http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16692836.htm Rookie point guard Randy Foye has become a key part of the Timberwolves' playoff push as former starter Mike James adjusts to life on the bench and an uncertain future. Foye, who made his second NBA start Sunday against Boston, ran the first-team offense at practice Tuesday, and coach Randy Wittman said the rookie would start again tonight against the high-octane Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Meanwhile, James was diplomatic in discussing his demotion after Wittman stunned him with the news last weekend. A reporter asked him directly if he was going to blow his stack over not being the starter. "Blow for what? I'm a grown man. I have kids. I have a wife. I'm a man of God," James said. "I ain't got no time for little disses. This is just a piece of my life. If my life was consumed by basketball, maybe I would. My life is more than just basketball." With the trade deadline looming Feb. 22, James was quizzed about speculation he might be shipped out after the Wolves lured him to Minnesota last summer with a four-year, $23.5 million free-agent contract to be their starting point guard. "If that's the case, then you move on. It's not the first time it's happened in my life," said James, who has played for Miami, Detroit, Houston and Toronto. "If this is not the situation for myself or for them, then you move on." Wittman expects James to embrace his reserve role and provide veteran leadership off the bench for the Wolves, who trail Denver by 2? games in the Northwest Division and the L.A. Clippers by a half game for the final Western Conference playoff spot. "You've got to go out and fight to get it back or to stay aggressive. That's all I'm worried about," Wittman said. "I don't want guys that are just going to agree and not show any of that competitiveness." While James was forced to answer questions about being benched, Foye continued to respond to conflicting events that thrust his name into headlines the previous two days. He was forced to answer for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge connected to a fight involving his relatives early Monday. It occurred hours after he set up the game-winning shot in the Wolves' last-second 109-107 victory over Boston. Foye said he was not involved in the scuffle between cousins that spilled out of his car and allegedly led to their clash with Minneapolis police at a south Minneapolis gas station. The timing of the incident was inopportune in that it cast a shadow over Foye's solid performance against the Celtics, which included 10 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one turnover in 34 minutes. "I know. That's crazy, right? The incident was something small," Foye reiterated Tuesday. "I didn't let that affect me during this practice. Normal routine. Just do everything like I usually do. Just be a professional about it. "The inner (Wolves) family knows exactly what happened. They know that I wasn't involved in the situation. This is the life I live, so I just have to live with it." Wittman was impressed with Foye's poise on Sunday, the first time he ran the offense under his regime. The new coach was particularly pleased with how Foye drew Boston defenders to him in the waning seconds before passing to Ricky Davis in the corner for the 18-foot jumper that sealed the victory. "I thought he played under control. It's a fine line with him because he's an aggressive kid who looks to score," Wittman said about Foye, who has averaged nine points and 2.4 assists almost exclusively as a backup. "I thought he handled moving the ball, getting guys involved as well as attacking the basket at opportune times. The play he makes at the end of the game typifies that. He attacked the basket." --

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