Wolves Can Use Jaric's Confidence

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Marko Jaric was just 21 in 2000 when he made a promise to Dwane Casey.

Jaric remembers a conversation he had with Casey while working out for the Seattle SuperSonics before the NBA draft. It would be another two years before Jaric's NBA debut with the Los Angeles Clippers. But even as a young player, Jaric, a native of Serbia and Montenegro, never lacked confidence.

"I promised him that in the next world championship, we were going to beat USA," Jaric said Friday night, shortly after the Timberwolves acquired him in a trade with the Clippers. "He started laughing. And then three years ago, we beat the Dream Team in 2002. He called me and said, 'I can't believe that you guys did it.'"

Now it's Jaric's turn to help Casey, who is entering his first season as Wolves coach. Jaric will contend for Minnesota's starting point-guard role. He is coming off his best NBA season after three injury-riddled years with the Clippers and six seasons in Europe.

Jaric averaged career highs with 9.9 points, 6.1 assists and 1.68 steals in 2004-05. At 6 feet 7, he has the height and skills to play either guard position and even some small forward, Casey said.

The Wolves say they believe Jaric will fit with Casey's philosophy, emphasizing defense and stressing ball movement on offense.

"He can do that," vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "He's big. He's rangy. He's long."

The Wolves are showing strong faith in Jaric, agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal with the Clippers that will pay him $38 million over six years. As part of the deal, Minnesota gave up a protected 2006 first-round pick and received Clippers guard Lionel Chalmers.

"I know I'm going to improve a lot more in the next couple years and hit my prime," said Jaric, who will turn 27 in October.

At least a couple of his new teammates already are excited about playing with Jaric, who was known for his sense of humor in the Clippers' locker room and toughness on the court.

"He's a tall point guard, a great defender, and he knocks down the shot when he needs to knock down the shot," Wally Szczerbiak said. "He's a proven winner. He's played on the Yugoslavian national team. Hopefully he can flourish and help us get to the playoffs and get far in the playoffs."

Jaric made an impression on Wolves forward Mark Madsen when they played together during the Chicago pre-draft camp in 2000. The Clippers selected Jaric with the first pick of the second round, but he remained in Italy for two years before joining the NBA.

"He's a phenomenal passer," Madsen said. "He can really shoot the ball. His basketball IQ is very, very high. Whenever he's been healthy, he's always produced in a big way."</div>

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