Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Timberwolves fans and fans across the country.
Now that Kevin Garnett’s number 21 is finally going up to the Target Center rafters next season, it only feels right that the Minnesota Timberwolves can begin honoring other notable players in the franchise’s relatively short 37 year history.
The parameters for why a player should have their jersey number retired is subjective. There
is no science to this and with an organization that has experienced so little success (outside of the current Anthony Edwards era), let alone sniffed a championship, it begs the question if anyone even deserves to have their number retired.
But why be so negative?
Teams without titles still deserve to celebrate their heroes of yore. So if it were up to you, who’s number would you like to see alongside Garnett and Malik Sealy (and the multitude of Lynx Hall of Famers)?
If we’re going by longevity and dedication to the franchise, Sam Mitchell certainly deserves the nod. He played 10 of his 13 seasons with the Wolves, totaling the second most amount of games played just behind Garnett. He wasn’t an All-Star by any means, but he continued his Wolves lore as an assistant and interim head coach during the late Flip Saunders years. Mitchell still frequently shows up for fan and community events in Minnesota, such as during the new rebrand event this summer.
Kevin Love is the next person that pops into mind. Ironically, Love and Mitchell both wore number 42, but other franchises have retired the same number for different players before. His case is almost opposite to Mitchell though. First of all, Love is still technically an active player (and capable power forward free agent!). Second, Love had perhaps the highest peak of any Timberwolves player outside of Garnett and Edwards. Third, he had a bit of an unceremonious departure from Minnesota, though much of that blame can be shifted to then President of Basketball Operations David Kahn. Weirdly enough, Love only played five of his 18 seasons with the Wolves.
Is it too soon to think of more recent players like Ricky Rubio and Gorgui Dieng? Both have officially retired from the NBA (Rubio recently announced he would be continuing his playing career in Spain), but were deeply beloved by Wolves fans by in and outside of the local Minnesota community. They are tier one human beings who left a deep impact on others. Rubio, in particular, inspired a great deal of hope on-the-court during a very dark time for the Wolves.
If there’s anyone we missed, make your case in the comments below!
