Tom Ziller @ BallHype: NBA Festivus Northwest Edition do yourself a favor and click this link.

The Old Logo on Tuesday's game and the free throw struggles of the Wolves.

Charley Walters @ the Pioneer Press. Glen says that the team is going to be fun but young. The thing about "fun but young" is that when the "young" is more prevalent fans get exceedingly frustrated. If the "fun" is a couple dunks, then that's just not going to cut it. I think Minnesota sports fans, given the choice, tend to prefer the hard-working, team-oriented image (see Twins, Minnesota) over the razzle-dazzle. This from Taylor: "I wasn't patient last year. I've got to be patient this year." What about the fans' patience? If Buckets and Blount turn into pure chuckers or sour the air, patience will wear thin. Walters also speculates that Al's extension should be in the "five-year...$50 million range." That's not news. Nor does it seem reasonable given that shooting guard Kevin Martin got more than that and there's a premium on size. Jefferson's agent isn't that stupid. If the Wolves lock up Al for 5 years and $60 million, they should consider themselves lucky. Apparently Al's going to buy Dwane Casey's townhouse in Minneapolis too.

Rick Alonzo @ the Pioneer Press: Greg Buckner could be a victim of Minnesota Timberwolves' youth movement. After cutting John Edwards the Wolves will have 16 guaranteed contracts. That's one too many for NBA regulations. Veteran guard Greg Buckner said Wednesday he would understand if the Timberwolves want to buy out his contract and that he wouldn't fight the issue. But his agent said a buyout is unlikely and that the Wolves shouldn't expect Buckner to take less money than he's owed. It would be sad if Buckner was bought out. He and Howard have been positive influences on the youngsters. Moving possible locker room problems should be the priority. Buckner says he wants to be her, which is different from some*cough*marko*players*jaric*cough on the team. But, of course Marko's mammoth contract to production ratio causes a problem. At least we know for sure that the player movement excitement isn't over.

Kent Youngblood @ the Star Tribune: Youthful Timberwolves Learning Some Hard Lessons Early On. Wittman's using the sink or swim method with the kids this preseason. I don't blame him and actually, I agree with him. Just don't give your kids to Witt for swim lessons: "I think that's how they teach kids how to swim now. They throw them into the deep end." As Youngblood points out, though, the youth infusion in the early fourth quarter last game led to a 10-minute scoring drought.

Timberwolves.com: Wednesday Wolves Roundup.

Kyle Weber: Low-balling Jefferson Would Be Stupid. Couldn't agree more.

Hoops Fantasy gives a run-down on the Wolves' outlooks this year.

Guy Lake @ FourLetter.com has more fantasy insight on the Wolves.

No matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll ever beat SG at TWolvesBlog for earliest news post. I was up at 5:20 this morning and she STILL had hers up. What can I do?

Star Tribune:

• Wolves Hope Four Road Games Help Whittle Team's Roster. Wittman has this to say: "And I'd like to have a little bit better understanding who plays well together in combinations." I know this team is very new, but he doesn't have much time left to figure this out. On the other hand, with expectations low this year and wet ink on Wittman's three-year contract, there may be plenty of time to sort through the roster regardless of losses.
• Jaric Gets His Turn to Prove His Point. This does not look promising. Jaric had 5 turnovers and 3 assists. Then foul trouble forced Buckner, Buckets and Brewer into point guard (Telfair and Foye didn't suit up). Not to mention the Wolves had a 14 point lead in at halftime, then lost by 8. It looks like mostly youth was used in the second half, so perhaps the collapse is understandable. After all, it's just preseason. Right? Continuing the run of sprained ankles was Ryan Gomes.

Pioneer Press:

• Deadline for Al Jefferson Contract Extension Nears. This is a perfect time to link to Big Al's Market, parts 1 and 2. No real news on the subject, but Big Al's not sounding like it's getting to him. In other news, John Edwards will not make the roster unless space is created via trades.
• Marko Jaric Mans the Point for Minnesota Timberwolves "Reserve plays well in place of injured Foye, Telfair." Was Alonzo watching the same game as Jerry Zgoda? Yes the team gained a lead with Jaric running the point. But 3 assists and 5 turnovers???

SLAM Online: Kevin Garnett is Superbad.

Here's the box score from last night. As I said above, Marko's numbers didn't look like those of a point guard. Buckets had 4 turnovers too. But Al put up 17/15 on 6 of 9 shooting with only 2 turnovers. Theo had 4 blocks. Everyone shot pretty well except for Brewer and Gerald Green.

Shoutout to Skyner: Manchester Millrats Sign Hartford Product

There's a new Wolves podcast called Kissing Marney Gellnar. Episode #2 is up. Phil Collins is featured prominently.

Timberwolves.com has the Battle of the Bloggers 5. Still no invite for the Hoopus. No doubt it has to do with my poor performance last week.

Rick Alonzo @ Pioneer Press: Minnesota Timberwolves still learning coach Randy Wittman's offense. Apparently a relatively new coach and a completely revamped roster takes some time to get on the same page. Having Foye and Telfair sit out on Saturday with injuries, doesn't help. When Alonzo says Ricky, Gerald Green and McCants could see time at point guard a red flag should go up. Marko can pass for a point guard (no pun intended), but those three are NOT point guards.

Kent Yougblood @ Star Tribune: Jet-lagged Wolves hit the road for Memphis. More point guard talk.