McHale on the team, the draft, and O.J. Mayo

Kevin McHale was on KFAN with P.A. & Dubay Wednesday morning to help celebrate the renewed partnership between the team and the station.  You can listen to their interview here.

  

McHale on:

 

Last season– Thinks the second half of the season was more indicative of the type of team they had than the first half.
Believes the team has a chance to gel, grow, and be a "special" team with Al Jefferson as a centerpiece.  Said that having a guy who you can go to in the low post is a big plus.

The draft– More important to him is getting the players they have better because, he said, that’s how teams really improve. He also added that the draft picks will help a great deal. Remarked that there are some good big guys, some combo guards, a couple point guards, and some nice 3 men. The team currently has a list of 10 guys (which they’re trying to narrow down) for whom they might package their second-round picks and attempt to move up in the draft if those players slip.

Free agents– Will look at free agents this summer, but will hold on to their money until next summer when they can make a big play for somebody.

Pre-draft camp in Orlando – Not as many of the top prospects participating and the quality of players has dropped off and that has hurt the camp. In addition to working out players at the Target Center, they’ll be sharing a workout in Houston and have around 40 players coming.

Beasley– In his opinion, he’s by far the most advanced of the prospects. Said he’s got the whole package from a basketball standpoint, but his character is something that will be looked at very carefully because of his multiple high school transfers.

Rose– Has questions about his shot and commented that he’s got to be a better shooter

The lottery– Was shocked Chicago moved up so far in the lottery (next time a doctor gives him a 2% chance to live, he says he’ll take it because he’s seen the odds beat before)

O.J. Mayo– McHale said he is "a big Mayo fan." He likes him a lot- very interesting player, very good defensive guy.

McHale thinks that unlike a lot of players, Mayo plays better when he does less. Very few players for whom you can say less is more, a statement he said meant the player was very talented. While most guys are pushing the envelope to look good, Mayo just goes out there and makes simple plays, makes shots, and really defends.

Reiterated that he likes him a great deal and says the player really grew on him. Earlier in the year, he thought he tried to do too much and that his shot selection was a little "funky." Then in the last 6 weeks or so of the season, Mayo really "calmed his game down" and played some really nice basketball.

 

McHale also said that Fred Hoiberg is getting a lot of insight into Mayo and his practice habits because of his old coach, Tim Floyd. "We really like him," McHale concluded.