Darko has double-double in loss to Lakers, Rambis says D-League would be "beneficial" to Flynn, Love hosts 3rd annual coat drive and more
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press:
In front of a sellout crowd of 19,356 at Target Center, Kevin Love went scoreless (0 for 7) Friday night and had only seven rebounds in Minnesota's loss to the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. Center Darko Milicic was a big-time bright spot for the Wolves (4-10) with career highs of 23 points and 16 rebounds. Michael Beasley finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Reserve forward Matt Barnes sank 5 of 5 three-pointers to lead the Lakers with 24 points. Kobe Bryant added 23 in a quiet 31 minutes.
From Jerry Zgoda's twitter account:
KG is the only other in #Timberwolves history to record a 20+ pt, 15+ reb, +5 blk, +5 asst night like Darko did tonight. KG did six times.
From Jerry Zgoda's twitter account:
Beasley has now scored 25 points or more in six consecutive games. He's right at 25. Last time a #Timberwolf did that: KG March 21-30, 2000.
Recaps of tonight's loss to the Lakers:
Menzie Henderson/Timberwolves.com
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press:
Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said it would be "beneficial" for Flynn, recovering from hip surgery in July, to play a couple of games in the D-League before returning to the Wolves' lineup.
"It's not something we would force on Jonny, but if it's amicable, I think it would be a very valuable option for him and us," Rambis said before the Wolves-Los Angeles Lakers game Friday night at Target Center.
Flynn said he would be willing to go to the D-League to help prepare for his return.
From Scott Schroeder/Fanhouse: Jonny Flynn Mulls Rehab Stint in NBA D-League
From Anthony Maggio and Patrick Donnelly/FOXSportsNorth.com: Timberwolves untouchables
From Dave McMenamin/ESPNLosAngeles.com:
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson knows a thing or two about great rebounding, having coached Dennis Rodman on the Chicago Bulls. In Rodman's three seasons with the team, he won one of his four career rebounding titles, averaging 14.9, 16.0 and 15.0 boards per game in those three years despite measuring just 6-7, 210-pounds.
So what's the secret to Love's rebounding success in Jackson's opinion?
"He fouls and gets away with it a lot," Jackson said. "He jumps over guys' backs. But he's there, he's pursuing it and he's got a reputation now and [the referees] are giving him some latitude. But you have to give him that for determination and effort."
From Kevin Ding/Orange County Register:
Jackson added that Love is gaining a "reputation" as a rebounder, which gets him greater "latitude" from referees.
Jackson praised Love's "determination and effort." About Love's 31-rebound game earlier this season, Jackson noted the Timberwolves' opponent: "The Knicks were firing up shots."
From Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune:
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he thinks the addition of Michael Beasley to the Wolves lineup has done more than anything to elevate Love's game.
"It's the addition of Beasley that has allowed Kevin to have a little bit more range of latitude in his position," Jackson said. "Because Beasley is such a focus for other teams to have to play. That gift they got from Miami [Beasley was acquired for two second-round picks] has really worked out well for Minnesota. Kevin is a dog on the boards. He's always there, always pursuing. To have other teams have to focus on some scoring opens that avenue up even more."
From the Timberwolves site:
Kevin Love's 3rd annual coat drive takes place from November 19th through December 17th. We are requesting new or gently used coats for all ages (please wash coats prior to donation). If the coat is donated to one of seven participating Comcast payment centers or at the Target Center box office, the donor will receive two lower-level tickets per coat to the December 22nd Timberwolves game versus the Utah Jazz (limit 4 tickets per family).