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Jefferson has plan: Out with the bad
The veteran center is struggling, but he's glad it is happening in the preseason.
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CHICAGO - The Timberwolves lost a preseason game and their starting power forward and best rebounder in Friday's preseason loss at Chicago.
Star forward Al Jefferson also nearly lost his patience with himself on a night when teammate and pal Kevin Love broke his hand.
The Wolves recovered from a 13-point, second-quarter deficit and tied the score in the final 50 seconds. But Jefferson missed the second of two free throws that would have tied it again with 12.2 seconds remaining, and the Bulls scored the game's final three points on free throws for a 94-90 victory.
Jefferson had 16 rebounds and four blocked shots in a preseason-high 34 minutes. He also made three of 10 shots, scored 10 points, had four turnovers and called it his "worst offensive night."
"Tonight makes me realize why I love preseason so much," Jefferson said. "You've got to get all those bad things out. If I got to go through a slump, better now than later. Good thing coach let me get my minutes and get it out of me.
"By the 28th, I'll be ready."
Game shapeWolves coach Kurt Rambis inserted Damien Wilkins into Friday's starting lineup for Ryan Gomes, probably as a reward for Wednesday's solid game against the Bulls, and intends to increase the playing time for Jefferson and Corey Brewer in a measured effort to get them ready for the regular season, now 11 days away.
Jefferson played 34 minutes despite fighting a cold, recording 10 points and 16 rebounds. Brewer played only 25 because of first-half foul trouble, but he was the Wolves' leading scorer with 20 points.
UnforgettableThe Wolves coaching staff hasn't played the game for more than 15 years, but they're not forgotten. On ESPN Radio Friday, a show host commented on a feisty guest and compared him to Bill Laimbeer flinging elbows in the paint.
"I guess that's OK," Rambis said, "even if it's not [remembered] for the good things."
Sickness alertThe Cleveland Cavaliers have been hit hard by the flu -- even LeBron James got it -- but the Wolves have so far remained fever free.
The team made flu shots available to every player who wanted one before training camp begins and will do so again when vaccine for the H1N1 flu becomes available. Players also have been briefed about washing their hands and keeping their hands away from their faces.
"We're trying to make sure they do all the right things, but you can't monitor them 24 hours," Rambis said. "It's cold out. It's flu season. They're traveling and in different environments like autograph signings or in crowds. They get fatigued. All of that plays into it."
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