Kahn has said that he plans to have his prospective coach sit down with Taylor before making any hire, but Taylor said that meeting has yet to take place.

He and Kahn also said there is nothing to reports that the Wolves’ coaching decision is a possible factor in Rubio’s decision of whether to play in the NBA this season, denying that the Spanish point guard has expressed his preference to the team.

“That is absolutely false,” Kahn said.

“That hasn’t been part of it,” Taylor added. “As far as Ricky, his comments (to us) have been that he wants to come here. He has no conditions. He would just like to get his buyout resolved so he can afford to come here. You know, he wants to play. He just wants to play.”

Minnesota Timberwolves general manager David Kahn confirmed he has begun the second round of interviews for the team’s head-coaching position. Kahn said he planned to have the candidates show some of their coaching techniques on the court but wouldn’t discuss other details of the search.

“I think if you’re going to hire a coach, my personal feeling, and this is me, maybe I’m a fool, bringing someone into a hotel suite or a conference room is fine,” Kahn said. “But I felt like the court is their work space and part of the second round is to take people out there and go over some X’s-and-O’s stuff so they can show me right there.”

League sources say the finalists include ABC-TV analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams. Jackson has been considered the front-runner.

Kahn recently returned from Spain, where he met with Ricky Rubio(notes), the Timberwolves’ first-round pick. Kahn hoped to help Rubio find a way to lower the buyout with his Spanish team, but would not discuss specifics of the trip.

“With Rubio, I’m just trying to make sure we don’t overstep our bounds while we go through this stuff,” Kahn said.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson wrapped up his three day basketball camp today at Prentiss High School after nearly 300 players participated in the free camp.

The centerpiece of Prentiss’ 2003 state championship team rbrought former teammate and current Boston Celtic Tony Allen to what looks to be an annual event. The event was held on the exact same floor where Jefferson, Mississippi’s Mr. Basketball in 2004, announced he would skip college and enter the NBA draft.

“Around this area, it’s a once in a lifetime event for a NBA player to come (put on) a camp,” Jefferson said. “That’s what it’s all about, the kids.

“That’s how quick life can turn around. I was them.”

Minnesota Timberwolves Forward and Prentiss native Al Jefferson will be on hand to help international hunger relief organization Feed The Children distribute 400 families with boxes of food and personal care items from 9 -11 a.m. on Saturday, August 1 at South Pleasant Hills Baptist Church (191 South Pleasant Hill Rd.) in Prentiss.
The moves should allow the Wolves to be major players in the 2010 free agent class.

“We have a new general manager and his vision is different than what it was before,” Gomes said. “We have a lot of new players and I think we’re going to play a different style of basketball. We’re going to be more up-tempo with the guys we have now. It should be exciting.

“Kahn is making his mark and trying to shake things up. Obviously, the last two years we haven’t won many games. It was time for a change.”

Some Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to the Northland Friday for a good cause.

The pros took a break from basketball to help build a home for a Cloquet family through Habitat for Humanity.

Forward Ryan Gomes talked about how much he enjoys giving back to the people of Minnesota.

“This is a wonderful thing; this is something that they’re going to remember. This is going to be the home that they live in for years to come. So we’re a part of this wonderful day and when they go into their homes they’ll remember us and we’ll remember them, because this is something that is going to be special and dear to their heart and something that means a lot to them.”

Susan Bible/Hoopsworld ranks the Western Conference teams.
15.  Minnesota Timberwolves:  The team with no head coach.  I think they’ve narrowed it down to 19 candidates and will make a decision by the third preseason game.  It would behoove them to select a coach that can give instruction on defense.  GM David Kahn said last month that the Wolves are undergoing a 15-month plan in addressing their roster needs, so with that, they get to be placed last on my list.  Kahn’s not afraid of change though and is definitely setting himself up for flexibility with all the moving around.  I like draftee Jonny Flynn’s potential and hope the Wolves throw their support behind him, because this Rubio drama is so draining.  I’m over it and unconvinced he’s worth all the hoopla.  Scoring and rebounding phenom Al Jefferson is reportedly healing well and will report to training camp.  And here’s hoping Corey Brewer can show us what he’s got.