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We should all be able to accept that Kevin Garnett is the greatest Timberwolves player of all-time. By a mile. Or length of the court. Or whatever distance you want to use.After all, in KG's 12 seasons here, the Wolves had a combined record of 501-451 (.526 winning percentage), made all eight franchise playoff appearances and reached the conference finals. In 10 seasons without him (six before his arrival, four since his departure), the Wolves entered Thursday 204-605 (.252), never have made the playoffs ... and have actually never won at least 30 games.

Our question of the day, though, is this: Who is the second-best player in Timberwolves franchise history? We made an initial list that included these players (in no particular order): Wally Szczerbiak, Al Jefferson, Tony Campbell, Terrell Brandon, Kevin Love, Sam Mitchell, Tom Gugliotta, Stephon Marbury and Christian Laettner.

Once we got over our initial depression, we whittled that down further to the finalists (and winner) below, factoring in longevity, potential and overall impact. Agree? Disagree? We'd love to hear from you at mrand@startribune.com. Now, the list:

Szczerbiak: He played in 29 career playoff games with the Timberwolves, made the All-Star team during the 2001-02 season, was a very accurate shooter and a capable complementary player. On the down side, he was often a defensive liability, his dribbling made fans scream (in a bad way) and he was injured during much of the franchise's best season ever (2003-04).

Brandon: The stat sheet remembers Brandon more fondly than many fans do. When healthy -- and that was an issue -- Brandon was a very efficient (if somewhat boring) point guard for the parts of four seasons he was here. What would this year's team look like with a steady PG averaging 17 points and nine assists (as Brandon did in 1999-00)?

Love: He's just a third-year player and this is his "breakout" year, but in terms of star power and ceiling, he's as close to KG as any player not named Marbury the Wolves have ever had. Averages above 20 points and 15 rebounds get him into the conversation, even though his body of work is lacking so far.

Mitchell: A throwback who seemed like he used to call his own fouls, Mitchell played 10 years for the Wolves in two separate stints. His career numbers (14 ppg) are better than we expected, and his 15-foot baseline jumper was as reliable as a sunrise.

Gugliotta: He flourished in parts of four seasons here, earning an All-Star selection in 1996-97 while averaging more than 20 points and close to nine rebounds a game.

Campbell: Someone had to score for those awful early Wolves teams. Campbell did so willingly for three seasons and still holds the franchise career points per game lead at 20.6 (KG is next at 20.5).

Winner: Szczerbiak. The body of work carries him to the victory. Someday, though, Love might conquer all.