(Sioux Falls) Minnesota Timberwolves exec and former Celtic great Kevin McHale was at Skyforce practice Tuesday watching forward Chris Richard, who he drove in from the Twin-Cities Monday night after the Wolves assigned him to the Force.

He's the 2nd NBA player to get sent to Sioux Falls in less than a week.

The Skyforce have struggled out of the gate this D-League season. Part of the reason for their early struggles were the loss of three starters in the first month of the season. But this week, the Skyforce got some much needed re-enforcements in Jermareo Davidson of the Charlotte Bobcats and Chris Richard of the TIMBERWOLVES.
"There's only been three teams that haven't seen anybody and we were one of them and now we have two. So our size and depth has definitely been added and we're very excited," head coach Nate Tibbetts said.
"I think it's a great opportunity for me to come down and get better and get in a lot better shape. I think I kinda struggled a little bit with my wind today because I haven't gone this long this hard in a long time," newly assigned Skyforce forward Chris Richard said.
"I looked at as uh an opportunity to actually show that I've been taking in, or I've been watching or I've been learning from the older guys," said Jermario Davidson who's on loan from the Charlotte Bobcats.

Richards is the first player from the Skyforces NBA affiliate, the Minnesota Timberwolves to be sent down to Sioux Falls this season and with the Wolves in the midst of a rebuilding year, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said he wouldn't hesitate to send other players down.
"I think having affiliation with the d-league team has been great. These guys can come down here, they can work, you can retain their rights, they can better. Particularly, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, having our affiliate so close, it's great," McHale said.

Last year, the Detroit Pistons sent Amir Johnson down and Johnson shined in the D-League, gaining valuable playing time and experience. Something both Davidson and Richards plan on doing during their stint in Sioux Falls.
"I think it's all up to me. You know I just have to come in with the right positive attitude and just make the best out of the situation and just play hard and do what I'm supposed to do and do what I've been sent down to do," Richard said.
"I'm getting a chance to play so no time for grumbling and complaining, you get in there and do your part," Davidson said.