MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The next big thing for the Minnesota Timberwolves looks more like a henchman in a James Bond movie than he does a center in the NBA.
Nikola Pekovic has gothic tattoos draping his 6-foot-11, 290-pound body and an expressionless face that rarely changes. His teammates call him a big teddy bear, but the second-year big man is starting to show that he has a big, bad game to make his menacing image.
Pekovic is averaging more than 18 points and 10 rebounds over the last eight games to take hold of the starting center spot. He has made life easier for All-Star Kevin Love in the frontcourt.
Injuries and adjusting to the United States hampered Pekovic last season. But he says he feels much more comfortable these days.
