Garnett buys in to idea of buying a team - 明尼蘇達灰狼 Minnesota Timberwolves

Garnett buys in to idea of buying a team

http://www.startribune.com/511/story/719860.html

MANKATO - From former Timberwolf to future NBA owner? Kevin Garnett liked
that idea right off. If Christian Laettner and Brian Davis can head up a
group of investors to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies, well, Garnett might
have the connections and deep pockets to pursue a similar move into ownership
in the coming years.

Garnett recalled that Duke teammates Laettner and Davis were planning their
business futures back when Garnett was a rookie. Laettner was Minnesota's
first-round pick in 1992, while Davis played for the club in 1993-94 and
was back in camp in 1995. The two former Wolves invested in and developed
commercial and residential real estate, successfully enough that they are
committing $40 million to the $360 million purchase price for 70 percent
control of the Grizzlies.

"That's a beautiful model, the redevelopment-and-apartments thing at Duke,
and it sort of took off," Garnett said Tuesday night after the Wolves'
evening practice in two-a-days. "Congratulations to both of them. Who
wouldn't want to copy that model?"

Based on Garnett's playing contracts alone, buying into an NBA franchise
might be more than a pipe dream. He smiled at the prospect of attending
Board of Governors meetings.

"I would love to see what the other side really talks about," he said.
"I would love to hear their conversations. Whether they'd let me do
that ... they didn't let Jordan do that."

NBA great Michael Jordan was president of, and had a piece of, the
Washington Wizards from 2000 to 2003. But he eventually was forced
out by team chairman Abe Pollin.

Garnett also was intrigued by a report that Laettner might play for
Memphis this season.

"You better swing that [ball] to him, and you better not say nothin'
[critical] to him," Garnett said.

Griffin joins club

After missing the Wolves' media day and team meeting Monday, forward
Eddie Griffin joined the club in Mankato and participated in both workouts
Tuesday. Coach Dwane Casey confirmed that Griffin would be fined.

"An expensive trip home," the coach said of Griffin's return to Houston
for personal business.

Said Griffin: "I'm just moving on from it and ready to get started.
[Fans] shouldn't be disappointed. I've been working hard, and it's going
to show on the court."

Asked about the lawsuit he faces from his notorious traffic accident in
March, in which he hit a parked vehicle with his SUV and was captured on
security cameras afterward, the 6-10 forward said: "I went to court for
the tickets for not having my insurance card and whatever ... I ain't
going to settle with them, because they had a bogus story."

Hassell breathes easier

Guard Trenton Hassell also missed media day Monday, but his absence was
excused; his 14-month-old son, Bailey, was hospitalized for four days
because of a chest infection. Bailey was released Tuesday.

Tuesday's grade: D

Casey said that the Wolves' entire focus in their first workout was on
defense, with some token scrimmaging at the end for conditioning.

"Everybody's talking about offense, run-and-gun," the coach said. "We're
emphasizing defense this week. No middle penetration. Getting our defensive
pick-and-roll rotations down. That takes a little bit longer than guys
shooting the basketball. It's a little bit tougher."


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