Is This McHale's Last Year?

Back when Kevin McHale originally signed on with the Timberwolves, he laid the ground rules for his tenure: (1) he, McHale, was a family man; (2) he was an outdoorsman; (3) he was a homebody, and thus didn't like to travel; and (4) he didn't work evenings; and (5) under no circumstances would he work himself into the grave.

Fourteen years later, McHale's kids are grown-up. He's on the road more than he's at home. He works mornings, days, evenings, and over night. His dark brown hair is no amply now flecked with gray, and the only time he gets to spend outdoors is walking from the team bus to the hotel lobby.

We all knew the guy who laid the ground rules. "I've got a life," the rules screamed out, "and I'm gonna keep it that way."

So how did we get here from there? I think we all know the answer to that. The more important question is when will McHale return to there from here?

Part of the problem is that McHale has enjoyed a life filled with success. His #44 is hanging in the rafters at Williams Arena, while his #32 is hanging in the rafters at the Gahden. The other part of the problem is that he doesn't deal well with failure. According to Peter May, McHale still dwells on Hibbing's loss to Bloomington Jefferson's Steven Lingenfelter in Minnesota's High School Championship game.

And so it is with his experience in the Timberwolves' organization. One part of McHale refuses to quit until he "fixes" the team, and Minnesota is back in the playoff hunt. The other part of McHale is telling him to get the hell out and go fishing. Glenn Taylor tells him he can coach the team as long as he wants.

McHale can't fix the loss to Bloomington Jefferson. But he's under the misapprehension that fixing the Wolves should not only be a priority, but his priority. The large paycheck he receives complicates the equation. But the guy we all remember--the witty, care-free, stream-of-consciousness-interview-giver--won't find his inner peace until he tells the Timberwolves goodbye.

Here's to hoping that's sooner than later, for Kevin's sake.