Media Day Updates

Written by SG on 29 September 2007.

Click here for a photo gallery of Friday's media day.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were back from another too-long offseason, gathering for photos and interviews Friday on the eve of their first practice, a few days earlier this year in advance of their training-camp trek to Istanbul and London. Only this time, some familiar annual rituals were absent.

There was, for a change, no armchair psychoanalyzing of Kevin Garnett's mood. No probing for the Big Ticket's views on Kevin McHale's summer maneuvers. No speculation about a possible mega-deal by the trading deadline, and certainly no softballs lobbed to elicit the old "I'm 'Sota'' refrain.

There was none of that Friday, because there was no Kevin Garnett.

From Rick Alonzo/Pioneer Press:

Perhaps it's fitting that Jefferson, the key player acquired in the trade, has taken over Garnett's old locker at Target Center.

Said Jefferson: "When I went back to Boston to get my stuff, I heard he got my locker, so I figured I'd return the favor and get his locker."

Alonzo's article also quotes Foye on his reaction to the KG trade.

"I was in shock when it first went down," guard Randy Foye said of the trade. "I always thought I'd get at least two or three years to play with him. His name was always brought up during the trading deadline, but I was just like, it won't happen."

Ricky Davis was not in attendance during the media session because, according to the team, he was sick and at the doctor's office.

McHale said he expected Davis to miss this morning's first training-camp practice and join the team this afternoon for its flight to Turkey, where the Wolves will begin 10 days of practices and games overseas.

From Rick Alonzo/Pioneer Press:

McHale said his goal is to sign second-round pick Chris Richard to a contract before the team's chartered plane leaves today for Istanbul, Turkey. Richard can't participate in training camp unless he signs, so he might not make the trip, which includes an exhibition game Oct. 6 in Istanbul and another Oct. 10 in London against Garnett's Boston Celtics.

McHale said he has told Richard's agent to be patient because the Wolves might make another move first...

Guard Rashad McCants said he feels "totally healthy" for the first time since college. He said he feels a big increase in his quickness as well, a positive sign for a player a year and a half removed from right knee surgery.

In his article at Hoopsworld, Stephen Litel wonders if Ricky Davis really has "the flu." He also notes that Trent Hassell seemed like he did not care, Mark Blount "looked lost," and Marko Jaric "has barely cracked a smile since arriving in the Twin Cities."

Laurence Farah/Timberwolves site with Craig Smith's response to "which two Wolves players he thinks have a great opportunity to step up and lead the team this season":

I think it’s going to be a couple of young guys stepping up to the occasion. I think Rashad and Randy will be able to step up and put themselves in a leadership role.

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