Wolves Scrimmage
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:30 pm
Just got back from the Wolves Summer League roster scrimmage at Target Center. It was a load of fun. I was shocked at the size of the crowd. We got there around 6:15 and confronted an incredibly long line. The lower section was pretty occupied on both sides. But crowd aside, it was the action on the court that made the evening.
They started out just doing some warm up stretches and exercises. Then they ran a full-court passing/dunking drill and that's when the fun began. LaVine was the star of that initial drill. The guy literally glides through the air effortlessly. His elbow elevated well above the rim as he repeatedly threw it down. Robinson III wasn't too shabby himself in that drill. Flip was there walking up and down the side of the court like a little general overseeing his troops. Flip looked like he belonged there. Honestly, it was really nice to see him back on the court in a coaching roll. It reminded me of those days of 50-win seasons and drove home the reality that Flip is born to coach. He loves it and he knows what he's doing.
Then the game began. It was a real game with officials. They played nearly 4 quarters, but Flip called it a game with about a minute left when both squads were tied 71-71. The white team was lead by Zach LaVine, who played PG. Fesenko occupied the middle for the white team. The black team had Shabazz, Shved and Robinson with Shved playing the point. Other players divided between the two teams included D.J. Kennedy, Brady Heslip, Jordan Morgan, Markel Starks, Dennis Horner, and Ryan Evans. No Gorgui Dieng for some reason. Hope he's OK. Sam Mitchell coached the black team while Ryan Saunders coached the white team. Flip floated back and forth between the two benches. At one point, he wandered into the stands to sit next to Dan Barriero and Sid Hartman.
The leading scorer for both sides was Fesenko. But he had no one with any size to guard him.
The real star of the game was Zach LaVine. The guy is overflowing with potential. He's every bit as athletic advertised. And I'd say his quickness with the ball is just as impressive as his Jordan-like ability to take off and sore high above the rim. He's electric. The crowd buzzed every time he touched the ball. He's the sort of player you can't take you eyes off of.
Yes, Zach made some mistakes, turning the ball over a few times with ballhandling mistakes and errant passes. But he made some spectacular plays as well both on and off the ball. Had some tremendous dunks both on dribble penetration and off passes, including a tremendous half-court alley-oop from Dennis Horner. Yet, just as impressive were some really nice passes he made running the point. Not necessarily flashy passes. Just really smart passes. He also had some terrific jumpers. He has an absolutely beautiful looking jumper from both mid-range and behind the arc. He has a fluid motion and gets great arc on the ball.
Probably the two most impressive things about Zach tonight were (1) his instincts, and (2) his unbridled passion for the game. The ball never dies in his hands. He makes quick, smart decisions and almost always makes something positive happen either with his passing or dribble penetration. He knows where to take the ball on the court and sees the floor extremely well. And he clearly loves to play the game -- showing great energy and moxie on both ends of the court. Guys, trust me, Zach LaVine is the real deal. He may end up the best player out of this draft class a few years down the road.
See below for the rest of my report.
They started out just doing some warm up stretches and exercises. Then they ran a full-court passing/dunking drill and that's when the fun began. LaVine was the star of that initial drill. The guy literally glides through the air effortlessly. His elbow elevated well above the rim as he repeatedly threw it down. Robinson III wasn't too shabby himself in that drill. Flip was there walking up and down the side of the court like a little general overseeing his troops. Flip looked like he belonged there. Honestly, it was really nice to see him back on the court in a coaching roll. It reminded me of those days of 50-win seasons and drove home the reality that Flip is born to coach. He loves it and he knows what he's doing.
Then the game began. It was a real game with officials. They played nearly 4 quarters, but Flip called it a game with about a minute left when both squads were tied 71-71. The white team was lead by Zach LaVine, who played PG. Fesenko occupied the middle for the white team. The black team had Shabazz, Shved and Robinson with Shved playing the point. Other players divided between the two teams included D.J. Kennedy, Brady Heslip, Jordan Morgan, Markel Starks, Dennis Horner, and Ryan Evans. No Gorgui Dieng for some reason. Hope he's OK. Sam Mitchell coached the black team while Ryan Saunders coached the white team. Flip floated back and forth between the two benches. At one point, he wandered into the stands to sit next to Dan Barriero and Sid Hartman.
The leading scorer for both sides was Fesenko. But he had no one with any size to guard him.
The real star of the game was Zach LaVine. The guy is overflowing with potential. He's every bit as athletic advertised. And I'd say his quickness with the ball is just as impressive as his Jordan-like ability to take off and sore high above the rim. He's electric. The crowd buzzed every time he touched the ball. He's the sort of player you can't take you eyes off of.
Yes, Zach made some mistakes, turning the ball over a few times with ballhandling mistakes and errant passes. But he made some spectacular plays as well both on and off the ball. Had some tremendous dunks both on dribble penetration and off passes, including a tremendous half-court alley-oop from Dennis Horner. Yet, just as impressive were some really nice passes he made running the point. Not necessarily flashy passes. Just really smart passes. He also had some terrific jumpers. He has an absolutely beautiful looking jumper from both mid-range and behind the arc. He has a fluid motion and gets great arc on the ball.
Probably the two most impressive things about Zach tonight were (1) his instincts, and (2) his unbridled passion for the game. The ball never dies in his hands. He makes quick, smart decisions and almost always makes something positive happen either with his passing or dribble penetration. He knows where to take the ball on the court and sees the floor extremely well. And he clearly loves to play the game -- showing great energy and moxie on both ends of the court. Guys, trust me, Zach LaVine is the real deal. He may end up the best player out of this draft class a few years down the road.
See below for the rest of my report.