Minnesota Sports Forum

I think it would have been interesting watching practices with KG, Cassell, and Spree. I bet the second year it was tough for KG with those guys mailing it in because of contracts disputes.

I could see a.scenario in KGs head where he feels some extra obligation or pressure to get this team on the right track by leading and teaching for 2 reasons. 1st is that he will own the team, or so they say, and its in his best interest to help build a great team. 2nd is that with Flip being gone, he may feel extra need to take more control. Or maybe he is always like this.

Either way, I would think that it wont become an issue for the young players since they all seem to adore him and all seem eager to learn and become great.

Someone posted on another board that they noticed Sam and KG generally had each other's back during the practice. KG would say something, and Sam would say "like KG said, we gotta..."...or vice versa. It was almost like it was rehearsed. I wonder if Sam maybe isn't pleased having a couple coach's kids and Sid Lowe as assistant coaches, and has asked KG for some help. I can see a private conversation like this "KG, I'm stuck with little Flip, little Rick, Sid and some new guy...you gotta help me out and be my unofficial first assistant!". I'm obviously making this up, but KG sure looked like Sam's go-to assistant yesterday. Another advantage of having KG being so vocal is that he makes Sam look warm and fuzzy by comparison...kind of a good cop/bad cop deal.

LST- Interesting take. I could see that. I noticed him correcting Gates at one point. He seemed to get along fine with Lowe, but the other guys seemed pushed to the side. Then you have bringing in Gary Trent. I did notice Trent sitting about 8 spots over from KG at a Lynx game. Something about him just doesn't give me the best vibes. I wish Flip would have kept Jack Sikma around.

Practice?!? Practice!?

Some of the analyzation of this practice is crazier than the local Husker radio shows with the first practice under new coach Mike Riley.

Yeesh. It's like you guys haven't watched basketball in months!

I think you guys are making more of that practice than what it was, especially how KG acted. I'd feel comfortable saying that that's how KG has been in every practice since the early 2000s. He's intense, vocal and intelligent in regards to basketball. That's all that he displayed yesterday. Nothing new.

Some of the "press conference interviews" have been popping up at timberwolves.com. Hopefully they will post them all. KG's is up and definitely worth a listen.

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/video/teams/timberwolves/2015/09/30/1443640971199-Garnett.mp4-36068

Jon Krawczynski ?@APkrawczynski · 3m3 minutes ago
Tayshaun Prince said it was hard to say anyone really stood out in 1st 2 days, but did say Zach LaVine has been impressive.

Liking this!

KG knows more about defense than anyone on our coaching staff. Having him speak up during the defensive part of practice is what we need. I think the sons are more specialized coaches who focus on the research in between games and in Ryan's case coaching up the ball handlers. I don't think they are responsible for being heavily involved in coaching up the grander offensive and defensive schemes aside from just watching for mistakes and preaching the same message Sam is preaching.

KG has always been that way in practice. Ray Allen hated it. A few days into practice the first season those two were together in Boston, Allen couldn't stand it anymore. So he went to Doc Rivers after practice and said, "I didn't sign up for this bullshit. Tell him (meaning KG) to back off or I'm out of here." Doc talked to KG and he did dial it down.

If Sam gets to a point where he thinks KG needs to tone it down, I'm sure he'll tell him. And I think KG respects him enough to honor his request. There is a point where KG's nonstop in your face chatter will wear thin with his teammates. Sam will have to monitor the situation and intervene at the appropriate time. For now, KG's intensity is probably a good thing for the development of these young guys and the team's culture.