Kahn again writes to fans after poor start

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 10:18 PM

MEMPHIS - Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn sat nine rows from the court Saturday night at FedEx Forum and consumed all the pageantry of the 1-8 Grizzlies battling the 1-9 Wolves.

His predecessor, Kevin McHale, seldom traveled with the team unless there were special circumstances. Kahn, only six months on the job, plans to be with the team pretty much wherever they go, home or away.

"I'm new," he said. "There's a learning curve. It's one thing to be watching games on film. It's another thing to be with a group of guys day in and day out. There's more for me to do with the team than being back home because I'm not the type of GM who will always be out scouting college players. Some do, and they're entitled to. But that's not who I am.

"Our coach is new, too. If I can simply be a resource by being a confidant, by being there for camaraderie, celebrations, commiserations, hopefully I can be helpful."

On the team's flight to Memphis on Friday night, Kahn wrote another letter to Timberwolves followers -- as he has done from time to time since he was hired in May -- addressing the start, now 1-10 after Saturday's loss.

"Our record was to be expected -- but it will not be accepted," he wrote. "Big difference, I think."

He wrote that Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington "need to take advantage of the rare opportunity to play significant minutes as rookies." He called for a "physical and mental toughness, even when we lose" that was not displayed in that 41-point loss at Golden State last week. He said the team will start "running and attacking more on offense," especially when Kevin Love and Al Jefferson return to the team.

He vowed to work harder.

No Al

Jefferson missed his second game in as many nights Saturday because he is in Florida, where his grandmother died Thursday not long after he arrived by her side. Kahn said he expects Jefferson to be back for practice Monday.

"I've always enjoyed challenges, and that's how I challenged them as a team," Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said of playing without Jefferson and Love. "Don't feel sorry for yourself, just try to go out and take a win from them."

Making a case

Kahn sent a note to the NBA office Saturday making the case that center Ryan Hollins shouldn't have received a second technical foul and an automatic ejection from Friday's game against Dallas after an encounter with Mavericks forward Drew Gooden. Hollins got the second technical for a flying elbow that didn't land after he and Gooden were entangled.

Feisty

Two nights after Jefferson said his team needed to hit back when it was struck, the Wolves were involved in several skirmishes with Mavericks players. Included was Flynn jawing at Dallas big guy Dirk Nowitzki.

"That's OK," Rambis said. "I don't mind that at all. I don't mind our team sticking up for their teammates. That's a good thing."

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