<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Minnesota summer league gives NBA rookies and free agents a chance to showcase their skills. The Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks will field teams in the league, which begins today at Target Center. For players, it's a chance to earn a golden ticket: an invitation to a team's training camp in October or perhaps even a free-agent contract. That makes every minute on the court valuable to the players. Competition is part fierce, part friendly. "We're all fighting for a job," said former Mounds View High School standout Nick Horvath, who played professionally in Sydney, Australia, last season and is with the Wolves' summer league team. "But between us, we're all nice guys. We get along well. And we're trying to help each other. I was coming in here, thinking, I don't care, if somebody wanted to fight, I'd fight. We're all playing hard, but there's no bad blood." The Wolves could use some help. They addressed a need at guard by drafting Rashad McCants in the first round and Bracey Wright in the second. But they still could use some help under the basket. They're expected to formally agree to a contract with undrafted St. Joseph's center Dwayne Jones soon. Jones is among the short list of players the Wolves will watch and tutor. McCants strained his left hamstring last weekend and hasn't been able to play five-on-five. He tried Wednesday night and pulled up lame, coach Dwane Casey said. It would be a surprise to see McCants play in the summer league, unless the Wolves are confident he won't risk further damage. "He's iffy," Casey said. "We won't take any chances. He's still day to day."</div> Source
