The Wolves are the ultimate case study in drafting-for-need vs.
drafting-the-best-available. O.J. Mayo’s going to be the best player
available, but point guard is a position where the Wolves are only a
little bit terrible, whereas there are two or three other positions
where they’re wholly terrible.
drafting-the-best-available. O.J. Mayo’s going to be the best player
available, but point guard is a position where the Wolves are only a
little bit terrible, whereas there are two or three other positions
where they’re wholly terrible.
But they ought to grab Mayo regardless, and there’s no rule that says
he has to be a point guard. He can play the two, or he could play the
three. He’s the kind of guy who’s talented and versatile enough that if
you put him on the floor anywhere, he’s going to find a way to make the
team better.
he has to be a point guard. He can play the two, or he could play the
three. He’s the kind of guy who’s talented and versatile enough that if
you put him on the floor anywhere, he’s going to find a way to make the
team better.
From Sid Hartman:
I believe that if assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg is a good salesman and if the Wolves don’t make a trade, they will take Southern California guard O.J. Mayo.
Hoiberg played for Southern California coach Tim Floyd at Iowa State, and they are close. Floyd also coached in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls from 1999-2002, so he has a good idea how Mayo will fit in as a pro player. I believe Floyd has sold Hoiberg on Mayo…
I believe Kevin McHale, the Wolves’ vice president of basketball operations, favors Kevin Love because the UCLA center/forward would make Wolves center/forward Al Jefferson that much better. But Hoiberg likes Love, too.
Kevin McHale was on KFAN with PA and Dubay this morning. You can listen to the interview here.
Peter W/Canis Hoopus and Jim Souhan/Star Tribune on how a Wolves draft meeting might look.
FYI: Craig Smith is back in town this week with his teammates working
out for next season. Smith, Ryan Gomes, Chris Richard, Sebastian
Telfair and Kirk Snyder all become restricted free agents Tuesday, the
first day the Wolves can talk contracts with their agents. Only Snyder
hasn’t been into Target Center working out.
out for next season. Smith, Ryan Gomes, Chris Richard, Sebastian
Telfair and Kirk Snyder all become restricted free agents Tuesday, the
first day the Wolves can talk contracts with their agents. Only Snyder
hasn’t been into Target Center working out.
Jeff Lockridge/The Daily News Journal on Corey Brewer:
Brewer, a Portland High School alum and two-time national champion with
the Florida Gators, will spend this NBA Draft day instructing 122
children at his first annual Portland basketball camp…
The biggest change for Brewer was one he had never encountered at any level: losing.
“I’d never lost like that,” said Brewer, whose Timberwolves went 22-60
and pick third in tonight’s draft. Wright’s Warriors (48-34) have the
14th selection. “My minutes were sporadic. I’d play 20, then 10, then
40, then 5. That may have been one of the toughest things, not knowing
each night. If you match up well with somebody, then you play a lot of
minutes.”
and pick third in tonight’s draft. Wright’s Warriors (48-34) have the
14th selection. “My minutes were sporadic. I’d play 20, then 10, then
40, then 5. That may have been one of the toughest things, not knowing
each night. If you match up well with somebody, then you play a lot of
minutes.”