Click here for the forum’s thread on tonight’s game against Portland.
Previews of the game:
Wolves center Al Jefferson returned to practice today after missing Thursday to attend to some personal business.
Speaking for the first time since Tuesday’s 113-110 overtime loss at Golden State, Jefferson admitted to some frustration that he got just one shot in the final 8:09 of regulation and the OT.
By the same token, he said he also has to do a better job of moving the ball when he gets double-teamed.
Whenever a team starts with a 1-6 record speculation turns to the coach, but Randy Wittman insists he isn’t concerned about his future.
The Timberwolves coach also received a strong vote of support Friday from his best player, center Al Jefferson.
“It ain’t got nothing to do with Coach,” Jefferson said. “I think Coach prepares us real well every game before the game. … We’ve just got to go out there and do it. He can’t play the game for us. I think that’s BS, people trying to blame him. If you’re going to blame somebody, blame us; blame the players. Because we’re the ones out there playing. We’re the ones out there running the offense, playing defense. It’s not Coach.”
The addition of Oden, however, adds size to the already long Blazers lineup. So while the game plan might be the same tonight, there is a new big guy to account for.
To counter, Wittman could choose to activate 7-foot center Jason Collins for the first time this season to help an undersized Minnesota lineup. Collins, traded to Minnesota from Memphis on draft night, had elbow surgery in September but he has been practicing fully since late last month.
Wittman was noncommittal Friday when asked if it was time for Collins to get playing time, especially with a big team on the horizon. “Could,” was all Wittman offered.
Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site talks to Al Jefferson, Assistant coach JB Bickerstaff, and Coach Wittman (audio).
Long lines, security checkpoints, and hurried travelers are the all apart of the everyday life at the Minneapolis St.Paul International Airport. Thursday displayed an entirely different environment for the Northwest Airlines employees. The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked-off a partnership with the airlines that is now entering 82 years of service along with the 20th anniversary for the Wolves. Mike Miller joined the festivities to sign autographs and greet the NWA employees.
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