MAD DOG'S TOES STILL TAPPING WITH T'WOLVES.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

It's not like he's a magnet, but there's clearly something of an irresistible force when it comes to Mark Madsen.

Maybe it's because he is so different from every other NBA player, and not just because he's the whitest guy on the floor, if not the history of mankind.

He was venerated at Stanford, beloved at Staples Center and now adored at Target Center.

It's the Madsen combo effect. His frenetic style, eternal positive approach, obvious work ethic, ability to speak Spanish and recognition as the world's absolute worst dancer.

He's a bit of the common man on NBA hardwood. Obviously more skilled than most, but not so otherworldly that he can't be related to by the guy in the upper deck.

Madsen spent three years with the Lakers, was on two championship teams and cheered just about every moment he was here. The walking Happy Face returns to Staples tonight a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, another high-octane team tied in the loss column with the Lakers for second in the Western Conference.

If he was almost something of a novelty with the Lakers - a high-energy forward who played irregularly - he has become a more consistent contributor with the Wolves.

He is enjoying career highs in shooting percentage (.521), points (4.0) and rebounds (3.8) during 18 minutes per game. Not ungodly numbers, but then that wouldn't be Madsen.

When Madsen is not going all out on the floor, he's smiling off it. The kind of player most think they would be if they were only 6-foot-9 with a modicum of talent.

An NBA everyman. Someone to connect with.

``I realize I'm not at the highest end when it comes to innate talent in the NBA,'' Madsen said. ``But what I think the fans relate to is I really do try to give my very best every game.

``My high school coach used to talk all the time about playing basketball is not a right, it's a privilege. Oftentimes in the NBA, you can start to feel like it is a right. That you deserve to play in the league and you're a good player, a great player.

``But really it's just a great privilege to be able to play this game, to be able to do it for a living and have a chance to have teammates as friends. It's a great life. And I love it.''

Madsen signed a two-year deal with the Timberwolves and bought his first house in a nearby suburb. He said the transition has been great, though the glacial temperatures take adjusting.

``They said it was going to be cold, but I didn't realize it was going to be that cold,'' Madsen said. ``The truth is it's not like when it's 30 below you're out there building a snowman all the time. You can be inside. We do have really nice heaters.''

Madsen was viewed as a minor part of a major Timberwolves revamping that included Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell and Michael Olowokandi, but he's the only one who has danced a robotic jig at a championship victory parade.

Madsen said he developed a lot of friends in L.A., but apparently no dance instructors. ``That's the one relationship I never fully developed,'' he said. ``That was the one person I was looking for who never came into my life.''

The irrepressible Madsen said his new teammates have been after him to cut a move for them, but thus far he's spared Minneapolis his unique style. ``They ask me that all the time,'' he said. ``And I say, the goal is to be dancing in June.''

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) MADSEN

Box:

MAD, MAD WORLD