Flynn and Love Lend All-Star Support
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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Snow blanketed the surrounding grass, there was a crisp feeling in the air, yet, Jonny Flynn and Kevin Love were 1,000 miles away from Minneapolis. While the environment mirrored home, both players took part in a community event during All-Star weekend in Dallas. Following a light practice on Friday morning, the rookies and sophomores boarded the bus for a trip to Burnet Elementary as part of the NBA's Day of Service. The players convened in the crowded hallways where the staff members at the school split up the crew to accomplish a variety of tasks.
"A lot of the kids of the community see them on TV but to see them improve their schools for the children giving their time, and giving their time to the community means a whole lot," president of the Dallas Independent School district Adam Medrano said. "There are actually new swing sets; they donated computers, the NBA Cares program, to beautify the school and also new library books."
Flynn and Love joined forces once again. The two Minnesota stars took a trip down memory lane for an entertaining attempt at arts and crafts. Medrano instructed all the players to peel Fatheads (life-size posters that stick to walls) and place the images on large foam boards, so the staff members could help beautify each room in the school.
The goal was to decorate the facility before the students returned on Monday for a more aesthetically pleasing place to crack open their books. "I wish I could see their reaction, I love kids so I wish I could see their reaction, but just thinking about it I know how happy I would be in my elementary school where I came and I saw something like this. It's definitely a good event and I had fun doing it," Flynn said.
In addition to creating artwork for the interior of the school, the NBA put up two new outdoor courts with a Mavericks and All-Star logo. Medrano explained his excitement for the enhancements, "There are 1100 kids that go to school here. So every year that's how people will benefit from this every day from this one day that the NBA came in to do."
Love only took exception with one portion of the community event; he was not one of the Fatheads. Just as trading cards used to be an indicator of stardom, the 2K10 version is receiving a spot on Fatheads or video games. Regardless, Love understood the importance of representing his franchise and the NBA, "Oh it's cool. Last year I guess they didn't have it for the rookie/ sophomores so it's good to give back to the community in every way and NBA Cares always does a great job."
Flynn and Love jumped back on the bus to prepare for the Rookie Challenge but appreciated the opportunity to positively affect students in a different location. "It makes you get out of your comfort zone. Down in Minneapolis everybody knows who you are and things like that, you come to places like this where you can lend a helping hand the same kind of way and reach out to different people who might not see you every day. So it means a lot," Flynn reiterated.
The entire weekend provided Kodak moments and a bag full of experiences for Flynn and Love. Over the next season, these Wolves will spend countless hours in the gym to hopefully earn another spot at the All-Star game. This specific event reminded both players of the significant impact they can make here in Minneapolis or all the way in snowy Dallas.
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