08-21-2005, 02:21 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Angel Wings
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 22,585
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Timberwolves take on Vegas
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Quote:
With that in mind, the Timberwolves are headed to Las Vegas for a little bonding and basketball. Starting on Monday, the team is holding a mini-camp in Sin City to get all the new faces acquainted with each other.
The trip was the brain child of Dwane Casey, who was hired in the offseason to be the team's new coach.
``Dwane wants to get the guys all in one environment before we get real serious,'' general manager Jim Stack said. ``He can kind of indoctrinate the guys into his philosophy and build a little camaraderie. That goes a long way when it comes time to start the season.''
Casey comes to the Timberwolves from Seattle, where he was integral in instilling a fast-paced style of play that relied on versatile players who can change roles on the fly.
That will be an adjustment for Timberwolves Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak, who are used to playing in a more structured system.
That's why the two-day camp in Vegas is so important.
``I'm excited just to get all the new guys together and get to work,'' said forward Mark Madsen, who signed a new five-year contract this summer, in his trademark upbeat tone. ``Work on the pick 'n' roll defense, baby.''
It will also give team leaders like Garnett and Szczerbiak a chance to meet the newest Timberwolves -- Marko Jaric, Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rashad McCants.
``We've had a lot of changes this summer,'' Madsen said. ``I think (this trip) is only going to pay dividends down the road.''
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