Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey met with Kevin Garnett on Friday morning in the wake of the all-star's criticism of team management during a TNT interview broadcast Thursday night.

In the interview, Garnett said vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale, who fired Flip Saunders, wanted to take over as coach last season but didn't want to accept the responsibility that came with the job ? managing players and their egos. Garnett also was critical of the handling of contract issues with veterans Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell before the 2004-05 season.

Casey, in his first season as coach, said Garnett's comments indicated his frustration with the way last season fell short of expectations. The Wolves failed to make the playoffs.

"It wasn't anything against the situation now is what he made clear," Casey said of his talk with Garnett. "It wasn't anything about his teammates now or what's happening now. I don't think it was a negative."