Steve Aschburner's Sunday Insider: Nesterovic, not Blount Wolves' best center ever http://www.startribune.com/511/story/918519.html Unfortunately, for NBA fans in the Twin Cities, it's a little like identifying the funniest Rob Schneider movie. Or compiling a list of Chumbawamba's greatest hits. The challenge: Come up with a Top 10 list of the best Timberwolves centers ever. The topic has been in play lately because of Mark Blount's recent performances, including his 12-for-14 shooting night in the 103-101 victory over San Antonio. Heading into the weekend, he had averaged 18.3 points in his six latest games while shooting 66.7 percent (50 of 75), an astounding number given his typical range of 10-20 feet. In a few weeks, Blount will hit his one-year anniversary with the Wolves and his play -- jump shots, modest rebound totals, better first halves than second halves -- at least has been consistent. But has it been good enough to vault him to the top of the list? Here is our ranking, from No. 1 to No. 10: 1. Rasho Nesterovic. Sure, he can look awkward and Kevin Garnett never warmed up to him the way Garnett has to Blount. But Nesterovic knows where to be defensively, was improving when he left as a free agent in 2003 and played in 20 playoff games, something no other Minnesota center can boast. 2. Blount. He shows the same emotion as the Mount Rushmore foursome when he plays, and was scientifically studied in Boston for a tendency to jump at the wrong time for rebounds. But his jump shot has been automatic, and he seems to blend well into the chemistry of the locker room. 3. Dean Garrett. His timely ability to loiter near the rim and turn dishes from Stephon Marbury into layups earned him millions. Terrific 30-year-old rookie in the Wolves' first postseason run, but his production drooped in second stint with club. 4. Randy Breuer. The Lake City native and former Gopher scored 40 points one night, most by a Wolves center. And as inaugural beat writer Jerry Zgoda loves to relate, the gentle 7-3 Breuer was the butt of teammate Tod Murphy's caustic, "Go mow your neck!" line back in the franchise's lovably wacky days. 5. Ervin Johnson. He made Roberto Duran's "manos de piedra" seem like a surgeon's hands when the ball came his way. But the Wolves went 37-10 when Erv started in their best season ever (2003-04). His defense and his personality were vital to the Western Conference finals run. 6. Sean Rooks. The Wookie took offense when it was suggested that, as an NBA center, he was more cut out for his favorite sport of California beach volleyball. Fact is, he averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds for two lousy Wolves teams. 7. Luc Longley. His numbers weren't bad (5.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and the big Aussie still was learning the NBA game when GM Jack McCloskey traded him barely a half season after shedding the club's other young center, Felton Spencer. 8. Marc Jackson. Boisterous to the end, Philly Jack was moody and disappointing in 1 ? seasons after what looked to be a very shrewd maneuver by Kevin McHale. By throwing Jackson into a three-team deal in July 2003, at least, McHale was able to land Latrell Sprewell. 9. Felton Spencer. He could have been Peter Boyle's choreographer from "Young Frankenstein," but at least Spencer took up space and had five years on the undersized 30-year-old journeyman he was traded for, Mike Brown. Another McCloskey gem. 10. Cherokee Parks. Watching Park play from the stands was an exercise in frustration for many Wolves fans. But watching him from the press table was fascinating, based on his growing array of always entertaining tattoos. Bonus points for his sister, the bass player in an indie rock band whose name cannot appear in a daily newspaper. What, no Michael Olowokandi? Let's put it this way: If the Wolves can leave the Kandi Man off their all-time roster in the "History" section of their media guide -- which they did this year -- we can leave him off our list. Must sting like a Taser. Nothing good after midnight In the wake of the Denver Broncos rookie Darrent Williams' shooting in Denver, several NBA players were asked about the logistics and challenges of a night on the town for the young, rich, aggressive and famous. If you're one of those guys that want to play tough and still want to live like you used to when you were growing up, it's going to be hard on you in the club," Dallas guard Greg Buckner said. "But if you're the type of person who understands that you've got something to live for, there's no use in you trying to be tough. "You've probably got more to live for than that other guy who's trying to start something. So you just need to walk away." Really sore loser There is a lesson in Miami coach Pat Riley's sudden step-down in the middle of the season. Riley apparently kicked a locker room door after his team lost last weekend to the Nets. The next time your child loses his or her temper over a sports disappointment, remind them that if they aren't careful, they might have to undergo knee and hip replacement surgery when it's least convenient. "What I do in the locker room really has always been my business," Riley told Heat reporters at his hastily called leave-of-absence news conference. "I've broken a lot of objects in my time." Wally wings it Former Wolves swingman Wally Szczerbiak has had few big moments since his trade to Boston 49 weeks ago, and he was shooting 18-for-64 since returning (too soon?) from a sprained right ankle. "The guys look to me to knock down those shots," said Szczerbiak, who missed a potential game-tying attempt against Cleveland Wednesday. "It's something I'm going to have to work through." The light touch Most NBA coaches try something like this at some point each season: Denver's George Karl told his team he would cancel practice Monday if the Nuggets' strength coach, Steve Hess, could sink a three-pointer. Well, what do you know? Giddy players skipped out of the gym. Even though it was Denver's first chance to practice with the old leather basketball, Karl didn't mind. "It is a new year, a celebration," he said. "The karma of Steve making the shot is a positive karma I can live with." Famous last words ‧ Larry Hughes scored 13 points in the fourth quarter of Cleveland's victory over San Antonio on Tuesday, but was still steamed about Cavs fans booing him in the first half. "I don't like to be booed if I'm playing hard," said Hughes, who has been playing on an ankle still not fully healed. "That got me going a little bit." ‧ Golden State coach Don Nelson all but dared the Memphis Grizzlies to run up the score, saying before tipoff: "They say their going to run with us and that's fine with me." So the freed-from-Mike-Fratello Grizzlies beat Nellie's club 144-135. -- 有趣的一篇2000 --

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