Say hello to the newest Timberwolves

The Wolves today introduced newly drafted UCLA guard Zach LaVine and Michigan forward Glenn Robinson III at a Target Center news conference with basketball boss Flip Saunders.

Some highlights and impressions:

* LaVine reaction on draft night -- and that uttered expletive after he hid his face in his arms -- continued to generate buzz Friday from all the social-media angst expressed by Wolves fans the night before.

"You know, getting drafted in the NBA was something I've always dreamed of since I was a little kid so to tell you the truth when my name got called, I lost it," he said. "I put my head down, thanked God and from there I just lost it. I'm a very emotional person. I didn't mean any disrespect to anyone. I'm the most excited person. It was almost like in disbelief that I said that I think. I felt bad. OK, that's not the best first impression. Hopefully I can make that up.

"I just want to let you guys know I'm the most excited person in the world to be part of this organization. It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm going to put my whole heart into this organization."

* Flip said he woke up Friday morning feeling better about the Wolves organization and where it's headed than he ever has since being hired in May 2013, in good part due to the two young players sitting beside him.

He said he also woke up feeling old because 10 years ago he coached Kevin Garnett on how to stop Glenn Robinson II -- the NBA's 1994 No. 1 overall draft pick and Glenn Robinson III's dad -- and now he's coaching the Big Dog's kid.

LaVine picked his number as an homage to idol Kobe Bryant and because Nikola Pekovic already wears No. 14, his college number.

"I'm not going to fight him over that number," LaVine said. "That dude is huge. He takes up a whole locker."

* The two new rookies worked out together for the Bulls recently, the first time they really got to know and play with each other.

After Robinson discussed the experience and praised him, LaVine turned and said, "Thanks, bro."

* It was clear from the way Flip talked that he drafted both players, but particularly LaVine, believing he can work and develop him the way he did with Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury and John Wall.

Of course, Flip's the same guy who drafted and who will coach LaVine.

* Unlike last year, Flip said he doesn't expect to be active when the NBA's free agency period begins Tuesday. A year ago, he flew to California to meet with J.J. Redick, O.J. Mayo and others. Now he says things will be quieter because the Wolves already have 14 of 15 roster spots filled, even though they still will have a nearly $6 million mid-level exception slot to use if they decide to do so.

* Flip defended selling two second-round picks -- see a story forthcoming that I'll write for Saturday's paper -- and said European prospects Nemanja Bjelica and Bogan Dubljevic both are on career arcs headed to the NBA but are at least a year away.