04/19/2008 - 06:46
Sixth Man of the Year?
by Jason Grodsky

Rashad ended this season with career numbers that could land him some hardware.

Averaging a career-high 14.9 points per game and a 45.3 percent shooting average from the field, No. 1 broke Minnesota’s franchise record for three-pointers in a season by draining 142.

Rashad’s season statistics put him as the second-most productive bench scorer in the NBA, behind only the Spurs Manu Ginobilli.

As reported by the Timberwolves website:

“McCants can flat-out score the basketball. Maybe he was born with it (like Jaric’s girlfriend was born hot), maybe he developed it (like Stephanie from “Full House”). Either way, it’s there, and he’s become the second-most prolific bench scorer in the NBA - behind the Spurs indomitable Manu Ginobili, the likely NBA Sixth Man of the Year – by scoring 14.9 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting, including 41.1 from three. In fact, he broke JR Rider’s franchise record for three-pointers made against Detroit on Tuesday (140). Because his role has been to provide instant offense off the pine, his rebounding (2.8) and passing (2.2) haven’t been terrific, but McCants is talented enough to do most everything he wants on the basketball floor. Towards that end, when his emotions are positive and he’s feeling good, he’s extremely effective … It’s just when something is off, for one reason or another, that his play can start to dip. But the bottom line is, when he’s good (like 13-of-22 for 33 points, 4-of-7 from three vs. Sacramento early this season, or 9-of-13 for 23 points Saturday in Memphis), he may be too good to give up.”

At one point during the season Rashad strung together a streak of 10 consecutive games of scoring double-digits, all while coming off the bench.

While Minnesota finished with a 22-60 record, his effort on the court this season earned the praise of the Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kevin McHale.

As reported by the Pioneer Press:

"I like a lot of the things that happened with the team," McHale said. "I do like our young guys, our core group moving forward. I think there's really people here to build around. We're excited about that. I fully anticipate next year having a huge — being healthy is a big thing — but I see us having a huge jump in our win totals. I'm excited about it."

WEEK IN REVIEW
No. 1 ended the season by scoring in double-figures in a pair of games as Minnesota finished the season with an overtime win over Milwaukee.

04.16.08 | King of Threes
No. 1 broke the franchise record for three pointers in a season and scored 19 points in the Timberwolves' 115-103 loss at Detroit.
04.17.08 | Season Finale
Rashad put the finishing touches on a great season by scoring 10 points in Minnesota’s 110-101 overtime win over Milwaukee

RELATED STORIES
Timberwolves season wrap up (Timberwolves.com, April 18, 2008)
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves_finish_with_a_win_080416.htm...
Minnesota capable of big things next year (TwinCites.com, April 18, 2008)
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_8965598
Timberwolves rally to win season finale (TwinCities.com, April 17, 2008)
http://www.twincities.com/ci_8952564?nclick_check=1
Minnesota falls in final road game (Associated Press, April 16, 2008)
http://www.nba.com/games/20080415/MINDET/recap.html

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