Next week, Friday and Saturday, will be the big workouts featuring candidates for their sixth overall pick.
It’s confirmed… Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn will be on FOX 9 Sports Primetime Saturday night at 9:45.
John Hollinger/ESPN lists the Timberwolves at #26 in his all-time NBA franchise rankings.
For a fun exercise some time, try to imagine how awful the Timberwolves’ history would be if they hadn’t selected Kevin Garnett with the fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft. They were terrible before drafting him, averaging 61 losses a season over their first six years, and have been awful since dealing him, winning 22 and 24 games the past two seasons.
But for a decade in between, they were decent, and that’s what keeps them out of the bottom of these rankings. Minnesota made eight straight playoff appearances with Garnett under head coach Flip Saunders. Unfortunately, the first seven ended with first-round defeats.
From an interview Mitch Hylton (aka Master Po)/CelticsBlog conducted with Bill Russell:
MCB – Speaking of young players what are you thoughts on Al Jefferson and his future in the NBA?

BR – Well, you know I never do that. I am one of the guys that I don’t think you have ever heard me make a prediction

MCB – No, not that I recall, no sir.

BR – I don’t do that because I am one of the old old old people and I can wait for them to play the games.

MCB – (laughing out loud) I love that answer, that’s very good (Bill chuckles in the background) That’s a nice answer. I just don’t think when Al Jefferson plays the games this year, I will not be watch his box scores if does well, as I really enjoyed watching him play as a Celtic.

From The Howlin’ T-Wolf: Draft Analysis…
Thabeet is the perfect example of a player fitting a team need. The Wolves are small in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love forced to play the center position without a seven-footer on the roster. Thabeet will instantly bring a defensive presence to a Minnesota squad that ranked 27th in the league in shot blocking. If the Wolves select Thabeet, Jefferson can move to his more natural position at the power forward spot much like Tim Duncan in San Antonio. Thabeet will not feel the pressure of most top draft picks to carry a team on the offensive side of the floor. The Wolves will rely on Thabeet to simply focus on defense and rebounding, two essential areas of needed improvement.
From Mad Dog’s Blog: Phil Jackson as a Coach
But coaching will have to wait. For now, he’s determined to make it back to the NBA where he hopes to join former Gator teammates David Lee, Anthony Roberson, Corey Brewer and Horford and Noah next season. From a health standpoint, he says he’s as pain free as he’s been in a long, long time. His once sore knees still get iced down after every workout but that’s more of a precaution than a necessity.

The back injury has healed and he says he’s pain free once again.

“I’m feeling better than I’ve ever felt,” he said. “I’m healthy. I just have to get into game shape for the Summer League.”