Kahn back with another letter to fans, Wolves teamed with trainer to help with players' weight issues, team returns to Mankato for training camp and more
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
David Kahn has gone silent and deep with the media since that ESPN1500 interview and subsequent NBA fine, but he's back with a letter to the fans now that training camp is just 11 days away.
It's a bit more detailed than the full-page ad the Wolves ran in yesterday's Star Tribune. Most interesting is his mention of a "singular" move that awaits, to complete the rebuilding of a roster than has been transformed with the addition of Wes Johnson, Martell Webster, Nikola Pekovic, Lazar Hayward, Luke Ridnour (and the re-signing of Darko Milicic) and the subtraction of Al Jefferson since the team last played in April.
The Wolves Ad: As you may have heard, the Minnesota Timberwolves took out a full page ad in the Monday edition of the Star Tribune, in which they openly admitted to their fans that contending this year was "not likely".
The letter, according to Wolves' chief marketing officer Ted Johnson, is aimed at creating a new "honest" relationship between the team and it's fans.
From Trey Kerby/Ball Don't Lie: At least the Minnesota Timberwolves are honest
From Kurt Helin/ProBasketballTalk: Minnesota publishes odd, "honest" open letter to fans. Because nothing sells tickets like letters.
From Sekou Smith/NBA.com:
Love him or hate him, you can’t deny him.
Kahn is the ultimate hype man!
From the Timberwolves site:
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the team will open its 2010 Training Camp on Saturday, Sept. 25 on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato in Mankato, Minn. The 2010 Timberwolves Training Camp is presented by the Hilton Garden Inn - Mankato.
Timberwolves Training Camp will include daily practices from Saturday, Sept. 25 through Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Bresnan Arena in the Taylor Center on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus. The Timberwolves will wrap up their 2010 Training Camp by staging an open scrimmage at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Bresnan Arena. The scrimmage is free and open to the public, though a ticket will be required for admission.
From Kyle Stack/Fanhouse: Timberwolves Turn to Technology for Efficient Workouts
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished the 2009-10 regular season third in Pace Factor (an estimate of team possessions per 48 minutes), teamed with New Orleans-based trainer Mackie Shilstone last season to discover how they could help four of their players manage key weight issues.
In becoming the first NBA team to participate in this type of study, they learned their players' true caloric output during practice, shootarounds and games and the number of miles they ran during those activities.
The study's roots sprouted in December 2009 when the Timberwolves visited New Orleans to play the Hornets. Timberwolves president David Kahn approached Shilstone, whom Kahn knew from his Indiana Pacers days when Shilstone worked with Jonathan Bender, and cited his interest in helping several players alter their weight management -- specifically for forwards Kevin Love and Nathan Jawai to shed pounds and forward Corey Brewer and center Ryan Hollins to maintain, and possibly gain, weight.