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Beyond Bounds: The Life Of Lou - Part I

Minnesota Timberwolves v Chicago Bulls
(credit: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lou Amundson's got a lot of layers, and so periodically during the 2012-13 season, he'll take time and share what's going on in the intriguing Life of Lou.

On the court, Lou Amundson's a role player who provides the gritty hustle plays.

Off the court, the Minnesota Timberwolves' forward with the long locks is far from fitting into any one simple stereotype.

Musician? He follows in his dad's footsteps with improving guitar skills.

Artist? Oil pastels are the 30-year-old's go-to.

Scrabble star? "I reign supreme in my friend group," he said.

And yet the term Renaissance man doesn't quite resonate with the six-year pro who comes off the bench.

"I just try to enjoy the things I'm interested in," he said. "For some it's videogames and Facebook. I just have a personality that whatever the activity, I like to be good at it."

Here's what you need to know about the 6-foot-9-inch man from Boulder, Colo. ... who went undrafted after graduating from UNLV ... who then became the NBA D-League Rookie of the Year ... and who ended up bouncing around the NBA with a couple of teams before arriving with the Timberwolves this year.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Utah Jazz
(credit: Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lou majored in English and minored in philosophy in the City of Sin
I was considering law school when I first got to college. I didn't know if I would get to the NBA during my first couple years (at UNLV). I've always taken school seriously and tried to challenge myself with it.

His pony-tail is a product of disliking haircuts
I tried to grow it out in college, but my coach wasn't letting me. Once I got the NBA I was like, 'Let's do it.'
You get mixed reviews, people saying you like a girl, and fans yelling at you about it. I'm used to it now.

Graduating early at UNLV allowed him to nurture an interest in art
I had to take courses to continue to be eligible (to play).
I now do some oil pastels on the road sometimes when we have a lot of free time. It's something I do off and on.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Atlanta Hawks
(credit: Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

He'd probably play piano if it were more portable
I just love music. I played piano when I was younger, but guitar is easier to put in my trunk wherever I go. It's something I've been able to take with me to places.
I've been playing some Allen Stone songs lately. I seen him in concert here at the beginning of the season. He's great.
I like R&B -- more soulful stuff. That's my thing.

'Regional Scrabble Champion' reads his Twitter bio
That's a bit of a hyperbole. I'm really good at Scrabble, though. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but no one on the team can beat me. I reign supreme in my friend group.

Shaq is one of the funniest men alive, according to Lou, but he can be a bike thief
I lived like a block-and-a-half away when I played in Phoenix (and so he biked).
It was funny (when Shaq would steal and hide my bike), but at the same time it got old. I'd be like 'Come on man, that's my ride. I gotta get home today.'

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