March 2010 Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Kahn Still Committed To Bringing Rubio To Minnesota

Jan 26, 2010 10:32 PM

David Kahn told New York reporters that he still expects his 2009 draft pick Ricky Rubio to play in Minnesota when his NBA career begins.

Kahn also seemed skeptical that the Knicks could make a trade offer for Rubio that would interest the Wolves.

"I mean no disrespect to the Knicks and Donnie [Walsh], but what kind of trade could they propose?" Kahn asked.

On Monday in New York, Kahn had dinner with Walsh, his former boss at the Pacers.

"I have as much affection and respect for him as anybody in this league," Kahn said.

Star Tribune

Tags: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, NBA

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Trade Rumors Don't Bother Al Jefferson

Jan 26, 2010 8:07 AM

Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson isn't letting rumors leading up to the trade deadline bother him.

Jefferson knows speculation will fly in the next three-plus weeks. He says that Minnesota general manager David Kahn has been honest with him, especially in conversations about rumored trade discussions with the Pacers.

"He has been honest with me," Jefferson said of Kahn. "We both know you can be traded. He doesn't come telling me, 'Al, we would never trade you.' Last conversation I had with him, he told me he wasn't talking about trading me to Indiana. But he's not going to make a promise that he'll never trade me because this is how the business is.

"You just have to understand that it's nothing personal. A GM's got to do what's best for his team. Trading me or anybody else on this team doesn't mean he doesn't like us. I've been in this league long enough to realize if no one is talking about you or wants to trade for you, that's when you need to be upset."

Jefferson is averaging 18.2 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Knicks Still Monitoring Rubio Situation

Jan 25, 2010 4:48 PM

The Knicks are still keeping track of the Ricky Rubio situation, which has stretched from Minnesota to Spain.

Rubio, who was drafted with the sixth overall pick by the Timberwolves last June, is playing in Spain this season.

Knicks international scout Kevin Wilson lives in Barcelona and Regal, Rubio's club, is his hometown team. The New York Post also writes that, "Wilson is friends with the Rubio family and Ricky's parents would love to see the Timberwolves deal him to New York."

New York president Donnie Walsh told the Post that the last time he spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn, he was told that they aren't accepting trade offers for Rubio currently.

"David has told me he wants to bring Ricky over for next season," Walsh said.

New York Post

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, NBA

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Jefferson's Footwork Leads To Fewer Free Throw Attempts

Jan 22, 2010 8:13 AM

Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson's footwork in the paint may be too effective.

Jefferson's ability to shake defenders around the basket has made him an effective scorer, but he doesn't get to the foul line as much as he could.

"It's something I've been dealing with my whole career ... not being more consistent in getting to the line," he said. "It's not a big issue with me, but it would be a lot better for the team if I got to the line more."

Jefferson has attempted just three foul shots in Minnesota's last two games.

"One of the reasons I don't get a lot of calls from the refs is that when I ball fake, I go away from guys," the forward said. "I don't lean into guys to draw fouls. I haven't gotten that part into my game yet, where I consistently draw the contact and still go up for my shot. I do sometimes, but I'm not consistent with it. It's something I have to get better at."

Pioneer Press

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Ricky Rubio Co-MVP In Week 10 Of Euroleague

Jan 15, 2010 10:37 AM

The 2009-10 regular season ended with a former Euroleague MVP and a rising star of world basketball sharing the honor for Week 10's top individual performance.

Ramunas Siskauskas of CSKA and Ricky Rubio of Regal FC Barcelona each posted performance index ratings of 33, leading their teams to finish first in their respective groups.

Siskauskas, the 2007-08 Euroleague MVP, paced CSKA's 85-84 home win against Caja Laboral with 21 points while making 3 of 4 three-point shots. He added 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 6 fouls drawn for his 33 index rating.

Rubio, still a teen though in his third Euroleague season, led Barcelona's home win against Montepaschi with 14 points, making 9 of 10 free throws to go with 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 9 fouls drawn. His scoring and assist totals were his new Euroleague career highs.

Following the co-MVPs in third place was Preston Shumpert of Efes Pilsen, with a 26 index rating. Shumpert scored 21 points on 4-for-5 three-point accuracy while posting 5 rebounds and 3 steals in a road win over Entente Orleanaise that let Efes reach the Top 16.

Three more players headed to the Top 16 - Mike Batiste of Panathinaikos, Viktor Khryapa of CSKA and Marko Tomas of Cibona - each had index ratings of 25 to tie for fourth place in Week 10.

Press Release

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, Euroleague, NBA, International, International League

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Wolves Refute Report Of Trade Offer, Rift Between Jefferson, Love

Jan 12, 2010 8:24 AM

The Timberwolves are denying a Yahoo! Sports report that they offered forward Al Jefferson to the Pacers for Danny Granger.

Minnesota lead executive David Kahn called the report "totally without merit" and said he will not offer any of his "core" players in trades until next summer.

Kahn told Jefferson, through the player's agent, that he will not trade him this season. Kahn then met with Jefferson for about 20 minutes on Monday to reassure him.

"He made me comfortable to know what I heard last night was rumors," Jefferson said Monday. "It's part of the NBA life. It's not the first time my name has been attached to rumors before. I've been in this league long enough to know this time of year, every year, there's going to be trade rumor before the trade deadline.

"You see stuff like this come on TV and coming out of the woodwork, that's why it went in one ear and went out the other."

In addition, Jefferson and Kevin Love did their best to refute rumors that there is a rift between the two.

After Monday's morning shootaround, Jefferson shouted out "Love you, Kevin," to which Love replied, "Love you, too, man."

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Rambis 'Fiddling' With Minnesota's Lineup

Jan 11, 2010 4:41 PM

Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis has been thinking about making some major lineup changes lately.

Minnesota is just 8-30 entering Monday's action and the coach has been thinking about telling one or two starters to make a "sacrifice" by moving to a reserve role.

"I'm just fiddling with things in my mind," Rambis said. "It's not a demotion. It's not a promotion. It's about finding what's best for the team. I'm trying to find the combination so that both units are strong."

Ryan Gomes has been coming off the bench for Minnesota as of late. The Star Tribune points out the Al Jefferson, Kevin Love or Jonny Flynn are the most likely candidates to be moved to the bench.

"I don't know," Love said when told about Rambis' fiddling. "That's up to coach. I feel like I'm better starting the game because I'm loose, my legs are feeling good. I don't know if that will work, but that's up to Coach and whatever he wants to do."

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Wolves Offered Jefferson For Granger

Jan 10, 2010 5:45 PM

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn recently offered Al Jefferson to the Pacers for forward Danny Granger, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Indiana president Larry Bird is still determined to build about Granger, but the belief is that Kahn is starting to doubt Jefferson's ability to be a cornerstone.

Minnesota may also be dealing with issues between forward Jefferson and Kevin Love.

"There's some jealous stuff that's playing out," one league source said.

The Pacers are struggling and sources say that the only players they won't trade are Granger and center Roy Hibbert.

Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Flynn 'Still Learning' How To Be Point Guard

Jan 8, 2010 7:46 AM

Timberwolves rookie Jonny Flynn is still learning how to be a productive point guard in the NBA.

Prior to entering the league, Flynn was known as a scoring point guard, given the freedom by his coaches to attack the basket whenever the opportunity presented itself.

However, Minnesota head coach Kurt Rambis calls for the point guard to be an organizer and distributor in his flow offense.

"I can't even explain how big of a change it's been," Flynn said. "It's tough. I'm still learning. Thirty-something games in, I'm still trying to find my place and see where I can be effective. It's just been tough, especially with the losing. But hopefully it'll start clicking and I think I can get back to being my old self."

Flynn is averaging 14.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, but the Timberwolves have won just seven games.

NBA.com

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Rambis Doesn't Regret Taking Job In Minnesota

Jan 8, 2010 7:42 AM

Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis is still happy with his decision to leave the Lakers and take over a young, rebuilding team.

Rambis was one of Phil Jackson's top assistants in Los Angeles and many felt as though he'd one day replace Jackson as the Lakers' head coach.

"This was a good decision for me," said Rambis. "I enjoy these guys. I get along with all the players. I like the fact that they're still working hard to try and improve. That's all I can ask of them."

The Timberwolves were 7-29 entering Friday's action.

"I made this decision for the long-term," Rambis said. "I don't look back at it. I'm in this for the long-term."

Star Tribune

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Love Practices Despite Bruised Knee

ESPN