Monday Practice Report
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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The sense of anticipation is in the air. Wednesday will mark the season opener as the Wolves face New Jersey at the Target Center. The team practiced on Monday afternoon and a welcome sight was back inside the paint. Al Jefferson wore a sleeve on his left leg but looked strong while working on post moves against center Ryan Holllins.
 Kurt Rambis  DOWNLOAD MP3 Al Jefferson DOWNLOAD MP3 Kevin Love DOWNLOAD MP3 Ryan Gomes DOWNLOAD MP3 |
Head coach Kurt Rambis told reporters that Jefferson was "terrific" today at practice. Rambis expects to play the big man on Wednesday and the training staff will continue to monitor Jefferson's Achilles tendonitis each day leading up to the season opener.
"We didn't get into a full scrimmage, so everything was confined to the half court. It's something that we don't want it to continue all year long. We want to try to get rid of it right now at the beginning of the season," Rambis said.
Minnesota build momentum with two consecutive wins to conclude the preseason. Veteran leader Ryan Gomes was pleased to see the progress from a young squad in the six games.
"It is a work in progress. Now the real thing starts on Wednesday, so we are gonna make a lot of mistakes playing that way in a fast pace style of basketball but that is the easiest way to play basketball, is to get easy baskets. Hopefully we can excel in that category in fast break points but it's going to start with defense. In the last two preseason games, we did a good job of that and put up some points, so hopefully that will carry on to the regular season," Gomes said.
From Summer League to training camp to preseason games, the real action is now 48 hours away. The Wolves will hold one more full practice before a shootaround session on Wednesday morning.
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