Wolves would be worth watching

The NBA lockout continues, and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of fans acting like they care.

Well, I happen to be one who does. After the Minnesota Timberwolves have starved me for so many years, this season had some actual promise of providing something intriguing to watch.

That starts with two promising newcomers, point guard Ricky Rubio and forward Derrick Williams. Rubio is the possibly dazzling guy from Spain, and Williams is none other than the second guy taken in last summer's NBA Draft. Both are gym rats who play with a flair.

Then there is the slimmed down Kevin Love, who was the NBA's top rebounder last year and made the All-Star team. Love has dropped 30 pounds, and figures to be more mobile and even more effective than before. He figured to get significant time at center, moving over from his power forward spot to accomodate Williams.

And there is the apparently more movitated and slimmed down Michael Beasley, who showed all kinds of potentially offensively last year, but not much on defense. A more movitated and quicker Beasley should be much better.

There is also Wesley Johnson, the Wolves' No. 1 draft pick from two years ago. He's long and athletic, and figures to be much better than the guy who played in fits and starts last year.

And finally, there is a new Wolves coach, likely future Hall of Famer Rick Adelman. Finally — finally — the Wolves have a guy who is a proven coach and a proven winner who is known for getting the most out of his players and playing a fun, up-tempo style.

Let this lockout end. I want to see this Wolves season play out.

— Pat Ruff