Love at the top of Thorpe's list
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:18 pm
David Thorpe, trainer/ESPN.com analyst makes a list of his top rookies every week or so, right now Love's at the top of it.
Looking at the comments he's made about Love since we got him, he seems pretty high on our shiny new toy.
Some of the platitudes he's tossed Love's way:
"His game is special, but below the rim"
"He's a perfect fit (offensively) next to Big Al."
"Not just a brilliant outlet passer; he also makes quick and perfect passes from the pinch post. Al Jefferson will love running high-low action with him. And, yes, Minnesota's athletic wings will dunk more (as long as they race the floor), thanks to Love's uncanny ability to survey the floor and deliver a perfect 30-foot pass. The best rookie center of the summer."
"I like his upside on D, where he can learn to use his excellent feel -- and, hopefully, a soon-to-be-leaner body -- to cover ground more quickly."
To be fair, some of the negatives:
"Although Love is a better athlete than people think, he can stand to improve his quickness in tight spaces. Agility drills and defensive slide actions are good places to start."
"he has not been much of an enforcer defensively."
I know, nothing too earth shattering here, but it's nice to hear good things said by impartial observers with a pretty good track record when it comes to helping develop basketball players.
Looking at the comments he's made about Love since we got him, he seems pretty high on our shiny new toy.
Some of the platitudes he's tossed Love's way:
"His game is special, but below the rim"
"He's a perfect fit (offensively) next to Big Al."
"Not just a brilliant outlet passer; he also makes quick and perfect passes from the pinch post. Al Jefferson will love running high-low action with him. And, yes, Minnesota's athletic wings will dunk more (as long as they race the floor), thanks to Love's uncanny ability to survey the floor and deliver a perfect 30-foot pass. The best rookie center of the summer."
"I like his upside on D, where he can learn to use his excellent feel -- and, hopefully, a soon-to-be-leaner body -- to cover ground more quickly."
To be fair, some of the negatives:
"Although Love is a better athlete than people think, he can stand to improve his quickness in tight spaces. Agility drills and defensive slide actions are good places to start."
"he has not been much of an enforcer defensively."
I know, nothing too earth shattering here, but it's nice to hear good things said by impartial observers with a pretty good track record when it comes to helping develop basketball players.