Wolves fulfill a fan's wish

For a month, Cody Metz waited for this.

Metz is a 16-year-old junior at Lakeville South and a lifelong Timberwolves fan, steadfast even during the franchise's more difficult days.

This week, he's practically part of the team.

Thanks to the Timberwolves and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Metz and his parents were guests of the team Tuesday at Target Center. They watched warmups from the bench and the game against Atlanta -- with some of Cody's friends -- from a suite. They flew with the team to Oklahoma City for Wednesday's game, where Cody will have lunch with the team, then watch the game.

"I'm really excited," he said before Tuesday's game. "I never really thought I could get this opportunity."

Metz had surgery to remove a growth from inside his spinal column near the stem of his brain five years ago. Since then Metz has dealt with severe headaches and nausea.

"It's been a long medical process for me," he said. "I've had medical issues my whole life. ... It was a long process, but I'm here today."

Metz and his parents were taken by limo both to the game and to the airport. For Metz, who has been looking forward to this day ever since Love's video arrived, it was worth the wait.

"I'm a little nervous," he admitted. "But more excited, I'd say."