Mad Dog, Marko making things happen

Responding to new coach Randy Wittman's vote of confidence, reserves Mark Madsen and Marko Jaric have energized the Wolves.

By Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune

Last update: January 30, 2007 - 11:03 PM

This was Randy Wittman's thought: Why not do the talking rather than taking dictation?

Which is why, with the fourth quarter about to begin for the Timberwolves in Monday's streak-ending victory over Phoenix, Wittman took the bull off his bench and threw it into the china shop.

Mark Madsen went into the game and started throwing his 6-9, 250-pound body around. Over the next 12 minutes he got some key rebounds, scored four key points and helped clog the lane. Basically, he helped throw a few speed bumps at the sleekest offense in the NBA.

Many felt the Wolves took a big step forward by ending the Suns' 17-game winning streak in Wittman's first home game as head coach. But credit Wittman for looking back for ways to move ahead.

Wittman has taken Madsen and Marko Jaric -- two players whose contributions dwindled -- and dusted them off and re-inserted them into the mix, with strong results.

Start with Madsen. The forward/center always has been a player whose enthusiasm can infuse a game; he was a valuable member of the Wolves team that made a playoff run during the 2003-04 season. The Wolves were 22-7 that season when Madsen played 22 minutes or more.

But before Wittman took over last week, Madsen had not played in 15 of the team's first 40 games, though at least four of those were because of a shoulder injury.

Monday, he played a season-high 25 minutes, 45 seconds, finishing with six points and eight rebounds.

Wittman desperately wanted his team to shut down the lane, and Madsen was a huge reason the Suns managed only six points in the paint in the second half.

The reason he was even in the game was Wittman's desire to force the Suns to adjust to his team. So often coaches try to match up with the Suns by going small.

Not Wittman.

"I want teams to match us, rather than us match them," Wittman said. "Now, you have to make an adjustment if it doesn't work your way. But I wanted to see how effective our regular players could be against them, even though they went small."

The answer Monday was very effective. None of the Suns bigger players -- not even Amare Stoudemire -- was able to get on track in the game, especially down the stretch.

Wittman has gotten similar production from Jaric. A couple weeks ago, Jaric, unhappy with his playing time and role, wanted out of Minnesota. Now he says he wants to stay.

"I feel much more comfortable," Jaric said. "I don't play more, I definitely would like to spend more time on the court. But I'm coming back from injury [to his thumb], gaining my confidence back. But I know with [Wittman], if I play better, I'll get to play more."

Jaric has been unhappy since being moved out of his job as point guard last season. He's still not on the point, but Wittman has done what he could to put the ball back in Jaric's hands. Often playing with either Mike James or Randy Foye, Jaric has been acting as a point forward, often handling the ball and enabling the point guard to run the floor.

"And we're getting him involved more in pick and rolls," Wittman said. "When he's on the floor, say, with Randy and Ricky [Davis], he's being covered by a [forward]. Those guys are not accustomed to playing pick-and-roll defense a lot."

In nearly 22 minutes of play, Jaric scored 11 points, with two assists and two steals.

Plan on seeing more of both of them in coming games.

Madsen?

"I have to play Mad Dog. He gives us energy," Wittman said. "And it feeds off to our other players. The minutes he has played in the [past] four games, have been really inspirational for us. Without scoring a lot of points, he gets a lot done."

Jaric, meanwhile, helps the Wolves keep the ball moving, which is key to what Wittman wants to do.

Said Madsen: "Randy has told everybody on the roster they are a part of this team. Everybody needs to be ready. If your name is called, be ready."

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com

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