The Magazine's cover story this week is about Wally Szczerbiak and Kevin Garnett, young stars who could have a big influence on exactly how good the Timberwolves will be, now and in the future. They’re at a stage when their growth as athletes and as men is big and dramatic. Which makes them, if nothing else, entertaining.

But if you want to learn something that actually might impact your life, then it’s Sam Mitchell you want to study.

A good time to take notes would’ve been right after the Timberwolves’ plane landed in San Antonio, following a close Feb. 2 loss at home to the Kings. Mitchell, 38 and in his 13th NBA season, logged a DNP-CD, as in Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision. "I saw one of those after my name for the first time this year," he said. "I had to ask somebody what it meant. I really didn’t know."

After 961 games and 21,871 minutes, you’d think he could do with a night off. You’d think he’d have played enough and made enough that he’d be happy just to have a roster spot and the million-dollar salary that comes with it for someone of his seniority.

You’d be wrong.

The T-Wolves arrived at their San Antonio hotel around 9 p.m. Mitchell convinced security to keep the health club open for him until he’d burned off the frustration and the disappointment and the anger in not playing against the Kings. It took a couple of hours.

"If I hadn’t worked out, it’s time for me to quit," Mitchell said. "You don’t think it’ll hurt if I don’t play against the Spurs? It’ll be like having my heart cut out. I was ready to strangle Flip [Saunders] right after the Kings game. But I could shake his hand when I got on the bus. All I can do is use that as motivation to be ready when he does need me."

Mitchell still thinks he can play at the NBA level, something the Rockets didn’t believe 17 years ago when they made him a third-round pick (54th overall) and then cut him in training camp. The Wisconsin Flyers and Rapid City Thrillers didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet, either, which is how he spent time with the USBL’s Tampa Bay Flash and then moved on to France for two seasons. Even the Europeans aren’t exactly overwhelmed by him, judging by this scouting report on Telebasket.com:

"Solid but uncommanding athlete ... not a fancy passer, he always targets his man moving the ball very well ... slow shooting mechanic ... good body control, but his reaction speed isn’t the same of all the other NBA forwards ... wants to play defense, but at his age it’s not possible successfully every night ... a role player, a guy coming from the bench giving his experience and great intensity to young teammates ... you will not see him excel on an eye-popping statsheet, but he's the guy KG and the family rely on ... brings to his team a lot of respect, toughness and hard work attitude."

The English is fractured, but try as they might to crack on his limitations they end up singing his praises. It’s sort of the way he plays -- you can point out that he only goes right and largely lives and dies off a jab-step, pump-fake 15-foot jumper combo, but end up marvelling at how it still gets him a couple of baskets against everybody and anybody.

"I’m 38, but I’m in shape and I think I can still play," he said.

The day he can’t, hotel security is sure to know.

Ric Bucher covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ric.bucher@espnmag.com.