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Numbers tell the story

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 1:29 AM

1: Al Jefferson's 30-plus-point and 20-plus-rebound games (Dec. 8 vs. Phoenix). The only other Timberwolf to do that was Kevin Garnett, who did so eight times.

34: Largest margin of defeat, 110-76 at New Orleans on Dec. 22.

2: Longest winning streak, reached four times (most recently Friday at Orlando and Saturday at Memphis).

34: Losses by 10 or more points.

5: Announced Target Center sellouts.

7: Road victories, one more than Miami's and Seattle's six.

9: Losing streaks of five games or more.

21: Largest margin of victory (114-93 over New York on March 22 and 140-83 over L.A. Clippers on Feb. 1).

26: Different starting lineups. The most commonly used one: Kirk Snyder, Ryan Gomes, Al Jefferson, Randy Foye and Marko Jaric started 10 games together in March and April.

8: Longest losing streak, Dec. 22 at New Orleans to Jan. 6 vs. Dallas.

66: Times Al Jefferson led the team in rebounding. Nobody else did it more than Ryan Gomes' 10 times.

Bricks and mortar

Old-time basketball guys have this defining question when they consider teams trying to rebuild: How many guys can play in an eight-man rotation on a playoff team? Good question. Here's a guess about this season's Wolves team:

THE SURE THING

Al Jefferson: Signed long-term to a reasonable deal, he'll be getting 20 and 10 most nights long after Kevin Garnett has retired to the rocking chair.

BEST BETS

Randy Foye: Hard to judge because he missed the first three months because of a kneecap injury. Gifted, but questions about point guard skills persist. Played his best in the season's final days. (Pictured, right)

Rashad McCants: Off-putting personality, but the guy possesses both a shooter's touch and the ability to get to the basket. He doesn't like it, but he's well-suited for his current sixth-man role.

Ryan Gomes: Upcoming restricted free agent has proven his versatility and worth in starting the season's final 55 games. Better than you thought when the Garnett trade was made.

Corey Brewer: Don't dismiss him so soon because he can't shoot. Already has shown he can defend the league's best players; give him time to grow stronger and find his rhythm.

JURY'S OUT

Sebastian Telfair: Maybe the season's biggest surprise until he sprained an ankle. Still a youngster who must get stronger, he'd be a fine backup point guard on a playoff contender, but will the restricted free agent be looking for a starter's contract? (Pictured, right)

Craig Smith: A restricted free agent this summer, he's unstoppable given the right matchup, but his lack of height limits him.

Kirk Snyder: His immediate impact illustrates the disparity between a contender like Houston and the Wolves. Restricted free agent runs the break well and wants to return.

Chris Richard: Possesses a pro body but needs to learn to live off Al Jefferson's leftovers.

CATCH AND RELEASE

Marko Jaric: By the time this team will challenge for the playoffs in the West, his oversized contract that has three seasons remaining will be up.

Michael Doleac: Unrestricted free agent will look to sign with a contender this summer.

Greg Buckner: Doesn't want to be back if he isn't going to play, but with nearly $8 million and two more seasons left on his contract, options are limited.

Mark Madsen: Fan favorite is a supportive, reasonably priced cheerleader and insurance policy with two seasons left on his contract.

Antoine Walker: This can't go on next season.

They said it

"The prognosticators, that's a really hard business. Nostradamus was the last guy who did it well."

-- Basketball boss Kevin McHale on preseason predictions that his team would be really lousy.

"I said when we decided to do this that I needed to have patience. It has taken me more patience than I anticipated."

-- Owner Glen Taylor during the team's 3-21 season start.

"Someone told me he had the flu, but it doesn't matter with players like that. I know he made me sick."

-- Acting coach Jerry Sichting after an "ill" Kobe Bryant led his Lakers to victory on a snowy December night.

"If there's three guys on me, somebody's open. Matter of fact, two people are open."

-- Al Jefferson, who apparently didn't need college to decipher the mathematics of defensive triple-teams.

"I told him we both have one thing in common: no championships. He didn't like that too much."

-- Jefferson on a free-throw lane conversation with Kevin Garnett that got both players technical fouls in Boston in January.

"Free Mark Madsen."

-- Marko Jaric on the team's fan favorite, a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach's Decision) far more often than not this season.

JERRY ZGODA

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