Al Jefferson showed up 31 pounds lighter than he was last season — down to 262 from 293 — and said he will be spry enough now to run with a team that Kurt Rambis wants to push it. He also proved that hope does spring eternal and praise gushes unfettered with the arrival of every new season when he basically suggested Jonny Flynn could be the next Chris Paul.
Rambis proposed Jefferson will sit for some of training camp’s evening two-a-day practices that begin today in Mankato to help prevent swelling and soreness in Jefferson’s surgically repaired right knee.
Though Flynn already has been told he will start for the Timberwolves this season, he made sure there was no confusion Monday about which player carries the club’s identity. Flynn handed off that distinction to Al Jefferson.
“This is Al’s team,” Flynn said of the Wolves’ hard-working forward/center. “Whenever we need a big basket, we’re going to him in the post.”
Moments later, during the Wolves’ media day event at Target Center, Flynn heard that Jefferson had compared him to Chris Paul, the New Orleans Hornets’ all-star point guard.
“To be compared like that before I played a game in this league is crazy,” Flynn said, blushing. “I’m not going to comment on that. Hopefully, I can be as valuable to this team as Paul is to New Orleans.”
Second-year forward Kevin Love believes he can improve on the 29 double-doubles (points-rebounds) he had last season with at least “10 more minutes” per game.
Love, who made 37 starts last season, averaged 25.2 minutes. His 29 double-doubles were tops among NBA rookies last season.
“I want to raise that by a considerable amount,” said Love, who averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Love hopes his defensive work in the offseason will contribute to his double-double goal.
Rambis takes over as coach of a young and rebuilding team that has plenty of learning to do. Eleven players on the training camp roster are under the age of 26, with the Timberwolves core of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Jonny Flynn all 24 or younger.
So there will be plenty of teaching starting in Mankato on Tuesday and, in all likelihood, for the next couple of years.
“I’m going to be very demanding of the players,” Rambis said on Monday at the team’s media day. “I’m not a yeller and a screamer. There might be a few points in time during the season where that happens, but I see myself more as an educator for the players to get them to understand how to play the right way; how to play together.”
BS: You’ve got a new coaching staff. Is there a lot of excitement going into the season with these coaches?
AJ: These guys all are used to winning. We’ve really got like four head coaches on one staff. I’m really excited. I’ve got Dave Wohl back. He was one of the coaches I had in Boston who helped get my game to another level. They’re going to get the best out of us. That’s what we need.
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