The Timberwolves opened training camp with two practices Tuesday at Minnesota State’s Bresnan Arena and will continue with two practices today. There will be just one practice on Thursday and two on Friday, with the evening practice at Bethany Lutheran. The team will work out Saturday morning before holding a scrimmage at 7 p.m. that day. Only the scrimmage is open to the public…
The Timberwolves signed veteran guard Kevin Ollie on Tuesday, and he reported to Mankato in time for the evening practice. … Jefferson (knee), center Jason Collins and center Calvin Booth (back spasms) did not participate in the portion of practice that was open to the media.
From KEYC.tv : “Twolves Invade Mankato” segment of its news broadcast. Features Coach Wittman, Kevin McHale, and some of the players talking about the season (video).
With the addition of rookie forward Kevin Love and sharpshooter Mike Miller, the Timberwolves are confident in their ability to score this season.
That’s why they spent their first two practices of training camp Tuesday working on their defense.
Coach Randy Wittman, asked if that would be the emphasis for this week, said: “That’s until they show me that they’ve got it.”
The Wolves ranked 21st among the 30 NBA teams in defense last season, allowing 102.3 points per game.
Injured Al Jefferson participated in “dummy” portions early in both practice sessions Tuesday and then watched from an exercise bike or the stands. One advantage to training in the hometown of the team owner: He and Glen Taylor engaged each other in a lengthy conversation from the front row during the night practice.
Forward Craig Smith participated fully in both practice and declared himself completely recovered from August knee surgery.
At 9 a.m. today, Timberwolves owner and MSU graduate Glen Taylor will thank Mankato for its support during a talk at Ostrander Auditorium. Also today, Kevin Love and Randy Foye will be visiting patients at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital.
On Thursday, Corey Brewer and members of the coaching staff are holding an afternoon basketball clinic at Mankato East Junior High. On Friday, managerial staff will package meals for Kids Against Hunger.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves conducting training camp all week in Mankato, Tuesday’s crowd was waiting for players Ryan Gomes and Rashad McCants to arrive at the school and kick off a week’s worth of community events with a book-reading for Franklin students.
KEYC.tv has some video footage of Gomes and McCants reading “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” to some of the kids at Franklin Elementary.