Obama’s visit to the Twin Cities just three days
before Minnesota’s precinct caucuses could be well attended by the
local NBA team, with some players saying they are interested in being
there.
before Minnesota’s precinct caucuses could be well attended by the
local NBA team, with some players saying they are interested in being
there.
"I like his message of change and trying to bring
the country in a new direction," said center Michael Doleac, who said
he would attend the rally with his wife. "I like a lot of his ideas on
the economy, the environment, on Iraq. It’s exciting also just to get
to see him in person and be a part of the whole campaign process."
the country in a new direction," said center Michael Doleac, who said
he would attend the rally with his wife. "I like a lot of his ideas on
the economy, the environment, on Iraq. It’s exciting also just to get
to see him in person and be a part of the whole campaign process."
Point guard Sebastian Telfair said he plans to attend as well. He said he likes Obama’s leadership with a "positive message."
Walker is indeed being a professional, but his discomfort over his
place with Minnesota’s young guns is obvious at times. One day Walker
can be the veteran leader the team needs, the next he barely speaks
with his teammates.
place with Minnesota’s young guns is obvious at times. One day Walker
can be the veteran leader the team needs, the next he barely speaks
with his teammates.
"We’re playing good basketball right now, but I mean, it’s tough.
This is a new thing I’m doing. I’m just trying to adapt to the
situation," said Walker. "I want to be on the court playing, so right
now the youth movement they’re going with and are going young. I just
come in, play spot minutes, and try to be as productive as possible
without hurting the team. We’ll see what happens."
This is a new thing I’m doing. I’m just trying to adapt to the
situation," said Walker. "I want to be on the court playing, so right
now the youth movement they’re going with and are going young. I just
come in, play spot minutes, and try to be as productive as possible
without hurting the team. We’ll see what happens."
When
the game is close in the final moments, Timberwolves forward Al
Jefferson has a different mentality than Kevin Garnett did when he was
the Wolves’ star player. Jefferson wants the ball.
the game is close in the final moments, Timberwolves forward Al
Jefferson has a different mentality than Kevin Garnett did when he was
the Wolves’ star player. Jefferson wants the ball.
"Most definitely," Jefferson said. "I want it. I
want it! I don’t have to take the shot, but I want the ball because if
I see double teams, I can hit the open guy. If I don’t see double
teams, I can score."
want it! I don’t have to take the shot, but I want the ball because if
I see double teams, I can hit the open guy. If I don’t see double
teams, I can score."
Jefferson’s
offensive game is fine, but Wolves coach Randy Wittman said the power
forward has "got to get a better head for the game defensively."
offensive game is fine, but Wolves coach Randy Wittman said the power
forward has "got to get a better head for the game defensively."
From Keloland.com:
Minnesota Timberwolves assignee Chris Richard scored 10 points to go
along with 11 rebounds in his first game with the Skyforce. After being
the only team in the D-League without an NBA assigned player for most
of the season, Sioux Falls now has two in Davidson and Richard.
along with 11 rebounds in his first game with the Skyforce. After being
the only team in the D-League without an NBA assigned player for most
of the season, Sioux Falls now has two in Davidson and Richard.
Al Jefferson could be this year’s Jalen Rose, though a more optimistic view might say he is this year’s Carmelo Anthony, another young talent who needed an extra season or two to get some All-Star traction with the voters. Jefferson, the anchor of a bad-but-young (or is it young-but-bad?) Minnesota Timberwolves team, has posted stats this season that leap off the page. He gives these snaggletoothed Wolves what fangs they have, sitting at 9-36 on Thursday when the Western and Eastern Conference reserves were announced for the big event Feb. 17 in New Orleans…
Wolves Watch on Jefferson not making the All-Star team.
Wolves forward Al Jefferson said he wasn’t surprised he didn’t make the NBA’s all-star team this year, adding he knew it was coming. The reserves were announced Thursday, and Jefferson didn’t garner enough votes from Western Conference coaches to make the team.
“Josh Howard didn’t make it. Shawn Marion didn’t make it,” Jefferson said today. “Those are guys who are supposed to be there. I can’t complain.”
When Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy looks at recent video of the Wolves, he sees a team that has improved dramatically since the last time the two teams met on Dec. 31. Back then, the Wolves were in the middle of an eight-game losing streak. The Wolves entered Friday’s game having won four of six.
"I think they’re defending better," Dunleavy said. "I think their guys are in a better rhythm; they’re playing better together. A lot of that is just getting familiar with each other. But they’re more fluid together. And Jefferson is playing great."
Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site talks to Jim Petersen about the team’s stellar week.
Fromt the Timberwolves site:
Throughout the month of February, the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation
will focus its efforts on celebrating black leaders in the community
and throughout history.
will focus its efforts on celebrating black leaders in the community
and throughout history.
"You always maintain an interest in the players you were involved in
acquiring, no matter where they end up or where you end up," says
Babcock, now an assistant general manager with the Minnesota
Timberwolves after being fired by the Raptors as general manager nearly
two years ago. "You always take a little closer look at the box score
with those guys, and when it’s a guy like Jose, who’s a quality person
and a quality player who does things the right way, you are even more
interested in seeing them do well."
acquiring, no matter where they end up or where you end up," says
Babcock, now an assistant general manager with the Minnesota
Timberwolves after being fired by the Raptors as general manager nearly
two years ago. "You always take a little closer look at the box score
with those guys, and when it’s a guy like Jose, who’s a quality person
and a quality player who does things the right way, you are even more
interested in seeing them do well."