Marbury makes a stop to watch cousin Telfair

Exiled Knicks guard Stephon Marbury got some face time at Target Center, his former home arena.

By JERRY ZGODA and BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: January 3, 2009 - 12:27 AM

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WOLVES NOTES

Exiled New York Knicks guard and former Timberwolf Stephon Marbury attended Friday night's game at Target Center to see from the fifth row his cousin, Sebastian Telfair, play against the Golden State Warriors.

Marbury returned to the arena nearly a decade after he forced a trade to New Jersey. Since then, his career has spiraled from the Nets to Phoenix to the Knicks, where he has been told to stay away from the team after it didn't play him for the season's first month and then asked him to play in a game at Detroit in late November.

On Friday, he sat in on the Wolves' television broadcast during the first half and had this to say:

• On reports he could reach a settlement soon on what remains of a contract that pays him $21.9 million this season and if he'd like to see himself reunited with Kevin Garnett in Boston: "Definitely. When I left here, it wasn't about basketball. When I was younger, I had a different disposition as far as how I wanted to live life. Reuniting with Kevin is something that I would love. Going to Boston would be great for basketball and for fans to see Kevin and I reunited, like when we were younger.

"There is some hope, if I can get out of my contract and they're interested in me. How can you deny the chance?"

• On whether he wonders what would have been if he hadn't left Minnesota and Garnett: "Yeah, I have. I'm not going to sit here and say I have never thought about that. I watched the guys play in the [2004] Western Conference finals and I was like, 'Man, I wish I was there playing with those guys.' I'm not going to say that never happens, because it does."

• On being back in Minnesota: "It's great to be back in Minnesota. ... I enjoyed playing here. I was born and bred here. The fans treated me great. When I came back [with opposing teams] I know those boos were really cheers. I have a lot of fans here. Winning here is the best place to win."

• On Telfair: "I'm happy to see him out there playing the way he knows how to play. I think he's coming along now. He's starting to understand the game. The toughest part for young players is learning the NBA game, learning the pick-and-roll, learning the angles."

Miller returns from ankle injury

Mike Miller returned to the Timberwolves' active list for the first time since injuring his right ankle Dec. 20 against Houston. He hurt the same ankle Dec. 3 at Orlando, causing him to miss four games. He missed another five games after aggravating the injury.

McCants' holiday in Las Vegas

A celebrity gossip website reported Wolves guard Rashad McCants spent New Year's Eve in Las Vegas with reality TV celebrity Khloe Kardashian.

The Wolves had New Year's Eve off before an afternoon practice on New Year's Day. McCants was present for that practice.

"If [McCants] was in Vegas for New Year's he must have got on a quick flight and got back here," McHale said. "I did not know one of our guys was -- I don't ask them where they're going. I expect them to show up on time and practice hard."

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