http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/12410088.htm Fred Hoiberg was surprised when he heard the news from Glen Taylor. Hoiberg, who underwent surgery to repair his heart's aortic root June 28, wanted to play for the Timberwolves this season. His doctors had told him the procedure and subsequent insertion of a pacemaker wouldn't stop him from returning to play in the NBA. Then Taylor, the team owner, called last weekend and told Hoiberg he was going to be placed on waivers. Reality hit. Taylor was quoted as saying the move would help Hoiberg by giving him more time to recover without trying to rush back, and the team would be able to add a player who can contribute right away. "This isn't an easy thing to deal with," Hoiberg said Wednesday. "I've been playing for 10 years now. My body felt as good as ever last year, with the exception of a couple games because of my back. What this does is it takes the decision away from me and it forces me to not come back too soon. That could be a good thing. Knowing myself, I might try to come back too early." Not now, though. He understands that being placed on waivers means he will sit out the coming season. He might have missed the season, anyway, because of the surgery and recovery. Taylor could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. Hoiberg sounded resigned to the fact that, for the time being, he's an ex-NBA player. He has been through worse. On draft night last June, while new careers were launched, Hoiberg was in a Mayo Clinic hospital bed in Rochester, Minn., recovering from open-heart surgery. Doctors had removed an aneurysm on his aorta, which was growing in size. Hoiberg didn't know it at the time, but he risked a ruptured aorta last season, even as he enjoyed one of his most productive years. He led the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy (48.3 percent) in his second season with the Wolves. In the past 6? weeks, he survived a number of challenges. He had the pacemaker implanted and then suffered a scary fall at his Chaska home during which he fainted and cut open his chin. Hoiberg said he plans to play in the NBA again. League officials say he would be the first player to play with a pacemaker. "I fully intend on playing the year after next," he said. "I've read that nobody has played with a pacemaker, and I plan on being the first. The technology advancements with pacemakers in the last few years are amazing." Hoiberg was waived under the NBA's new amnesty provision. Under the provision, teams who release a player can receive luxury tax relief on that player's contract. For now, Hoiberg will have to settle for remaining a part of the organization. He plans to meet next week with Taylor, vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale and coach Dwane Casey. "I think next week I'm going to sit down with them and try to figure out what's best for me," said Hoiberg, 32. "My focus is on getting my health back and getting my body ready. If they do want me to be around, I'll do what I can do try to help out the young guys and try to make a positive impact." That role could take different forms, possibly as a part-time assistant coach or a mentor, though Hoiberg said he hasn't had any talks with the Wolves about that. He's on his way to overcoming the smaller, daily struggles. In mid-July, his heart would race on walks to his mailbox. Now he can jog lightly. He has regained 10 of the 20 pounds he lost after surgery. Hoiberg said his pacemaker needed an adjustment last month, but it was not cause for concern. Fans and his family have supported him throughout his ordeal, he said. That has helped him avoid the bouts of depression that can tend to afflict those who have had similar procedures. Hoiberg said he will meet with his doctors Aug. 31 to undergo a test on a treadmill. He hopes doctors will clear him to start lifting light weights. Two weeks ago, Hoiberg attended his basketball camp in his home state of Iowa, where he played high school basketball and attended Iowa State. He said he shot a couple of baskets from close range. Said Hoiberg, the excitement resonating in his voice: "It won't be too much longer before I can shoot a three." --

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