<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tuesday morning Trenton Hassell was explaining how he came to wear No. 23 for the Timberwolves. "I wanted 22," Hassell said, "because that's the number I wore as a rookie." He'd been signed just as the season began, after being waived by Chicago. "I played well at 22. But somehow they got it mixed up, and they gave me 23." Hassell laughed, waiting for the inevitable reference to that other guy who wore 23. Fellow named Jordan. Michael Jordan. Hassell knows his place in the league. He knows how different his NBA experience is from that of Peja Stojakovic. Hassell has spent the first three games of the Timberwolves' NBA playoff series with Sacramento trying to invade Stojakovic's space, but Hassell knows he hasn't come close to walking in Jordan's shoes. Stojakovic is an All-Star, a sharpshooter whose every movement is watched. Hassell? The Kings have spent the first part of this series essentially daring Hassell to beat them, giving him one open look after another. That Hassell has done more than his share to give the Wolves' a 2-1 series lead could be an indication that No. 23 could cost the Wolves a bit more in the near future. The Kings have consistently played off him, choosing to double-team Garnett. It has put Hassell in a position where he has to take -- and make -- his shot. Monday, after Hassell took just five shots in the first half, Garnett told him to get more aggressive offensively in the second half. Hassell went out and scored 10 points in the second half, then two in overtime. In three games this series, Hassell has hit 20 of 37 shots for 45 points. His suddenly well-rounded game -- achieved in a national spotlight -- could help him later. "It raises his market value," said Rob Babcock, Wolves vice president of player personnel. "Being able to perform well under pressure, we're always looking for players like that. . . . We certainly would rather have him playing well and increasing his value than having him not play well and losing games because of it. He's been one of the difference-makers in this series." Hassell, who signed with the Wolves for the NBA minimum, will be a restricted free agent. The Wolves can match any offer up to the midlevel exemption, which is expected to be worth about $5.2 million next season. If some team were to offer more than the midlevel, the Wolves couldn't match it, but Hassell could opt to stay in Minnesota for the midlevel."</div> Link
What the Kings don't realize is that Hassell does have a good midrange jumper. I saw him shoot from the baseline on the same spot 2 times in game 3. Each time he had at least 4-5 seconds to shoot that ball. Daring him to take the shot is one thing but giving him that much time to spot up and shoot is horrible.
I knew he had a good midrange jumper, but I didn't know that he could slash that well. He is a pretty good slasher, and now I trust him when he touches the ball on offense.
Hassell has really been great. The King's gave him alot of open shots and dared him to make them. He almost made everyshot. I think the Kings will change that in game 4. He has been a very valuable player for the team in the postseason. He is playing great defense and has been shooting very well. He is averaging 10.3 points, that is 5 points over his regular season average, and is shooting a phenominal 55.2% from the field. He's value has raised alot. But the question is will he stay in Minnesota or go to another team?
Word is that he wants to stay in Minnesota, but let's hope that he doesn't get drafted by the Bobcats. He wants to stay in Minnesota with Garnett, that's why he came here in the first place. 10 other teams wanted him after the Bulls released him, and he chose Minnesota because he would rather be on Garnett's side of the ball than the other side. I expect him to stay.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvefan11:</div><div class="quote_post">Word is that he wants to stay in Minnesota, but let's hope that he doesn't get drafted by the Bobcats. He wants to stay in Minnesota with Garnett, that's why he came here in the first place. 10 other teams wanted him after the Bulls released him, and he chose Minnesota because he would rather be on Garnett's side of the ball than the other side. I expect him to stay.</div> Now that it's certain that he's an RFA, expect Trenton to be on the protected list. The Bobcats won't get a chance at him in the draft but they might take a run at him in free agency. I doubt that he'll leave, though, because of his KG connection & also because the T'Wolves can sign him to a contract worth $15+ million over 3 years, then let him know that they'll sign him longterm, thereby assuring him playing most of his career with the T'Wolves & KG.
