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Mad Dog visits injured U.S. Soldiers with legendary NBA players |
(5/1/2005) Craig Sager reported that Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dominique Wilkins, Bob Lanier and several other legendary NBA players, including TNT's Steve Kerr, visited with injured U.S. soldiers at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Also part of the group was current NBA players Brevin Knight and Mark Madsen. |
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Mad Dog Diary back for new season
First diary features the Rookies and Crispy Cremes
"We have a lot of rookies on the team right now. One of the their jobs is to bring Krispy Kreme doughnuts to practice every morning for the staff, coaches and the occasional player who is trying to gain weight...." Read the Diary... |
Kobe and the Lakers visit Mad Dog tonight
Dog's old coach Jackson returns as Lakers coach
*Preview
(Staples Center MN 11/9/05) Bryant will try to keep alive an impressive scoring stretch when he leads the Los Angeles Lakers into a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Timberwolves are coming off a fine defensive effort against the other Los Angeles team, holding the Clippers to just 33 second-half points in a 93-78 win on Monday. See more.
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Wally strong as Timberwolves run over Bulls in 100-92 preseason victory
Garnett sits, Wally 19, McCants 15, Kani 13/8, Eddie 13/6
Jaric 8 assists, Carter 7 assists, Madsen 6/4
*Boxscore *Play-by-Play *Video(Press "Launch Motion" button to play)
*Timberwolves 100, Bulls 92, Pioneer Press (AP)
(Target Center 10/26/05 NBA excerpts) Szczerbiak scored 19 points and led four players in double figures to power the Timberwolves to a 100-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls. After spraining his right foot in Minnesota's first preseason contest, Szczerbiak sat out five straight games.
Garnett did not play because of a sprained left ankle suffered in Monday's practice. First-round pick Rashad McCants scored 15 points. Eddie Griffin and Michael Olowokandi added 13 each for the Timberwolves, who raised their preseason record to 3-4.
The Timberwolves got their fast break working with a 20-2 edge in the game. They also bested the Bulls in the paint last night. Their largest lead of the night was 17 points, with the T-Wolves outscoring Chicago in the first and third quarters.
Chicago lost second-year guard Chris Duhon with three seconds remaining in the opening quarter when he hit his head on the floor after colliding with Griffin while driving to the basket. He was taken off on a stretcher and sent to a hospital for tests. Michael Sweetney came off the bench to score 18 points and grab 10 rebounds for the Bulls.
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Timberwolves win preseason finale over Pistons
Wally 22/6, Carter 15/4, Kandi 13/10, Eddie 13/9, Marko 12,
*Boxcore (PDF) *Timberwolves 96, Pistons 92, AP |
RAPID CITY, S.D. 10/28/05 AP/ESPN Excerpts - Wally Szczerbiak scored 22 points to lead six players in double-figures as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Detroit Pistons 96-to-92 in their final preseason game in Rapid City, South Dakota. There were 8,043 in attendance.
Detroit held a ten point halftime lead at 54-44, but the Wolves outscored the Pistons in each of the final two quarters for the victory. Anthony Carter and Eddie Griffin came in off the bench to add 15 and 13 points, respectively for the Wolves. Center Michael Olowokandi also chipped in 13 points.
"The second half, that's the way we need to play," first-year Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey said. "The effort we had in the first half will get us right back into the (draft) lottery if we carry that into the regular season." |
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Timberwolves acquire Ronald Dupree from Pistons; Waive Ndudi Ebi
*Wolves acquire Dupree, NBA Wire
(Minneapolis 11/1/2005) Minnesota today traded a future second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for 6-foot-7 swingman Ronald Dupree, who averaged 3.2 points and 10.0 minutes over 47 games last season. They also waived Ndudi Ebi.
Coach Dwane Casey and his staff wanted another player capable of defending big shooting guards and small forwards, so they targeted Dupree, who went undrafted out of Louisiana State and spent his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls.
The Wolves, who host the Portland Trail Blazers in the season opener on Wednesday night, currently have Dupree, rookie forward Dwayne Jones and rookie guard Bracey Wright on their inactive list. |
KG big game in dominating Bucs 89-85
KG 25/15, Griffin 13/5, McCants 11, Kandi 10/7, Jaric 7 assists |
*Boxscore *Play-by-play *Timberwolves 89, Bucks 85, TwinCitie.com (AP)
*Pic - Janic guards Ford *Pic - McCanst Shoots over Ervin
*Pic - Janic drives *Pic - Rashad McCants
(Milwuakee WI 10/22/2005 AP excerpts ) Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 15 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 89-85 in an exhibition game Saturday night. Garnett dominated, playing a preseason-high 30 minutes. He sat out the entire fourth quarter, but the Timberwolves hung on.
"I looked all right," he said. "I am not embarrassed by myself. I am not out there lollygagging. I am trying to get something accomplished."
Garnett had 11 points and nine rebounds in the decisive third period, when Minnesota (2-4) used a 14-2 run to take the lead for good. Garnett had six points during the spurt, as Minnesota turned a 57-53 deficit into a 67-59 advantage. The T-Wovles defense was tough as the Bucks (3-3) went without a field goal from the 8:46 mark of the third quarter until Andrew Bogut tipped in a missed shot with 0.7 seconds left.
Garnett had 14 points and six rebounds in the first half, but the Bucks held a 47-46 lead at the break. Eddie Griffin added 13 points in 19 minutes for Minnesota, but the story was Garnett.
"Kevin ... that's who he is," Minnesota coach Dwane Casey said. "He has such a great impact on the game - just his presence."
Mark Madsen was sixth man coming off the bench to score six points and a plus/minus rating of +5. Minnesota forward Wally Szczerbiak and guard Troy Hudson were injuted and did not play. |
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Wally back for scrimmage, tonight's game
*Sprained ankle sidelines K.G.; Szczerbiak back in action, CBS
*X-rays show no structural damage to Garnett's ankle, ESPN
*Foot better, Szczerbiak back for Bulls, TwinCities.com
(Target Center 10/24/05 AP excerpts) Kevin Garnett sat out of Minnesota's intrasquad scrimmage on Monday night because of a sprained ankle (10/25 update: x-rays reveal no damage). Coach Dwane Casey said the injury, which occurred while the Timberwolves practiced before the scrimmage, was not serious. However, Garnett won't play in Wednesday night's preseason game against Chicago. He has been used sparingly in exhibition games this month to keep him fresh for the regular season.
Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points in the scrimmage. It was the first time Szczerbiak played in game conditions since spraining his foot two weeks ago.
Troy Hudson was also missing, due to a strained hip flexor that has kept him out for the past week. He told Casey on Monday he was feeling better, and he might be able to play against the Bulls on Wednesday. Picture by David Sherman, NBAE |
| KG double-doubles and Trenton Hassell hustles as Minneapolis downs Chicago 97-89 in preseason tilt |
KG has double-double by halftime; Griffin is 15/9; Hassell scores/steals in final minute
*Final Boxscore *Video *Play-by-Play *Timberwolves 97, Bulls 89, AP
*Wolves ready to trim bench, Rick Alonzo, Pioneer Press
*Wins, losses mean little in preseason, Steve Aschburner, StarTribune
(Chicago 10/17/05 Poundmaster Report) Kevin Garnett scored a double-double (16/10) in 20 minutes of play as the Minnesota Timberwolves downed the Chicago Bulls by a score of 97-89. KG actually had the double-double by halftime (10/10).
Trenton Hassell (11 points) sealed the victory in the last two minues with 3 key points and a steal to end the game. Eddie Griffin came to play with 15 points and 9 rebounds . Balanced scoring included Richie Frahm (12 pts 5 assists), Rashad McCants (11 pts), and Anthony Carter (10 pts). Nikoloz Tskitishvili and McCants each hit a three-pointer in the last two minutes.
Michael Olowokandi started the game at center and was sizzling out of the blocks with 7 points and 5 rebounds, but he ran into early foul trouble, and played only 6 minutes in the game. Mark Madsen who played only the last 8 minutes in the game was rested until the 4th quarter when he came in to help the team turn around a shrinking 4 point lead into the final 8 point spread.
Team rebounds were almost even (T-Wolves 37-36) in the game, and Timberwolves free throw shooting was vastly improved (82%). They scored 7 threes tonight and shot 49% from the field, an improvement over last night. (See quotes Video Boxscore) |
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Pacers rob the Bank at Classic; down T-Wolves 91-76
Kandi 18/4, KG 11/5; Timberwolves beaten on boards, FG%, FT% |
*Boxscore *Pacers win in Jermaine O'Neal preseason debut, AP
*Pacers enjoy balanced scoring, Mike Wells, Indystar.com
(Billings MT 10/20/05 Poundmaster with AP excerpts ) The Pacers downed the Timberwolves last night 91-76 in the first of two US Bank Classic preseason tilts. The game featured a couple of players (Jermaine O'Neal and Marko Jaric) showing their wares for the first time in live action.
Michael Olowokandi led the Timberwolves with 18 points, while Kevin Garnett added 11 points and five rebounds. Pacer All-Star O'Neal scored 16 points and added five rebounds in his preseason debut.
Jaric, playing his first preseason game, scored four points. Jaric, who sprained an ankle in practice earlier this month, said he felt good about where the team's at, in terms of balance and being on the right track. He said the more-experienced Pacers took advantage of the younger Minnesota team. |
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| Note: The T-wolves are hosting two U.S. Bank Classic games: One was this game Thurs, Oct. 20 vs. the Indiana Pacers at the MetraPark Arena in Billings, Mont., and the other Fri, Oct. 28 vs. the Detroit Pistons at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D. Both 8p CST. |
"Our younger guys are a little inexperienced, but it's gonna come," said Jaric, who came to Minnesota this summer in a trade with the Clippers. |
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Marco Jeric right ankle is mending
Offseason acquisition from Clippers is working to get into the right rhthym |
*Jaric hasn't had much chance to get familiar, Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune
(Minneapolis 10/19/2005) Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune reports that for nearly an hour after Timberwolves practice had ended after one of last week's practices, Marko Jaric was on the court, pushing his mending right ankle, practicing his shot with the assistant coaches. Jaric, acquired in the offseason from the Los Angeles Clippers, said he is not 100 percent healthy yet, but he thinks he needs to spend time with his teammates on a court in a game.
"Definitely," Jaric said Tuesday. "I need a couple games to get into the right rhythm, to be ready for the first game of the season. Two, three, four games. After four games, we'll understand each other."
Jaric Played with Peristeri (Greece) in 1996-1997, and then signed with Bologna (Italy) in 1998-1999. He was the La Clippers 30th pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, but joined Virtus Bologna (Italy) in 2000, then signed with the LA Clippers in July 2002. His international experience includes the 1998 Under-22 European Championship, the 2001 European Championship and the 2002 World Championship
Poking fun: The Pioneer Press reports that Jaric used the NBA's new "business casual" dress code for some good-natured laughs at the expense of Mark Madsen's style choices. The NBA is implementing the code Nov. 1.
"I don't know how Mark Madsen is going to get along with that," Jaric said. "He's wearing sandals all day long."
Jaric, who was known for his chic style while with the Clippers, predicts he won't have any issues with the code.
"I'm from Europe," he said. "I don't know if I dress good, but properly, yes." |
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Timberwolves sign free agent guard Richie Frahm
Former Gonzaga guard signed Monday; played in Seattle and Portland |
MINNEAPOLIS - The Timberwolves signed former Gonzaga guard Richie Frahm on Monday. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound perimeter shooting specialist averaged 3.8 points and 11.6 minutes in 43 games for Portland last season, his second in the NBA. Frahm played for Seattle in 2003-04 after playing overseas the previous two years.
Frahm will help fill a void created by the absence of veteran guard Fred Hoiberg, who had heart surgery and is out indefinitely.
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Pistons top Wolves 91-80 in Flip reunion
Timberwolves lose on boards and foul line; turnovers kept low and fast breaks work;
Frahm 13, Hassell 12; KG 11, Chalmers 9, McCants 7, Ediie 6, Griffin 5 |
*Boxscore *Recap *Pistons 91, T-Wolves 80, AP
(Detroit 10/16/05) The Detroit Pistons built an 11-point lead through three quarters, and held on to defeat the Timberwolves 91-80 in a preseason tilt in Detroit. The game featured former T-Wolves coach Flip Saunders versus new T-Wolves coach Dwane Casey.
Richie Frahm led all scorers with 13, while Trenton Hassell and Kevin Garnett had 12 and 11 respectively. Mark Madsen, Frahm, and Bracey Wright all had two offensive rebounds, but Detroit took the boards 45-33. The T-Wolves executed the fast break well, and had fewer turnovers in the game. Anthony Carter led the T-Wolves in assists with 5. Mark Madsen led in steals with two.
The T-Wolves kept the game close in the first half, but the Pistons moved away in the second half of the game. Troy Hudson, marko Jaric, Wally Szerbiak and Michael Olowokandi rested and did not play. KG, Madsen, Hassell, Frahm, and Carter started the game which was tied 44-44 at the end of the first half. |
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| Pacers down Wolves 93-84 in preseason game |
McCants 14, Hudson 12, Wright 12, Frahm 10, Lucas, 8, Tskitishvili 4 assists, Kandi 6 rebs
*Boxscore *Recap
*Pacers 93, Timberwolves 84, AP
*No Wally, no win for Wolves, TwinCities.com
(Indianapolis 10/14/05 by Poundmaster) The Pacers' fast break points were enough to down the Timberwolves tonight 93-84. Ron Artest's 26 points led the Pacers over the T-Wolves defense.
T-Wolves rookie Rashad McCants continued his scoring leadership with 14 points, but ran into foul trouble again for his second game in a row. Troy Hudson and Bracey Wright had 12 points each, and Richie Fram had 10. Michael Olowokandi led the T-Wolves in rebounds with 6.
The Timberwolves came out of the blocks strong, leading at the end of the first quarter by a score of 30-27, with a lead of 12 at one point. But the Pacers took over the game in the second quarter, leading at half time 60-50.
The Timberwolves got within nine early in the second half, but Indiana pushed the lead to 75-58 after a basket by Artest with 1:40 left in the third quarter. Minnesota closed to 86-80 on two free throws by Lionel Chalmers in the fourth quarter, but Artest’s layup and a Samaki Walker free throw sealed the win.
Kevin Garnett (sore right knee), Marko Jeric (right ankle sprain) and Wally Szczerbiak (right foot sprain) sat out this game.
"We were able to come back in the fourth quarter and force them to bring their starters back out. But we have to develop more intensity to finish games."
-- Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey (Quotes) |
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Preseason Game in Detroit...
Timberwolves visit former Coach in Detroit
*Timberwolves: Saunders on other side now, Steve Aschburner, Star Tribune
*Saunders still has soft spot for Minnesota, Rick Alonzo, Pioneer Press |
"Flip Saunders, in a gym, in October? Check. Huddling with longtime assistants Sidney Lowe and Don Zierden? Check. Throwing his arms up in three-point excitement when Chauncey Billups nails one from outside? Check. But patting Rasheed Wallace on the back? Walking through a play with Rip Hamilton? Dropping by Joe Dumars' office, next to the practice court, to chat? Definitely no checks there. " -Steve Aschburner, StarTribune
Auburn Hills, Michigan 10/16/05 - Go to the StarTribune and read Steve Aschburner's insightful article about tonight's match with Timberwolves former basketball coach, Flip Saunders. He tells how his old team and his new one meet tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the first of four real or tuneup games this season.
"I told the guys, we're going to be a good defensive team because that's your personality," Saunders said. "What I want you to do is take the same aggressiveness that you bring to your defense and turn it to your offense."
"I appreciate what Glen and Kevin did. They gave me an opportunity, and I was able to stay in one spot for 10 years. That's unheard of.
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KG rests as Rookie McCants looks strong in narrow pre-season 3-point loss to Bucks
Rashad scores 18; Eddie 7 rebs; Troy 8 assists; Wally injured
*Boxscore *Play-by-Play *Recap *Rashad McCants GAMELINE
*T-Wolves drop preseason game to Bucks , WOAI.com
*Bucks win pre-season opener, WKOW Sports
*Szczerbiak day-to-day on sprain injury, NBA
MINNEAPOLIS 10/12/05 (Bucks 92, T-Wolves 89) -- Kevin Garnett and Marko Jaric both sat out the preseason opener against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. Meanwhile, Rookie Rashad McCants was looking good with a game-high 18 points in only 23 minutes of play.
The Timberwolves were leading 66-62 going into the fourth quarter. McCants quickly expanded the lead to 70-64 on a layup and a jump shot to start the quarter. The Timberwolves were leading when McCants fouled out of the game with 8:53 remaining in the game.
Timberwolves lost Wally Szczerbiak in the third quarter when he sprained his right foot. Szczerbiak had all 11 of his points in the first half as the Timberwolves built a 48-40 lead. Eddie Griffin had 12, and Michael Olowokandi and Trenton Hassell each added 10. |
Coach Casey strategizing on KG minutes
*Wolves hoping for healthy Hudson,, NBA
*Garnett practices Thursday, Canoe
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Associated Press reports that perennial All-Star Kevin Garnett, who was bothered by a sore knee last season and will have his minutes rationed by Casey -- especially during the preseason -- to relieve some of the burden on the 29-year-old. Coach and player discussed that topic this summer.
"That's going to be an ongoing struggle with him, because he wants to be out there for 48," said Casey, who wants to keep Garnett between 36 and 38 minutes during the regular season.
Garnett, entering his 11th season, averaged 38.1 minutes last season. His career high is 40.5 minutes, in 2002-03. See AP article. |
T_Wolves scrimmage at Chaska high school
(10/09/05) Eddie Griffin scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had four assists, leading the Black squad to an 82-75 victory over the White. Rookie Rashad McCants scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting for the Whites, with center Mark Madsen adding 10 points and 11 rebounds. (Steve Aschburner, StarTribune) |
Sam Cassell traded to Los Angeles Clippers
*Wolves part with Cassell, Jeff Shelman, Star Tribune
*T-Wolves ship Cassell to Clippers, FOXsports.com
(August 13, 2005) Jeff Shelman of the Star Tribune reports that "the Sam and Spree era for the Timberwolves is officially over. Two summers ago, the Timberwolves traded for Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell in hopes that they would help elevate the franchise into one of the NBA's elite."
On Friday, the Wolves traded Cassell and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2006 to the Los Angeles Clippers for combo guard Marko Jaric and point guard Lionel Chalmers. The deal is a sign-and-trade; Jaric was signed to a six-year contract for $40 million by the Clippers before being dealt. The Wolves' front office has been interested in Jaric, a multidimensional guard, for some time.
Cassell played in only 59 games last season, and his 13.5-point scoring average was his lowest since his second season in the league (1994-95).
See full article for details. Click on thumbnail (right) to show copyrighted photo. |
Doctor gives Madsen immediate full-contact clearance on wrist
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(July12, 2005) Steve Aschburner of the Star Tribune was already reporting on July 2nd that Mark Madsen said his wrist rehab is nearly done, and that his surgeon told him he could play again after Aug. 1. On July 12th, the doctor gave Mark a full contact OK for the wrist.
"If we had a playoff game today, he said he'd leave it up to me," Madsen said to Aschburner earlier.
Madsen is one of six Wolves free agents, along with Eddie Griffin, Latrell Sprewell, Ervin Johnson, Anthony Carter and John Thomas. All are unrestricted, which means the Wolves have no right of first refusal.
Aschburner describes Madsen is a "role player, a hustle guy and hardly anyone's top priority. And he knows it."
"Right now, as a third-tier free agent, I just have to wait," Mark said by phone Friday. "My thing is going to be patience. I know how this works.
"When I went through it with L.A., Phil [Jackson] called and told me, 'You're our No. 2 choice.' They were talking to Horace Grant. And if [Wolves VP] Kevin McHale calls me and says the same thing because they've got a chance to get Elton Brand or Kenyon Martin, I'll understand.
"He wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't," Madsen said. That said, he would love to return. Primarily a defender and an energy guy, he played power forward and center in two seasons in Minnesota. In 2003-04, the Wolves were 22-7 when he played at least 20 minutes, and they were 10-4 in his starts last season.
A blue-collar player despite his degree in economics from Stanford, Madsen owns a house in the Twin Cities. "It's foolish not to go through the [free-agent] process," he said, "but I absolutely love Minnesota. I think we could have a lot more great teams together with Kevin Garnett leading the charge. I really love the draft picks. It's a great locker room. We've got the pieces there." |
Hoiberg's mind on heart surgery recovery, not basketball
*Excerpts from CBS.SportsLine.com, AP article
(7/14/2005 Excerpts from AP) Fred Hoiberg's recovery from heart surgery has been both scary and sobering. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard has been told he should be able to play basketball again, but that doesn't mean the 10-year veteran will choose to.
"As far as my playing career goes, I'll be honest with you - these last couple weeks, it hasn't ever entered my mind," said Hoiberg, who held a news conference Wednesday at Target Center to discuss his condition as he continues to recover from an operation to correct an enlarged aortic root in his heart. The surgery was performed June 28 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester by Dr. Hartzell Schaff. The root, where the artery meets the heart's aortic valve, had a bulge in it. It was removed and replaced with a synthetic one.
Hoiberg was fitted with a permanent pacemaker last week. The device might lengthen the recovery time, but shouldn't prevent him from playing again if his body responds correctly. See CBS.SportsLine.com for complete article |
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T-Wolves take McCants in draft
*Timberwolves Take UNC’s McCants, Timberwolves NBA
*Bracey Wright taken by T-Wolves in Round 2, Timberwolves NBA
*McCants post-draft first interview, Timberwolves NBA
*Rashad McCants North Carolina bio, tarheelblue.com
*Minnesota is perfect home for McCants, AP
*Bundle of athletic skills tied to McCants' genes, Star Trib
June 28, 2005 Minneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Timberwolves tonight chose Rashad McCants in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. McCants, a 6-4, 207-pound guard from the University of North Carolina, was the 14th player taken overall.
"I think I had a great workout there and I believe I developed a good relationship with coach (Dwane) Casey and Kevin McHale," McCants said. "I think I showed them my ability to attack the rim and shoot the ball. I think they really liked my competitiveness." |
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About McCants
The 20-year-old McCants spent three seasons at North Carolina (2002-03 - 2004-05). The guard ranks 14th all-time at Chapel Hill with 1,721 career points and tied for second with 221 career three-point field goals made. He was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team and Syracuse Regional All-Tournament after helping lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA title this spring.
Timberwolves choose Indiana's Bracey Wright in the 2nd round
Bracey Wright, Guard, 6-3, 200, Junior, The Colony, Texas (The Colony), 2003-04 (Soph Year)
NABC First-Team All-District 10 and All-Big Ten Second-Team selection
*Bracey Wright interview, Timberwolves |
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