He and Kahn also said there is nothing to reports that the Wolves’ coaching decision is a possible factor in Rubio’s decision of whether to play in the NBA this season, denying that the Spanish point guard has expressed his preference to the team.
“That is absolutely false,” Kahn said.
“That hasn’t been part of it,” Taylor added. “As far as Ricky, his comments (to us) have been that he wants to come here. He has no conditions. He would just like to get his buyout resolved so he can afford to come here. You know, he wants to play. He just wants to play.”
“I think if you’re going to hire a coach, my personal feeling, and this is me, maybe I’m a fool, bringing someone into a hotel suite or a conference room is fine,” Kahn said. “But I felt like the court is their work space and part of the second round is to take people out there and go over some X’s-and-O’s stuff so they can show me right there.”
League sources say the finalists include ABC-TV analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams. Jackson has been considered the front-runner.
Kahn recently returned from Spain, where he met with Ricky Rubio(notes), the Timberwolves’ first-round pick. Kahn hoped to help Rubio find a way to lower the buyout with his Spanish team, but would not discuss specifics of the trip.
“With Rubio, I’m just trying to make sure we don’t overstep our bounds while we go through this stuff,” Kahn said.
The centerpiece of Prentiss’ 2003 state championship team rbrought former teammate and current Boston Celtic Tony Allen to what looks to be an annual event. The event was held on the exact same floor where Jefferson, Mississippi’s Mr. Basketball in 2004, announced he would skip college and enter the NBA draft.
“Around this area, it’s a once in a lifetime event for a NBA player to come (put on) a camp,” Jefferson said. “That’s what it’s all about, the kids.
“That’s how quick life can turn around. I was them.”
“We have a new general manager and his vision is different than what it was before,” Gomes said. “We have a lot of new players and I think we’re going to play a different style of basketball. We’re going to be more up-tempo with the guys we have now. It should be exciting.
“Kahn is making his mark and trying to shake things up. Obviously, the last two years we haven’t won many games. It was time for a change.”
The pros took a break from basketball to help build a home for a Cloquet family through Habitat for Humanity.
Forward Ryan Gomes talked about how much he enjoys giving back to the people of Minnesota.
“This is a wonderful thing; this is something that they’re going to remember. This is going to be the home that they live in for years to come. So we’re a part of this wonderful day and when they go into their homes they’ll remember us and we’ll remember them, because this is something that is going to be special and dear to their heart and something that means a lot to them.”
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