[外電] Casey monitors workload in a bid to keep Garnett fresh
http://www.startribune.com/511/story/929164.html
With three overtime games prior to Wednesday night, several Timberwolves
players had been logging heavy minutes. Not all workloads are created equal,
however, with Kevin Garnett's being the greatest concern.
In four games heading into the Wolves-Clippers clash Wednesday at Target
Center, Garnett had averaged more than 44 minutes. In the 92-91 loss to Los
Angeles he played another 39.
Garnett leads the team with 1,285 minutes, at least 250 more than any
teammate except Ricky Davis (1,213). And, in his 12th NBA season, Garnett's
odometer has the highest readout among the Wolves, too.
"I'm getting heavy minutes," Garnett said before the game. "But Case [coach
Dwane Casey] has done a better job this year of scaling back a little bit.
When we come into practice, we get right to what we've got to do. And then
we're out of there. We're not in here for three, four hours. I started to
think Case was in the Army for a minute, the way we was playing and the way
we was practicing."
Even if Garnett or the others -- Davis has topped 40 minutes in six
consecutive games -- weren't tired yet, they face a rugged schedule. After
playing 13 games in a span of 33 days, they will pack 19 into a 33-day
stretch. This weekend, for instance, the Wolves play at Memphis on Friday,
against New Jersey on Saturday and at Detroit in a holiday matinee Monday --
four games in 3? days.
"Everybody has the same tough times in their schedule," Casey said. "This is
where we have to grow as a team."
Of Garnett's playing time, the coach said he would like to hold the All-Star
forward below 40 on a typical night. Casey added: "He's been such a warrior.
He knows how to use his minutes and how to rest. There are possessions where
he can take off and not have to use as much energy. He's a smart player that
way."
See 'Webb' here?
Another Philadelphia 76er was in the news this week, with forward Chris
Webber reportedly negotiating a buyout from the team. Like Allen Iverson,
Webber is a favorite of Garnett.
"I've always looked up to CWebb," said the Wolves star, adding that Webber --
despite serious knee problems -- still "absolutely" has some good years left
in him.
Webber would be free to join another team for whatever salary he could
command. Garnett said he would welcome "anybody who can help us going forward
and reaching our goals."
Sam's the man
Fans at Target Center enjoy booing Sam Cassell now that he plays for the
Clippers, but rookie guard Randy Foye is an admirer of the former Wolves
scorer. The two met on Los Angeles' first visit in November, with Cassell
imparting a little NBA wisdom.
"He basically pulled me to the side and spoke to me about a few things," Foye
said. "He told me, 'Keep on working.' I just love his game. Twenty feet in,
jump shot. Knows how to use his body. Not that quick. But able to get up and
down the court."
Still no McCants date
Casey said the team has not circled any particular game for guard Rashad
McCants' return from offseason knee surgery. McCants continues to rehab from
the microfracture procedure on his right knee. "He'll work out one day and be
sore the next. It's an up-and-down thing," Casey said.
Casey also said fans should be prepared for a "rust" factor whenever McCants
does return. And given the heavy game schedule, McCants won't be held to any
set number of practices before the team's medical staff deems him ready to
play.
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