The coaching search has slowed this week, with Kahn traveling to Spain to discuss point guard Ricky Rubio’s possible contract buyout, but speculation has focused on assistant coaches Elston Turner of Houston, Kurt Rambis of the Los Angeles Lakers and Terry Stotts of Dallas, and television analyst Mark Jackson.
“I have a pretty good relationship with (Jackson),” Love said. “I feel with our new point guards, he would be great.”
One of those point guards is Rubio, the Timberwolves’ first-round draft choice. Love applauded Kahn’s decision to make the trip overseas.
“He’s just doing everything possible to set our team up for some good wins next year and to grow,” Love said. “With him going over there, it shows that he cares and he wants Ricky on our team.”
Love also wants Rubio on the team and is energized about the possibility of playing alongside the star of Spanish club DKV Joventut.
“He would bring even more excitement to the team and I think he’ll definitely make our team better,” Love said. “He can run the floor and pass very well. There’s no doubt I can play with him.”
The rookie point guards did not disappoint. Jonny Flynn(notes) (15.0 points, 7.4 assists) impressed scouts with his vocal leadership skills, directing a team of temporary players around the court like he had been playing with them for years.
Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn was asked how forward Corey Brewer looked in the Las Vegas summer league after sitting out most of last season with a knee injury. “There’s some rust on Corey,” Kahn said. “It’s inevitable. You know, he hasn’t played five-on-five since last November. But he’s also done some things here that I’ve really liked. I think that this is a very important summer for him, now going forward, to continue to work on his shot.”
More than 20 players agreed to come to USA Basketball’s minicamp this week, and most of them will be home next summer when it’s time to play games.
The big names could come back then and reclaim their roster spots. Even so, the young players who committed to play this week say it will have been worth it…
“Whether there’s one spot open, all the way to four, five, six, whatever it is, we’re all fighting for it,” Minnesota forward Kevin Love said. “We all love the competition.”
Waterbury native, former Providence star and current Minnesota Timberwolves starting forward Ryan Gomes carried his team, Harte Nissan, to a 125-119 victory over All Axxess with 36 points last night at the Pro-Am. Gomes sat out much of the fourth quarter before re-entering to help Harte take control of a game it trailed throughout.
