Trevor invited to Portsmouth, Rodney was not

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Looks like Trevor crushed people in the bench press. That's even more impressive considering his freakishly long arms.
 

GopherJake said:
Why is Flip tweeting stuff like this? Seems idiotic, if he actually believes it. As far as, from the standpoint of, he is the GM of an NBA team. Seems Tice-like.
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“@Flip_Saunders: just thought Gopher Nation would want the insight”
 

Zgoda tweet: When asked how Rodney Williams' game translates, Flip says, "Right now, nothing. He's an athlete but your other skills have to develop."

Go Gophers!!
 

STrib: Former Gopher Williams hopes to sneak onto an NBA team

“It’s been pretty tough trying to live up to the expectations, especially … after being in the talk about being a lottery pick in freshman year,” Williams said. “Having my consistency be so up and down during those four years at the ‘U’ — it was tough to really live up to the expectations. But that’s part of it. I signed up to go to college to play ball and I knew all that comes with it. It’s such a grind now, and I’ve got to keep working hard so I can go out here and fulfill my dream.”

“Right now, nothing,” said Saunders, who cited shooting skills and ball handling as areas in which Williams needs to improve greatly. “So with Rodney, that’s going to be where he is now — can he make that transition over the next three weeks and use his athleticism defensively and maybe tickle somebody’s fancy by how he plays?”

“It’s a different story when you have to play against people, and that’s usually how we play games, against people, not by yourself,” Saunders said. “We know he’s always been a great athlete, but at this level you just don’t get by with athleticism.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/209444861.html

Go Gophers!!
 

FSN: Williams working hard to realize NBA dream

Williams has kept in touch with Mbakwe since their season ended, as both are going through similar situations. But they haven't made a bet just yet on which of the two former Gophers forwards will hear their name called first on draft night.

"We'll soon make that bet, don't worry," Williams said. "You'll hear about it. I'm sure Trev will tweet about it."

Williams has two more workouts lined up in Houston and Detroit before the draft. If he doesn't get drafted — there's a good chance he might not — and doesn't catch onto a team as an undrafted free agent, Williams said he's open to playing overseas, a path that would still allow him to get paid to play the game he loves.

"If that was the case I'd definitely do it," he said. "Anything to help me get to my dream, that's the NBA. If that's going to have to be overseas for a couple years, then so be it."

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/colle...to-realize-NBA-dre?blockID=906479&feedID=3590

Go Gophers!!
 


second best vertical i nthis years draft class, at 42.5, best was shan larkin's 44 vert, rodney has the #1 standing vertical out of anybody in the draft class at 36.5, not that you guys would be surprised by this, BTW does anybody know his wing span? i think it is 6-11/7-0
 

Amelia Q&A on Rodney:

Flip Saunders recently critiqued Rodney Williams as not ready for the NBA. Is that due to coaching, team or player? #aMAILiaBAG

@juliecmiller

I don’t think you can say it was any one factor in a situation like that, and at this point, it’s impossible to really know how and if things could have been different. One of the things I was hoping to ask Rodney on Wednesday is whether he thinks about what could have been if he had the opportunity to play in Pitino’s system – one that is seemingly made for his skills (whenever the Gophers did manage to play up-tempo, Williams always looked pretty good). Unfortunately, we had about six minutes with him and the scrum was about 15 deep, so that particular question was never asked of him. One aspect of Williams’ shortcomings – his shooting – is hard to blame on anyone else because it’s simply a matter of him living in the gym and getting up shots. One could also argue if he had someone to better inspire him, the results could have been different. Williams has himself been very aware of getting so caught up in his mistakes that he can’t focus for the rest of the game. Could the right mentor have eased that tendency? Who knows. Rodney is a good kid, and I wish him the best moving forward. The past can’t be re-written, but it would have been fun to see him in Pitino’s run-and-gun game.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/209569321.html

Go Gophers!!
 

"One aspect of Williams’ shortcomings – his shooting – is hard to blame on anyone else because it’s simply a matter of him living in the gym and getting up shots."

If only it were that easy...
 




MN Daily: Williams has a lot to prove in NBA
Some analysts peg the ex-Gophers player as a second-round draft pick.

The Gophers coaching staff unsuccessfully tried to fix Williams’ shooting form during his time at the University, even placing straps on his left hand to prevent his thumb from touching the ball, former head coach Tubby Smith said.

Williams could have spent more time working on his shooting and ball handling in school.

“Every once in a while, I think that,” Williams said, “but I’ve just got to look forward. I can’t take back what I did and what I didn’t do.”

Williams’ lack of improvement in those areas contributed to his inconsistency with the Gophers, ESPN college basketball writer Myron Medcalf said. Williams scored more than 10 points just once in his final 10 games with the team.

“He didn’t develop on his own the way that I think he could have in four years at the U,” Medcalf said.

http://www.mndaily.com/sports/mens-...ove-nba?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 

per Shama:

Rodney Williams, unlikely to make an NBA roster this fall, should consider the Harlem Globetrotters among his future options. The former Gopher not only has the athleticism and dunking ability to entertain crowds but also a pleasing personality and engaging smile.

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!
 


underground629 said:
"One aspect of Williams’ shortcomings – his shooting – is hard to blame on anyone else because it’s simply a matter of him living in the gym and getting up shots."

If only it were that easy...
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It really is that easy. No amount of practice would turn him into Dale Ellis, but it could've turned him into a 1st round pick.
 



BleedGopher said:
per Shama:

Rodney Williams, unlikely to make an NBA roster this fall, should consider the Harlem Globetrotters among his future options. The former Gopher not only has the athleticism and dunking ability to entertain crowds but also a pleasing personality and engaging smile.

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!
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That would actually be pretty awesome.
 

It really isn't. I don't know how you want to quantify/qualify it, but how much better of a shooter do you think he could've become?

I think the more realistic option for helping him become a 1st round pick would've been to become an absolute lock down defender. That and simply being more active/aggressive consistently.

dpodoll68 said:
It really is that easy. No amount of practice would turn him into Dale Ellis, but it could've turned him into a 1st round pick.
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underground629 said:
I think the more realistic option for helping him become a 1st round pick would've been to become an absolute lock down defender. That and simply being more active/aggressive consistently.
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Actually, if he would have left after his first or second year he would have been a first round pick for sure. That was his best option.
 


First round? I doubt that. I agree though--I always thought he would've been better off leaving early. Scouts seem to be very generous in projections of raw athletes when they come out early. He definitely would've been a 2nd rounder last year, but I doubt he would've ever really played if he were signed.

tikited said:
Actually, if he would have left after his first or second year he would have been a first round pick for sure. That was his best option.
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Slam Magazine with a profile on Trevor:

On The Golden Doorstep

After battling injuries, Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe is finally ready for the NBA.

Now 24-years-old, Mbakwe has left the college game and is preparing for the NBA Draft. But, he has a lot to prove as undersized rookie big man who will turn 25 mid-way through the ’13-14 season with a troublesome knee history. But he doesn’t think his age will be a factor in his draft stock.

“That’s more of a media thing,” Mbakwe says. “None of the coaches or front office people I’ve talked to have really raised that as a concern. I’m not the oldest in this Draft class, so I feel good about that. But, I don’t think that plays much into what teams think of me.”

He’s just focusing on what he does best.

“Teams like how hard I play, how physical I am, how I rebound the basketball and the intensity that I play with,” Mbakwe said. “I think I can be a high-energy guy in the League like a Kenneth Faried or a guy that I’m drawing a lot of comparisons to, Leon Powe, guys who come in and affect the game on the defensive end. That’s going to be my mission on the next level.”

One NBA scout who recently saw Mbakwe workout agrees with the comparison. He also thinks that the Minnesota graduate could have an instant impact on the court in an NBA game. If that’s the case, Mbakwe will be effective in the pros much sooner than it took him to even reach the League’s doorstep.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2013/06/trevor-mbakwe-on-the-golden-doorstep/

Go Gophers!!
 

• The Wolves brought Williams back Sunday for another workout after he participated in group workouts for many NBA teams last month at Target Center. “He played 100 percent better than the last time we saw him,” said Saunders, who noted how Williams’ jump shot was much better.

• Former Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe is one of six players scheduled for Monday’s workouts. He Will be joined by North Carolina forward Reggie Bullock, New Mexico forward Tony Snell, Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas, Arizona State swingman Carrick Felix and Utah center Jason Washburn.

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Rodney may not have improved his game much, but he added a fair amount of muscle over the past four years.
 

HOOP DREAMS said:
“He played 100 percent better than the last time we saw him,” said Saunders, who noted how Williams’ jump shot was much better.
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Why is Flip saying one actual word about any player remotely on his radar? This is hardly the first time. Take a cue from Spielman - cliches and non-answer answers only, please. You are a the president of the team, not a sportscaster.
 

PiPress: Former Gopher Trevor Mbakwe shows Timberwolves a shooting touch

"I'm probably in the best shape of my life so far right now, coming back from my ACL," Mbakwe said. "I've been working on my 15- to 17-foot jump shot. It's something I've improved on since the season has been over with. It felt good being back in Minnesota, getting a chance to work out for my hometown team. I think the way we played (in college), I was predominantly mostly inside. Going into the next level, I'm not going to be bigger and stronger than everybody I'm playing against."

"He is what he is," said Saunders, who also watched Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas, North Carolina's Reggie Bullock and New Mexico's Tony Snell on Monday. "He's a defender, competitor, shot blocker, rebounder. That's what he does.

"To play in this league and be effective, you have to have NBA talent. Nothing that you do average is going to make you that much better in the NBA. His strength isn't his ability to shoot. As a coach, you don't want him to shoot. But you want him getting better at what he can't do so he isn't lost in certain situations."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...evor-mbakwe-shows-timberwolves-shooting-touch

Go Gophers!!
 

STrib: A leaner Mbakwe gets a longer look

“I get that a lot,” Mbakwe said when reminded of a game last winter when he clearly outplayed a likely NBA lottery pick and his Gophers upset then-No. 1 Indiana. “A lot of guys were at that game. It was a good game for me to have with all the [NBA] GMs and coaches there. It was definitely something good to have on your résumé.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/211913171.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Hey, at least he isn't as embarrassing as Kahn. I agree with your general sentiment, though I'm not sure it's a big deal when it comes to Rodney. Lottery picks, however, I'd shut up (or be vague/dishonest about reviews if you're gonna say anything).

GopherJake said:
Why is Flip saying one actual word about any player remotely on his radar? This is hardly the first time. Take a cue from Spielman - cliches and non-answer answers only, please. You are a the president of the team, not a sportscaster.
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GopherJake said:
Why is Flip saying one actual word about any player remotely on his radar? This is hardly the first time. Take a cue from Spielman - cliches and non-answer answers only, please. You are a the president of the team, not a sportscaster.
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Think back to KG. When he and McHale went to see him they said to each other just what you are stating; not a word about him publicly, just saying he was an interesting option. They would have taken him #1 overall if they had the pick. So maybe he isn't interested in him and trying to deflect.
 


GopherJake said:
Why is Flip saying one actual word about any player remotely on his radar?
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They have a lot of picks, wouldn't say he's not on the radar for a late-late second round pick. I agree, I don't like they way he is talking about players they are looking at and publicly drooling over Victor.

He stated on KFAN that he has been talking about these guys on sports center and KFAN all year, so it doesn't matter at this point, his opinion is known. That makes some sense (not much) I hope next year he keeps it more to himself.
 

Thanks guys. I just like the way Spielman operates. I hated the way Tice operated. Hmmmm. One of those guys no longer has a job...........are you watching, Flip?
 

I honestly think Tice was underappreciated. He had the worst owner in the NFL as his boss and had the poorest/smallest support squad backing him up. Seriously, a guy running dual OC/OL responsibilities? In the NFL? Talk about bush league. I think if Tice had Wilf he might still be coaching here.

Now, about Trevor and Rodney...
 


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