From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune: Afternoon session: Observations
Actually, Rambis called it “fairly awful” and said it didn’t really surprise him much.

Rambis installed the basics of his offensive philosophies this morning, then tested in the afternoon to see how much his new players had absorbed. Turns out, it wasn’t much in a scrimmage that was ragged to say the least.

But it did provide the first glimpse at what could be a starting lineup. In the black jerseys were Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer in the backcourt, Ryan Gomes at small forward, Kevin Love at power forward and Al Jefferson at center.

Rambis said Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer, both battling back from knee surgery last season, participated in most of Tuesday night’s scrimmage, which lasted only 30 minutes.

That might have been as much as Rambis wanted to see.

“I saw a lot of things we need to work on,” Rambis said, shaking his head.
Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site on the first day of training camp:
–Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions looked comfortable running drills together in the backcourt. Most fans are intrigued to see if the two guards can co-exist this season. Both players displayed extreme speed on the fastbreak and should develop chemistry throughout the week.

–Ryan Hollins is an athletic freak. The seven-foot center threw down the hammer countless times during the practice session, which was impressive to see in person. Fans are going to love the energy and athleticism that Hollins possesses.

Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer each participated in both sessions in their first team practices since they suffered season-ending knee injuries last winter.

“I was just happy to put on a uniform today and come out here and practice,” Brewer said. “I hadn’t practiced for real in a long time. For me and Al, it was good for both of us.”

After the morning practice, Jefferson said it was not his knee that proved troublesome and said he’ll use this preseason to get his conditioning improved as he recovers from February surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament. That’s the same surgery Brewer had done in December.
The offseason was a blur of trades, signings and hirings, and after watching his basketball team go through the first practice of training camp Tuesday morning at Minnesota State, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said he was glad he grabbed a roster.

“I had to look at the faces and numbers,” Taylor said, laughing as he unfolded the roster he had stashed in his pants pocket. “I’ve always sat here, and there’s been one or two or three new faces. It seems like everybody’s new.”

Eighteen players were on the Bresnan Arena court Tuesday morning for the first practice of the Timberwolves’ training camp, which runs through Sunday, but only five were with the team at camp here one year ago.

From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune: Love eager to turn the page on rookie year that fell short
He also admitted he reported to his first training camp a year ago this week in no shape for such a long professional season.

“Absolutely not,” Love said. “I’m 20 pounds less coming into camp than I was last year. It took me a month and a half, two months to get into shape last season. Coming into training camp in shape this year really is going to help me in the long run.”

Wolves new basketball boss David Kahn calls Love “remarkably sleeker.”

New coach Kurt Rambis terms Love’s physical condition “OK” and “good enough” for what Rambis will expect from him on a team instructed to run, run, run this season.

From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press: Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer needs to impress new management — and soon
Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and coach Kurt Rambis have expressed how important it is for Brewer to validate his selection as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 draft.

No one has to whisper in Brewer’s ear. He already knows what’s up.

“I can sense things,” Brewer said. “A lot of people are wondering what I’m going to do. My rookie year wasn’t good, and last year I got hurt. Now it’s time to prove myself. I’m up for the task.”
From Bradley Campbell/City Pages: David Kahn silenced Kevin Love’s Twittering
Sources close to the situation say Beck has been lined up to fill the vacancy in Houston’s training camp created when the Rockets elected not to go through with their intended signing of Rashad McCants.

McCants is carrying an abdominal injury that limits his immediate availability, so Houston has opted to sign Beck — who played for San Antonio’s summer-league team — to a non-guaranteed deal.