Stern silences McHale, Taylor

The Wolves coach and owner have been asked by David Stern not to talk to the media about the state of the NBA's labor agreement.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: March 8, 2009 - 1:06 AM

PORTLAND, ORE. — NBA Commissioner David Stern scolded Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and coach Kevin McHale for comments they made last week about the troubled economy and the league's future labor agreement with its players.

Taylor and McHale both candidly answered reporters' questions Tuesday about possible changes coming when the league's collective bargaining agreement with its players expires in 2011.

Stern quickly sent word to both, telling them to shut up about such matters.

"I have already been talked to by the league," McHale said. "I can say nothing. I think nothing. Nothing, nothing. I don't even think anymore. I've shut that off completely. I think that was the last cognizant thought I had: I was thinking about thinking about nothing."

A recovering Rhino

Forward Craig Smith scored 11 points in nearly 20 minutes off the bench Saturday in the Wolves' 95-93 loss to the Trail Blazers. He left Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after playing just six minutes when he suddenly became ill.

"Feel so much better today," Smith said. "I was a little sick before the game, so I took some Tylenol to keep the fever down. Then I got in the game and my fever just shot up. I was freezing out there. I wasn't feeling good at all."

Smith gestured to McHale by tugging at his jersey to get him quickly out of Friday's game.

"He didn't tell me he was sick, but about five minutes into it, he started looking at me, going like this," McHale said, tugging at his shirt. "I said, 'What does that mean?' I thought they were calling a play. I guess that means get me out. He felt like he was going to throw up, but he says he feels much better today."

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