The devil’s advocacy position is that neither Smith nor Gomes fit into
the Wolves’ long range plans; that unlike Gomes, who will draw more
interest, Smith is a cheap placeholder and that a team counting on a
nucleus of Jefferson/Love/Foye/Brewer and perhaps Miller and McCants
doesn’t have need for shorty 4’s or even swing 3-4’s. I understand
this, although it makes laughable Kevin McHale’s frequent argument that
people get too hung up on position at the expense of skill set and
savvy. Ryan Gomes is a basketball player, the embodiment of that
dictum; he makes others around him better in myriad little ways. Craig
Smith is a specialist–an occasional nightmare matchup for teams in the
low block–in a specialty that is neither particularly unique not
frequently required, meaning there is high supply and low demand.
the Wolves’ long range plans; that unlike Gomes, who will draw more
interest, Smith is a cheap placeholder and that a team counting on a
nucleus of Jefferson/Love/Foye/Brewer and perhaps Miller and McCants
doesn’t have need for shorty 4’s or even swing 3-4’s. I understand
this, although it makes laughable Kevin McHale’s frequent argument that
people get too hung up on position at the expense of skill set and
savvy. Ryan Gomes is a basketball player, the embodiment of that
dictum; he makes others around him better in myriad little ways. Craig
Smith is a specialist–an occasional nightmare matchup for teams in the
low block–in a specialty that is neither particularly unique not
frequently required, meaning there is high supply and low demand.
And that outlet pass! Love’s vision and ability to quarterback his team during the transition from offense to defense has gotten scouts to rave about the possibility of Minnesota running people out of the gym. With Randy Foye, Corey Brewer, and Mike Miller among his receiving corps, Love will certainly be looking to spur the fast-break with the his famous pass.
Now, though, is when the adjustment begins.
And no adjustment will be greater for Love than his aversion to losing, which he clearly uses as motivation to get better and do so as quickly as possible. After admitting that he’s "not used to losing" and he "[doesn’t] accept it," Love vowed to do all he could to improve and get ready for the rigors of the NBA game.
Matt Watson/Fanhouse chats with Pops Mensah-Bonsu:
Matt Watson: I was just reading that you signed with a team in Spain. What’s going on with that?
Pops: I signed with a team in Spain a few days ago but
they gave me an NBA out until July 22nd, so that’s why I’m playing with
the Timberwolves. If I get signed or picked up by an NBA team, they
won’t have to buy me out over there. I have until the 22nd to get
signed. Hopefully that works out. If not, I have no problem going back
to Spain.
they gave me an NBA out until July 22nd, so that’s why I’m playing with
the Timberwolves. If I get signed or picked up by an NBA team, they
won’t have to buy me out over there. I have until the 22nd to get
signed. Hopefully that works out. If not, I have no problem going back
to Spain.
MW: Who’s jumping out at you the most?
Pops: Kevin. (Laughter) I was overseas last year and I
heard about him a lot. I never got to see him play, but playing
alongside him is great because he demands so much attention, and for
good reason. I think he’s a great player, great rebounder, he’s a
really smart player…
heard about him a lot. I never got to see him play, but playing
alongside him is great because he demands so much attention, and for
good reason. I think he’s a great player, great rebounder, he’s a
really smart player…