Taylor lets Casey do coaching

By Steve Aschburner, Star Tribune

Last update: December 22, 2006 - 8:47 PM

Dwane Casey had just answered a question about the critics who multiply when a team blows big leads, lacks consistency and otherwise struggles, the way his has lately. "That doesn't bother me," the Timberwolves coach said before Friday's game against Milwaukee. "That's one of the responsibilities of this job. Things go wrong, it's on you. ... The hiring and the firing, that's Glen Taylor's prerogative. If he doesn't like the way the team's playing, he has the right to do that. It's his team from top to bottom."

Just then, Taylor walked into the coaches' office where Casey was holding his pregame media chat. The Wolves owner, who never attends those little sessions, sat down immediately to Casey's right in one of the more awkward moments so far this season.

After being briefed on the topic, Taylor said: "My thing with Case is, I'll come in here and talk. 'How's it going? Is there anything I can do to support you?' As upset as I get when they go through a difficult time, I know that Case and these guys are probably not sleeping.

"I don't have to tell them anything that they don't know. I try to be a positive person. 'Let's go!' "

Taylor added that he will ask Casey to explain certain decisions and strategies. "I don't try to tell him how to run the team," he said. "To put in this guy or that guy, or any of that type of stuff. That's not my deal."

A ringside seat

Occasionally, the owner said, he and Casey will talk on the phone. But never, ever during games -- despite Taylor's new proximity this season.

After years of sitting on the baseline near the team's bench, Taylor now watches from one of the new VIP seats along the sideline, two spots from Casey.

Imagine your boss hovering that close while you worked. But Casey said it wasn't a problem, and Taylor said he respects the boundaries.

"I could [talk to Casey during the game], but I wouldn't," Taylor said. "It would be so upsetting."

Smiling, Taylor added: "I haven't told him yet, but sometimes he stands right in front of me when they're shooting at that [far] basket. Once in a while, he has turned around and said, 'Excuse me.' "

Santa with a jumper

Ricky Davis recalled one of his favorite Christmas gifts as a child: a big castle to go with action figures from his He-Man and Skeletor days. "My folks made the holidays special," Davis said Friday night.

Now Davis will return the favor. He and teammate Justin Reed will visit 12 families in St. Paul to hand out $5,000 in gifts they purchased, with the recipients selected through the YWCA St. Paul transitional housing program.

Ho-ho-who?

That was inactive guard Rashad McCants walking to midcourt before tipoff, welcoming the fans while wearing a Santa hat and beard.

Steve Aschburner • saschburner@startribune.com