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Game previews:
Kevin Love participated in almost a complete practice on Saturday, taking part in the drills and running through the Wolves’ offensive and defensive playbook. “The only limiting factor right now is contact — that’s the only thing I can’t do,” said Love, out since training camp after having surgery on his left hand. “I’m just waiting for another X-ray before they tell me I’m good to go.” His next exam should take place next Friday, Love said, “and if it’s OK, I’ll need a week or a half-week of practice to get ready.”
Saturday was the one-month anniversary of the Wolves’ only victory, and they marked the occasion with “one of the best practices we’ve had all season,” said point guard Ramon Sessions said.
So will it produce an end to the losing streak?
“I hope so,” forward Ryan Gomes sighed. “A win would make a huge difference. There’s this weight on our shoulders right now.”
Rambis conducted a lively two-hour practice on Thanksgiving morning intended to be fun and festive. Guards went against big men in drills and a scrimmage.
“I was thinking the worst, especially the way we played the night before,” Jefferson said of the holiday practice. “It was a fun practice. We laughed. We got work done, but coach was trying to show us a good time, put a smile on our face, loosen us up. Hopefully, it will work.”
“There was no tape on the glasses,” Rambis said before Friday night’s game against Phoenix at Target Center. “I’ve had people argue with me about that. It was a piece of protective rubber. Somehow, when it was photographed on TV and reflected under the lights in the arena, it looked like that.”
The black-rimmed glasses were part of Rambis’ legacy as an overachieving player, earning him the nickname “Superman” for his resemblance to the Clark Kent character that changed into the legendary super hero.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune: The Wolves will have valuable cap space and draft picks next summer, so it’s never too early to start speculating.
Team owner Glen Taylor, whose Timberwolves are off to a 1-15 start, says the team has the money to attract free agents next summer.
“Money is always the most dominant thing, but players have to see there is a positive direction, they probably have to like the coaching staff, and it’s certainly harder to do that when you are building than it is for those teams that are near the top,” he said. “On the other hand, some of those teams are not in a position to pay these guys what we and some other teams would be able to.
“We’ve positioned ourselves, moneywise, to do that.”
Also from Walters:
The Timberwolves, losers of 15 straight games, say they are not working on any trades.
