The Timberwolves continue to prepare Fred Hoiberg
for the possibility of eventually taking over control of basketball
operations.
for the possibility of eventually taking over control of basketball
operations.
"We’re getting him involved in all parts, and this coming year, we’ll get him some more responsibilities," owner Glen Taylor said.
-Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said head of basketball operations Kevin McHale is not on the hot seat. "I don’t put people on the hot seat," he said.
From Sid Hartman:
The Timberwolves have two second-round draft choices in addition to
their first-round pick. If it’s possible to draft a European player
with their own second-round pick, the plan is to have him play another
season in Europe unless he is ready to play in the NBA immediately.
their first-round pick. If it’s possible to draft a European player
with their own second-round pick, the plan is to have him play another
season in Europe unless he is ready to play in the NBA immediately.
The only time the Wolves drafted as high as third was in 1992, when
they fell two places, missing Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning and
winding up with the obnoxious and mediocre Christian Laettner.
they fell two places, missing Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning and
winding up with the obnoxious and mediocre Christian Laettner.
Prediction: The Wolves will fall to fifth in this draft and wind up
with O.J. Mayo, the 6-5 guard from Southern Cal. The last time the
Wolves selected a 6-5 guard with the fifth pick it was UNLV’s J.R.
Rider in 1993.
with O.J. Mayo, the 6-5 guard from Southern Cal. The last time the
Wolves selected a 6-5 guard with the fifth pick it was UNLV’s J.R.
Rider in 1993.
Bob Finnan/News-Herald on the possibility of the Wolves drafting O.J. Mayo:
Two connections to keep in mind: Mayo’s agent is Bill Duffy, head of a
Northern California sports agency that allegedly supplied cash and
gifts in return for the right to represent Mayo when he turned pro (he
vehemently denied the report). Duffy is the former college roommate of
Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale. Mayo’s college coach was Tim
Floyd, who coached Wolves assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg at
Iowa State.
Northern California sports agency that allegedly supplied cash and
gifts in return for the right to represent Mayo when he turned pro (he
vehemently denied the report). Duffy is the former college roommate of
Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale. Mayo’s college coach was Tim
Floyd, who coached Wolves assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg at
Iowa State.
When asked if the allegations about Mayo would affect the Wolves’ draft
opinion about him, Hoiberg said he had talked to Floyd "a lot" about a
number of his USC players.
opinion about him, Hoiberg said he had talked to Floyd "a lot" about a
number of his USC players.
"I can’t really comment specifically, but when you get to know the kids
and get the chance to talk to them, that plays a much more important
role," Hoiberg said.
and get the chance to talk to them, that plays a much more important
role," Hoiberg said.
The last 10 players selected with the seventh overall pick were Corey
Brewer by Minnesota, Randy Foye by Boston, Charlie Villanueva by
Toronto, Luol Deng by Phoenix, Kirk Hinrich by Chicago, Nene by New
York, Eddie Griffin by New Jersey, Chris Mihm by Texas, Rip Hamilton by
Washington, and Jason Williams by Sacramento.
Brewer by Minnesota, Randy Foye by Boston, Charlie Villanueva by
Toronto, Luol Deng by Phoenix, Kirk Hinrich by Chicago, Nene by New
York, Eddie Griffin by New Jersey, Chris Mihm by Texas, Rip Hamilton by
Washington, and Jason Williams by Sacramento.
Former Celtics star turned Minnesota Timberwolf Antoine Walker catching the Spurs/Hornets game over dinner at Sonsie . . .