Paulao Prestes will not play for the Timberwolves in the upcoming season.
So why was it so important for the big Brazilian center, who is currently finished his second season playing in the top Spanish league, to be at the two-day free agent workout the Wolves held this week?
Basically to get him used to the city the Wolves second round pick in 2010 might one day make his home.
“That was the key," Tony Ronzone, the Wolves’ assistant general manager/player personnel, said Friday,after the two-day camp wound up. “We wanted him to get a taste of it. We wanted him to meet with our strength guys, to see our coaches, our facilities, see the city.”
Prestes, a 6-11, 265-pounder, had an interesting two days here. On Thursday, Ronzone reported, Prestes was the best player in the gym. Friday, the Wolves put former Gophers player John Thomas – a wily, strong player – on Prestes.
Not surprisingly, Prestes wasn’t as effective.
And that only points out how much stronger Prestes needs to get.
“We asked John to push him,” Ronzone said. “I thought it was good for him. And now he can see. We have to get him to understand he’s got to get his body right.”
Prestes sounded like he got the message.
“I really want to play and I want to play here,” Prestes said. “I think I (need to) get better with my body.”
By the time Prestes leaves for Brazil on Monday, he will have been in the United States for a week. That included two days in Los Angeles before coming here.
He said he was nervous about the camp "because it’s my first time to practice here, first time in USA to practice with the team. I’m real nervous but I’m happy.”
Ronzone said the team expects Prestes to play another season in Europe, at least.
While in the Twin Cities, Prestes was to meet with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches to get a program he can work on when he leaves. Ronzone likes Prestes’ work ethic, his love for the game and his craftiness around the basket. Prestes will play for Brazil in the South American championship this summer, and Ronzone will watch him.
“It’s very different, it’s more physical,” Prestes said of the NBA game. “I know if I’m to play here I have to change my body right now. I know that. I have a hard job now in the summer. So I’ll work in Brazil now and then go to Spain.”
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