Click here for the forum’s thread for tonight’s game at Houston.
Game previews:
McHale also said in the strongest possible terms that the team is not looking to trade shooting guard Mike Miller before the Feb. 19 NBA deadline.
“As I always say, if they offer Kobe (Bryant), we’ll definitely consider that,” McHale said after today’s practice. “But are we looking to trade him? No.”
Miller’s name has come up in trade rumors involving the New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers, but McHale said the Wolves aren’t actively shopping him.
“You never say never, but we’re not looking to trade Mike Miller,” McHale said. “We couldn’t be happier with Mike. If calls come in, of course you listen to them. Everybody calls each other, but I tell you what, I’d be beyond shocked if we traded him.”
Miller, informed of McHale’s remarks, said he was happy to hear it.
“Well, I’m glad,” he said. “That means your coaching staff and the organization likes what you’re doing.”
Miller had his highest-scoring game since Dec. 1 in the loss to the Hawks, tallying 17 points and hitting 7 of 10 shots, including 3 of 6 three-pointers.
One game doesn’t mean he’s out of his shooting slump, but Miller said he’s starting to feel like his old self.
“My shot’s felt good the last seven or eight games,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting the looks that I want, and at the same time being able to make plays for other guys and make them better. I can’t always focus just on myself. It’s got to be on what can help this team win games.”
McHale said “everybody” will have to pitch in now that Smith is the third player out because of an injury. That includes Rashad McCants, whose inspired 15-minute, 10-point performance against the Hawks was his first action in nearly a month.
“He stayed ready, and that’s a credit to him,” McHale said. “I’m proud of him. If he goes out and gives that type of effort, he deserves to play. Defensively, he was tied in. He did a tremendous job. Plus, the guy can flat out stroke the ball, and we can use some of that.”
From Joe Luther/Rashad McCants website:
McHale had sat McCants for the last 12 games and it seemed like he would never give No. 1 another chance until last night.
The team was playing poorly on both ends of the floor and needed a shot in the arm. Enter Rashad.
His performance last night in limited minutes shows what kind of presence the Wolves have been missing.
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