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." --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 59.114.192.101