"As far as anticipation and timing, he's the best in the league," Kevin Garnett said about teammate Eddie Griffin's shotblocking ability.

Griffin and the Wolves play on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. He had eight blocks, his career high, Monday night against the Utah Jazz in just 28 minutes. That's becoming routine, part of the reason he has been so effective for the Wolves this season.

Four seasons into his NBA career, Griffin is living up to the promise that made him the seventh pick in the 2001 NBA draft.

He is averaging 2.5 blocks a game, which ranked sixth in the NBA to begin Tuesday. Considering his limited playing time, that's an impressive figure.

Griffin averages 6.11 blocks per 48 minutes, the second-best total in the NBA behind only Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning (6.55).

Given those numbers, it is easier to understand why teammates are so high on him.

"His instincts are unparalleled to a lot of players," Garnett said. "When I play him in practice, I have to give him a lot of movement, a lot of head fakes, mix it up like a chess match. If you sit there and let him home in on where you're going, he'll pick you apart."