Wally's parents prefer to watch the Timberwolves

<grin> Trolling the sknight way...

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/14690758.htm

Casey right guy, Szczerbiak says
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press

Wally Szczerbiak said he thinks his seventh NBA season was his best,
even though he had to deal with a midseason trade from the Timberwolves
to the Boston Celtics and a knee injury.

Speaking from his home on Long Island, N.Y., the former Wolves forward
credited coach Dwane Casey for having confidence in him, which helped
Szczerbiak average 20.1 points in 40 games with the Wolves this season.

"I loved coach Casey as a coach," Szczerbiak said.

The Wolves were 19-21 on Jan. 26 when they traded Szczerbiak to Boston.
The trade didn't produce the results the Wolves had hoped for, and they
finished 33-49.

Casey faced some backlash from fans for the franchise's worst season
since 1995-96. But Szczerbiak believes that Casey is the right man for
the job.

"I don't think there's any coach who prepares you better for a game,"
Szczerbiak said. "I know he took a lot of heat, especially after the
trade, but he'll do a good job in this league for many years to come."

The undoing of the team this season was its inability to win close
games. The Wolves went 4-10 in games decided by three or fewer points
and 1-5 in overtime. They also lost an NBA-high 15 games when leading
after three quarters.

After the trade, Szczerbiak followed what was happening with his former
team. He spent his first 61/2 NBA seasons in Minnesota, so it was
only natural.

"I had a lot of interest in the Wolves," he said. "My parents found
themselves still watching a lot of Timberwolves games. Minnesota will
always have a special place in my heart; there's no question about
that."

But he is looking forward to his first full season with the Celtics,
who acquired him in a seven-player deal. He went on to average 19
points this season, his career high.

Szczerbiak was playing with torn cartilage in his left knee in Boston.
He fought swelling in the knee at times and eventually was shut down
for the final seven games. After arthroscopic surgery in April, he is
going through rehabilitation and has resumed some basketball drills.

He believes that the young Celtics will be a playoff contender next
season.

"Our team was close on the road together," Szczerbiak said. "We played
cards on the planes, and that was nice to get to know the guys, and I
kind of fit in pretty well right away. It will be nice to have training
camp and get acclimated to the system."