Players who normally adhere to a “business casual” dress code — more a guideline than a rule — got all dressed up for the short ride to EnergySolutions Arena. It was the point guard’s idea for every player to pack a suit before they left the Twin Cities last week and wear it to Tuesday’s game.
Presidential Inauguration Day.
“Just show a little bit of unity within the team and show some respect for Obama being elected,” Wolves guard Randy Foye said
Nearly every Timberwolf player and coach watched Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremonies after he awoke and before the team’s morning shootaround. Some watched longer than others.
“Let’s just say I needed a call to get me out of my room to come to the meeting this morning,” assistant coach Ed Pinckney said of the team’s regular morning coaches’ meeting.
Soon after McHale took over the coaching reins, Love went through a period where his game went into a funk. He scored in single figures in eight straight games and, over one three-game stretch, averaged only 10 minutes as a reserve. Part of that was a bit of rookie treatment from the coach.
“He told me I had to earn my minutes,” Love says. “It’s been a different situation than in high school and college, where I was the man. Now I’m coming off the bench. But like my dad has always told me, ‘Get it done in the minutes you get.’ “
Part of the problem, Love theorizes, was the rookie wall.
“I think I hit it a few weeks back,” he says. “I had a little bit of a down point in December. My body was kind of aching. Now I’ve pushed through it, and I feel great. I’ve figured out what I can do.”
Incredibly, Bud Grant and Tom Kelly aren’t among a list of nominees for an ESPN “Mount Rushmore of Sports” promotion representing icons of Minnesota. The nominees: Herb Brooks, George Mikan, Neal Broten, Rod Carew, Carl Eller, John Gagliardi, Kevin Garnett, Harmon Killebrew, Johnny Mayasich, Kevin McHale, Paul Molitor, Jack Morris, Bronko Nagurski, Alan Page, Kirby Puckett, Bruce Smith, Fran Tarkenton, Dave Winfield, Kent Hrbek and John Mariucci.
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