http://www.kfan.com/wolves/2003_04/n_100203_sprewell.html

Spree's a no-show on media day
Posted 10.02.03


Tom Pelissero
KFAN dot com

Minneapolis, Minn. - Latrell Sprewell did not attend Timberwolves media day on Thursday, and the team was uncertain of his whereabouts during the two-hour event.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told the media that he spoke with Sprewell's mother when the newly-acquired guard did not arrive on time for the media gathering at Target Center. Sprewell's mother assured Taylor that her son had departed from his hometown of Milwaukee Thursday morning, and intended to arrive in the early afternoon.

"I know that he has left home, I talked to his mom, and she knows he's on his way," Taylor said. "So I'm saying let's just wait until he gets here. We'll talk to him and find out if he started on time, or if he ran into trouble, or if he miscalculated a detour, or something like this."

The Timberwolves acquired Sprewell from the New York Knicks in a four-team trade July 23 that also sent guard Terrell Brandon to Atlanta and center Marc Jackson to Philadelphia.

Taylor refused to speculate on Sprewell's whereabouts, but assured the media that punctuality was not a problem for the 6-5 swingman in New York.

"It is a question that we had asked New York [before the trade]," Taylor said. "They said that since he had been in New York, he has been on time. He's been practice and all those things on time."

The 33-year old Sprewell has a history of off-the-court problems. Last season, he arrived at Knicks training camp with a broken hand, which he blamed on a fall on his boat. A New York writer suggested that the injury was actually the result of a fight - Sprewell responded to the allegation by suing the writer in a pending lawsuit.

Sprewell was suspended in 1998 for choking Warriors coach P.J. Carlisemo during a practice. He was subsequently traded to the Knicks in January 1999.

He has averaged 19.1 points per game over 11 NBA seasons with Golden State and New York.

The Timberwolves open training camp Friday morning at St. John's University in Collegeville.

Maybe spree decided to sail to the Twin cities!

Guy earns 12 mil a year, 33 years old, and ya gotta call his mother to find his where abouts?

spree is all heart!

What is it about going to training camp that mess's this guy up? My favorite was when he drove from california and decided to go to Milwaukee but not tell anyone. He missed the Charleston camp that year.

I like the guy, he makes me laugh! Hell of a ball player.

Defender of the SPree?

Home of the Brave?

Nobody said he didn't play well, or try his best.

I think his "rebel" attitude is just as attractive as his game to many. He can earn 12 mil and tell management to flip off!

But what it also does is tell your team mates you think your more important than they are and you don't have to do the same things they do.

It does matter being true to your team, and your fans. It does not build trust. None of the knicks publically had a problem with him, but the team is very quiet about team matters and airing it out. It also comes off as being nit pickey. When quoted the team always pointed to his on court play.

Hey, Knicks management knew they were signing witht he devil when they traded him and extended his contract.

His record of pre camp activities are notorious. The guy is a hoot!
The wolves have an intresting line up and I for one will watch them when I can. He should do well on a good team, and is a much better fit than he was on ours.

I hope fans give a chance to KVH and I hope KVH gives it his all and becomes a crowd favorite.

Who cares not our problem.

Posted by OasisBU:

I also think KVH should be embraced by NY so we give him a chance to show us something here. Why be negative about the guy now? He has been decent in the past and he will be decent here. With the fans behind him maybe he will show us a little more. Either way KVH deserves a chance - he is what we have to put on the floor.

I agree with you. You don't bury your own and right now as long as KVH wears the orange and blue we should support him and wish for the best from him.