Friday morning’s workouts

From TrueHoop: Minnesota’s Massive Point Guard Workout:

It was closed, but TrueHoop reader Michael Stephenson — a season ticket holder — was among those invited to watch. He wrote up the following report, and sent it over with his blessing to publish it on TrueHoop:

The group was Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Jeff Teague out of Wake Forest. I was most looking forward to seeing Jennings as I’ve been following him closely (on TrueHoop, among others) and was eager to measure his progress in person...

Since it’s my blog and I can…If I were PBO, I’d do what it takes — Mike Miller or Randy Foye, a draft pick, expiring contracts, taking back a bad (but not debilitating) contract — to get Washington’s fifth pick and completely rebuild the backcourt with Holiday (great size, perimeter defense! at point) and Evans, Harden or DeMar DeRozan at shooting guard with the fifth and sixth picks and then wait for a trade or next year’s draft to find that shot-blocking center.

–The immediate reaction to the collection of prospects on Friday morning was the physical differences between Evans and the rest of the point guards. Evans hovers over the rest of the competition with his 6-foot-6 frame and 220-pound NBA ready body. The Wolves would benefit from the versatility Evans offers in the backcourt as he can play the point or shooting guard. While shooting on the perimeter, Evans release was a bit slow, but he showed the type of range that could improve over time. Evans decided to work out in a group setting in contrast to the original plan for an individual session in front of the Wolves’ coaching staff. For a top tier prospect, this decision speaks to Evans’ competitive nature and maturity.

–Jonny Flynn displayed the type of personality that made him a fan favorite at Syracuse. The speedy point guard would have the same type of effect in the Twin Cities if the Wolves decided to select him at No. 6. The consistency from the 3-point arc may have separated Flynn and Ty Lawson from the four other point guard prospects. In the time spent with Flynn on Friday, his outgoing personality shined in front of the media horde. Flynn openly discussed the importance of returning to Syracuse for his sophomore season. In two years for the Orangemen, Flynn was the leader of a variety of personalities that included Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris.

Timberwolves.com rates the six point guards at the work out:
1. Tyreke Evans – size, athleticism, and upside
2. Brandon Jennings – ball handling skills, can create own shots, flashy, athletic
3. Jonny Flynn – extremely quick, solid outside shot, great personality, leader
4. Jrue Holiday – size, strength, ability to reach the basket
5. Ty Lawson – speed, range from the perimeter, leader
6. Jeff Teague – scoring mentality, defense, improved each year at Wake Forest
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