<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When Timberwolves backup forward Mark Madsen was on the court in Game 1 of the series against Sacramento on Tuesday, the Wolves were 12 points better than the Kings. In fact, Madsen, who played 20 minutes and chipped in six points and two rebounds, was the team's only player whose plus/minus rating that night was in the black. Kevin Garnett, for instance, was minus-12 in the Kings' 104-98 victory. So in Game 2, Madsen never got off the bench, other than to cheer, high-five and huddle up for timeouts, anyway. Instead, his chunk of playing time went to reserve forward Gary Trent, who had two points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. Trent, by the way, had watched Game 1 in his warmups. "Here it was," Wolves coach Flip Saunders explained. "What I looked at was, what was the best opportunity to give KG success? We needed to have another guy in there who, if he got the ball, he had a scorer's mentality . . . and they were going to have to guard him. It would relieve a little pressure off of KG." Madsen was quick to point that out, and said he had no problem with the pine time. "We're all in this together," he said. "The one thing I know is, we have a lot of great combinations on this team. . . . I have the same job I've always had: If your name gets called, be ready."</div> Link
I still don't like that decision, but if it gives us wins, then I am all for it. I think Madsen has been very key this season, and I think he should get the playing time he deserves. But if Gary Trent helps the team more, I am all for it. We'll see what happens next game.
Mark Madsen is a great guy, all he wants is the win... Madsen should get more oppurtunity's to play and the wolves should bring in a guy with a 'scorers mentality' at a different position.
Gary Trent got the call because he is more of a scoring option then Mad dog. I think Flip would rather sit Kandiman but he feels like Kandi size will be needed despite the fact he is producing. I wish it could be a rotation of Mad-dog & Trent but that would produce to small of a front line. The Kings put points opn the boards so right now in the eyes of Flip he has to go with the scoring option, so Trent wins out But truth be told if Maddog had 2 or 3 more inches on him Kandiman would be the guy on the bench.
