hits for the next couple of seasons, before they enjoy a rebirth.

I cannot see them figuring prominently in playoff calculations for at least the next couple of seasons.

What Wittman and his boys should be aiming for is to improve on this season, if by five wins or 10 wins or whatever, just make sure there is some tangible improvement.

There's no point making grand predictions of playoffs action by next season, if you are in contention come March, that's when you start talking about it.

Thus, I feel a solid, improved season in 2008-09 is what Minnesota should be aiming for, with the express intent to improve on team harmony, cohesion and chemistry, both on- and off-court.

Learn more about this author, Aj Brady.
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