Green, who won the competition last year as a Boston
Celtic, will try to become only the third back-to-back champion. Jordan
won in 1987 and 1988, Jason Richardson in 2002 and 2003.
 
"He’s a very charismatic kind of guy," Wilkins said of Green. "He won it with his creativity last year."
 
 
Also from Alonzo:
Green’s performance tonight could include a tall stepladder as a prop with teammate Rashad McCants providing an assist.
 
 
 
Mark Rosenberg/Timberwolves site on what events Gerald Green and Rashad McCants have been participating in during All-Star weekend in New Orleans. You can check out a couple pics of Green here and here.
 
 
 
  
 
Randy Wittman and Ryan Gomes have both left for New England; Randy to
watch his son play for Cornell, Gomes to visit family. Randy Foye went
home to New Jersey.
 
 
 
Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site on Craig Smith’s All-Star break plans:
The Rhino is taking his special lady on a vacation to California,
specifically Santa Barbara. They left Thursday morning to "take a
romantic drive up the coast on Valentine’s Day," said the Rhino,
showing his softer side. 


"Just going to relax, get massages and enjoy the beach," he continued.
"But I also have to check out the swap meet to get some white t-shirts,
some shoes, you know."
 

Like in Dr. Dre’s "The Chronic"?, we asked…
 
"Nah, not the Compton swap meet," answered Smith. "I can’t do that one.
Basically, people bring clothes that they bought retail – like if me
and you decided to buy some Calvin Klein sweaters – and then sell them
in our little space. You try to bump up that price."
 
 
 
Pete Thamel/New York Times on Coach Wittman going to see his son play for Cornell’s hoops team.
 
 
 
 
From the Argus Leader:
Chris Richard, who was assigned to the Skyforce by the Timberwolves
earlier this month, had eight points and 13 rebounds in what will
likely be his last game with the team before being called up to the NBA.
 
 

Richard has now played six games for Sioux Falls, helping the team to a 4-2 record behind 10.2 points and 11.5 rebounds.
 
 
 
With increased playing time comes an increase in production. At the All-Star break, Telfair ranks 16th in the NBA in assists per game. He also ranks 9th in the league in assists per turnover, ahead of superstar point guards Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Baron Davis and Deron Williams.
 
Telfair has 37 games under his belt with over five assists, including six contests in which he dished out more than 10. Yet, Telfair himself does not see this as the area in which he has made the most significant strides in his development. 
 
 
 
Erick Blasco/Bleacher Report looks at individual players  to see "if and when the T-puppies will mature into full-fledged Timberwolves."
 
 
 
Seven members of the program’s All-Century team — Gary Thompson, Zaid
Abdul-Aziz, Hercle Ivy, Jeff Grayer, Fred Hoiberg, Kelvin Cato and Jake
Sullivan — will be on hand to help the Cyclones celebrate their 100th
anniversary.