Getting their practice in

By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO October 05, 2008 01:36 am

— As Mike Miller nailed a long 3-pointer Saturday, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor flashed a big smile, turning to his courtside neighbors and beaming about his prized offseason acquisition.
“I feel very good about that trade,” Taylor said. “Even in practice, the guys can’t leave him open. He’s very accurate, and he doesn’t need much space (to get his shot.”
The Timberwolves wrapped up a physical, weeklong training camp at Minnesota State on Saturday, playing an intrasquad scrimmage in front of about 3,000 fans at Bresnan Arena. Taylor attended several workouts, eager to learn something about the many new players on the roster so that he can better evaluate the season once the real games begin.
“The intensity at ever practice was amazing,” he said. “We have a lot of competition, and I think that’s healthy. Guys are competing for playing time.”
On Saturday, Miller hit 2 of 4 from 3-point range, then sat out most of the second half with a hamstring problem. Forward Al Jefferson played sparingly, though coach Randy Wittman said Friday that Jefferson wouldn’t be available as he recovers from a sprained knee. Jefferson had nine points and five rebounds. Rookie Kevin Love, who has been struggling in practice, showed some toughness in the lane and a soft jump shot from the perimeter. Point guard Randy Foye took over late in the scrimmage, scoring his team’s final 14 points in a six-minute stretch.
The Timberwolves have spent a lot of time this week focusing on defense, including a 90-second drill in which the offense can’t dribble or screen, just pass and cut, with the man-to-man defense trying to create turnovers. Coach Randy Wittman said he liked the defense Saturday, noting that only a few of the offensive schemes have been worked on at practice.
“Listening to the guys in timeouts, talking about defense,” Wittman said. “That’s without any (coaches) saying anything, so that’s a step in the right direction.”
Guard Randy Foye said the emphasis on defense was noticeable, and he thinks the team is more serious about stops.
“Guys want to play defense, they want to get better,” Foye said. “We know we struggled defensively last year, and we want to make a big jump.”
Foye said that getting away for this first week of the preseason was important as this new team gets to know each other. Taylor also appreciated having his club close by so he could get to know all the new faces.
“It’s good to have them here,” Taylor said.
Notes
The scrimmage ended in a tie at 62, with Foye leading the White team with 14 points, and Rashad McCants scoring 19 points for the Black team. ... Centers Calvin Booth (back) and Jason Collins (elbow) and forward Brian Cardinal (calf) did not participate in the scrimmage. ... The team’s first preseason game is Monday at Milwaukee. ... The regular season begins Wednesday, Oct. 29, at home against Sacramento.

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