Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Timberwolves Training Camp

Media Credit: Raymond Starin Veteran Mark Madsen takes on the role of mentoring a young Timberwolves team in their second full season under head coach Randy Wittman.

When Mark Madsen entered the NBA in 2000, he was able to learn from one of the best: Shaquille O'Neal.

Madsen is no Shaquille O'Neal, but he's no pushover, either. The 6-9 forward-center, nicknamed "Mad Dog," has since earned a reputation as one of the hardest working, most intense hustle players in his eight years in the league.

Now, he hopes to instill those same attributes in a young Minnesota Timberwolves squad that includes rookie center Kevin Love.

"We've got so many great players and great leaders on this team and I'm really just going to try to be a consistent influence by playing hard and take some of the younger guys under my wing," said Madsen, who won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to Minnesota five years ago. "When I was a rookie I had Shaquille really mentor me and put me under his tutelage, and he taught me a lot, so I'm hoping I can share some of that same experience that I had coming into this league."

Madsen and Love, the 20-year-old who helped lead UCLA to the Final Four this spring, have already had the opportunity to become intimately acquainted.

Late in September, while playing pick-up ball, Love went up to dunk while Madsen tried to contest. Madsen wound up having to get stitches in his chin and a front tooth popped back into place.

"He went up for a dunk and I went up to contest," Madsen said. "He led with the elbow which is what he should do and he knocked me back."

Said a sheepish Love: "I didn't mean to …. I called him up and apologized. He's probably one of the greatest guys in the league."

Wolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale expressed similar thoughts about Madsen.

"When you start talking about just good people," he said, "it's very hard to find many that are better than Mark."

But with a squad full of young but talented players, and the addition of Love and guard Mike Miller, playing time might be hard to find for Madsen. His minutes have gradually decreased since he joined the Wolves in 2003, and with the abundance of young talent, even McHale admits there aren't always enough minutes to go around.

"Mark is such a great guy but he's going to have to find a way to get out on the floor," McHale said. "That's going to be his challenge."

But even if his playing time isn't what it once was, Madsen is still finding ways to help his team improve. Love indicated he has already received helpful advice from other players, including Al Jefferson and Madsen.

"There's little things that they'll help give me tips on and I'm just trying to apply it to my game," Love said.

In the meantime, Madsen says he's excited about the Wolves' potential this year.

"Now, with the addition of Mike Miller, we have three or four guys that are great 3-point shooters," he said. "That's going to open it up for Al Jefferson a lot.

"I really, truly believe we have a playoff basketball team."


Derek Wehrwein is the Reporter editor in chief

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools