http://www.startribune.com/511/story/919055.html Once again, Kevin Garnett said, he doesn't think about "what if?" Garnett was talking with members of the media after the morning shootaround on Friday, hours before the Timberwolves were to play host to a Philadelphia team that no longer includes Allen Iverson. It was as good a time as any to revive the topic of the Iverson trade sweepstakes, a contest that the Timberwolves tried to be a part of but ultimately were not. Garnett, who openly campaigned for bringing Iverson to Minnesota, was asked by a Philadelphia reporter if he was disappointed when Iverson was dealt to the Denver Nuggets. "If you want to call it a campaign, everybody jumped on it," Garnett said. "So, obviously, when he went to Denver, it's what it was." Garnett said he never let himself think about what it would be like to play with Iverson. "Here you have to wait for things to happen, then adjust to that," Garnett said. "When they say it's going to snow, don't jump in the SUV just so soon. Stay in the coupe till you see flurries." Speaking of staying in the "coop," conjecture on Garnett's future in Minnesota figures to continue. Friday's game with Philadelphia seemed like a perfect time to bring that up again. So, Kevin, do you ever give thought to what it would be like to play with the type of supporting cast Iverson inherited when he went to the Nuggets? "Do I allow myself to think that way? No," Garnett said. "This is my reality, and I deal with it every day. Not to say it's a good or bad situation, I'm not the one to be bitching and moaning about things. I come out and I compete and I play. And I handle those things accordingly, when it's time to address those things." And the middle of the regular season is not the time. "I feel in a good place," Garnett said. "There is no need for distractions right now. If anything, we should be focusing a little more. It's January. February is right around the corner. Before you know it, it's going to be the All-Star break. That's when all the wheels need to be turning." Still, it wasn't too long ago when the idea of Iverson playing anywhere but Philadelphia would have seemed impossible. "Nothing is guaranteed," Garnett said. "You'd think our troops would be home by now. But ... that's a whole 'nother issue. Anything is possible." Thinking ahead Wolves coach Dwane Casey said he doesn't waste time wondering what might have been, in terms of a trade. "Not any more," he said. "When it was all going down it was like you didn't know what was going to happen. But not any more. The guys we have here now are coming together, pulling together." Brown back in Philly The 76ers made an announcement after the 104-102 overtime loss to the Wolves, saying former coach Larry Brown is returning to the team as executive vice president. Brown, who coached Iverson and the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, was fired last summer after going 23-59 in his one season as New York Knicks coach. Etc. ‧ Speaking of the All-Star break, Garnett is still on the fast track to the Western Conference starting lineup. The latest voting returns have Garnett still No. 1 among conference forwards. Garnett, who has made nine consecutive All-Star appearances, has been voted a Western Conference starter seven times. ‧ Wolves swingman Marko Jaric returned to action after an MRI on his injured right thumb showed only a sprain. --

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