The Timberwolves say they have no trades pending for the Feb. 21 deadline, although they have tried.
 
 
 
Sebastian Telfair’s 12 assists and no turnovers Monday ranks as one of the most efficient performances ever by a Wolves player. Coach Randy Wittman said it was Telfair’s best floor game of the season. The Wolves lost 92-86 to Houston, but Telfair was sharp, adding three steals and six points in 33 minutes.
 
"I think my confidence level is the reason," Telfair said of his solid play of late. "(The coaches) have been teaching me little things to help make me a better point guard. WHen they’re saying they have a lot of confidence in me, that gives me a lot of confidence."
 
 
 
And then there was Al Jefferson. The degree to which the team’s
offensive game is now revolving around the big man is remarkable. It
has been more and more the case of late, but last night’s game is a
particularly good example. Jefferson took 26 of the team’s 77 shots,
hitting 14 of them—a dizzying array of 15-footers, up-and-unders,
floaters in the lane, and dunks. He was hitting from everywhere. He
also pulled down 16 boards and had three stuffs.
 
  

"I’m very impressed with (Jefferson’s) strength and he has great hands,
a soft shot and is relentless going to the boards. We did a good job of
stopping Telfair there, but they kept throwing that little bounce pass
or shooting the ball, and he would get it. You’ve got to be impressed
with him. He was more active tonight (than the game in Houston), more
aggressive in taking the ball to the basket."
 
 
 
Keloland.com on Chris Richard’s performance in the Sioux Falls Skyforce win last night:
Hitting the boards hard for the Skyforce with 12 rebounds apiece were
Chris Alexander and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Chris Richard.
 
   
 
Meanwhile, Minnesota forward Antoine Walker is averaging a career-low 8.4 points per game, with an average of 2.4 the past five games. It’s hard to know what happened to this former All-Star — and even harder to believe he’s been close with Michael Jordan. Sad thing is, it’s not like Walker is over-the-hill (he’s only 31). He should still have a few good years left, but it sure doesn’t look like that will be the case. 
 
  
 
Marcel Mutoni/SLAM Online on the team’s plan to have given Garnett a "lengthy ovation" upon his return:
You’d think that the least McHale and company could do – even though the injured Garnett isn’t expected to suit up on Friday night – is splice together some video clips of his greatest moments, which not so incidentally, happen to also be the team’s greatest. 
 
 
 
Mason Wright/National Post looks at Gerald Green and the other Slam Dunk contest participants.  
 
 
 
When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Kevin Garnett, it was thought that Gerald Green was an important piece for the Wolves.  Apparently not.  Before the season they didn’t pick up his player option and now Green is asking out because he can’t get the playing time he needs to earn a new contract.  If the Wolves were interested in adding salary they could package Green with the expiring contract of Theo Ratliff; however it appears Minnesota is thinking more about fiscal conservatism as they try to rebuild. 
 
 
 
Don’t think people at
the Target Center aren’t concerned about Kevin
Garnett’s stomach.  He has an abdominal
injury that seems to linger and there is concern that could manifest itself by
the end of the week and he wouldn’t come to the Target
Center for his only appearance in Minneapolis against the
Timberwolves this year.