Bill Fitch, who coached five NBA teams over three decades and is one of the league’s winningest coaches ever, gave a thumbs up to the Timberwolves recent acquisition of 34-year-old Juwan Howard.  Fitch, 73, told Sports Headliners on Monday that trading guard Mike James and forward Justin Reed to Houston for the 6-foot-9 Howard adds much needed leadership to the Wolves.  Fitch, who lives part of the year about one hour away from Houston near Montgomery, Texas, watched about 75 percent of the Rockets games last season on TV and said Howard is “a missing link in your chemistry and your locker room.”  

Howard’s presence will help Kevin Garnett with team leadership. “He’s great in the locker room,” Fitch said about Howard. “He’s a great aide to a coach. His attitude is exemplary.  He’s a winner all the way around.  … I saw Minnesota play a lot last year and I thought they needed another leader out there, and he’s certainly that.” 

Wolves vice president Kevin McHale was quoted about Howard’s value after the trade last week.  “Juwan is a veteran low-post player who is a proven scorer and rebounder,” said McHale. “He will add needed depth to our front court, and with this move we are balancing out our roster. Juwan also provides a solid locker room presence. …”

Howard averaged 9.7 points (.465 field goal percentage, .824 free throw percentage), 5.9 rebounds and 26.5 minutes per game in 80 games (38 started) last season with Houston. He increased those averages to 13.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game during the 32 games that Rockets’ center Yao Ming missed due to injury. Howard finished the season with nine double-doubles and recorded 10 or more rebounds in 11 games. 

Fitch said Howard didn’t play much early in the season but when Yao was out Howard became a starter and “carried” the team.  “I know Howard was worth every penny that Houston gave him last year,” Fitch said.  “They wouldn’t have been in the playoffs without him.” 

Fitch described Howard as a “scoring machine” when he was a younger player. Drafted fifth overall by Washington in 1994, Howard averaged 22.1 points per game during the 1995-96 season and made third team all-NBA. He has career averages of 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. 

 “He can still shoot the basketball and he can go to the foul line with the pressure on and make free throws,” Fitch said.  “He can guard big people.  He can take the center (spot). If you got somebody in foul trouble he can guard the power forwards and the centers.  …He’s a utility player now instead of being the go-to guy.  But if you’re bringing him off the bench at Minnesota, he could be like (Robert) Horry was to the Spurs.” 

Fitch said Howard is capable of playing minutes at center, power forward and small forward.  Howard might be used most effectively off the bench, where needed in game situations, Fitch added.

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June was a special month for Twins left fielder Jason Kubel last season.  He had an eight game hitting streak where he was 14-36, a .389 batting average.  He hit .333 for the month with five home runs and 16 RBI.  With the Twins’ lack of hitting among the most popular sports topics in this town, it’s been difficult to see Kubel struggle of late, with three hits in his last 22 at-bats.  For the season Kubel is hitting .235, with five home runs and 22 RBI.

Kubel’s 2007 June problems include a minor injury to his right knee that caused him to miss a few days.  Talk about the 25-year-old’s career often includes the full year he missed in 2005 recovering from surgery on his left knee.  He also had a less serious right knee surgery following the 2006 season. 

Kubel told Sports Headliners his knees are okay and earlier this week he had an outstanding catch in the field, diving for a ball near the foul line, against the New York Mets.  Kubel said he stretches to minimize further knee problems.   

Kubel came into this season determined to be a success at the plate.  “Everything felt good so I was expecting a lot more,” he said. 

Admired for his ability and potential in the minors, Kubel hit .321 in 2002 and .298 in 2003.  In 60 at-bats with the Twins in 2004 he batted .300, and at two minor league stops that year compiled averages of .377 and .343.  Last season playing for the Twins, he had a .241 average, with eight home runs and 26 RBI.  

Manager Ron Gardenhire suggested last month that Kubel needs to hit with more confidence.  “Yeah, that’s all I need to get is confidence and then I will feel a lot better…,” Kubel said. 

Can he become a .300 hitter in the major leagues?  “Eventually, next year,” he said.  “It’d be kind of tough this year to do it now.” 

What about home runs?  “I hit 24 a couple of years ago, so hopefully (I’ll) get back to around there,” he answered.   (In 2004 he hit eight home runs in the minors and 16 with the Twins).

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A good humored Bill Fitch talking about whether he ever regrets leaving college coaching, going from the Gophers in 1970 to take over the expansion Cleveland Cavs and beginning an NBA coaching career that ended in 1998:  “No, I never look back. … I stumble when I look forward.  I look back at my days there (Minnesota) and they were great days. …”

Fitch on the Wolves trading guard Mike James to Houston: “James was not a happy camper and I’ve always said, ‘get rid of unhappy campers.’  They’re not going to help you. …”

Look for the Timberwolves to make at least one more major roster move involving one of their veterans before next season.  

Two highly regarded NBA draft prospects, Georgetown University forward Jeff Green, Big East Conference Player of the Year, and University of Florida forward/center Al Horford, a third team All-American, were scheduled to work out for the Timberwolves earlier today. 

Michael Cuddyer has put runners on notice they need to be cautious about trying to take an extra base on him.  The Twins right fielder has used his strong and accurate right arm to cut down the daring or foolish.  Cuddyer never played the outfield until 2001 in the minor leagues. He played first base, second base and third base in the lower minors.  He told Sports Headliners playing the infield encourages habits like throwing accuracy and getting rid of the ball quickly that help when making the transition to the outfield.  “Also, you have to focus a little more in the infield,” Cuddyer said.  “I think that’s allowed me to take that focus level out to the outfield. …” 

Any guess about improvement from Viking players beginning their second season in the NFL could include defensive end Ray Edwards.  He showed exceptional pass rushing skill last season as a 21-year-old who had skipped his senior season at Purdue to enter the NFL draft. 

TCF Bank Stadium, scheduled to open in 2009 with a capacity of 50,000, could be expanded to approximately 80,000 based on future need, according to Tom Wistrcill, Gopher associate athletics director. 

Andrew Zimmern, local food critic and Travel Channel TV host, is now hosting an afternoon show on WFMP- FM107.1.   Canterbury Park jockey Lori Keith was a guest today.   

Saint Mary’s University’s Amanda Weinmann has been selected as the MIAC representative for the 2007 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The award honors senior student-athletes for their cumulative collegiate achievements in service, leadership, athletics and academics.  A national winner will be announced in October.  Weinmann was chosen by the MIAC Executive Committee after reviewing nominations from conference schools.

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