DieMrBond
09-01-2005, 01:22 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2147455
Wolves' mini-camp in Vegas draws $200K fine
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
A well-attended voluntary mini-camp in Las Vegas last week did not come without a cost for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Wolves were fined $200,000 for the two-day excursion, which was suggested by new coach Dwane Casey as a means for the members of a revamped roster to begin learning Casey's system and start building camaraderie.
The league, which did not announce the fine, prohibits teams from conducting organized team practices or functions in the offseason.
And by funding the Vegas trip, Minnesota committed a salary-cap violation.
The Wolves, through team spokesman Mike Cristaldi, declined comment Tuesday night.
Casey hatched the idea as part of the Wolves' attempts to gain some distance from last season's chemistry nightmare. Coming off a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2004 -- the first time in franchise history it advanced past the first round of the playoffs -- Minnesota swooned all the way into the lottery in 2004-05, costing coach Flip Saunders his job at midseason and leading to the summertime ouster of guards Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell.
The mini-camp concept was then strongly embraced by Wolves star Kevin Garnett, who took it upon himself to call teammates -- and even owner Glen Taylor -- to urge 100 percent attendance. Garnett also took a central role in last week's recruiting of free-agent swingman Michael Finley, joining Taylor to headline the Wolves' contingent in Chicago, Finley's hometown.
The two-day Vegas stay included practices and scrimmages, but the Wolves likely would have been subjected to a fine even if there was no basketball involved. The Sacramento Kings were fined $25,000 in the summer of 1999 for providing 10 players with an all-expenses-paid bonding trip to Vegas.
Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here to send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
Wolves' mini-camp in Vegas draws $200K fine
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
A well-attended voluntary mini-camp in Las Vegas last week did not come without a cost for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Wolves were fined $200,000 for the two-day excursion, which was suggested by new coach Dwane Casey as a means for the members of a revamped roster to begin learning Casey's system and start building camaraderie.
The league, which did not announce the fine, prohibits teams from conducting organized team practices or functions in the offseason.
And by funding the Vegas trip, Minnesota committed a salary-cap violation.
The Wolves, through team spokesman Mike Cristaldi, declined comment Tuesday night.
Casey hatched the idea as part of the Wolves' attempts to gain some distance from last season's chemistry nightmare. Coming off a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2004 -- the first time in franchise history it advanced past the first round of the playoffs -- Minnesota swooned all the way into the lottery in 2004-05, costing coach Flip Saunders his job at midseason and leading to the summertime ouster of guards Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell.
The mini-camp concept was then strongly embraced by Wolves star Kevin Garnett, who took it upon himself to call teammates -- and even owner Glen Taylor -- to urge 100 percent attendance. Garnett also took a central role in last week's recruiting of free-agent swingman Michael Finley, joining Taylor to headline the Wolves' contingent in Chicago, Finley's hometown.
The two-day Vegas stay included practices and scrimmages, but the Wolves likely would have been subjected to a fine even if there was no basketball involved. The Sacramento Kings were fined $25,000 in the summer of 1999 for providing 10 players with an all-expenses-paid bonding trip to Vegas.
Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here to send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.