Garnett says he hurt Wolves trying to do too much

The Wolves star was so hyped up about the possibility of taking advantages of matchups against Rasho Nesterovic and Kris Humphries that he pressed too hard and had a bad first half Wednesday against Toronto.

By Steve Aschburner, Star Tribune

Last update: December 28, 2006 - 10:07 PM

Chris Bosh was sitting on the sideline in a suit. Toronto's starting forwards were guys named Joey Graham and Jorge Garbajosa. The two Raptors who would spend the most time guarding him were Rasho Nesterovic and Kris Humphries.

Kevin Garnett's eyes got big. Ultimately, too big in the 100-97 loss Wednesday.

The Timberwolves forward felt he pressed to take advantage of matchups that, on paper, were his to dominate and wound up making those Raptors more effective. Given Nesterovic's and Humphries' history with Garnett -- one a former teammate who never breathed the same fire, the other a Minnesota kid whose popularity transcended his basketball deeds -- they were red capes to his bull, and he tried to force things. He admitted as much afterward.

"I've just got to relax," he said. "Sometimes, I get so hyped before these games ... I've got to go into my yoga phases and do some of my meditation to just relax."

At one point, Garnett did some 1-on-1 dribbling on the right baseline, facing Nesterovic and trying to get him to commit one way. But the Toronto center stayed planted and knocked the ball loose.

"I see an opponent across the way and I feel that fear, man ... I've got to relax," Garnett said. "That onus is on me. I'm trying to do too much, I'm trying to take advantage of what I have. Watching film, I knew [the Raptors] would probably trap, but they didn't trap early. They had Rasho play me head-up, and I was anticipating something that wasn't even there."

After a 2-for-8 first half, Garnett did slow down and stick to the basics. He scored 19 points and got to the line for 10 free throws in the final two quarters.

Hudson stays on bench

When the Wolves needed a three-pointer late in their game at Milwaukee two weeks ago, coach Dwane Casey sent veteran shooter Troy Hudson onto the floor for what turned out to be a split-second; the Bucks fouled Garnett as soon as he caught the inbounds pass, and Hudson immediately subbed back out. But when they were down three twice near the end at Toronto, Hudson didn't get off the bench.

"That's hard to ask a guy who hasn't played," Casey said.

Nevertheless, Hudson's play at Indiana on Saturday (eight points in 27 minutes) suggests that the next time rookie Randy Foye struggles with late-game point guard duties, Hudson might be subbing in.

Etc.

• Foye, who scored 25 points against Chicago on Tuesday, was back to mortal status 24 hours later. Foye started one play on the wrong side of the floor and picked up his dribble on another, turning that possession into an eventual shot-clock violation. "I felt as though I settled a little too much when I could have attacked," he said. "I'm going to learn from this game, and I guarantee you won't see this happen again."

• Although Mike James missed a crucial free throw with 8.2 seconds left Wednesday, Foye said he doubts it will happen again. "In my heart, I'd put him on the free-throw line 100 more times so he could make three in a row," Foye said. "That's just one free throw -- he's got a million more to shoot."

Steve Aschburner • saschburner@startribune.com

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