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08:09 AM ET 09.14 | Yes, hockey was mentioned. Speaking from Russia on Thursday, new Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko listed the reasons -- beyond $10 million a season, of course -- why he chose to resume his NBA career in Minnesota. "It's very flattering when the G.M., the coach, players are calling you and saying, 'We need you, we need your experience,'" he said. ... He also called himself a fan of Wolves coach Rick Adelman, dating to his seasons in Sacramento a decade ago. "That Sacamento team was one of my favorite ones: A lot of Europeans, great flavor for the game," he said from Moscow. ... And there's one more, rather unusual reason: His sons, ages 10 and 5, want to play hockey, not basketball. "We're from Russia," he said. "They play hockey in Russia."

Andrei Kirilenko, Getty Images

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September 14, 2012 08:21 AM ET

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Well, it's certainly not for the weather.

h2opololpunk

Gainesville, FL

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September 14, 2012 09:08 AM ET

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Chasing 'Snow Bunnies', Bro?

I Love LA

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September 14, 2012 09:41 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET 09.14 by jgb

I think you are mistaken-'hockey' is Russian for ' these fools paid me 10 mil a year when no one was offering even half that- hell yeah I'll sign there'

Exactly!

Hllywd: Olskool

Columbus , OH

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September 14, 2012 10:13 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:08 AM ET 09.14 by I Love LA

Chasing 'Snow Bunnies', Bro?

That was actually mildly funny...ur improving

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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September 14, 2012 10:51 AM ET

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When will kahn be fired?

ESPN

Atlanta , GA

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September 14, 2012 10:51 AM ET

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It's called rationalization. Once you've made your decision, you search for other reasons to support it. There are better basketball teams in places like Chicago, Philly and Boston that have both NHL franchises and excellent youth hockey programs. But the Bulls, Sixers and Celts weren't waving the bucks at Kirilenko. Oh, and someone needs to tell Kirilenko that the NHL season is hosed this year.

Hatrunner

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September 14, 2012 11:08 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:32 AM ET 09.14 by jgb

Two Minnesota threads and no mention of rubio????Wow how things have changed

Can't think of a wisecrack that is funnier than the article itself. Oh well tomorrow is another day.

Sittlichk-8

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September 14, 2012 11:09 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:08 AM ET 09.14 by Sittlichk-8

Can't think of a wisecrack that is funnier than the article itself. Oh well tomorrow is another day.

But jgb is in fine form esp. with comment #6!

Sittlichk-8

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September 14, 2012 11:20 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:51 AM ET 09.14 by Hatrunner

It's called rationalization. Once you've made your decision, you search for other reasons to support it. There are better basketball teams in places like Chicago, Philly and Boston that have both NHL franchises and excellent youth hockey programs. But the Bulls, Sixers and Celts weren't waving the bucks at Kirilenko. Oh, and someone needs to tell Kirilenko that the NHL season is hosed this year.

I think it's more for his kids than him, dude. Minnesota has a great amateur system in place, probably superior to the other places you listed. That said, it doesn't matter whether or not the NHL plays this year.

h2opololpunk

Gainesville, FL

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September 14, 2012 11:38 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 11:20 AM ET 09.14 by h2opololpunk

I think it's more for his kids than him, dude. Minnesota has a great amateur system in place, probably superior to the other places you listed. That said, it doesn't matter whether or not the NHL plays this year.

Puhleeze! $10 million has a way of making Yazoo Mississippi the most atractive city in America.

Hllywd: Olskool

Columbus , OH

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September 14, 2012 12:28 PM ET

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QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 11:38 AM ET 09.14 by Hllywd: Olskool

Puhleeze! $10 million has a way of making Yazoo Mississippi the most atractive city in America.

I personally don't know what price could make Shreveport, LA attractive. It have to be more than $10mil.

Sittlichk-8

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September 14, 2012 12:32 PM ET

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"...He's fan of Wolves coach Rick Adelman, dating ...a decade ago."

They dated?

Crooked Stiches

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September 14, 2012 05:37 PM ET

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Has he heard of Toronto?

Duiker

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September 14, 2012 06:08 PM ET

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Over 50,000 youngsters play minor hockey in Toronto!

Duiker

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September 14, 2012 06:23 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:48 AM ET 09.14 by G-B

For the hockey? There are many other cities that have a hockey team. That must be the lamest excuse to sign w/ a team!

How many hockey rinks does LA, New Orleans, Miami and/or etc warm climate cites have for kids to play hockey??????? Heck, in Minnesota a frozen street becomes a hocky rink for some kids...