We continue our in-depth season previews with all you need to know about Theo Ratliff.
Scroll down for: Ratliff's Bio; Ratliff's Numbers; Coach J.B. Bickerstaff's analysis; Timberwolves.com analysis and Ratliff's Five Facts.RATLIFF'S BIO
Center Theo Ratliff came to Minnesota in the Kevin Garnett trade on July 31, 2007. The big man had season-ending lower back surgery in 2006-07, but is healthy coming into this season. Among the best shot blockers in NBA history, only three active players - Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo - have more career blocks than Ratliff.
Heading into his 13th NBA season, Ratliff led the entire league in blocks with 307 in 2003-04, and gives Minnesota its first true shot-blocker perhaps in franchise history. His 12.4 ppg in 00-01 for Philadelphia was a career high, and Ratliff has a career average of 8.0 ppg. He's also pulled down 4,209 rebounds in 679 career games (6.20 rpg).
His full name is Theophalus Curtis Ratliff, and he and his wife Kristina have six children: Adonis, Darius, Stacia, Yasmeen, Alexis and Sasha. Ratliff played his college ball at Wyoming, where he was a communications major.RATLIFF'S NUMBERS
