賺P幣喔！！....快喔~~~ Hoiberg has been an integral part of the Wolves' attack this season Related Links Hoiberg photo gallery Hoiberg hosts Read to Achieve event July 28: Wolves sign Hoiberg It was hardly a ringing endorsement. In fact, it carried the energy and enthusiasm of your typical and impersonal canned, company memo. "We felt that we needed another veteran player who will be able to hit some shots, and Fred fits the bill. He will be able to help us both in practice and in games." Those were Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations and general manager Kevin McHale's comments in July when he was asked about he addition of free agent Fred Hoiberg. The Twin Cities were hardly abuzz when the Wolves signed Hoiberg. Not when the team already had made mammoth trades that helped land Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell. Not when the Wolves had already signed former No. 1 draft pick Michael Olowokandi. Even the signing of middle-man role player Mark Madsen raised more eyebrows than the addition of Hoiberg. When he signed, Hoiberg himself envisioned playing a small but useful role with the Wolves. "I saw a great team," he said. "I saw a great player in Kevin Garnett, who commands a lot of attention. I saw the opportunity of getting open looks on the outside because of playing with a guy like him. I saw the chance to play three hours from my hometown of Ames, Iowa. That makes the transition better for my family — my wife and kids." But due to injuries to key players, Hoiberg has played more than even he expected. In addition to starting three games for the Wolves in 2003-04, he has been either the first or second player off the bench in 12 of the past 15 games. His average of 8.2 points per game is the team's fourth-highest, ranking behind only Garnett, Cassell and Sprewell. He has scored in double figures 13 times, including a season-high 21 points — the top-scoring bench effort by a Wolves player this year — on Dec. 20 vs. Indiana. From three-point range, there isn't a sharper shooter at Target Center. Hoiberg's .409 percentage leads the team and ranks 14th in the league. "With the injuries we've had, I've been the fill-in guy so far," he said. "I'm not sure how my role will change when those (injured) guys come back, but I'm happy to get in early in the season and contribute." Injuries. The Wolves know well they have more to do with the game of basketball than any "X" or "O" coach Flip Saunders could draw up on a chalkboard. Just two months into the season, the Wolves have endured their share. Troy Hudson did not play a minute this season until Dec. 20. Wally Szczerbiak is out until at least the All-Star Break. After trying to play with pain, Olowokandi has undergone surgery and won't return for awhile. The absences of Hudson and Szczerbiak turned into plentiful playing time for Hoiberg. Naturally, Hoiberg cheers no news of injury to his teammates — he hopes they come back soon for the greater good of the Timberwolves. But in the interim, Hoiberg will continue to give the Wolves a boost. "There are going to be nights when you struggle, but I expect to make them when I'm open," Hoiberg said. That is exactly what the Wolves hoped for when signing him. With so many stars on the floor, defenses can occasionally drift from Hoiberg. He hopes to make them pay. After playing for the Pacers and Bulls and spending eight years in the Eastern Conference, Hoiberg has noticed — and appreciated — Saunders' coaching style. "Flip tries to get all the guys involved. And when guys get touches like that, they're going to be interested in the game," Hoiberg said. "And Flip does a great job of calling guys' numbers and keeping everyone involved. "We're obviously going to be a better team when those guys get back," Hoiberg said, "but it's nice to see that we're not going to drop off that much when those guys are out. Guys are starting to fill their roles." Hoiberg feels like he might be part of not only a winner, but a contender. "There were a couple of years that I started a lot of games, and then a couple of years I didn't play much at all," he said. "I attribute a lot of that to them trying to get the young guys involved and giving them a lot of minutes when it was very apparent that we weren't going to make the playoffs. It was extremely tough losing night-in and night-out." It is early. The new year just arrived, so much basketball remains to be played. The evolution of the 2003-04 Timberwolves is still in its early stages. But Hoiberg, whose role has grown and whose stock has climbed, likes what he sees. "Everybody gets along so well here," he said. "That's not a luxury most teams have. Everybody is very comfortable with each other." -- 八舍一樓我用烤箱來烤香腸 在寢室裡我用烤箱來烤香腸 --

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