No one has been more of a victim from the Timberwolves’ seven guards traffic jam than Bracey Wright, the 22- year-old 2005 second round draft choice from Indiana. He has played in two games for a total of five minutes since January 22.
The return of 2005 No. 1 draft choice Rashad McCants from injury has reduced Wright’s minutes (minimal anyway). Wright has played in 14 games this season, averaging 8:30 minutes per appearance, only five times playing more than 10 minutes. He is averaging 2.9 points per game.
Wright’s best stretch of game action was from late December through January 21. He played sparingly, but at least was on court for most games. During that 11 game period he sometimes showed the scoring ability (particularly with his outside shooting) that attracted the Wolves to him when they drafted him as a 20- year-old player. He made 36% of his three point shots and 38% of his other shots in the 11 games, plus six steals.
Wright was encouraged and not surprised by his play during that period, the best opportunity he’s had with the Wolves (he only played in six games last season after spending most of his time in the NBA Development League). “I am a confident player by nature,” he said. “I believe in what I can do, but just going out there and actually doing it boosts your confidence a little bit more. …Things I worked on paid off in the game. It just let’s me know I am moving in the right direction.”
He said he’s received no explanation about why he’s not playing but you just “roll with the punches.” Frustrating? “It has been but I look at myself as a valuable player, a valuable guard so I think I can play. …But it is what it is and we’ve got eight guards on the team and the staff chooses who they feel gives them the best opportunity to win each and every night so my number just hasn’t been called.”
Wright will be a free agent after this season and is taking a “we’ll see” approach to his future in Minneapolis. “Once the season is over my agent and I will sit down and we’ll go from there. I really don’t know. I don’t know the plans that they have for me here. …”