Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders hesitated for the briefest of moments, until the optimist and sportsman in him took over. Immediately, the comparison spilled forth.

"Chauncey has done a great job as a starter," Saunders said. "Who knows, maybe he can be another Tom Brady. I dunno. It'd be a nice thought."

Nice? It is a staggering thought, the coach's notion that backup point guard Chauncey Billups could step into Terrell Brandon's starting role -- for good -- and lead the Wolves to an NBA championship. That is what Brady, the new poster boy of backups everywhere, did for the New England Patriots this winter. From the 199th player drafted in 2000 to quarterback of the Super Bowl champions, in four swift months.

Billups even has a head start on Brady: He was a lottery pick, the third selection overall, when he reached the NBA in 1997. He also nailed his audition earlier this season, helping the Wolves to a 12-4 record while subbing for Brandon in December and January.