Point guard combo only 'OK'

By PHIL MILLER, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 12:14 AM

It's just an experiment, Kurt Rambis said, an extra weapon to use against teams that employ a quick-but-small lineup.

So he's not ready to label Friday's two-point-guard lineup a failure. But the Wolves' coach didn't sound enthusiastic about its prospects, either.

"I'll give it a resounding 'OK,' " Rambis said after playing starter Jonny Flynn and backup Ramon Sessions for the final 8:13 of the first half. "It's not jumping out at me as one of my favorite things."

That might have something to do with the fact that the Timberwolves were outscored 17-7 in that span, and 13-2 over the last five minutes. The Timberwolves made only four of 23 shots in the period. Worse, the lineup forced waif-thin Corey Brewer to defend much beefier Dallas forward Shawn Marion, and while Brewer put up an admirable fight, and even stole the ball twice, Marion scored three point-blank baskets in that span.

"We still have to figure some things out," Flynn conceded. "But I felt really comfortable with that lineup."

Jefferson grieving

Al Jefferson arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday in time to be with his seriously ill grandmother. But 83-year-old Annie Bell Randolph died later in the day, the Wolves announced.

Jefferson missed Friday's game and will be absent tonight in Memphis. But the forward intends to return to Minnesota on Monday, a team spokesman said.

Nathan Jawai started in Jefferson's place against Dallas because "we still want to maintain an inside presence and Jawai has showed us he can do some things," Rambis said. "Also, he's someone who can get in and battle [with Dallas center Erick Dampier]."

Supporting '23' retirement

The Timberwolves don't have any players wearing No. 23, not since Shelden Williams left as a free agent over the summer. That makes it easy for the Wolves players to support LeBron James' drive to have the number retired league-wide in honor of Michael Jordan.

Damien Wilkins said it's a good idea.

"He deserves more than just the Hall of Fame. He is, like LeBron said, a pioneer of our game," the Wolves forward said. "... I think it's only right."

That's coming from a player who already honors a superstar by not wearing a number. Wilkins wore No. 21 -- the jersey his Hall of Fame uncle, Dominique Wilkins, made famous -- while he was with Seattle and Oklahoma City, but chose No. 3 -- 2 plus 1 -- instead when he was traded. "Number 21 has always been in my family, but I don't wear it here because of the respect I have for Kevin Garnett," Wilkins said of the longtime Wolves center. "It's the same for Michael Jordan -- he's without question the greatest player I've ever seen play the game."

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