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Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Western Conference - Northwest
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The driven Garnett does a bit of everything
for the Wolves, from setting an example in practice to setting
up teammates in games.
David E. Klutho/SI
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Record: 58-24 (1st in West)
Points Scored: 94.5 (10th in NBA)
Points Allowed: 89.1 (7th)
Coach: Flip Saunders
(10th season with the Timberwolves)
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Sam Cassell, Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell scored 20 or more points in the same game 17 times, the most by three teammates since 1991-92.
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| ERVIN JOHNSON |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| C |
265 |
1.9 |
3.5 |
0.4 |
0.65 |
0.41 |
53.4 |
60.7 |
| KEVIN GARNETT |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| PF |
1 |
24.2 |
13.9 |
5.0 |
2.17 |
1.46 |
49.9 |
79.1 |
| LATRELL SPREWELL |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| SG |
53 |
16.8 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
1.07 |
40.9 |
33.1 |
81.4 |
| SAM CASSELL |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| PG |
36 |
19.8 |
3.3 |
7.3 |
1.26 |
48.8 |
39.8 |
87.3 |
| TRENTON HASSELL |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
| SF |
214 |
5.0 |
3.2 |
1.6 |
0.67 |
0.44 |
46.5 |
30.8 |
| BENCH |
PVR |
2003-04 Stats |
| G-F |
WALLY SZCZERBIAK |
84 |
10.2 ppg |
3.1 rpg |
44.9 FG% |
43.5 3FG% |
82.8 FT% |
| G |
TROY HUDSON |
121 |
7.5 ppg |
1.2 rpg |
2.4 apg |
38.6 FG% |
40.3 3FG% |
| C |
MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI |
187 |
6.5 ppg |
5.7 rpg |
1.58 bpg |
42.5 FG% |
59.0 FT% |
| G |
FRED HOIBERG |
267 |
6.7 ppg |
3.4 rpg |
0.84 spg |
46.5 FG% |
44.2 3FG% |
| F |
MARK MADSEN |
295 |
3.6 ppg |
3.8 rpg |
0.46 spg |
49.5 FG% |
48.3 FT% |
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A lack of depth at point guard won't be the rap on this title contender
An aspiring rap star with three albums to his credit and a fourth in the works, backup point guard Troy Hudson turns to his music when confronted with adversity on the job. That was especially true last season, when a pair of ankle sprains sidelined him for 53 regular-season games plus the playoffs. While on the Target Center bench, he took comfort in knowing he'd get some playing time: His hip-hop video Shut 'em Down appeared regularly on the Jumbotron. "It was exciting to see myself up there," Hudson says, "doing something else that I love to do."
His first love proved fickle. The 6'1" Hudson missed the first 25 games after planting awkwardly on his right ankle in a preseason game. Just as he appeared to regain top form -- he scored 22 points against the Mavericks last March 3, then 19 against the Lakers nine days later -- he sprained his other ankle on March 29 to finish the season on the injured list. The loss left Minnesota without a quality guard to spell starter Sam Cassell, who was bothered by a bad back and hip throughout most of the postseason. "It was tough sitting and watching those guys," says the 28-year-old Hudson. Adds Cassell, "We just needed one of us [healthy]."
Recognizing the value of Hudson's playmaking and scoring -- as a starter in 2002-03 he averaged 14.2 points and 5.7 assists, while shooting 90.0% from the line -- the Timberwolves re-signed him to a six-year, $37 million deal in August. Now, after surgery last April on his right ankle, their resident emcee must find his groove again. "Once I'm out there, I'm going to go 100 percent," Hudson says. "I want to come in and play the brand of ball they've been playing without me." -- Andrew Lawrence
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Issue date: October 25, 2004
