(My Sportsbook) - For years now, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been linked to mediocrity, continuously searching for the key to Western Conference success. Relative regular-season success has been overshadowed by multiple first-round playoff exits.

Despite the presence of All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, Minnesota has been sent packing six straight years in the first round of the postseason. Following the frustration of the T'Wolves' three-game sweep at the hands of Dallas in May, there were even rumors that the club would petition the league to switch places with New Orleans so that it could move into the Eastern Conference.

The league office balked at the idea and the T'Wolves didn't get the easy way out of the Western Conference. Now, head coach Flip Saunders needs to come up with the magic formula to get his squad beyond past struggles. It won't be easy for Saunders, who essentially will be working with the same tools.

Minnesota was expected to make a major overhaul of its roster in the offseason, but very little got accomplished. Instead, the focus was shifted to Wally Szczerbiak and Garnett, who each made the headlines.

Szczerbiak and his agent made it clear to the club that they believe the Miami (OH) product deserves the max contract when or if he re-signs. This prompted the Minnesota front office to work to deal Szczerbiak to a team that could afford him, but nobody was biting.

Meanwhile, Garnett did his now infamous AND 1 commercial where he stated that he was "underpaid" despite making $22.4 million last season. Garnett did his best to set aside the controversy by saying that his comments were part of the script, but the damage was done.

Nonetheless, Garnett has come into camp with a new energy, hoping to erase the memories of past failures.

"I'm ready. I can't even describe it," Garnett told the Minnesota Star Tribune. "You've got to get an X-ray machine and look inside me. 'Cause I'm ready.

"I feel like it's rookie season all over again, with the energy I have. You guys have been talking all that bull, so I'm ready to prove all you wrong."

FRONTCOURT:

Garnett is one of the few Minnesota post players that can do work with his back to the basket. The 6-foot-11 forward has the ability to take bigger players off the dribble and can shoot over smaller defenders. His numbers have been outstanding in the last three years, posting at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per contest.

The perennial All-Star has actually been criticized for being too unselfish down the stretch in playoff games. Minnesota vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale disagrees with the idea that Garnett could do more for his team in the postseason.

"If Kevin was an Allen Iverson and shot the ball 30-plus times a game, and he shot it 10 times in the playoffs, I'd say absolutely," said McHale. "But Kevin is a guy who shoots it 15-18 times every game. . . . You've got to do what you do."

Garnett must get more help from his fellow post players, including Radoslav Nesterovic and Joe Smith. Nesterovic showed some improvement last season, registering career best averages in points (8.4) and rebounds (6.5) per contest.

Smith registers solid numbers (10.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), but he is inconsistent at best. The Maryland product has a tendency to want to remain on the perimeter and shoot jump shots that are out of his range. Saunders must convince Smith to work in the paint more often. Smith has been slowed by a groin pull in the preseason and he won't likely be ready for the season opener.

GUARDS

The T'Wolves have major issues in the backcourt, starting with the health of veteran point guard Terrell Brandon. Last season, Brandon underwent surgery to repair a cartilage tear on his left femur and it is unknown when he'll return.

With Brandon on the shelf for the foreseeable future and former backup Chauncey Billups in Detroit, the Timberwolves have turned to free agent Troy Hudson to run the point. Hudson, who came off the bench in Orlando last season, is a solid scorer and ballhandler, but has never been a starter in his five-year career.

Szczerbiak provides the T'Wolves with an explosive scorer (18.7 ppg) from the shooting guard slot. The sharpshooter was so impressive that he earned an All-Star nod in his first campaign in the position. His main shortcoming is his lack of ball-handling skills. Oftentimes, he'll attempt to make something happen that isn't there and turn the ball over.

Veteran guard Anthony Peeler could see a handful of starts in the backcourt as well. Peeler is Minnesota's best long distance shooter and his ball-handling skills will be a major asset with Brandon out.

BENCH:

The T'Wolves' depth in the backcourt took another hit recently when shooting guard Felipe Lopez suffered season-ending torn knee ligaments. Lopez had been averaging 11.3 points per contest in four preseason tilts.

The addition of veteran swingman Kendall Gill appears even more important for the T'Wolves now. Gill can play both the shooting guard and small forward slots which will provide nice flexibility for Saunders.

"Kendall gives us depth at a couple of positions," said McHale. "He is an athletic veteran player who will help us at both ends of the court."

Rookie point guard Marcus Taylor will likely be forced into playing more minutes than expected this year. The 20-year-old was the 52nd pick overall in the 2002 NBA Draft. Rumors remain though that Minnesota is still looking at inking free agent point guard Rod Strickland.

Frontline depth is a real question mark for the T'Wolves this year. Journeyman Marc Jackson, Gary Trent and young Loren Woods have yet to prove themselves as capable replacements.

Jackson, who was acquired from Golden State last season, is a talented perimeter shooter for a power forward, but was a bit of a bust last season. Saunders must find minutes for him so that he can get comfortable in the offense.

Trent has a long history of injuries which doesn't bode well for his longevity, while Woods is a little frail at 7-foot-1, 245 pounds. Woods averaged just 1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 8.6 minutes per game last season.

OUTLOOK:

This will be the key season in determining the future of the Minnesota organization. Szczerbiak and Garnett are both up for contract extensions soon and their play will likely determine whether or not Minnesota will choose to rebuild in the coming years. If the T'Wolves suffer through another excruciating first round playoff dismissal, expect this team to be blown up and return in a completely different form next season. Saunders' seemingly plentiful job security could suffer if Minnesota misses the playoffs. Expect the T'Wolves to be the sixth or seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.