Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site talks to assistant coach Bob Ociepka about the current Wolves working out at the Target Center.
MT: And anyone around Target Center can see that it’s literally an
every-day process whereby you and the other coaches are taking these
guys through drills. Last week we saw Corey Brewer, Chris Richard,
Rashad McCants, Mark Madsen, Greg Buckner and Al Jefferson in the gym.
Ociepka: Sure. The coaching staff is trying to help guys get better,
and work through individual weaknesses to get prepared for next season.
every-day process whereby you and the other coaches are taking these
guys through drills. Last week we saw Corey Brewer, Chris Richard,
Rashad McCants, Mark Madsen, Greg Buckner and Al Jefferson in the gym.
Ociepka: Sure. The coaching staff is trying to help guys get better,
and work through individual weaknesses to get prepared for next season.
Chad Ford/ESPN has the Wolves taking O.J. Mayo in his Mock Draft, Version 2.0:
The Wolves have a need at center and Brook Lopez would be a good fit.
Size sells in the draft, and Lopez is the only big man who looks like a
sure thing. But he doesn’t have the upside of many of the other players
in the draft — in other words, he’s closer to a Chris Kaman than a
Dwight Howard.
Size sells in the draft, and Lopez is the only big man who looks like a
sure thing. But he doesn’t have the upside of many of the other players
in the draft — in other words, he’s closer to a Chris Kaman than a
Dwight Howard.
That could lead the Wolves to roll the dice on a more talented player, such as O.J. Mayo or Danilo Gallinari.
Mayo would duplicate what they already have in the backcourt with Randy
Foye and Rashad McCants. But he’s better than both of those guys and
would give the Wolves some star power alongside Al Jefferson…
Foye and Rashad McCants. But he’s better than both of those guys and
would give the Wolves some star power alongside Al Jefferson…
Tony Mejia/Pro Basketball News sees the team selecting Brook Lopez with the #3 pick:
He’s
the most polished big man in the draft by a long shot, efficient at
scoring in the post and far more athletic than typically given credit
for. Minnesota has spent past lottery picks on guards Randy Foye,
Rashad McCants and swingman Corey Brewer, so it makes sense that they
would look to add a tag-team partner for rising star Al Jefferson.
the most polished big man in the draft by a long shot, efficient at
scoring in the post and far more athletic than typically given credit
for. Minnesota has spent past lottery picks on guards Randy Foye,
Rashad McCants and swingman Corey Brewer, so it makes sense that they
would look to add a tag-team partner for rising star Al Jefferson.
If there was one team at the top of the draft that desperately needed a big man, it would be the Timberwolves. They already have the immensely talented Al Jefferson at center, but were forced to start Ryan Gomes, a good player better suited for a reserve role, at power forward. In the past few drafts, Minnesota has invested top picks in guards and swingmen, which makes those positions less of a priority, so they should be able to focus on grabbing a power forward.
After Beasley, Brook is almost universally regarded as the next best big man in the Draft, so it’s natural that he could slot in here, but nothing is certain…