http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0706/1577237.html Sunday, July 6 Howard to join Garnett, Cassell in Twin Cities? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services Sources close to forward Juwan Howard say he likely will sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday. The former Michigan star supposedly would rather join the Lakers, but he's not their top priority. He also has shown interest in Orlando, with the Pistons a distant fourth. Sam Cassell, just traded to Minnesota, is recruiting Howard. The Timberwolves are desperately trying to surround Kevin Garnett with enough talent to get out of the first round of the playoffs. "I want to win," Howard told the Sporting News earlier this week. "That has always been my goal since Day One, since I stepped foot in the NBA. I have had an opportunity to win at all levels, college and high school. Now, I am in a position that I can make a decision to go anywhere I want to go, and I am excited about that." Howard, 30, a nine-year veteran, averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Denver Nuggets in 2002-03. He has averaged 17.9 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career. "I do whatever teams want me to do," Howard told The Sporting News. "In Dallas, I was the fourth option and I accepted that role and we made it to the second round and won over 50 games. In Denver, they wanted me to be the go-to guy. I accepted and put up 19 points a game." Does it seem like every top West teams are trying to make big moves this summer to try to win a Championship but seems like you dont hear much on the Rockets at all.
That would be a great pickup for Minnesota, especially since they traded big-time bust Joe Smith to the Yucks. Juwan may not be the player that Riles thought he was in 1996, but he can still help a team like the T-Wolves with his post scoring and rebounding.
That is one ridiculous team. So now, locks for playoffs are: mavs, kings, lakers, spurs, twolves, blazers?, suns?.....whatever the case, we'll be fighting for a spot once again.
Ehh, Nestrovich is a FA, don't know if he is coming back. They also are trying to deal Brandon, so maybe they are not finished making deals. They look alot better on paper, I am not convinced they are now in the same boat with SA, LA, SAC, Dal
That is a stacked team, they should still trade Wally though. If Howard signs, and the T-Wolves don't make it out of the first round, I would not re-sign KG in Minnesota. Cassell, Howard, Wally, and KG is good enough to make a run for the title.
4 out of 5 players of the starting line up are scorers.There's only one ball,it'll be interesting to see how they do to share the ball. ALA
Actually Minnesota improving means nothing because we weren't fighting them for a playoff spot. Minnesota was #4 in the West last year. The teams we would be fighting is Portland, who may or may not break up their team, Utah who is a shell of their former selves, and Phoenix who barely beat us out for a playoff spot, and that was a year where this team had no discipline.
Isn't Minny trying to move to the East when Bobcats start playing? So we would only have to deal with them for a year.
Now that Juwan has made his money (~$100 million), it looks like he's committed himself to winning. He's probably looking for the MLE of around $4.9 mill/yr. Still, Howard is a pansy, who doesn't like to get very physical. He's a step up from Joe Smith though, and a proven 16-17 pt/game scorer.
Uhh...Howard isn't a difference maker. He is an average powerfoward, who has lacked the ability to take over games. Minn did a good job of getting Cassell because he wears his heart on his sleaves, knows how to play, and will contend each and every night. Sam is the type of player KG needs to be arounded by. Howard, on the other hand, is just a career underachiever and as such will do little to improve the Wolves. It's amazing how GM's don't seem to be able to see through players.
Howard, a career underachiever? Say what you will, but even if he isn't a superstar, he's one hell of a scorer and, now that his contrct has ended, underrated (and maybe underpaid) power forward. They don't need him to take over games anyway - they have Garnett who is willing and Cassell who is capable - and in that sense, he fits well.
