Britt Robson/On The Ball on Saturday’s scrimmage:
I still don’t see how this team copes defensively if Love and Jefferson are the front court combo, but I’m getting ahead of myself so that’s all I’ll say for now. Speaking strictly of Saturday’s play, you could see that Love’s legs were going by how often his shot was either front-iron or artificially long in an attempt to compensate. But that’s okay, he’ll get in shape. Less excusable was his frequent inability to box out on the boards. BTW, of all the things I gleaned during the Media Day interviews last Monday, the one that hasn’t really been quoted in the dailies and on other blogs is how much Shaddy gushed over Love. He’s really excited and genuinely impressed by Love’s play during the summer.
Zgoda said the organization is raving about Love’s considerable “basketball IQ” and the upside of the kid who turned 20 on Sept. 7. The Timberwolves were so enamored that they traded for Love on draft day after Memphis took him with the fifth pick.
Nevertheless, there are going to be tough days along the rookie road, even for someone of Love’s considerable skills, and Friday was one of those times.
Zgoda said Love was tough on himself after practice and said he felt “lost” on a couple of plays…
Kevin Love hit the rookie wall at the end of the Wolves’ five-day training camp, but coach Randy Wittman said the first-year forward bounced back strong during today’s practice.
“Actually, Kevin Love had his best practice of the year so far,” Wittman said. “He said his legs felt a lot better today.”
Best practice in what way?
“Just his activity, his recognition, all the things that we’ve talked about,” Wittman said. “His mind was much sharper. His first step was much quicker. When you’re tired and sore, all those things are going to be slowed down.”
KAAL TV talks to Ryan Gomes about his contract, the Celtics, and his hometown of Waterbury, CT (video).
Brian Stensaas/Star Tribune on Brian Cardinal:
“It’s hard. It’s disappointing,” Cardinal said of the past few seasons. In fact, he failed to appear in 23 games last year because he was stuck on the bench. “But the beauty of this league [is] you worry about the things you can control. If you worry about the things you can’t control, it messes with your mind.”
One thing Cardinal, 31, can control is his attitude toward the game.
“The NBA’s a crazy league, a crazy business,” he said. “I’m excited to be here. I don’t know if it’s going to turn into a lot of minutes. Who knows? I just want to go out there and put on a Timberwolves uniform. That’s awesome.”
Adding to Cardinal’s excitement of being in Minnesota are his family roots here…
Bob Sansevere/Pioneer Press has a Q&A with Wolves owner Glen Taylor:
Pet peeves? In my business world, it’s people who can’t make a decision. In the everyday world, it’s people who are inconsiderate drivers, mostly because they put other people in danger. I served in politics (in the Minnesota state Legislature). I see politics today and the insincerity of politicians. It kind of ticks me off. They don’t have to play those games.
I’m a person who has learned a lot by asking questions of others. I learned a long time ago about using your gut instincts. When I went to Harvard (School of Business), there was the whole idea of win-win. At Harvard, I took a class and that’s what it was called: Win-Win. Every time in negotiations, I look at their side also and try to get a win-win. That has made a huge difference in my life. In buying the Timberwolves, I thought, “What do I have to do for Marv and Harv (former Wolves owners Marv Wolfenson (top ) and Harvey Ratner) to make it positive for them, so they had pride in selling the club, and still make it positive for me?”
Fortunate one No. 1 is forward Juwan Howard, who had his contract bought out before last season by Minnesota for more than $10 million. He’ll make $5.16 million this season courtesy of the Timberwolves, who also will pay Troy Hudson $5 million this season to not play.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
