Orlando Sentinel

November 6, 2007
by Brian Schmitz

Foyle's game will be in demand against Timberwolves

WASHINGTON - Fresh off a game in which they looked as if they were prepping for a 3-point shooting contest, the Orlando Magic likely will have a different look tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They will have to display more force than finesse.

After launching 30 3-pointers in a victory against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, the theme of the Magic's practice Monday was defense, rebounding and playing tougher. That's Adonal Foyle's game.

The T'wolves traded 7-foot star Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics, but received rugged power forward Al Jefferson and shot-blocking center Theo Ratliff in return. The matchup against Jefferson is not an easy one for Rashard Lewis, hence the call to the 6-10, 270-pound Foyle.

Foyle is expected to have his minutes increased tonight and against the New York Knicks and their front line of Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph on Friday night.

"I should be salivating, right?" Foyle said. "One thing Coach told me was that we were going to try some different things early to give us the best chance to win. I'll do whatever he needs [tonight] or any night."

Foyle, who backs up Dwight Howard at center and can play power forward, was brought to Orlando as a free agent after the Golden State Warriors bought out his contract this summer. In three games with the Magic, he has averaged 13 minutes per game, 3.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and has blocked a total of three shots.

Foyle might be running up his minutes if power forward Pat Garrity can't play. Garrity sprained his right ankle during practice (and reserve shooting guard J.J. Redick came down with back spasms so painful, he barely could amble to the team bus and is doubtful).

Foyle describes his game as "ugly," an acquired taste. Warriors Coach Don Nelson didn't have any use for a physical defender and shot blocker in his racehorse style. The Warriors bought out the remaining years of his contract. The Magic have given him a new lease on his NBA life.

"The NBA is a wonderful place -- one man's salvation is another man's jail," Foyle laughed.

"I'm just glad I'm on a team that really appreciates what I do. Look, I know my limitations. I know what I can do. Coach is very much all about defense. My job is just to be ready any given night. It's wonderful just to play the game and not worry about the other stuff. Just play."

Coach Stan Van Gundy said "we'll need to play big" against the T'wolves, but he would not reveal the changes he has decided to make in his rotation after Monday's practice at Georgetown University, home of the Hoyas.

"I'm not going to tell [the media] before I tell the players," he said.

(Fittingly, former Georgetown coach John Thompson, whose secretiveness and controlling nature was dubbed "Hoya Paranoia," watched practice and caught up with former Hoya and Magic assistant Patrick Ewing).

"I'm not going to tell anybody what it is we're going to do [to streamline the rotation]," Van Gundy said. "We'll get the numbers down, at least most of the time. I don't think our bench has been productive to this point. Part of the problem is that I had not yet decided on a rotation. So it's tough for guys to really be ready and produce at a high level."

Van Gundy benched backup guard Carlos Arroyo against the Wizards. He opted to go with Keyon Dooling to relieve Jameer Nelson because Dooling is a better defender.

"I told Carlos before the game that that was going to happen," Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy wouldn't say whether Arroyo will remain on the bench tonight or not, but Foyle likely will not stay seated long.

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