Wolves: Playoff talk wears on Davis

There will be no more looking, examining, analyzing or wondering when it comes to the Timberwolves' playoff chances. Not any more.

By Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune

Last update: March 27, 2007 - 12:00 AM

There will be no more looking, examining, analyzing or wondering when it comes to the Timberwolves' playoff chances. Not any more.

It has been something of a constant in recent weeks. As the Wolves continued to struggle, so did many of the other teams fighting for the final spots in the Western Conference. As early as the day before the Wolves' last road trip, Ricky Davis talked about the team's playoff chances.

No more.

"I'm tired of watching for the playoffs," Davis said after his defense had helped the Wolves beat Portland 94-93 at Target Center on Sunday. "I think I'm just going to come in and we have to play each game. The more we watch, the more we lose."

So don't tell him that the Wolves are 3½ games out of the eighth spot -- currently held by the Los Angeles Clippers. Or that there are two teams -- Golden State and New Orleans -- between the Wolves and the Clippers. Or that the Clippers (who have won four in a row) and the Golden State (who had won seven of nine before its current two-game losing streak) both look to be figuring things out right now.

Too much information.

"Just keep working hard and playing games," Davis said. "Every game, ever quarter, every possession."

Guard-go-round

Wolves coach Randy Witt-man has tried just about every possible combination of guards. Ultimately, he just went full circle, putting Mike James back in the starting lineup at point guard the past four games.

Wittman made the decision for two reasons. First, because he feels rookie Randy Foye is better and more aggressive coming off the bench at this point. And he was impressed with the way James played in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

James is averaging 13.4 points (on 48 percent shooting) and 24.8 minutes in the past five games.

"A lot was tested this year," said James, who went from starting to coming off the bench to starting again. "Especially my will, my character. ... I can't worry about how much coach will play me, or not play me. All I can do is prepare for the game."

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com

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