Howlin' T-Wolf

From Today’s Chat with David Thorpe – SportsNation – ESPN:

Justin (Minneapolis)

Hey Thorpe, I know you like Lawson better than Flynn, and while I would have just loved if the T-Wolves had just drafted Rubio Curry Lawson. I think it is a little unfair to say Lawson is the better player. Flynn is starting on a bad team, he’s probably the 4th best player on the team. Lawson is coming off the bench on a stacked team backing up one of the best point guards in the NBA. Flynn has to play everyone’s best point guard every night, when Lawson generally gets the back ups so they can rest the starters when Billups is out. I think Lawson was the best bench draft pick, but I think Flynn can be a starter on a NBA team. He might not be a starter on every team, but I think he’ll turn into kind of a Jameer Nelson/Ray Felton type where he’ll look just fine with the right team, but not be able to build a team around him

David Thorpe

(12:07 PM)

Justin, we’re not as far apart as you think. Lawson has a special set of skills, as does Flynn. I think they will have similar careers, albeit in different ways.

Tom (Nashville)

Thorpe, I heard that you helped our boy Corey Brewer a great deal. What specifically did you do?

David Thorpe

(12:14 PM)

I think a lot of people have been helping Corey. We just stressed shot selection, and improved his shooting mechanics. He was bending over at the waist too much, so when he shot, his head was flying backwards and that destroyed his balance and cut off his follow through.

Wolfmother (Crunch’s House)

What is your assessment of the Al Jefferson/ Love situation? I think it could work with the right backcourt and bench (I.e. Rubio, Turner Brewer. With Alabi and Hollins coming off the bench) but it appears Rambis doesn’t like starting both. And they are both too good to sit. Is a trade (hopefully Jefferson) inevitable?

David Thorpe

(12:20 PM)

They need a shot-blocking center, of course. But for now, 3 guys can play those 2 spots quite well. Hard to trade a scoring machine like Al.

Phil (Twin Cities)

Who got the better of the Love-Mayo trade in June 2008? Would either team TODAY be inclined to reverse that trade?

David Thorpe

(12:34 PM)

It’s called a win-win.

Justin (Minneapolis)

Thorpedo loco, I personally like your 1 sentence responses, you generally answer what we are looking for. So, once sentence response to this: Rubio, legit NBA point guard, legit NBA stud, or a guy that could turn a whole franchise around? European reports have been good.

David Thorpe

(12:36 PM)

Probably a legit NBA stud.

Justin (Madison)

Does the addition of Rudy Gay and Evan Turner make my T-Wolves playoff contenders next year?

David Thorpe

(12:49 PM)

So much for Corey Brewer’s progress, eh Justin?

Kevin (MN)

There is no reason Turner and Brewster couldn’t play the 2 and the 3 together! It looks like Brewer’s offensive strength will be Three and close-up baskets, while Turner has an excellent all-around offensive game.

David Thorpe

(12:54 PM)

Agreed. But adding Rudy Gay changes the mix. I think Turner would be a great pick at 2.

Evan (NYC)

What about a Gortat for Al Jefferson type deal? Obviously salaries don’t match, but filler could be added.

David Thorpe

(12:56 PM)

Very interesting, except why would Orlando want Al?