Ailing big men pose a problem for Wolves

The Wolves released one center, while several others are hurting.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: October 12, 2008 - 11:34 PM

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The Wolves on Sunday released center Rafael Araujo, a long shot at best to make the team when he was signed as a free agent last month. The move reduced their roster to 18 players.

With 16 days remaining until the regular-season opener against Sacramento, the team's big-man situation remains uncertain. Centers Jason Collins (elbow surgery), newly signed David Harrison (calf) and Calvin Booth (back spasms) all are sidelined by injuries. So, too, is veteran forward Brian Cardinal (calf). Another forward, Craig Smith, is on the mend after missing two games because of swelling in his surgically repaired knee.

Booth, who practiced fully on Sunday, is the closest of the three centers to returning but also could be bought out of his contract before the Oct. 29 opener because of his age (32), his contract (one year remaining at $1.14 million) and his hurting back.

"We've got less than three weeks; it's a concern," Wolves coach Randy Wittman said. "Hopefully, we can get someone healthy and work that problem out."

The big men who remain healthy struggled noticeably trying to keep up with the Nuggets in Friday night's preseason game in Denver. Wittman has considered his team's transition defense its most susceptible area, and Friday's 118-95 loss -- the Wolves' third game in five nights, the Nuggets' preseason opener -- only supported his concerns.

"We've talked a lot about transition defense, and that was probably our worst thing on Friday," Wittman said. "A lot of it had to do with our 'bigs.' That's still an area we have to keep an eye on and keep working at."

Wittman also said both of his frontcourt building blocks -- star forward Al Jefferson, still recovering from a sprained knee ligament, and rookie Kevin Love -- must get in better shape. Sunday's practice featured plenty of running.

Injury update

Guard Rashad McCants still had fluid on the elbow he hyperextended Friday in Denver and did not practice on Sunday. McCants is questionable for Tuesday's game at Chicago. Smith practiced on Sunday, and Wittman said he expected Smith to be ready.

Faint praise?

Wittman was hard pressed to find anyone to praise after his team committed 19 turnovers and fell behind by 24 points in the second quarter Friday. The closest candidate was point guard Sebastian Telfair, who has 12 assists and three turnovers in the first three games.

"If I had to pick one guy out who tried to do things, it would be him," Wittman said.

A page from the NHL

Corey Brewer and Mark Madsen were the only two Wolves players on the floor on Friday for more points scored than allowed, the NBA's version of the NHL's plus-minus ratings. Love, schooled by veteran Kenyon Martin early, was a minus-26, 11 points more than the next-worst Wolves player.

"I just tell him to keep his head up," said Brewer, a rookie a season ago. "You know you're playing against two really good bigs in Nene and Kenyon Martin. This is the NBA. Those guys are great players. They're strong. They jump. They're going to block shots. You just have to keep your head up."

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