ducks
11-05-2004, 10:10 AM
Hassell accepts role
BY MIKE WELLS, Pioneer Press
He's a defensive specialist now that Szczerbiak starts
DENVER — There were several intriguing battles for jobs in NBA training camps this fall. In Portland, there was Darius Miles vs. Shareef Abdur-Rahim. In Dallas, you had former University of Wisconsin star Devin Harris vs. Jason Terry.
But there was no bigger battle than the one in Minnesota between Trenton Hassell and Wally Szczerbiak, considering what's at stake for the Timberwolves this season.
Wolves coach Flip Saunders didn't use a complex formula to decide on a starter because Hassell and Szczerbiak offer different strengths to the lineup.
"I told our guys, 'I don't decide who plays; you guys do,' " Saunders said.
Hassell, who signed his first lucrative contract over the summer, is primarily known for his defense and did not have a standout training camp.
Szczerbiak, who already had landed his big payday, was trying to show the organization he's the same player who played in the NBA All-Star Game two years ago and was a Wolves starter before injuries derailed him. He said early in training camp that he wants to start and didn't want to come off the bench for the second straight season.
Szczerbiak backed his statement by showing he's worthy of the job.
"He deserved it," Saunders said. "Wally had a very good camp."
Don't expect Hassell to slide to the end of the bench and be forgotten. Saunders has a plan for one the league's most underrated perimeter defensive players.
Largely, the opposition will determine Hassell's playing time. There are going to be nights, such as Wednesday's season opener against the New York Knicks (18 minutes, no points), when Hassell will play only sparingly. But there also are going to be nights, such as Thursday against Denver, when he will play more. Hassell's main job is to stop the likes of Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Boston's Paul Pierce.
"That's one of the things if you have a team that's deep, guys can accept roles," Saunders said. "One night you might get 18 minutes and the next night you might get 30; that's kind of how it goes."
Hassell, who started 74 of 81 games last season, understands his role.
"I'm always ready to play when he calls on me," he said of Saunders. "I'm going to be there. I like to see the flow of the game, see what works, so I'm always ready."
Hassell said it's tough coming off the bench because it takes time to get into the flow. He has started 174 of 243 NBA games in which he has played.
"It makes a difference because when you start you get in a flow early and when you come off the bench you try not to mess up what's going on," he said. "You try to get loose at the same time and try to feel your way into what's going on. It's a big difference, but it's nothing that's going to bother me."
Sprewell claims mistreatment: Timberwolves swingman Latrell Sprewell claims he was treated unfairly by a Minneapolis police officer during a traffic stop Tuesday, authorities said.
Minneapolis police Lt. Lee Edwards said the department is investigating. The department's internal affairs unit met with Sprewell and Sprewell said he has previously dealt with the officer involved in the encounter, Edwards said.
Sprewell was riding in a car Tuesday when the driver was pulled over for interfering with vehicle traffic, according to police reports. Sprewell was accused of verbally confronting the officer as the officer questioned the driver.
Police said Sprewell ignored orders to stop interfering and was cited for allegedly failing to obey the lawful order of a police officer, a misdemeanor.
Sprewell was given a form on Wednesday so he can detail his allegations. He also has the option of giving an oral statement at the Police Department. Edwards said he hasn't received the report or any indication that Sprewell intends to give a statement.
Just give me two: Some might wonder why Sprewell doesn't want a three-year extension. Sprewell, 34, said he wants a two-year extension because he doesn't know whether he wants to continue playing after he finishes those two years.
"I'll evaluate if I want to play after that," he said.
The Wolves have offered Sprewell a three-year, $21 million deal. He said Wednesday he's willing to take a pay cut, but not one as substantial as that.
Briefly: Wolves assistant coach Don Zierden stayed behind to work out Ndudi Ebi, who is on the injured list, and Eddie Griffin, who is serving a three-game suspension, at Target Center.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mike Wells covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected].
BY MIKE WELLS, Pioneer Press
He's a defensive specialist now that Szczerbiak starts
DENVER — There were several intriguing battles for jobs in NBA training camps this fall. In Portland, there was Darius Miles vs. Shareef Abdur-Rahim. In Dallas, you had former University of Wisconsin star Devin Harris vs. Jason Terry.
But there was no bigger battle than the one in Minnesota between Trenton Hassell and Wally Szczerbiak, considering what's at stake for the Timberwolves this season.
Wolves coach Flip Saunders didn't use a complex formula to decide on a starter because Hassell and Szczerbiak offer different strengths to the lineup.
"I told our guys, 'I don't decide who plays; you guys do,' " Saunders said.
Hassell, who signed his first lucrative contract over the summer, is primarily known for his defense and did not have a standout training camp.
Szczerbiak, who already had landed his big payday, was trying to show the organization he's the same player who played in the NBA All-Star Game two years ago and was a Wolves starter before injuries derailed him. He said early in training camp that he wants to start and didn't want to come off the bench for the second straight season.
Szczerbiak backed his statement by showing he's worthy of the job.
"He deserved it," Saunders said. "Wally had a very good camp."
Don't expect Hassell to slide to the end of the bench and be forgotten. Saunders has a plan for one the league's most underrated perimeter defensive players.
Largely, the opposition will determine Hassell's playing time. There are going to be nights, such as Wednesday's season opener against the New York Knicks (18 minutes, no points), when Hassell will play only sparingly. But there also are going to be nights, such as Thursday against Denver, when he will play more. Hassell's main job is to stop the likes of Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Boston's Paul Pierce.
"That's one of the things if you have a team that's deep, guys can accept roles," Saunders said. "One night you might get 18 minutes and the next night you might get 30; that's kind of how it goes."
Hassell, who started 74 of 81 games last season, understands his role.
"I'm always ready to play when he calls on me," he said of Saunders. "I'm going to be there. I like to see the flow of the game, see what works, so I'm always ready."
Hassell said it's tough coming off the bench because it takes time to get into the flow. He has started 174 of 243 NBA games in which he has played.
"It makes a difference because when you start you get in a flow early and when you come off the bench you try not to mess up what's going on," he said. "You try to get loose at the same time and try to feel your way into what's going on. It's a big difference, but it's nothing that's going to bother me."
Sprewell claims mistreatment: Timberwolves swingman Latrell Sprewell claims he was treated unfairly by a Minneapolis police officer during a traffic stop Tuesday, authorities said.
Minneapolis police Lt. Lee Edwards said the department is investigating. The department's internal affairs unit met with Sprewell and Sprewell said he has previously dealt with the officer involved in the encounter, Edwards said.
Sprewell was riding in a car Tuesday when the driver was pulled over for interfering with vehicle traffic, according to police reports. Sprewell was accused of verbally confronting the officer as the officer questioned the driver.
Police said Sprewell ignored orders to stop interfering and was cited for allegedly failing to obey the lawful order of a police officer, a misdemeanor.
Sprewell was given a form on Wednesday so he can detail his allegations. He also has the option of giving an oral statement at the Police Department. Edwards said he hasn't received the report or any indication that Sprewell intends to give a statement.
Just give me two: Some might wonder why Sprewell doesn't want a three-year extension. Sprewell, 34, said he wants a two-year extension because he doesn't know whether he wants to continue playing after he finishes those two years.
"I'll evaluate if I want to play after that," he said.
The Wolves have offered Sprewell a three-year, $21 million deal. He said Wednesday he's willing to take a pay cut, but not one as substantial as that.
Briefly: Wolves assistant coach Don Zierden stayed behind to work out Ndudi Ebi, who is on the injured list, and Eddie Griffin, who is serving a three-game suspension, at Target Center.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mike Wells covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected].