Wittman keeps the faith

Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

Sebastian Telfair (3) received instruction from head coach Randy Wittman in the second quarter.

The Wolves coach admits his team's 1-6 start has been a disappointment, but he maintains his belief that improved play is not too far away.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2008 - 9:19 AM

Off to a 1-6 start that duplicates a season ago when they won 22 games, Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman was asked Thursday if he hears the clock ticking on his job in a business that ultimately measures everything in wins and losses.

"No, all you can do is prepare each day, that's all you can do," he said. "I'm not going to worry about that. I've been in this business 25 years. I know what you have to do to be successful and that's what I'm trying to do."

The Wolves have lost one game in double overtime, another in overtime. They led Golden State by 10 points with seven minutes remaining on Tuesday and were outscored 20-7 -- including 9-0 in the final 4:30 of regulation time -- the rest of the way in a 113-110 overtime loss. At Oklahoma City in the season's third game, they scored two points in the final 5:44 and lost by three.

Wittman's mood was subdued after Thursday's practice, when the Wolves returned to work after a three-game Western trip without Al Jefferson. The team's star forward flew home to Mississippi after Tuesday's game at Golden State to attend to what Wittman and Wolves basketball boss Kevin McHale called a family matter. He is expected to return in time for Saturday's home game against Portland.

When told he seemed down, Wittman said: "I'm not down. We shouldn't be down. We should be mad at ourselves. We're not a 1-6 team, but that's the reality. We're not that far from being 4-3. This team will be better than a 20-win team. ... I really think this team is not that far from turning things in a positive direction."

The question, of course, is how long will it take for a team McHale expects to be considerably better this season.

The Wolves on Saturday begin a stretch of formidable games that could approach last season's 1-10 start if they don't soon discover how to successfully finish games. They also, with a six-game losing streak, risk becoming completely irrelevant in a crowded sports market during tough economic times.

"This is not the start we wanted, believe me," said McHale, the team's basketball decision-maker to whom owner Glen Taylor has remained loyal since 1995. "Fans want to see a team that wins, a team that competes. Our record is as bad as it possibly could be with how we've played. We're a play or two away from being 4-3 or, if we get lucky, 5-2. But that's not where we are."

Asked if he was satisfied with the team's coaching thus far, McHale said, "Yeah, well, right now we have to find a way to win basketball games. That's what this game is all about."

McHale said he still believes the team has the right complementary players and enough talent to win. After last season, he said the team could win as many as 20 more games this season.

"I've seen good spurts," McHale said. "It's tough when teams are beating you, but we're giving away games. In the NBA, you're going to play a lot of close games. You've got to win your share. That's the bottom line."