GM: Kevin Love = next Shelden Williams?

[DG4L]

At least one NBA GM thinks the Wolves made a huge mistake trading Mayo for Love. I know some of you will dismiss his opinion but this worries me. It's never a good thing when other GM's think you've traded a future star for a guy who could be a major bust and chuckle at the thought of even comparing the two as prospects.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=428187

There's a chuckle on the other end of the receiver. The general manager thinks the question is kind of funny. UCLA big man Kevin Love has some potential. But not quite the potential -- or the immediate impact -- of USC guard O.J. Mayo.

"Think about it," the G.M. says. "What's the worst-case scenario with Mayo? He'll be a starter, maybe he'll be a combo guard that you have trouble figuring out if you play him at the 1 or the 2. But with Love, there's a chance he is in over his head. He could be a Shelden Williams type."

So there's your answer. Mayo has negatives. He is undersized for a shooting guard (6-4), did not play point guard in college and averaged more turnovers than assists in his one year with the Trojans. He can be streaky with his shot, and allegations about Mayo taking money while in high school and college revive some concerns about his character.

But the things Mayo does well far outweigh the potential problems. He is a super-smooth ballhandler with quickness and a 41-inch vertical leap. He may be streaky, but when his shot is on, it is deadly, and he can make it from difficult angles -- no one in this draft class can create a shot quite like Mayo can.

"He's a guy who, when the (shot) clock is running down, you want the ball in his hands," the GM says. "He will get you a good shot in those situations."

[Klomp]

Shelden was a guy who had no offensive game. When Atlanta drafted him, they expected him to be their savior in the post.

We don't have high expectations for Love quite yet. We don't need him to be a savior. We just need him to find a role around the group of experienced players around him and to be a complementary piece.

[HowlinTwolf]

Even though I was against the trade, I think Love is getting undervalued here. He has far more talent than Sheldon Williams IMO. While Love doesn't have jaw dropping athleticism, the kid knows how to play ball pure and simple. If all it took were athleticism and a killer vertical to be an all-star then how come Gerald Green is practically out of the game? Lets give Love a chance.

[Krapinsky]

I don't see the similarities at all. Sheldon was supposed to be a defensive stopper. Love is supposed to be an offensive intangibles guy. Quite frankly, as far as front court players go, they're complete opposites.

This is just another example of the type of bad journalism that plagues the information age.

[AmitabhaBuddha]

What if the unnamed GM is Chris Wallace?

[DG4L]

What if the unnamed GM is Chris Wallace?

I think there's two GM's they wouldn't question for an objective opinion on the two prospects - McHale and Wallace. It has to be someone else.

[Dewey]

There are many combo guard's in the NBA, and no one knows wether they are a 1 or a 2. GM's struggle with these guys as much as anyone, and they always like to double-guess each other. This particular GM either has the luxury of having a: combo-guard who actually succeeded, or one of those rare PG's that are near extinct.

If Mayo can't run the point, he may end up being more replaceable than Love. In college, Mayo was not a big assist guy nor did he get to the line enoughconsidering how much the ball was in his hands. The key for Love is to play the high-low game with Jefferson, and rebound.

[bman]

i wouldnt let one gm's qoute trouble you. There have been plenty of articles that have been very positive about the trade. I agree with the previous posts as well that love and williams are completely different players. Secondly Love is 19 and will more than likely get better. Mayo is good as well, but I think we have to remember the trade did not involve two players. Just losing Jaric and Walker will be big in favor of the wolves. That plus getting M Miller makes the wolves a much better team. Evaluate the trade as a whole, not simply love vs. mayo.

[deeney0]

Shelden Williams is banging Candace Parker, so he can't be all bad. No, she's no Lima, but she's pretty damn cute for a WNBA player.

[4ho5ive]

The things I would do to Candace Parker.

[BrandonE]

BTW its Shelden not Sheldon.
homo.

[BrandonE]

learn how to spell.

[andyhop]

On the other side you have these from a Yahoo column on the trade.

“This trade should make Minnesota better a lot faster,” said one Western Conference executive.

Another West GM was more succinct: “Memphis got jobbed again.”

and

“Memphis clearly wanted to win the press conference,” said a rival player-personnel director.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ApWmnFymkRcsm7iDJQO.dDa8vLYF?slug=jy-mayotraded062708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[big3_8_19_21]

well of course there's going to be a couple dissenting opinions, but they are the islands of doubt in a sea of optimism and congratulations to the Wolves from basketball experts everywhere. Just about EVERYONE is praising the Wolves for that deal. DraftExpress, Chad Ford, the "Western Conference executive" from the yahoo article, David Aldridge, John Hollinger, Fox Sports, those are the ones I've seen anyway. Plus the opinion I gather from outside observer fans is that they view the trade as a Wolves win.

Shelden Williams, as mentioned by several others here, is an awful comparison for Love. They're both great rebounders, but that's about where the similarities end skill-wise.

[MN Die Hard]

So that one GM's opinion is the be all and end all? He said Mayo is better so I guess we're screwed. Never mind the guys that big3 cited who said the Wolves owned the trade.

[Devilzsidewalk]

thats a pretty good comparison because Shelden also averaged 18/11 in his freshman season while showing three point range....oh wait no he didn't, not even close, actually he was getting his ass kicked by Nick Horvath in practice everyday, sorry about that

[Carpe Diem]

1. Where does the perception that Love is not a great athelete come from? Check the numbers in the drills that are used to annoint one as being atheletic, you will be amazed.
2. No one disputes that Mayo is a better prospect then Love. But when one adds Mike Miller to the mix and the cap flexibility as well as losing Walker/Jaric, then the deal becomes a clear win for Sota.
3. BTW, Dallas signed Green (yuck).

[DG4L]

On the other side you have these from a Yahoo column on the trade.

“This trade should make Minnesota better a lot faster,” said one Western Conference executive.

Another West GM was more succinct: “Memphis got jobbed again.”

and

“Memphis clearly wanted to win the press conference,” said a rival player-personnel director.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ApWmnFymkRcsm7iDJQO.dDa8vLYF?slug=jy-mayotraded062708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Sounds like they are evaluating the entire package the Wolves received. I'm curious to hear their thoughts on who will be the best player out of this deal in 3 years.

[Worm Guts]

1. Where does the perception that Love is not a great athelete come from? Check the numbers in the drills that are used to annoint one as being atheletic, you will be amazed.
2. No one disputes that Mayo is a better prospect then Love. But when one adds Mike Miller to the mix and the cap flexibility as well as losing Walker/Jaric, then the deal becomes a clear win for Sota.
3. BTW, Dallas signed Green (yuck).

1. From watching games. Love isn't a great athlete, good enough though.
2. We really didn't gain any cap flexibility.

[Devilzsidewalk]

2. No one disputes that Mayo is a better prospect then Love.

I dispute that