Wolves waive DerMarr Johnson, Flynn stays home while team heads to Europe, Video highlights from Wednesday's scrimmage, Twins upset about Target Center signage and more
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
The Timberwolves waived DerMarr Johnson this morning to get their roster to 17 before they depart for London this afternoon.
I thought they might keep him around a little longer because he missed a good part of training-camp contact practices while they waited for paperwork to clear from Europe.
From Ray Richardson/Pioneer Press:
Guard Jonny Flynn (hip surgery) and former University of Minnesota forward John Thomas (hamstring) did not make the trip. The Timberwolves have until the regular-season opener, Oct. 27 vs. Sacramento, to reach the 15-man roster limit.
The Timberwolves' participation in NBA Europe Live tips off their exhibition schedule. They play the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday in London and the New York Knicks on Wednesday in Paris.
From Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site (includes video with scrimmage highlights): Wolves Battle Wolves in Training Camp Scrimmage
From the Timberwolves site (VIDEO): Wolves rookie Wes Johnson reacts to a successful scrimmage on Wednesday night in Mankato.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune: Wolves' scrimmage hints at Wesley Johnson's talents
Johnson showed an effortless shooting stroke, especially from three-point range, and explosive leaping ability, even if that hamstring isn't perfect yet, when he blocked center Nikola Pekovic's shot in the lane.
"He did good things out there," Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said. "For a young player, he plays with a lot of poise, and you see his confidence. We want to encourage him to have an impact on the game at both ends."
At 6-7, Johnson is a natural small forward on a team that presumably would like to play Beasley there a good bit with Kevin Love at power forward.
From Luke Byrnes/Hoopsworld: Six Things To Know About The Wolves
From Randy Furst/Star Tribune:
The Minnesota Timberwolves triggered a major controversy Thursday when the team began putting up a giant sign on the back wall of Target Center overlooking Target Field. Wolves officials hope to have it in place by the opening of next Wednesday's Twins playoff run.
The sign, which promotes a health care conglomerate based in the Dakotas, will dominate the view above the right-field bleachers. As a public relations ploy, however, the Wolves may have struck out.
It was criticized Thursday by the president of the Twins, the head of the of the city's ballpark authority and members of the Hennepin County Board and Minneapolis City Council.
From Steve Berg/MinnPost:
St. Peter says: "While the Twins always understood an ambush on the ballpark was possible, the sheer size of the proposed signage is shocking. We feel particularly bad about how this signage dominates the new civic gathering place known as Target Plaza. Needless to say it's disappointing considering the large private investment to create this dynamic celebration of public art, which was in essence a gift to the city of Minneapolis."
Kenney says: "The ballpark authority was thrilled to partner with the Twins, Target and MnDOT to create a dynamic and welcoming public gathering space in downtown Minneapolis at Target Plaza. It's difficult to see how a 2,800-square-foot billboard adds to these public realm improvements."
From Ted Johnson's twitter account:
Amazing that the Twins are claiming that "Target Plaza" is not commercial! Hello, "Target Plaza"?!?!