Minnesota Timberwolves Daily News
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
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In just a few weeks, Kevin Love will be banging bodies with some of the
NBA’s most talented and physical players. But, on Tuesday, he was back
at home, hanging out with a handful of former teammates at the Lake
Oswego gym and posting up elementary school students.
Less than a week after being selected fifth in the NBA draft and
ultimately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love was the featured
draw at a youth basketball camp...
Love will leave again on Thursday, heading back to Los Angeles to
continue work outs. But, if even for just a brief time, he enjoyed
being back in his home town.
OK, so Kevin Love allegedly is too short for consideration as a
legitimate center, but the kid can rebound and has enough heft left
over from his pre-draft fitness regime to score in the post.
New teammate Al Jefferson is a 20-10 machine (yeah, someone has to get
numbers on a bad team) and shooter Mike Miller joins enough good, young
prospects to make Minnesota a team to reckon with ... later, not now.
It seems that Kevin McHale still remains one Kevin short of making any kind of eye-popping turnaround next season.
The Bulls announced today that Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob
Ociepka will be hired as assistant coaches on Vinny Del Negro's
coaching staff...
Ociepka (Oh-seep-ka), 59, brings more than 30 years of coaching
experience to the Bulls. With 19 years of service as an NBA assistant
coach, he has spent the past two seasons on the bench with the
Minnesota Timberwolves.
The countdown to Minnesota’s PGA Championship will begin at noon on
Wednesday, July 9 with a ceremonial tee off event at Hazeltine National
Golf Club in Chaska and helping to kick off the event will be four
local high school golfers...
They will be part of a simultaneous tee off by celebrated Minnesotans
who are part of the state’s golf and sports community, including Tim
Brewster, University of Minnesota; Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings;
Tim Laudner, Minnesota Twins; Brad Bombardir, Minnesota Wild; Fred
Hoiberg, Minnesota Timberwolves; Michael Belot, 2009 PGA Championship
tournament director; and Jim Dauwalter, 2009 PGA Championship general
chair.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
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Former Gophers Vincent Grier and Dan Coleman will join Wolves regulars
Corey Brewer, Chris Richard and new first-round pick Kevin Love on the
Timberwolves’ summer-league team that will play five games in Las Vegas
this month.
Four players the Wolves brought in for pre-draft workouts — Coleman,
Oklahoma forward Longar Longer, Michigan State guard Drew Neitzel and
Oregon guard Bryce Taylor — but who were not selected in the June 26
NBA draft also are on the roster.
Guard Vince Grier and forward Dan Coleman will represent the maroon and gold starting next weekend in Las Vegas, with 20 other NBA teams participating. Center Longar Longar is on the list, too.
The graduate of John Marshall High School played four seasons at Oklahoma. Former Michigan State star Drew Neitzel is also going.
After the NBA draft, a number of talented college
players who were passed over get the chance to hook up via free agency.
Sometimes I think players tabbed in the latter part of round two would
be better off as free agents, picking the best scenario for them to
make a roster. In the case of the Timberwolves, they agreed to terms
with former Michigan State guard Drew Neitzel. Let me tell you, Neitzel
has heart and guts plus he can shoot the rock. That was a good
addition.
Timberwolves summer league roster:
G Blake Ahearn- Missouri State
F Corey Brewer- Florida
F Dan Coleman- Minnesota
G Vincent Grier- Minnesota
G Pooh Jeter- Portland
C Longar Longar- Oklahoma
F Kevin Love- UCLA
G Drew Neitzel- Michigan State
F Chris Richard- Florida
G Bryce Taylor- Oregon
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
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In an interview on KLAC yesterday, Kevin Love is asked about his beard and says that he thinks "it's about to come off."
The word is that the Timberwolves never would have traded the 34th pick in the draft to Miami had the Pistons not taken Indiana's D.J. White with the 29th pick in the first round. The Wolves were very high on the 6-9 power forward and would have drafted him with their 34th pick if he was still available...
Timberwolves General Manager Jim Stack said there isn't any chance of buying out the three-year contract of second-round draft choice Nikola Pekovic of Serbia, a 6-11 center. "He's making this year 1.5 million euros, net, which translates into about $2.8 [million] to $3 million," Stack said. "The [U.S.] dollar is just so weak right now in the European market, and these kids get paid net money, so they don't have to pay taxes on their money. This kid will be a more mature professional, we won't have to wait on his development. He is already a player right now. He's averaging 19 points a game, shooting 65 percent in the Euro League, which is the top league in all of Europe."
There is no spot in the stat line for picture perfect outlet passes (or for 94-foot shots
for that matter), but the old adage goes that you need one superior
skill to make it in the league and a fastbreak igniting outlet pass is
at the top of Love's bag of tricks. Love can play inside/outside as a
pick and pop guy and while he might not be the quickest of players, his
innate basketball I.Q. usually guides him to be at the right place at
the right time nonetheless. Think of Love as Al Horford with
three-point range. It will be interesting to see if Minnesota plays
Love at the four and keeps Al Jefferson playing out of position at the
five, or slides Jefferson back to power forward and give Love the
challenge of playing as an undersized center.
"Coach Wittman said asked me if I'd be interested in helping out, and I
said would love it," Skyforce Head Coach Nate Tibbetts said.
A month later, Tibbetts was officially invited to serve as an assistant
coach for Minnesota during the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
New Timberwolf Kevin Love, 19, 6 feet 9, has size 19 shoes.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
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Craig Smith’s agent says he is still talking with the Wolves, but says
his guy has “several offers” from other teams and hopes to have a deal
in place one way or the other by Monday. If Smith accepts an offer from
another team, the Wolves would have seven days from July 9, the first
day players can officially sign with teams, to match the offer and let
Smith go.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the New York Knicks and Sebastian Telfair...
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Written by SG
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
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If you haven’t already read the story I wrote this week about the
basketball game that took place at the Civic Center last Saturday,
please make sure you do so.
However, there was a very special guest that came in for the game.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward and Portland native Corey Brewer came to town and surprised the kids with a visit.
While it was heartwarming watching the kids light up like a Christmas
tree when he walked into the locker room to surprise them before the
game, it was the interaction he had with the kids and the interview I
did with Corey that was even more impressive.
The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that head coach Nate Tibbetts will serve as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2008 NBA Summer League presented by EA SPORTS. Games will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas and will feature 21 NBA teams competing over 10 days, from July 11-20.
The Jazz also inquired about
Minnesota forward Ryan Gomes, though agent Bob Myers wrote in an
e-mail, "I don't believe anything will transpire over the next couple
weeks."
The Heat expressed interest in several free agent point guards Tuesday, including Sebastian Telfair (unrestricted after Minnesota declined to tender him) and Tyronn Lue.
The Knicks also contacted the agent for Sebastian Telfair and Tyronn
Lue. Telfair, Marbury's cousin, became more attainable the past few
days when Minnesota didn't make a qualifying offer, turning him into an
unrestricted free agent.
Shawn (Rochester, MN): Hi David. Do you think Love
will be starting or at least playing major minutes in MN this year?
They historically haven't played their rookies a ton, but they don't
have much front-court quality to choose from outside Jefferson.
David Thorpe: I do.
Ben (Mpls): Which side of the Wolves/Memphis trade did you like better?
David Thorpe: Minny by a long shot.
Ken (St. Paul): I don't get how this trade makes sense for the Wolves...
Chad Ford: I think Love and Jefferson can co-exist.
It's an odd pairing, but Love is such a good shooter, he can operate
offensively without crowding out Jefferson. Miller fills a huge hole.
It all comes down to Randy Foye. If he's as good as the Wolves believe
he is, this will be a good trade. If he has a considerably worse career
than Mayo .. they'll regret it.
White, Hardin, G Ronald Dupree, F Ndudi Ebi, G Aaron Bruce, F Mykal Riley, G Ronnell Taylor, F/C Justin Williams, F Brian Randle and F/C Nick Lewis.
According to an
NBA source, the Mavericks struck a deal with Gerald Green, a slender,
6-8 guard who has been in the league three seasons.
It is believed to be a one-year contract.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
Katy Brown/KATU.com talks to Kevin Love about the draft, playing in the NBA, and his love for the Blazers (video).
From Jon Krawczynski/AP Sports:
He may be a native of South Dakota, and an alumnus of the University of
Florida, but Miller has always thought of the Twin Cities as a home
away from home.
"I was a big Vikings fan, Timberwolves fan, Twins fan," Miller said
Tuesday. "This is pretty much home for me as far as professional
athletics go."
"It helps everybody. He's a proven NBA three-point
shooter," McHale said of Miller. "But he also can make plays. He's
certainly not a specialist. He can do a lot of things. Takes care of
the ball, doesn't have lot of turnovers.
"It's going to give Randy Foye more room, Al more
room," McHale continued. "You've got to account for Mike at all times,
and that's a big thing. You can't run around leaving guys open."
Miller relishes the chance to play with Jefferson...
Miller sees his career at a crossroads: It won't last forever, but there's still plenty of time to leave a more lasting mark.
"I've been in this league nine years, and I've been through winning
and losing seasons," he said. "I think there's something I can bring,
because you learn from both of them. The last two years have taken a
toll on me, and winning is going to be something that's very important
to me."
It's also something that will be contingent upon him, because that's the reality of his new role.
Wolves General Manager Jim Stack's contract expired Monday, but McHale
said a new contract is being negotiated. "He's going to be here,"
McHale said.
If I’m a fan
of a team, I can live with an occasional missed Draft pick, maybe a few
poor personnel decisions, but you have to give me a little something.
Minnesota, despite the bumbling, at least had KG for all that time.
Until they gave him away.
For a minute there, I thought the T-Wolves were
going to return to at least respectability. Drafting OJ Mayo was going
to give them some shine, make the League pay attention to them, finally.
And then they traded him for a guy who projects at the same position as their best player, Al Jefferson.
Roy was drafted No. 6 by Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale, who had no idea what he had and traded Roy to Portland for Randy Foye and stuff.
Two years later, Mayo was drafted third overall by those same Timberwolves and that same VP. McHale again had no idea what he had, because he sent Mayo to Memphis for Kevin Love and stuff.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
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Wolves forward Ryan Gomes’ first child, a girl named Ryelle, was born
last Wednesday. Now, the restricted free agent is awaiting a new
contract, with the Wolves or elsewhere. Gomes’ agent said he doesn’t
expect a deal will be reached with any team until what he calls “first
tier” of free agents — Gilbert Arenas, Elton Brand, Baron Davis, etc. —
sign.
“Numerous teams have called,” agent Bob Myers said. “The teams that
have available cap space are very few. They all like him; it’s all
about finding a number they like him at. Minnesota is committed to
keeping him. I hope we can find a fair deal for both sides.”
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Written by SG
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
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Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka have agreed to terms to be assistant coaches on Vinny Del Negro's first staff, sources said.
For more than 100 years, the sound of a brass bell ringing has started
and stopped trading on the New York Stock Exchange. It's so valuable to
the NYSE, the organization has attached a service mark to the terms
"The Opening Bell" and "The Closing Bell."
...UCLA basketball star Kevin Love rang the opening bell on NBA draft day,
hours before he became one of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 July 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
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Former Sixth Man and Rookie of the Year Mike Miller, the player last
week's eight-player blockbuster trade wouldn't have been completed
without, met with the media Tuesday afternoon at Target Center. Wolves
Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale took questions
alongside the 28-year-old forward...
Q: On what it is like to hear that the Wolves draft day trade wouldn't have happened without him being a part of it:
Miller: About as big of a compliment as you can get. Really it's
something that will be a good challenge for me ... I've been in the
league now, going into next year, nine years. I've been through winning
seasons, I've been through losing seasons - I think that's something I
can bring to this (team), I think you learn from both of them. The last
two years have taken a toll on me; so winning is going to be something
that is very important for me. Hopefully I can bring some good
three-point shooting. I can't guarantee I'm going to make everything -
I wish it was that easy - but I can guarantee that I'm going to work
hard and be as good of a leader as possible. That's really about it.
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Written by SG
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
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The Wolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan
Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and declined to do so to Sebastian
Telfair and Kirk Snyder. But Telfair's agent said Monday "all
indications" suggest the Wolves will try seriously to re-sign his
client.
"And Sebastian is interested in listening, but I'm fully confident he
will have other offers," agent Andy Miller said. "We're going to take
the offer that is best in the short- and long-term interest of
Sebastian."
Wolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said he
would still like to work out a new deal with Telfair...
This trade did wonders for the outlook in Minnesota. Miller and Love will join Al Jefferson and Randy Foye in the starting five. Who is the fifth member remains to be seen, but they will be a much better offense this season. I really like Foye to break out in 2008-09. He's been dogged by the success Brandon Roy has had thus far in Portland, but he's going to answer critics with a full bill of health and an upgrade in surrounding talent. Miller's multi-faceted game will help take the pressure off of Foye – he's a much better complement than Mayo would have been – and he'll be asked to do the same types of things he did in Memphis. Jefferson and Love will give opposing bigs fits on defense (the opposite is also likely to be true) and should thrive playing off each other's games. I'm feeling good about all the principle players in Minnesota as it stands right now. Corey Brewer was uninspiring as a rookie, but if he shows some improvement in camp his defensive abilities could land him a starting role. Look for the team to attempt to re-sign Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith, with Rashad McCants also figuring in the rotation.
The details have emerged from the Heat's draft-night trade for Timberwolves second-round pick Mario Chalmers, the point guard out of Kansas. The Heat will forward the lesser two of the three 2009 second-round picks it holds (its own, Philadelphia's and Indiana's) to Minnesota in addition to $2 million.
Tyson Chandler might be going to Asia with Team USA after all -- but only as an alternate...
The other five alternates will be Shawn Marion, Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, Joe Johnson and Mike Miller, ESPN.com has learned.
Thanks to basketball analyst Jay Bilas, we're going to imagine a sea lion moving down the court when our new Timberpup Kevin Love plays.
That's not exactly what the draft expert told my guys on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," who were left laughing:
"Kevin Love is a terrific choice as a top five pick. Offensively and
from a productivity standpoint he's off the charts. He gets ragged on
for his athleticism. He's a good athlete; he's just not a pretty
runner," Bilas said. "One of the things, though, is defensively, if he
has to guard a really quick forward, he can get exposed a little bit. I
think he does have to watch his weight. His body fat was 13 percent,
which if you're a sea lion that's fine, but if you're an NBA player"
that number should be better.
Besides, in the days leading up to the draft, most
Timberwolves faithful — I was shocked to learn there were so many left
— seemed to hate the No. 3 pick, believing that this year’s draft was
just a two-player show with Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley as the
only sure things.
To them, no matter whom the Timberwolves took — be it
Mayo or Love — he would be just another so-so selection in a tough-luck
draft spot...
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 July 2008 )
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Columnists
Sonia Grover started her Wolves site, "I Heart KG", in 2006. In the wake of the big trade, she moved over to TWolves Blog and brought her column,
"Wolves Daily News"Email:
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Derek Hanson, the founder of TWolves Blog, delivers his optimistic and often inspiring take on the Wolves in his column,
"DeROK's One Shot"Email:
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Dave Kelsey, life-long Wolves fan, season ticket holder, and forum post champion gives his humorous take on the Wolves and life in general in
"Club Seating with College Wolf"
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As one of the 78 owners of Troy Hudson's "Undrafted", its clear that Anthony Hall isn't afraid to go against the grain. He offers up his one-of-a-kind take on the Timberwolves in his column,
"In the Paint"
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Jeremy Knutson packed up his stuff from the Old Wolves Logo, drove over to the TWolves Blog, unloaded the car, and now invites you to come along for a ride through the NBA in his
"Hoop De Ville"
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Rob Brewer and Neil Olstad launched the first-ever Minnesota Timberwolves podcast back in 2007. After acheiving critical acclaim with "The Kissing Marney Gellner Show", the duo decided bring their act to TWolves Blog. "Timberwolves Today"
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