http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/13229140.htm Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi knows his career could be characterized as a tease. He has put together good runs sporadically throughout his seven NBA seasons. But something always seems to derail him: foul trouble, injuries, off-the-court issues. He knows a few good games three weeks into this season aren't necessarily a precursor to sustained success. So has his recent play just been a rerun of past good stints that didn't last? "I hope not," Olowokandi said. "And if it is, I'm sure I'll be hearing about it somewhere or reading about it somewhere. I'm happy to be healthy and happy to be playing basketball and having fun." The key, Olowokandi said, is that his knees are finally healthy. Injuries were the biggest reason he played just 141 games during the past three seasons, stretching back to the final year of his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 2004-05, his statistics sunk to 5.9 points and 5.2 rebounds a game, career worsts in both categories. "I didn't want to come here the past couple years and play badly, or to be ridiculed on national television or whatever the case might be," he said. "I don't think I've ever had a summer the past three or four years where I just had a clear mind." The years were filled with visits to specialists and surgeons. He spent more time worrying about his knees and trying to get healthy than he did working on his low-post moves. This summer, he was able to work on his conditioning, and he drew plaudits from first-year Wolves coach Dwane Casey, who was excited about the 7-footer's fitness coming into training camp. With a new coach and improved health, Olowokandi is off to a nice start. He's averaging 9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.33 blocks through nine games. His minutes are up (25.2) and his fouls are down (2.8) compared with last season's averages (19.6 minutes, 3.1 fouls). The past two games, both Wolves' wins, might have been his best performances of the season. Saturday, he had a season-best 18 points to go with eight rebounds and four blocked shots against the Charlotte Bobcats. He made 9 of 14 shots. That came on the heels of his 14 points and six rebounds Thursday against the Washington Wizards. Last week, Olowokandi was neutralized by the Houston Rockets' 7-6 center, Yao Ming. Olowokandi had seven points and four rebounds in the first quarter to help Minnesota to an early lead, but the Wolves eventually lost. His aggressive play drew two quick fouls on his bigger opponent. Olowokandi said it all starts with defense, Casey's overall theme for success this season. "I played well offensively during preseason," he said. "And coach Casey does make a concerted effort to get me the ball early in the game to get me going. Regardless of whether the offense is there or not, if I can play defense and run up and down the floor, stop shots, make shots a little more difficult, that makes a big difference." In past seasons, if Olowokandi didn't get the ball when he was open, he had a tendency to get down on himself, he said. But now he doesn't worry as much about his contributions on offense. He said he channels most of his energy into playing defense. "I feel like maybe I can change a game without necessarily touching the ball," said Olowokandi, the No. 1 pick by the Clippers in the 1998 draft. Casey demanded more from his center after a poor showing last week at Denver. Olowokandi played just 12 minutes because Casey didn't like his effort in a 102-91 loss to the Nuggets. "What I've got to have from him is that same energy and that same focus on the defensive end, running the floor, getting back in transition," Casey said. "We had a meeting after the Denver game, showed him where he wasn't sprinting the floor, wasn't getting back, wasn't involved." Olowokandi listened and corrected those problems. The Denver game was a rare look this season at what has troubled him in the past. "Everybody has talked about Michael not being motivated, Michael not doing this, not doing that," Casey said. "I haven't seen any of that." This is the final season of the three-year deal Olowokandi signed with the Wolves. But he continues to insist a new contract isn't what's driving him. He's healthy. He has a new coach and a role that suits him better. Said Olowokandi, "It's a fresh start, definitely." --

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