Preseason in Turkey
The Timberwolves flew by chartered aircraft Saturday afternoon to
Istanbul, Turkey, with a copy of the 1978 film "Midnight Express" in
hand and newly acquired Greg Buckner, newly signed Chris Richard and ailing Ricky Davis on board...
Richard, a second-round pick from the University of Florida who missed
Friday's media day, signed Saturday morning and then participated in
the team's opening practice of training camp at Target Center. Davis
missed both media day and Saturday's opening practice because he was
ill, team officials said, but he joined his teammates later in the day
for the overnight flight to Turkey...
The Wolves will participate in five community
relations events while in Europe. Owner Glen Taylor, who will attend
training camp, spearheaded an effort to distribute hearing aids to more
than 1,000 children on Oct. 5 in Turkey. Other events include the
dedication of a new school in Istanbul, a city devastated by an
earthquake in 1999.
Through all the experiences, from practice to charity events, the players hope to bond.
"You can take advantage of that, being together, out
of the country, not knowing anybody there but each other," forward Al
Jefferson said. "Being out of the country is good. Not having all the
(distractions) bother you off the court when you're here, I think it's
going to help us more than hurt us."
Besides owner Glen Taylor, a half-dozen
limited partners and spouses are making the training camp trip with the
Timberwolves on a charter flight to Istanbul, Turkey, and London. NBA
Commissioner David Stern also will be in Istanbul and London. Four security agencies are with the team.
Timberwolves will be the first NBA team
visiting Turkey, and is expected to be in Istanbul around noon on
Sunday, according to the report.
It added that besides training camp to
take place in Istanbul between September 30th and October 5th, the
Minnesota Timberwolves will play a friendly match with Turkey's Efes
Pilsen at the Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall on October 6th.
