sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...dime-071201-02

He can get rattled by double-teams. He occasionally forces things around the basket. He has lofted a few of those ill-advised fadeaways Hakeem Olajuwon used to take in his younger days before Dream accepted passing as a post man's responsibility and started making his teammates better.

Of course, Al Jefferson is just 22.

So for all the uncertainty in Minnesota's future, there is one source of unmitigated glee for Kevin Garnett's old team. The Wolves needn't sweat what Jefferson can't do yet when he's already been so impressive and eager to embrace his new life as The Guy They Got For KG, averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds.

How impressive?

Says new teammate Antoine Walker: \"He's one of the best low-post players I've ever seen. As he develops his left hand, he's going to be very tough. I think he also needs to develop a face-up jump shot to be even tougher. But I've never seen anyone score like that in the post, especially at his age.\"

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Five questions with Wolves forward
Antoine Walker:

Q: Is the shock of being traded wearing off?

A: I was shocked a little bit at the beginning. I knew in the preseason that [the Heat] weren't scoring a lot, and I knew they were going to address the scoring issue. But any time you get traded, you want to get traded earlier than the [end] of camp. I'm fine, though, Miami was good to me. It was a good place. Won me a title and got an opportunity to play alongside two great players.

Q: But did the way things end spoil the championship experience for you at all?

A: It depends on how people want to look at it. For me, it's fine. Obviously I got traded, and when you get traded, people look at it as a negative. But it wasn't a good situation for me anymore. There was nothing positive coming out [of Miami]. So much negative press. I'm too far along in my career and I've worked too hard to have constant negative press put out about me. Obviously they're struggling right now, so it wasn't necessarily just me.

Q: So you feel like you were the scapegoat for the struggles since the championship?

A: I wasn't the main focal point. I was just a piece of the puzzle there. I just felt, at this point in my career, I'm not into being in the papers and going back and forth. So I didn't do that. I respect Coach Riley. He's a great coach, Hall of Fame coach.

The differences that he had with me, for whatever reason, making it out that I wasn't in shape … I didn't understand it. But I never went back and forth with him. We all know, and anyone that plays for Riles knows, that he's very particular about body fat and weight. He puts a number out there for you, and if you don't hit his number, he feels like you're not in shape.

Q: A lot of vets in your situation would have asked for a buyout after winding up with a rebuilding team like the Wolves. Why haven't you?

A: Honestly, man, I'm just tired of moving. I don't know that the grass is greener for me somewhere else. You have to try something first before you can have an opinion about it. I didn't want to come in here and say, \"I want out.\" I wanted to see if I can fit in with these guys. I don't want that perception put on me. I didn't want to disrespect these other 14 guys in this locker room.

At this point in my career, I'm not chasing rings like some other guys and I'm not chasing making the playoffs. I'm chasing a good situation for myself to play basketball and do something I love to do.

Q: So you're expecting a long stay in Minneapolis?

A: Right now, I'm a Timberwolf. I plan on being here right now. I've got this year and next year on my contract, and I'm just gonna worry about these two years and then see where I'm at. But I want to play five or six more years if I can stay healthy. I'm only 31.

Editor's note: Walker discusses the home invasion and robbery he survived in July in this story by ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs.

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Walker is one h e l l of a class act. If we don't find a taker for him, I wouldn't be too upset if he stayed here in Minny. Hey...If he's looking for a home, maybe he can buy KG's old stomping grounds...LOL!

Haha fair enough... I know how much you love Antoine and I really like Big AL. So, Howl for you posting this.

I never really liked Walker but now that he's here I've warmed up to the guy. I wouldn't expect to extend his contract or anything but he's a nice contribution to the team. Many times, he seems to be the only one who knows how to score on this team.

Very interesting. He's a classy guy. Now just do the damn wiggle...

daddyfatsax wrote:

If he would just do the damn wiggle so many of our lives would be complete.

The link that i posted in that old thread for the floor wiggle is fantastic and if i got to see that in person my life definitely would be complete.

In case anyone missed it: youtube.com/watch?v=j0Y0d7N_t_Q