Timberwolves to Give Out Unique Commemorative Prints During 20th Season Tribute Games

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today the team will give out 5,000 commemorative prints to fans during each of six 20th Season Tribute Games during the 2008-09 season. The prints, painted by native St. Paul artist Robert Blehert, will depict significant moments or players in Timberwolves history and serve to recognize 20 seasons of Wolves basketball in the Twin Cities.

The first commemorative print will be given to the first 5,000 fans attending the Timberwolves game vs. the Boston Celtics on Friday, Nov. 21. The 18-by-24 inch poster for Friday’s game features “The Big Three,” Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell, and Latrell Sprewell from the team’s 2004 Western Conference Finals run.  The poster image is taken from an original painting by Blehert, and features action poses of Garnett, Cassell and Sprewell together.

“These three played so well together, and came so close to a title,” said Blehert. “I tried to portray unique elements of each individual personality, as well as capture the spirit of all three together, the three who wrote a special chapter in Minnesota sports history.”

Blehert’s work was also featured on a Minnesota Twins poster of Johan Santana during the 2007 season, a Vikings poster of Adrian Peterson this season, and a painting of Minnesota hockey legend Herb Brooks, which is now being used to help raise funds for the Herb Brooks Foundation.  The artist’s work can be found at the Field of Dreams Store in Mall of America. To see more of Robert Blehert’s work, visit www.robertblehert.com.

 Friday’s Timberwolves game against the Boston Celtics is the first of six 20th Season Tribute Games, presented by Pepsi, throughout the 2008-09 season. Each Tribute game will serve to celebrate 20 seasons of Timberwolves basketball in the Twin Cities and recognize the players, coaches and people who have contributed to the organization over the years. The first 5,000 fans in attendance to each 20th Season Tribute Game will receive a one-of-a-kind print, painted by Blehert, depicting an important moment or player(s) in Wolves history. Other 20th Season Tribute Games include: Dec. 12 vs. San Antonio, Jan. 23 vs. New Orleans, Feb. 22 vs. L.A. Lakers, March 22 vs. Oklahoma City and April 15 vs. Sacramento.

Contact information:

 

Mike Cristaldi, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-8405, cristaldi@timberwolves.com
Mark Rosenberg, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1607, rosenberg@timberwolves.com
Ben Hande, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-8404, hande@timberwolves.com