Saunders, Van Gundy try to validate dual positions

The Timberwolves' Flip Saunders and Detroit's Stan Van Gundy are members of a pretty exclusive NBA group. Saunders and Van Gundy, along with Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers, are the only coaches who also have the responsibility of running their teams as presidents of basketball operations.

Before Thursday's Wolves home opener against the Pistons at Target Center, Van Gundy talked about the pressure that goes with the job. He was asked if he felt a responsibility from his peer group to prove the arrangement could work.

Honestly, yes.

"I think that's fair to say, actually," said Van Gundy, who is trying to turn around a Pistons team that won just 29 games. "I don't know what the word would be, but you do feel a responsibility to do well, and to show that coaches can do these things."

Saunders? "I think people watch what everybody else does," he said. "But every situation is different. And there is no one right way or wrong way to do things. I think my [situation] is different than Stan's."

Saunders is intent on developing young talent, even if it means some difficulty in the short term. Wednesday's opener was a good example, when he called three post up plays for rookie Andrew Wiggins — who was being guarded by prime-time defender Tony Allen — just to give Wiggins the experience of going against a top opponent.

"We know what this season is about," Saunders said. "It's about facilitating the progress of our young players."

Akana would not comment on negotiations, other than to say the reports he has seen regarding the Wolves' offers have not been accurate.

Kevin Martin returned to action after missing Wednesday's opener because of a sprained ankle. But he came off the bench Thursday and played just 20 ½ minutes. And that's fine with Martin, who said he's not yet back to 100 percent.

"Coach knows I'm nowhere near being [completely] healthy," he said. "He did a great job of monitoring me tonight."

Following the Wolves' 97-91 victory, Saunders praised Martin in particular for his effort on the defensive end. When he heard that, Martin smiled.

"I got praised for defense?'' Martin asked. "I think I'm going to retire now."

"[Wednesday] night I couldn't fall asleep thinking about all the turnovers,'' he said. "I watched film to see what I could do. I think I did a pretty good job of controlling the ball."

Shabazz Muhammad has slimmed down and buffed up, but those 20-25 pounds he lost over the summer didn't keep him from crashing the boards in Memphis to the tune of 13 points and seven rebounds, including three offensive rebounds.

A couple of times, the Grizzlies put big Zach Randolph on him, in an attempt to keep him off the glass.

"Definitely not," Muhammad said when asked if the new, thinner him has trouble pushing his way around. "I think I'm a stronger. I lost a lot of fat and a lot of muscle I gained. I feel way stronger, going down there and getting rebounds."