Miller likes what he's seen, even with Jefferson hobbled

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Kevin McHale introduced latest Wolves player Mike Miller.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2008 - 1:02 AM

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MANKATO - Optimism flowed three days and five practices into Timberwolves' training camp on Thursday.

"I like what I've seen so far, and we haven't even thrown Big Al in the mix so far," said Mike Miller, an eight-year NBA player. "I'm telling you right now: If we keep this core together, the future is really bright for this team."

Al Jefferson practiced for more than 30 minutes of live 2-on-2 work Thursday, another step forth in his recovery from a sprained knee ligament. He likely will return to practice fully next week, when the Wolves are expected to open preseason play without him at least for games at Milwaukee on Monday and against Oklahoma City in Montana on Wednesday.

The Wolves practiced just once Thursday -- but for three hours, 15 minutes -- as coach Randy Wittman gave his players a break from two-a-day practices to rest their legs. They'll practice twice today and once Saturday before holding a public scrimmage in Mankato on Saturday night.

"They're going through a tough stretch of soreness," Wittman said. "This is kind of the hump day of fighting through the soreness. Once your body does that, you won't have that soreness the rest of the year."

The Wolves might have been worn in body, but not in spirit.

"I'm kind of shocked, like, Woooo ... " point guard Randy Foye said. "We can be pretty good, let's put it like that. Don't put too much in the paper, but we're going to be all right."

Hot shots

With the addition of Miller, the Wolves this season could play a lineup that features three players who shot better than 40 percent from three-point range last season: Foye shot 41.2 percent from there, Rashad McCants 40.7 percent and Miller 43.2 percent.

"We might be the only team in the league that has three 40-percent three-point shooters," said Kevin McHale, the Wolves vice president of basketball operations. "That should make Al's life better. That should really spread the floor and give us an advantage."

Camping out

Other than Jefferson and veteran centers Calvin Booth (who hasn't practiced because of back spasms) and Jason Collins (recovering from elbow surgery), the Wolves have come through camp's first three days healthy. There was an anxious moment late in Thursday's practice, when Kevin Love went down hard. "There's little nicks and kinks and pains every day," Love said. "You just have to get up and run it off." ... The team's new deal with Fox Sports North will create a new 30-minute "Wolves Weekly" show that will air this season. The show will air after game broadcasts, most often on Wednesday night.

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