Star Tribune: A Taste of Culture Where Europe Meets Asia. Gomes is doing a daily diary while the team is in Turkey through the Strib. "Our hotel is like staying in a castle. It reminds me of reading about the ancient times of Western civilization back when I was in school."Their hotel does look pretty sweet (Google map). Apparently Craig Smith got his boot off too.

Speaking of Mr. Smith, he's doing a travelogue at Timberwolves.com. Did you know his nickname is "The Rhino?" Neither did I, but I like it a jabillion times more than "The Cookie Monster." Gomes said the traffic was worse in Istanbul than in Boston, Craig implies it's worse than in LA.

Reports are coming out that former Timberwolf Doug West may replace new Timberwolves Assistant Ed Pinckney at Villanova. Small world.

Timberwolves.com: Wittman's Conference Call from Istanbul. Witt says he's doing a completely new system this year.

USA Today: Key issues abound for all 30 NBA teams. This guy says it's "Did they get enough for Kevin Garnett?" What a load of crap. That's not a question this season at all. In fact, it's an irrelevant question from here on out; the trade is completed and so is the offsesason. Over. Done. Fin. The real question is how all the new parts will fit together.

Talkin' T-Wolves is excited about this year. So is Canis Hoopus.

Stephen Litel @ Downtown Journal on Day 1 of Training Camp (ie last Saturday, the only day spent in Minny). The team was running quite a bit, perhaps that part of Witt's new "system?" Theo looks healthy, which is great news (especially if Blount can be moved). Howard was pushing others hard and Marko did what? He smiled apparently...

Pioneer Press: Minnesota Timberwolves' trip to Turkey is 'breathtaking' ... and tedious.

Charley Walters @ the Pioneer Press: "The Timberwolves' trip to Istanbul was set up a year ago with Kevin Garnett (since traded) to be the featured attraction in Turkey ... Timberwolves executive radio producer Bill Hohenecker, who has resigned, worked more than 1,100 games for the team."

USA Today: Garnett to face former team in London as part of NBA Europe Live exhibition tour

Timberwolves.com: Istanbul Day 2 from Cristaldi.

Timberwolves.com:

• Istanbul Update #1 from PR Director Mike Cristaldi. Apparently the Efes Pilsen facility doubles as a brewery. It's also good to hear that Mad Dog and Craiggers are getting in some training, despite their injuries. Also, I no longer doubt that Ricky was sick on Media Day.
• Euro Live Journal from Roc Babcock, Part 2. Apparently Rob Babcock has what he calls "bagatitis." [Insert inappropriate joke here]. He also reports about Mad Dog and Smith working out. Apparently, Craig was working out in the pool after dinner... at 11 pm. That's great news.

Marc Stein @ FourLetter.com released his first power ranking of the season. The Wolves are last. Thirtieth.

Hoop Springs Eternal: 07-08 T-Wolves: Back to the Future. Peter Weinhold doesn't seem to trust the Timberwolves management. I can't blame him.

Talkin' T-Wolves breaks down the training camp position battles.

An interesting post on MN Sports Fans about the Hassell trade. It seems this posters source implied that Hassell and Hudson were around mostly to make KG happy. Now that the ticket's gone, they were two who the Wolves made sure they moved. While there's no way to confirm how true this is, I believe it. T-Hud and KG were known to get along well and at Summer League games (when the Wolves used to host them), Trenton and KG would sit together in the stands. Hardly concrete evidence, but the logic and limited evidence together make sense to me. Further proof of how important it is for the Wolves to distance themselves from KG until a new identity is solidified.

Photos of the Timberwolves in Turkey. Thanks to SG over at TWolvesBlog

Apparently Ndudi Ebi has signed with Israeli team Bnei HaSharon. Eurobasket, Wikipedia

Washington Post: Big Hole in Minnesota. Brief synopsis of the first day of training camp.

Bleeding the Clock: Minnesota Doesn't Deserve Your Pity