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12-28-2004, 10:51 PM
Anthony Carter's strong play off the bench in the Timberwolves' victory over Washington on Sunday has earned him more playing time, most of which will come at the expense of Troy Hudson. The decision has as much to do with Carter's ability to defend other point guards as it does with a belief that Hudson is suffering through a slump. "He's going through an adjustment," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said of Hudson. "He's not where he was two years ago." Said Wolves Vice President Kevin McHale: "He's not playing very good. As a basketball player you're always trying to make the 90, 95 percent play, where 95 percent of the time this is going to work. He's making 15 percent decisions. ... I think he's trying so hard to get some shots up and get himself going that he's just got to give himself up to the team, let the flow of the game carry him through, move the ball. And, defensively, he's going to have to get better." Minneapolis Star Tribune
Saunders had warned in recent days that personnel changes would be made if the team continued its inconsistent play. Hudson, who had averaged nearly 18½ minutes per game over the first 25 games, played a season-low seven minutes Sunday. That he still managed five shot attempts is an example of the type of play that has at times frustrated Saunders. "He's trying to make things happen instead of maybe letting it come to him a little bit," Saunders said. "And we talked about that. But his nature is to be aggressive with the ball. It's hard for him to adjust, to change that." Minneapolis Star Tribune
Saunders had warned in recent days that personnel changes would be made if the team continued its inconsistent play. Hudson, who had averaged nearly 18½ minutes per game over the first 25 games, played a season-low seven minutes Sunday. That he still managed five shot attempts is an example of the type of play that has at times frustrated Saunders. "He's trying to make things happen instead of maybe letting it come to him a little bit," Saunders said. "And we talked about that. But his nature is to be aggressive with the ball. It's hard for him to adjust, to change that." Minneapolis Star Tribune