Wolves Prep for Boston

Fresh off twelve solid quarters of basketball, Wolves practice on Tuesday focused on preparation for Friday's matchup with the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.

Coach Randy Wittman was attending the funeral of his father-in-law and assistant coach Jerry Sichting ran practice, but Wittman will resume coaching duties in Boston.

Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes reflected on what it will be like returning to Boston, while Marco Jaric discussed facing Kevin Garnett in a Celtics uniform.

Wolves Forward Al Jefferson
On facing his old team:
Jefferson: I look at Boston like I look at Phoenix ... just another game. Definitely, (we are building confidence). We beat two great teams and we were there at the end with Denver. It feels good going back to Boston. It's like family to me. (Boston coach) Doc Rivers and I still keep in touch. Tony Allen is one of my closest friends. It always feels good to go back.

On playing against Kevin Garnett:
Jefferson: One thing about Kevin Garnett ... when he steps on the court, he's going as hard as he can until the end. That's one thing that I've always respected about him. I look at (Kevin) like I look at Amaré Stoudamire ... When you step on the court, you have to bring your 'A' game. You have to go one hundred and ten percent.

On the trade:
Jefferson: I was glad from day one. Like I've always said, Boston and Minnesota are on two different levels. Boston is trying to win a championship right now. Minnesota is trying to rebuild. Being traded gave me an opportunity to become a leader. I had to grow up fast. This was a chance to have a team built around me. I was happy that it happened from day one."

On if his game has changed since the trade:
Jefferson: I had to grow up fast. I had to. I'm a different type of a player. I feel that when I step on the court; if I play well, do well, rebound well, all the little things ... that sets an example for my teammates. They look at me as the guy that is going to set that example like they looked at Kevin Garnett or how (Boston) looks at Kevin Garnett right now. That's the difference between now and last year.

On Wittman's brief absence:
Jefferson: I didn't even know (about the funeral) until he told us last night. For him to go through that and still do the job that he did, (to) coach us, motivate us to go out and play well these last two games, I have respect for him.

On what worked well against Phoenix:
Jefferson: I just had to attack the basket. I either had to try and score, get fouled or both and it worked out for us.

On if Boston will bring a similar double-team as Denver, Golden State and Phoenix did:
Jefferson: Just because I know Doc Rivers, and my friend Kendrick Perkins, I really don't believe they'll bring a double team tomorrow. I have to tip my hat off to them ... The only reason I know what I know now is because they drafted me and worked with me for the past three years. I really believe that Doc won't sent a double team and I think he'll send Kendrick or Garnett at me one-on-one.

Wolves Assistant Coach Jerry Sichting
On practice today, and Randy Foye's condition:
Sichting: We didn't do a whole lot of contact today because of our schedule, but Randy has been doing a little. He's down there playing 3-on-3 and increasing activity as his knee allows and so far he's said no pain. I'm not sure (if he'll make the trip to Boston).

On opposing teams defending Jefferson:
Sichting: I think they'll have (a double) in their game plan, but I don't think they'll start out doing that. We're to the point where we expect it and some nights we handle it better than others. We've been moving (Jefferson) around on the court where it's tougher to double him at times, and when that happens other guys have to make plays.

On facing the Celtics:
Sichting: We'll see (if there's extra motivation). I think everyone wants to play well against their former team. We'll have to see how each guy responds. They only have one guy that's dealing with it; we have more than one obviously. Different guys are probably handling it differently, but everyone will be ready to play, whether they were involved in the trade or not. (Boston) is coming off a couple losses, (including) a couple home losses. They are going to be ready to play. We talked to our guys last night and today that we have to start expecting to play like we have the last few games, instead of every five or six games. We have to be more consistent.

Wolves Guard Marco Jaric
On facing Garnett:
Jaric: Definitely it will be a weird first couple of minutes. (Boston) is having a great season thus far. You can't say the same for us, but we are coming off three games that we played really well. We feel confident and we are going to go out there and try and win.

On what has worked in the last three games:
Jaric: The difference this year is that we don't have a true superstar. If we want to win, we have to play team basketball, defensively and offensively. The last couple games we've done that and that's why we're playing this well.

Wolves Forward Ryan Gomes
On returning to Boston:
Gomes: For me, I'm from that area. I will have family at the game. I'll be able to talk to them after the game but I'm focused on the game and trying to get a win. Two games in a row and hopefully we'll be able to steal another one against the best team in the East.

On facing his old coach and teammates:
Gomes: I'm going to think of it a little bit like practice ... like starters versus the other guys. There's just more competition.