Defense, stamina to be tested

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: October 6, 2008 - 7:49 AM

The Timberwolves open their preseason schedule tonight in Milwaukee eager to discover whether the defensive acumen they displayed in training camp translates to an unfamiliar opponent.

They'll also find out if their legs are back under them.

Rookie Kevin Love, for one, showed the effects from five long days at training camp in Saturday night's public scrimmage in Mankato. On Sunday, with two-a-days now behind him and his teammates, he was a new man at the Wolves' afternoon Target Center practice.

On Saturday night, Wolves coach Randy Wittman said Love's legs hurt and his head hurt, the result of hitting the proverbial rookie training-camp wall. On Sunday, he apparently had the spring of a 20-year-old.

"Actually, Kevin Love had his best practice of the year today," Wittman said after Sunday's workout. "He said his legs felt a lot better. His mind was much sharper, his first step was much quicker. All those things will slow down when you're tired and sore."

Wittman wants to see how Love adapts to the pace of NBA play.

"He's got to continue to work on his transition up the floor," Wittman said. "That will be a big thing for him. The speed of this game is unlike any speed he has seen before."

Al Jefferson is expected to play some tonight with a plastic brace on his leg, as he did in Saturday's scrimmage, as he heals from a sprained knee ligament. Mike Miller is available to play; he left the scrimmage early because of a sore hamstring.

The Big Hurt

Veteran center Calvin Booth remains on the exercise bike and not on the floor because of back spasms that sidelined him for all of training camp. With Jason Collins out until November because of elbow surgery, Brian Cardinal likely sidelined for tonight's game because of a sore calf and Booth out, the Wolves, even with Jefferson back, are hurting for big bodies.

"He hasn't shown me any reason to believe we'll see him soon," Wittman said of Booth. "That's all I can go on. I'd like to see him. We talked about having size. That's been the disappointing thing about camp. Jason's injury, he can't do anything about that. But the bigger guys, it has been disappointing I haven't gotten a look at them."

Booth's age (32) and contract (a year remaining at $1.14 million) make him a candidate for a buyout before the Oct. 29 season opener.

Weighing options

Miami's signing of free-agent Shaun Livingston on Friday leaves veteran Kevin Ollie and first-year player Blake Ahearn competing for the third point guard spot. But that could change as teams release players and juggle their rosters for salary-cap purposes when rosters are set just before the season opener.

"We'll continue to look at waiver wires, whether it's a guard or a big man," Wittman said.

On the air

Three Wolves preseason games will be broadcast on KFAN-AM (1130): Friday's game at Denver, Oct. 14 at Chicago and Oct. 23 against Milwaukee at Target Center. The two Target Center games -- Oct. 22 against Chicago and the next night against the Bucks -- will be televised on FSN.

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