[外電] Rolling Wolves could get help
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16468177.htm
The Timberwolves have found new life in 2007. And they might be closing in on
finding another inside presence to help Kevin Garnett.
The Wolves, who improved to 7-1 in January with a 94-90 overtime victory over
the Detroit Pistons on Monday, are involved in discussions that could send
Marko Jaric to the Pistons. Detroit center Nazr Mohammed is emerging as the
leading candidate in a possible trade.
Both players have similarly long contracts — four more years remaining, with
Jaric owed $27 million and Mohammed $25 million — and are a good match under
the NBA's rules that require the salaries be similar.
The Pistons finally got the confirmation they were looking for from free
agent Chris Webber, who said Monday he will sign with Detroit after he clears
waivers today. Webber's arrival could mean less playing time for Mohammed.
Mohammed was pulled from the starting lineup last week and doesn't want to
stick around if the addition of Webber means a more-reduced role for him off
the bench. He signed with Detroit last summer as the replacement for Ben
Wallace, who left for Chicago.
"I'm not the type of guy that can sit on the bench happy," Mohammed told the
Associated Press. "I came here to play. If I'm not in the plan, I would ask
for a trade."
Webber got a standing ovation when he walked into The Palace of Auburn Hills
from the fans of his hometown Pistons. They understand the Pistons need more
help.
Whether Wolves fans will have any new additions to cheer in the coming days
remains to be seen. The Pistons see Jaric as a player who could provide an
effective player in several roles, including backup point guard.
Detroit is 3-5 during the eight-game absence of guard Chauncey Billups, out
with a strained right calf. At 6 feet 7, Jaric also can play shooting guard
and small forward.
Whether a trade is consummated — a source said Saturday that Jaric is
unhappy and asked to be moved — Jaric's future with the team clearly is in
doubt.
The Wolves are overloaded at guard , even without injured Rashad McCants, who
could return this season. And Jaric hasn't lived up to expectations since
arriving in Minnesota before the 2005-06 season with a six-year, $38 million
contract in a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jaric didn't play against Detroit, the third consecutive game he has missed
with a sprained right thumb. Wolves coach Dwane Casey said before the game
that Jaric isn't being held out to let the guard get healthy for trade
purposes.
"Believe me, if Marko could help us play today, he'd be backing up Trenton
(Hassell) and back in his rotation spot," Casey said. "I'm just going on what
Marko says. He says he's hurt. Believe me, if he was healthy, he'd be
playing."
The Wolves got by just fine without him against Detroit in another overtime
thriller.
Minnesota seemingly found a way to lose every close game last season. Now the
team is finding ways to win, even as Jaric trade speculation swirls.
The Wolves have won 10 of their past 13 games and have climbed within three
games of Northwest Division leader Utah. The Wolves are 4-0 in overtime this
season, with all of the victories coming this month.
This latest victory came with three players making three-pointers in
overtime, including center Mark Blount's shot from the corner with 12.8
seconds remaining to make it 92-88.
"This is a great stretch," guard Ricky Davis said. "Early in the year we won
a few in a row and then went backward. But this shows experience. Guys are
learning and starting to play together."
This latest victory even came against a team that wasn't at full strength,
which earlier this season had been a sure recipe for a loss. The Pistons were
without Billups and didn't yet have Webber, two players who figure to be in
the starting lineup Friday at Target Center.
The Wolves opened a 33-22 lead early in the second quarter Monday. But then
Detroit got back in the mix with a 17-1 run that gave the Pistons a
five-point lead. From there, it was a close game the rest of the way.
Detroit's Richard Hamilton missed a shot at the buzzer in regulation that
would have won it.
But in overtime, rookie Randy Foye, who admittedly didn't play his best game
with four turnovers , hit two big jumpers, including a three-pointer with
3:17 left that put Minnesota ahead 87-82.
Hamilton made two free throws with 10.3 seconds left to cut Minnesota's lead
to 92-90. Garnett was fouled to stop the clock, and he made two free throws
with 4.3 seconds left to seal the victory.
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