From the Timberwolves site:
In response to the likelihood of former Timberwolves player Kevin
Garnett not being able to participate in Friday night’s game between
Minnesota and Boston, the Timberwolves announced Thursday that all fans
in attendance will receive a voucher redeemable for one ticket to an
upcoming Wolves game. The gesture is in recognition of the special
circumstance of Garnett’s return to Minnesota, the fan sentiment
surrounding this game and also serves as a thank you to loyal Wolves
fans in attendance.
Instead, the Wolves have received a one-minute exemption from the NBA
in their pregame routine tonight to acknowledge Garnett’s presence on
the Boston bench just before the Celtics starters are introduced. Then,
he is expected to retreat to the locker room just down the hall from
where he resided for 12 seasons to watch the game from a location he
insists upon when he’s not healthy enough to play.
in their pregame routine tonight to acknowledge Garnett’s presence on
the Boston bench just before the Celtics starters are introduced. Then,
he is expected to retreat to the locker room just down the hall from
where he resided for 12 seasons to watch the game from a location he
insists upon when he’s not healthy enough to play.
The only potential hang-up in the plan is that
Garnett must agree to break from his routine, which has included
watching games from the locker room instead of on the team bench during
his five-game absence because of his abdominal injury.
Garnett must agree to break from his routine, which has included
watching games from the locker room instead of on the team bench during
his five-game absence because of his abdominal injury.
Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale tried to shrug off the significance of Garnett’s return.
“It’s a transient business by nature,” McHale said. “You get kind of used to it, I guess.”
After a bit of prodding, however, McHale said he’d be happy to see Garnett again.
“I’m not going to go down there and invade their locker room,” he said.
“I’d imagine if I run into him, I’d like to see him. I love Kevin.”
With Garnett injured, the spotlight will fall on
Jefferson, the key player the Wolves acquired in the trade with Boston
last summer. Tonight’s game is the only one involving the Wolves
scheduled to be televised nationally this season.
Jefferson, the key player the Wolves acquired in the trade with Boston
last summer. Tonight’s game is the only one involving the Wolves
scheduled to be televised nationally this season.
"I haven’t had many in my career," Jefferson said. "It’s always fun to be playing on national TV."
From Mad Dog’s blog:
But regardless we are read for this game. We felt we played great in
Boston earlier in the season and gave ourselves a chance to win on the
road. Our practice today was high energy and intense. Theo Ratliff
got some live repetitions today in practice too, so that was great
news.
Jim Souhan/Star Tribune on KG’s celebration after the Celtics one-point win over the Wolves in January:
That was embarrassing. So tonight as all you nostalgic Wolves fans
fondly remember the departed superstar, I’ll be watching the other
team, the team that did what it had to do in trading Garnett, the team
that, now that it finally has started competing, has more to offer than
its record indicates.
Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune talks about Garnett and tonight’s game with:
Kevin Garnett’s abdominal strain and unavailability for tonight’s game
at the Target Center in Minneapolis has clarified one very important
part of Bill Beise’s life: The longtime Timberwolves season
ticket-holder can resort to his usual day-of-game routine, arriving at
his courtside seat, across from the visitors’ bench, about five minutes
before tipoff.
at the Target Center in Minneapolis has clarified one very important
part of Bill Beise’s life: The longtime Timberwolves season
ticket-holder can resort to his usual day-of-game routine, arriving at
his courtside seat, across from the visitors’ bench, about five minutes
before tipoff.
"Frankly, for the last two months or so, I was feeling like I didn’t
even want to go to the game," said Beise, a familiar figure to everyone
in the Target Center for the way he crouches in front of his seat and
holds the game program, looking like a head coach. "It wasn’t the
happiest day for me when he was traded, although it made it a little
bit easier in that he was in favor of it. But to see him live and in
person again, right in front of me, with all that energy and passion, I
think it would have been just too hard.
even want to go to the game," said Beise, a familiar figure to everyone
in the Target Center for the way he crouches in front of his seat and
holds the game program, looking like a head coach. "It wasn’t the
happiest day for me when he was traded, although it made it a little
bit easier in that he was in favor of it. But to see him live and in
person again, right in front of me, with all that energy and passion, I
think it would have been just too hard.
The Timberwolves’ only national television appearance of the season
was scheduled for tonight on ESPN with the expectation Kevin Garnett
would play his first game back at Target Center after an offseason
trade to Boston. That’s not going to happen with Garnett expected to
sit out because of injury.
was scheduled for tonight on ESPN with the expectation Kevin Garnett
would play his first game back at Target Center after an offseason
trade to Boston. That’s not going to happen with Garnett expected to
sit out because of injury.
"It certainly hurts the luster of the game," ESPN analyst Jon Barry
said. "Thankfully, Minnesota is playing a little better of late, and Al
Jefferson is a guy who warrants attention throughout the league."
Previews of tonight’s game: