Brook Lopez' Workout
Posted: Tue Jun 3, 2008 6:51 pm
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/lo ... 80603.html
The two-year college standout was the first of several prospects who will be put through an extensive workout by the Timberwolves' basketball operations and coaching staffs. On Tuesday, Lopez shot from inside. He shot from outside. He took contact. He dribbled. He ran. He took foul shots. He ... did everything.
"I thought it went really well," said a sweaty Lopez as he looked down at assembled media members after closing the workout with full-court drills. "I think I can come here and help the team win. I'll do whatever the coaches require of me and work my hardest."
"We were able to see him do some different things, put him in situations where he had to put the ball on the floor, change direction and stuff like that, that I wanted to see," said McHale. "He showed some range, he showed some stuff. You just want to see him in situations where you're saying "If you're going to play with Al Jefferson, these are situations you are going to find yourself in."
Of course, meshing with Minnesota's double-double machine will be key for whomever the Wolves choose to select. For his part, Lopez said he'd love to play with Mr. 20 and 10.
"Al commands so much attention that it would make my game that much easier," he said. "I'm so used to in college being double- and triple-teamed, but he'd open it up for me because he's such a great player."
Yet and still, the process is in its embryonic stages; McHale and Co. have a lot of work to do before putting someone's name in an envelope on June 26.
"You're looking at everybody," explained the Vice President of Basketball Operations. "You're trying to find guys that compliment, you're trying to find the best player available ... We are going to assess for that three spot like eight or nine guys pretty hard and then we are assessing a whole other level of guys in case we move out of that three spot."
Lopez, familiar with Minnesota's entire roster, did say that he'd like to be the next player to don the jersey of the team he rooted for growing up.
"They have a good young core," Lopez added. "And I'd like to come in and help. I hope I can bring energy, defense and all the little things."
Though it's tough to take too much away from a 1-on-0 workout, those assembled at Target Center's practice facility must have noticed that Lopez comes just as big (7-0, 260) as advertised, and should have been impressed with his range. Lopez showed an ability to knock down jumpers all the way out to the NBA three-point line, and was consistently good - and natural - within the college three. Though he's not explosive a la Amare Stoudemire, Lopez moves well and can finish with both hands near the rim.
We interviewed Lopez on camera after his workout, and followed up by sitting down with Wolves broadcaster Jim Petersen, who was charged with bodying Lopez up 1-on-1 in the paint. Stay tuned for those videos coming soon on timberwolves.com.