Fans who pay good money to watch a pro NBA team deserve to see a team
that is doing whatever possible to win now and win later with the
personnel they have. And everyone in the Wolves locker room knows that
the personnel moves made in recent days–be it the dumping of Ratliff
or the mothballing of Walker–are not about winning now or later with
the current personnel. It is about making sure another high draft pick
comes to this ballclub. That’s not exactly a motivating force.
 
 
 
 
 
Richardson told people the night he was informed of
the trade that Garnett was being included as part of the deal. Instead,
Golden State traded Richardson and the draft rights to Jermareo
Davidson to Charlotte in exchange for the draft rights to Brandan
Wright. Garnett never made it to Golden State in what would have been a
three-team trade with Minnesota and Charlotte.
 
"I was very surprised," Richardson said Tuesday. "I
thought that was going to happen in the deal. I don’t know what
happened with it, but he’s in a better situation in Boston. He’s
winning out there with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. It could have gone
either way in Golden State. I thought that was the deal, and that’s why
I got traded."
 
 
 
 
The Detroit Pistons signed center Theo Ratliff, who was released Friday by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
 
Ratliff on returning to Detroit:

"Minnesota was very gracious about working with me, and
when Detroit said they wanted me, it was an easy
decision," Ratliff said. "I’ve been on a lot
of bad teams, and now I’m at a point in my career where
I’m looking to be on a contender." 

 
 
 
Corey Brewer, SF, Timberwolves (seventh). He’s not the first player coming off an NCAA championship run to go higher than he should have. Brewer has done little to distinguish himself at the NBA level. Evaluator: "I haven’t seen anything I can grab on to about his game. Is he a scorer, a slasher, a defender? I’m not impressed."
 
 
Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves, 6-8, 185, G-F: The Wolves expected instant impact from one of the key components of the two-time defending NCAA champion Florida Gators, but are still waiting. He’s been given plenty of opportunity, but can’t manage to get his numbers above 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. He is a superb defender, with great quickness and hands, which helps a lot on a bad team like the Timberwolves. But he’s got to develop a more consistent jump shot – always in question at Florida too – while getting to the rim when it is there. The latter will come with time, but his shot needs work. Grade: C-minus. 
 
     
 
While the Minnesota Timberwolves have been watching Kansas
State phenom Michael Beasly impress, he may be the number one pick in
the upcoming NBA draft, Minnesotans may have noticed Eastview’s Darren
Kent who is getting 14 minutes a game for the Wildcats. 
 
 
 
Previews of tonight’s game at Utah:
 
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