Timberwolves sink near NBA's basement.

Al Jefferson scored 22 points and coralled 10 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight; however, it was not enough, as Minnesota fell short of the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Quicken Loans Arena 92-84.

Corey Brewer added and 15 points and four steals for the Wolves, but the loss drops Minnesota to 12-45 and last place in the NBA's western conference -- a mere half-game ahead of Miami in the NBA's overall standings.

Lacking Kevin Garnett, Minnesota's power forward Craig Smith led the Wolves in the paint with eight points and eight rebounds. Smith's performance was not enough, however, to suppress Cleveland. The Cavaliers cruised to victory as they were led by another astonishing performance its all-star, LeBron James.

James was the game's leading scorer with 30 points on 11-22 shooting, he also led the Cavs with 13 asssits.

Also helping Cleveland tonight was Delonte West. One of Cleveland's recent acquisitions in its three-team trade, West score 12 points and dished out five assists to aid the Cavs in disposing the Timberwolves and improving to 33-26 and 5th place in the Eastern conference standings.

Minnesota makes veteran move that may benefit Liriano

For the first time in many years, the Minnesota Twins opening day starter will not be either Johan Santana or Brad Radke.

Neither will this pitcher be Livan Hernandez.

Tuesday, the Twins signed Hernandez when the 32-year-old journeyman inked a $ 5 million contract for the 2008 season.

Santana brought his top-dollar, Cy Young award-award winning arm with him to New York. Radke retired in 2006 after spending all of his 12 Major League seasons with Minnesota.

The Twins 2008 opening day starter this March 31 will likely be either Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker. As for the other three spots in the Twins starting rotation, Hernandez should earn one and there will be battles for the other two.

Starting rotation aside, one thing is certain about Hernandez, the native of Cuba and 12-year MLB journeyman will add veteran leadership to this very young Twins pitching staff (something Radke gave Minnesota for a long time).

Known as a common choice for Twins opening day starter over the years, Radke is not similar to Hernandez in physical stature or pitching style; however, the two right-handers are similar in durability.

Radke pitched 12 seasons of Major League Baseball.

Eisler "Livan" Hernandez will enter his enter 13th season as an MLB starter.

Throughout his Twins career, Radke tossed 2,451 innings for a 204.1 per-season average. As for Hernandez, the 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks starter has chalked up 2,371 innings for a 197.6 inning-per-season average.

Also, the two pitchers' career records and ERA are similar.

Radke was 148-139 in his career with a 4.22 ERA. Hernandez has compiled a 134-128 record and a 4.25 ERA.

Now, if you go beyond regular season achievements, you'll find Hernandez -- a 6-foot-2-inch, 245-pound native of Villa Clara, Cuba -- has the upper hand on Radke.

Radke has appeared in one All Star game (1998). Hernandez has two All-Star appearances (2004, 2005) and a World Series ring.

Hernandez was also the MVP of the 1997 World Series when he pitched the Florida Marlins to a seven-game championship over the Cleveland Indians -- a series that became known as the "Latino Series."

The message here is that Hernandez is experienced and he's Latin.

What other Latin pitcher is competing for a Twins starting rotation position?

Minnesota's future ace and 24-year-old flame thrower, Liriano (who grew up in the Dominican Republic).

To sum up Minnesota's one-year agreement with Hernandez:

No, the result will not give Minnesota a 2008 championship. Neither will Hernandez be a 20-game winner for his new club.

On the bright side, however, for the Twins' youthful pitching staff this move should bode well both for the staff (as a whole) and for Liriano.

Hernandez should benefit Minnesota by aiding Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson in the development of Liriano.

Furthermore, with the absence of Santana the move also can help Anderson into doing something else. Hernandez may just help Anderson in molding Liriano into a future Cy Young award winner.

Randy Moss or Cris Carter

Having made his first Super Bowl appearance, are we ready to proclaim Randy Moss as the best wide receiver Minnesota has ever seen?

Consistency is the key.

How many Super Bowls has Cris Carter won?

Zero.

How many catches does the 12-year Viking have? 1,101. Touchdowns? 130.

As great as Randy Moss is, let us recall the nine-year NFL veteran's years in Oakland.

He caught 102 balls for 11 touchdowns.

Yes, he had quarterbacks with the likes of Andrew Walter and Kerry Collins; but, 102 receptions in two years?

Carter, Moss' mentor while in Vikings uniforms together, averaged 91.75 receptions through his 16-year career.

Thus far, Moss has averaged 86 receptions and 13.8 touchdowns.

No, Carter does not have a Super Bowl ring. Yes, Jerry Rice has two.

As for Moss, the sky's the limit, but let's not anoint him supremacy yet.