Rambis watching for hero to emerge

By PHIL MILLER, Star Tribune

Last update: November 26, 2009 - 12:26 AM

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The Wolves sure could use Kobe Bryant, their coach said Wednesday. Or Manu Ginobili. Or Brandon Roy.

But Kurt Rambis wasn't daydreaming about coaching those All-Stars. In fact, he believes Minnesota's own version of those offensive savants may be on the Wolves' roster already.

The catch? "We won't know who it is for a while," Rambis said. "We have to see how guys develop."

Minnesota led after each of the first three quarters Monday night against the Clippers, a game that demonstrated rather plainly, Rambis said, the Wolves' lack of a skid-stopper, a player who can reliably score when the offense breaks down.

"One thing we don't have is an experienced guy [who can] grab hold of the team in critical times, do the things to help you stay in a ballgame or go on that little run to get a win," Rambis said, citing that trio of superstar guards as the model.

The Wolves' best scorer is Al Jefferson, but he's an inside scorer. "Post players, they're just so easy to double- and triple-team and take the ball out of their hands," Rambis said. "Guys like [Bryant, Ginobili and Roy], those are the characteristics you need."

Rookie on the go

The Wolves drafted three point guards in the first round last July but kept only two. Denver couldn't be happier about Minnesota's decision.

Ty Lawson, taken with the 18th pick and then shipped to the Nuggets for a future first-round pick, is averaging 9.4 points and 3.2 assists as a rookie backup to former Wolves guard Chauncey Billups. And his playing time (21.6 minutes) even surprises the guy who hands out those minutes.

"We never expected this from a rookie," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "...What he gives us, no one else gives us on our team. The speed, the ability to push us up and down the court, his ability to play fast -- we like to play that way."

Etc.

• Rambis on Jefferson's three consecutive double-digit rebounding games: "Al needs to get it up into the 30 range. We're not a very good rebounding team."

• Denver is the seventh consecutive team with a winning record to visit Target Center, and first-place Phoenix comes to town Friday. Combined record, entering Wednesday, of those eight home opponents: 78-34.

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