Robinson, at 40, has a handle on durability

Doug West is a blast from the Timberwolves' past, a member of the franchise's inaugural team, No. 4 on the club's all-time scoring list (6,216) and a former Wolves player since 1998. West, the 38th pick overall in the 1989 NBA draft, has been out of the league for six years and was basically a bit player (105 games over four seasons) after age 30.

By Steve Aschburner, Star Tribune

Last update: January 13, 2007 - 8:38 PM

Clifford Robinson, who was selected two picks ahead of West in the 1989 second round, was New Jersey's first big man off the bench Saturday night at Target Center. At age 40, the 6-10 product of Connecticut is averaging 19.6 minutes, 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. He has played more than 700 regular season games, and has made it to the postseason nine times, since turning 30.

And Kevin Garnett still considers Robinson one of the most challenging defenders he faces.

"I still love playing. I still have a competitive spirit," Robinson said before the Wolves-Nets game Saturday. "That's why I stay in shape and do the work I do in the summer, because I love playing."

The minutes man

Guard Ricky Davis had logged more than 40 minutes in seven consecutive games before Saturday night, including a season high of 46:35 Friday at Memphis. With 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Davis also had one of his best all-around games against the Grizzlies.

Which is why coach Dwane Casey doesn't want to push him.

"We want to keep that energy level going," Casey said. "He never wants to come out. But for his benefit, we want to keep his minutes [down]."

Not in uniform

Wolves guard Marko Jaric missed his fourth game in the past seven because of a sprained right thumb, and Casey indictated Jaric might be out awhile longer.

Nets rookie guard Marcus Williams has strep throat, and did not join the Nets on their two-game trip.

Taylor on Griffin

Wolves owner Glen Taylor said the team was not prepared to say what it planned to do with center Eddie Griffin when he finishes serving a five-game suspension imposed by the NBA.

Griffin is playing on a three-year contract he signed in 2005.

"I will tell you this," Taylor said during halftime of Saturday's game. "Because of Eddie's history, we did have language in the contract he signed that might have covered this situation. But the NBA and the union signed a new labor agreement since then, and it says that a team can't give a suspension to a player -- a drug suspension -- that's longer than the league suspension.

"I would say it's doubtful that the language we put in Eddie's contract would allow us to go beyond the five-game suspension he's serving from the league."

Staff writer Patrick Reusse contributed to this report.

Steve Aschburner • saschburner@startribune.com