http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/15700223.htm MANKATO, Minn. — Dwane Casey said he feels more comfortable heading into his second season as an NBA head coach. And it doesn't hurt to have good help from assistants, either. Holding training camp in Mankato this week has given Casey a chance to develop more of a rapport with his two new assistant coaches, Randy Wittman and Bob Ociepka. Casey hired them to add more experience to his staff. Wittman, a former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is back for his third stint with the Wolves. Ociepka is entering his 18th season coaching in the NBA. Casey said Friday he feels totally different going into his second season than he did a year ago. 'I have a great feel for what (schemes) I want to put in, what I want to do in certain situations,' he said. 'What to emphasize, what not to emphasize.' The Wolves are hoping the changes will lead to better results in games. The team went 11-18 in games decided by five points or fewer last season. To offer counsel, Wittman will be there as Casey's lead assistant. 'That's why I'm here,' Wittman said. 'I'm here to help him in any way I can during the game, situational things. It's always helpful to have somebody who's been there, understanding what he's going through in particular times through the game.' Wittman and Ociepka take over for Johnny Davis and Bob Thornton. Davis now is an assistant with the Indiana Pacers. Thornton remains in Minnesota but is more involved with scouting. Forward Vin Baker, in his first season with the Wolves but 14th in the NBA, said the staff is focused on teaching. 'We work together,' Baker said. 'If there's something we don't understand, the staff will stop and say let's do it again. The team is very responsive to it.' Players often say that they need time around one another to build chemistry. Coaches are no different. Casey spent three days a week during August and September meeting with his assistants, working on plays to run and preparing for the season. Casey said the biggest adjustment for working with new assistants is learning terminology. Once that's in place, approaches and schemes come naturally. 'It's funny how similar everybody thinks,' Casey said. Garnett dislikes new ball: Add Wolves all-star Kevin Garnett to the players leaguewide opposed to the new NBA ball. Garnett didn't have anything good to say about the synthetic ball that replaced the leather version. 'It's all negative, so I have no opinions at all,' Garnett said. Players are complaining that the new ball gets extremely slippery when wet. Some players are hoping the league will switch back to the old ball. Forward Mark Madsen, a team representative to the players association, wrote on his Web site that he's going to do everything in his power to get the old ball back. Rotations: The first, second and third teams appeared clear early this week in camp. Garnett, Trenton Hassell, Mike James, Ricky Davis and Mark Blount were the starters; Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson, Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Justin Reed were the backups; and Randy Foye, Craig Smith, Bracey Wright, Baker, Paul Shirley and Tyrone Ellis were the third-stringers. On paper, it's a bit hard to imagine the backups challenging for starting jobs at this point, but Casey disagrees. The Wolves, after all, have yet to play any exhibition games. 'It's true competition,' Casey said. 'Who finishes the game is just as important (as who starts). Our biggest problem last year was when the first group went out. We want to make sure we manage the minutes properly and get a solid rotation.' Briefly: Tickets for Wolves home games will go on sale at 11 a.m. today at the Target Center box office and Ticketmaster outlets. ‧ The Wolves will hold a scrimmage open to the public at 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Champlin Park High School. Admission is free, but tickets are required. They can be picked up at Jerry Ruppelius Park in Champlin from 3-6 p.m. Oct. 15. ‧ The Wolves met with NBA representatives Thursday to discuss changes in the league rules this season. Among the most significant changes: Coaches will be able to call timeouts. Casey also said there will be an emphasis on making sure players don't show up officials with demonstrative behavior. --

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