"That was a hard situation for everyone, whether you're a coach or a player," said Wolves forward Mark Madsen, one of four current Wolves who played for Casey. "It was hard for Dwane. It was hard for management. You can wake up in the morning and things can change 100 percent, from Dwane Casey to Kevin Garnett to Shaq to Shawn Marion. It can happen to anyone, and it's part of the business we understand."

--Former Timberwolf and slam-dunk champion Gerald Green returned to Target Center on Saturday as well, looking to find his way with the Mavericks, his fourth NBA team in four seasons. He signed a one-year minimum deal with Dallas after he was traded by the Wolves and released by Houston last season.

"I hope he makes it; I think he will because he has the talent," said Wolves forward Ryan Gomes, who played three seasons with Green in Boston and Minnesota. "I talked to him when he signed with Dallas and I said, 'You know what? This might be your last chance. You just never know. Some guys don't get as many chances as you got. It's only one year (his contract), but you've got to make your marks and show them you're here for the right reasons.'"

Green scored nine points, seven of them after halftime, in his season debut Saturday.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know why were all worried about whether Kevin's starting or not. Kevin's got to worry about playing and being productive on the floor. You've got to let Kevin dictate that with his play." -- Wolves coach Randy Wittman when asked, not for the first time, about rookie Kevin Love's prospects of becoming a starter.