<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wally Szczerbiak has weathered shooting slumps before. But this one has been the toughest. Through seven games, Szczerbiak's 39.1 percent accuracy from the field is the worst of any Timberwolves starter and the second lowest on the team. His three-point touch is particularly off: 20.8 percent (5 for 24). His career shooting average coming into the season was 50.1 percent. So there's a good chance the numbers will rise in time. But because Szczerbiak is being relied upon as the Wolves' primary scorer behind all-star Kevin Garnett, the scrutiny intensifies with every carom off the rim. Shooting is Szczerbiak's livelihood. It's why Minnesota selected him sixth overall in the 1999 NBA draft. It's why he made the All-Star Game in 2001-02, when he averaged 18.7 points. It's why the Wolves awarded him a six-year contract extension in October 2002. After watching game film, Szczerbiak said he noticed that he's leaning at times when he releases his shot. Sometimes he's also rushing his shot. He said he never has gone through a slump this long. "You just want to relax," he said Wednesday after practice. "You want to go out and do what you've always done. Shooting is an art form. You've got to respect the jump shot. I'll tell you, it's not an easy thing to do." The Wolves' goal this season is to make the playoffs. Szczerbiak will play an integral role in the team's success. "There's no question about that," coach Dwane Casey said. "But it's a team game. I'm not putting all that load on Wally." Tuesday night in a 94-89 loss to the Houston Rockets, Szczerbiak was 5 for 14 from the field, including 0 for 5 on three-pointers. Except for Garnett, his teammates didn't shoot well either (42.3 percent). Casey isn't making a fuss about it. He believes it's better to let shooters work their way through slumps. "I believe in him," Casey said of Szczerbiak. "When he has the ball, he's got that green light. I've seen guys go through slumps like that. Ray Allen went through that (in Seattle). I've seen great shooters go through that. The defense is usually ahead of the offense, and that's where we are right now." Szczerbiak said he has started slow in the past. In Games 7, 8 and 9 last season, he went 11 for 33 (33.3 percent). He found his touch and ended the season making 50.6 percent. He averaged 15.5 points. He's taking more three-pointers this season, and that's part of the reason his percentage has dropped. He is on pace to attempt 281. That's 90 more than his career high of 191 in 2001-02. "They're open looks," he said. "When I'm open, I've got to shoot it. That's where the shots are coming." Without Fred Hoiberg, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell on the roster, the Wolves need more scoring from Szczerbiak. Still, Casey said he believes there are plenty of options. He has faith in Troy Hudson, Marko Jaric, Richie Frahm and Rashad McCants along the perimeter. And Garnett, an eight-time all-star, is the anchor in the middle.</div> Source
