Wolves at New Orleans tonight...Jefferson back with the team...Kahn promises big changes for the team...
Preview for tonight's game at New Orleans
From the Associated Press:
Al Jefferson is back with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The team says Jefferson practised Saturday and travelled to New Orleans for Sunday's game. Jefferson is expected to play against the Hornets after missing the last two games while tending to a hospitalized family member.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune: Wolves' GM promises big changes
Darko Milicic's February arrival and almost immediate emergence after five previously unfulfilling stops in the league has told Kahn and Rambis that Love and Jefferson, as offensively gifted as each is, can't play beside each other defensively for 30 minutes a game for the next decade.
"I think we've all learned it doesn't work with them playing heavy minutes together," Kahn said. "We've learned, even though it doesn't show in wins and losses, how helpful it is to have a 7-footer with Darko's skill set, particularly how he can block shots. That now is locked. We'll have to have something like that."
Kahn said that doesn't mean he'll trade Jefferson or Love, but acknowledged sacrifices in playing time and roles "but not in terms of accomplishments" need to be made.
From the Star Tribune:
Kevin Love, forward: He was a relatively quiet, if not exactly happy, camper after being moved to a reserve's role in late January. A return to the starting lineup for two games last week when Al Jefferson took a personal absence re-energized him and took that slump from his shoulders: He averaged 18 rebounds in the two games.
From Charley Walters/Pioneer Press:
Don't be surprised if the Timberwolves, who'll be nearly $13 million under the salary cap this summer, make a run at the Memphis Grizzlies' Rudy Gay.