March 1, 2003, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target Center.
"Kobe! Ready to welcome another loss?" Wolf King Garnett let out a strange cry, flashing his white teeth.
Kobe shrugged. This guy was getting a little cocky.
Mamba Academy had been beaten into huskies in previous years, and now that Ray Allen had arrived, they were suddenly acting all arrogant?
But this year's Wolf King had every right to be cocky. Among interior players, his average production was second only to Shaquille O'Neal, and at twenty-six, Wolf King was entering the absolute prime years for a big man!
In the games since Ray Allen's arrival, the entire Timberwolves team had taken on a completely new look! The addition of a shooting guard in his prime who averaged twenty-five points per game had elevated the team's offensive threat to another level!
Especially since Ray Allen was a traditional shooting guard. His style barely required the ball—his relentless movement tore at the defense's attention, with cuts to the basket and catch-and-shoot threes. This classic off-ball guard style was simply perfect for Garnett!
On February 25, Wolf King posted a career-high 51 points, 22 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 blocks, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers!
He led the Timberwolves to a decisive victory over the league-leading Celtics.
That win could be said to have directly changed the landscape of the league.
It also filled the Timberwolves players with confidence!
If they had the ability to beat the best team in the league, then why couldn't they try to contend for the championship this year?
This game between the Timberwolves and Lakers also marked the beginning of the Lakers' brutal March schedule.
March 1, away against the Timberwolves; March 3, away against the Spurs; March 4, away against Houston; March 6, away against the Dallas Mavericks; March 8,