MANKATO, Minn. -- Timberwolves president David Kahn has made a
dozen trips overseas since he began running the team three years
ago. Pete Philo, the Wolves' director of international scouting,
spends more than half the year abroad.  The strategy has nothing
to do with building up frequent-flier miles.  The Wolves, like
all NBA teams, make sure there's enough money in the travel
budget to try to find the next Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Manu
Ginobili (Argentina), Pau Gasol (Spain) or Tony Parker (France).
"If a guy can play, it doesn't matter where he's from," Philo
said. "You're doing a major disservice to your organization if
you're not scouting the international market. If you see a
better player than the players here (in the United States), you
go after them."  NBA teams have been signing international
players for more than 20 years, but the numbers are increasing
each year, and the Wolves are keeping pace.  The Wolves will
enter the 2012-13 season with a franchise-high five
international players: Ricky Rubi