The Timberwolves play in Cleveland tomorrow night (Friday) and then don’t see the Cavs again until April 3 when LeBron James and teammates come to Minneapolis. For Trenton Hassell and the rest of the Wolves that may well be soon enough to see “King” James, the 21-year-old man-child deemed by many as the successor to Michael Jordan’s throne.
James finished third in the NBA in scoring last season at 31.4 points per game. He also finished second in minutes played at 42.5, meaning the Wolves figure to see plenty of him on the court Friday night. As the team’s designated stopper, Hassell was asked about James earlier this week. “If I can hold him under 40% shooting from the field I did a good job, and keep him from the free throw line as much as possible,” Hassell said.
Hassell is 6-foot-5, about 200 pounds. James is “6-9, 6-10, 260,” and strong, Hassell said. Oh, yes, athletic, too. And, yup, versatile, including a relatively new added skill of making three point shots. “He’s improved that big time,” Hassell said. “He’s nailing threes down like his lay ups, so he’s got the total package. You just got a put a hand in his face, rely on help, maybe trap him (with another player) a couple of times, whatever you can do to make it hard for him.”
Asked how James is as a defensive player, Hassell said he didn’t know. Then he indicated his limited role in the Wolves’ offense doesn’t test James or other players defensively. “I just sit in the corner and wait until it (the ball) swings over there,” Hassell said. “I am not really involved in the offense that much. …”