Owner Apologizes to Timberwolves’ Fans

NBA Commissioner David Stern called it a “shocking” case of fraud. Minnesota Timberwolves’ owner Glen Taylor claims that isn’t the whole story.

An emotional Taylor, speaking at halftime of an exhibition game Thursday night, said unusual circumstances led him to sign a secret agreement with forward Joe Smith, though he would not elaborate.

Taylor apologized to Minnesotans for the contract that led to the team losing its next five first-round draft picks, and he took full responsibility for the deal with Smith, though General Manager Kevin McHale and Coach Flip Saunders normally would be in charge of basketball decisions.

“It would only happen under unusual circumstances,” Taylor said. “It happened under unusual circumstances.”

Although Taylor took full responsibility, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported Friday that Smith signed the secret deal in front of McHale, according to a signed copy of NBA arbitrator Kenneth Dam’s report the newspaper obtained.

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Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets is feeling so good heading into what is supposed to be his final NBA season that he might keep right on playing. “I just want to leave the possibilities open,” the 37-year-old center said in the Houston Chronicle.

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The Seattle SuperSonics claimed guard Emanual Davis off waivers from the Lakers. . . . Derrick Coleman, sidelined the entire exhibition season because of an irregular heartbeat, won’t be able to play next week in the Charlotte Hornets’ season opener. Coach Paul Silas said Coleman won’t even be examined again by a doctor until late next week. . . Rookie guard Speedy Claxton of the Philadelphia 76ers had reconstructive surgery Thursday to repair torn ligaments in his left knee and will sit out the season.