There is a vast amount of difference between wishful thinking and wish fulfillment. One is the hope, the other the deed.

Wishful thinking time is usually better spent on accomplishing something positive. I know that Minnesota Twins wishful thinking has not accomplished much. They remain as they have throughout the season, playing 500 ball. Wishful thinking raises its head for our Twins, because they are still in the hunt and as I write this are only 4 1/2 games behind the division leader, Chicago. No team in the Central Division seems to want to assert itself or be very good.

Wishful thinking will not do it for our Twins, but wish fulfillment is close for our hometown favorite of over a decade. Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics may have won or lost the NBA championship as you read this.

It looked like Garnett would never wear the championship ring. He would not be alone in the failure of a star to play for the big one.

In baseball, Ernie “Let’s Play Two” Banks was a marvelous player. He was voted National League MVP in both 1958 and 1959. He played a fine shortstop, hit well, and had 511 home runs. Despite his play the Chicago Cubs never came close to winning a pennant.

Pro basketball’s Charles Barkley was perhaps basketball’s best player never to win a championship. Barkley was named the NBA’s MVP in 1993, was a member of both Olympic Dream Teams and was named as one of the NBA’s best 50 players in history. He retired as one of only four players with 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. In addition, he was fun to watch, but he was never on a NBA championship team.

It seemed Kevin Garnett was destined to join the Banks-Barkley duo. He had toiled for the Minnesota Timberwolves for 12 seasons and like Banks and Barkley received many honors; NBA MVP in 2004, Defensive Player of the year in 2007, an 11-time NBA All-Star. Garnett is the only NBA player to reach at least 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 4,000 assists and 1,200 blocks in his career.

In my opinion he is the best big floor man to ever play the game. Yet, Garnett had never won a championship or even reached the NBA Finals. There were whispers that Garnett was not a winning player. In fact, Barkley suggested that. Given Charles Barkley’s track record, he is hardly one to talk.

Garnett never really had a chance with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Which is understandable with the leadership of owner Glen Taylor and Vice-President Kevin McHale. The one time they gave Garnett two better than average players in Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell they were within a basket or two of reaching the Finals

The Timberwolves had season after season of Garnett being unable to alone lift the team above mediocrity. McHale was left with no option but to trade Garnett. And folks, they didn’t do it out of the goodness of their heart, but to rebuild. In fact, had they known Garnett would lead their trading partner, the Boston Celtics to within one game of the championship, I’m not sure they would have traded. For how bad does it make the Timberwolves management look for its failure to surround Garnett with capable players.

Watch Garnett on the floor during the championship games. Look at his focus, his intensity. He had the same focus and intensity throughout his entire Minnesota career.

Another measurement of Garnett’s value: Al Jefferson was the Timberwolves prize catch in the trade. He was with the Celtics in 2006-2007 and the team finished 15th in the East with a record of 24-58. This year they are in the Finals. That’s another indication of Garnett’s ability.

Kevin Garnett may not fulfill his wish, although I’m not sticking my neck out very far to say he will. But even if he doesn’t, he will have reached the Finals. Hooray for Garnett!