Garnett and Duncan Lead the New Stardom of NBA PF's

This article takes the reader through an analysis of the NBA power-forward position.

These big bodies at the 4 spot fortify teams' rebounding and defense, and some of them are big scorers too.

When all is said and done, Kevin Garnett may be the best power forward of all time.

Malone, 41, is the second-leading scorer in NBA history, and he helped turn the power-forward spot into a glamor position.

Without a dominant big man like Shaq, you need a preeminent power forward to contend. Some of this is a result of a decline in the contributions from the league's small forwards, but it's also in large part attributable to the rise of quality 4's.

"It's my job to make the game easier for my teammates," said Garnett. "For a team to be successful, there has to be a player that makes the other guys better."

"He just keeps getting better," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said, "because he works at it."

Garnett is given to playing the high post and out on the wing as much as on the blocks, while Duncan is usually in the low post or high post.

Via SportsLine.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Gugliotta surprises Wolves, signs with Celtics

Despite a bevy of media reports indicating Utah Jazz free agent forward Tom Gugliotta would return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where his career found its greatest successes, he signed a contract with the Boston Celtics today. Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, it's presumably a one year, minimum contract.

Gugliotta, known for his solid rebounding and soft shooting touch, was a 1993 First Team NBA All-Rookie selection. Selected sixth overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by Washington, Gugliotta averaged 14.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in his rookie campaign with the then Washington Bullets and would continue to improve eventually achieving All-Star status with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1997.

"He is a guy that can play a little bit of center in a pinch for Doc (Rivers)," Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said. "He can play small forward, can play power forward. He can pass, he can shoot and create off the dribble. He's a complete basketball player. He really knows how to play the game."

Via Boston Celtics Press Release

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Payton says no to Boston

As expected the controversy surrounding Gary Payton and his trade to Eastward to the Boston Celtics continued to be drama-riddled yesterday, with Payton making it clear via telephone that his non-presence in Boston at the time when he was meant to report after being traded from the Lakers was no accident.

While he says it is nothing against the Celtics organization, Payton is quite aminant that he will not be playing in the East this season. Despite his rights currently being owned by Boston he says he'll retire before he reports, claiming he has been disrespected by the Lakers organization.

"I wasn't going to Boston to take a physical," he said. "I ain't going to move my family no more. I can't take my family to Boston. It ain't no disrespect to Boston."

Payton says he prefers to be moved on to either Houston, Minnesota or the Clippers, but if the Celtics decide not to make another trade Payton will have no choice but to become a Celtic or forfeit the $5.4 million remaining on his contract.

"I don't care about that," Payton said. "If it goes down, I'll quit. I can go on and do something else."

Payton said had he known the Lakers were going to trade him, he wouldn't have exercised his contract option for next season.

"They used me to sign so they could get other players," Payton said. "Boston is going to lose out on this. They ain't going to get (nothing). It's about respect. They (the Lakers) didn't respect me. Why should I respect them?"

Via The Press-Enterprise

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---