After falling 105-99 to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 of the 1996 Western Conference Semifinals, media found a very somber Victor Wembanyama answering questions post-game. Despite losing All-NBA-Teammate Penny Hardaway for the playoffs (and potentially the beginning of the 1996-97 season) to a torn meniscus right before the postseason, the team was optimistic on their chances of repeating as world champions. This optimism was tested as soon as the Semifinals began, with the Trail Blazers taking a 3-0 series lead into Portland for Game 4.
“I thought we still had the team to win, and we proved by forcing a game 7 that this team still has that talent. My goal is to keep winning basketball games until I’m transported back to 2023 where I belong” the always joking Wembanyama tried to raise spirits by revisiting an old classic. “I’m starting to get worried actually, I’m pretty sure I heard a Ben Simmons is in the upcoming draft class.. is that the Ben from my timeline?” The Timberwolves media team quickly ushered off the two-time MVP as he was clearly tired from an exhaustive week of basketball.
After battling to keep his team afloat, he’ll now need to battle Minnesota executives to iron out a new contract. After an already historic first four seasons (which has seen two MVPs, the 1995 NBA Championship and enough silverware to put any normal player in Springfield) Wembanyama put the final exclamation point on his rookie deal: breaking Michael Jordan’s historic nine-season-long grasp on the scoring title.
Optimism is high in Minnesota for the upcoming offseason, despite question marks around Hardaway’s future and needing to finalize a deal with Wembanyama before Free Agency begins. The team has three picks in a loaded 1996 draft, which many experts are citing as one of the best ever. If they play their cards right, a rested and retooled Timberwolves (65-17 in 95/96) could challenge the 1967 Lakers record of 69 wins.
This is a work of fiction based on a simulation in NBA 2k24. Victor Wembanyama was put in the 1992 NBA Draft and picked 2nd by the Minnesota Timberwolves. As of the 1996 off-season, he has already won the 1993 RotY, 1994 and 1996 MVP, 1994 Most Improved, 1995 Finals MVP and has been All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense every season.
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