By Ronald Tillery
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Monday, June 9, 2008

Kevin Love sought redemption with Memphis in front of him.

Joey Dorsey wanted to reach new heights. Period.


Douglas-Roberts says no to working out for Grizzlies

For Love and Dorsey: Mission accomplished.

Love, projected to be selected in the upper half of the draft lottery, emerged as the top participant, while Dorsey more than held his own in producing the second-best workout among four big men.

The six-player session also included centers DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) and JaVale McGee (Nevada), and guards Kyle Weaver (Washington State) and Jeremy Pargo (Gonzaga).

The focus, though, was on the big men, and Love asserted himself as an above-average passer, perimeter shooter, post scorer and athlete who has enough lateral quickness to avoid being a defensive liability.

“He’s gotten himself into great shape since the (Final Four) loss to the Tigers,” Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said. “He’s working out well. He got good measurements at the Orlando Pre-Draft Camp. His athleticism is better than expected. He’s going to do fine in the NBA and go in the upper half of the lottery.”

Love immediately shed 15 pounds after the NCAA tournament, and the training proved worthwhile during impressive full-court, three-on-three and one-on-one exercises.

“I wanted to get quicker,” Love said, “because I’m going to have to play (power forward) in the NBA. I’ll be able to guard (centers) because of my size, but I have to be able to step out on the perimeter and use my quickness. I wanted to show I had the lateral quickness.”

Love displayed excellent shooting from mid-range and ended the workout by burying seven of 10 from beyond the NBA 3-point arc.

Whereas some lottery players rejected the notion of working against so-called lower prospects, Love embraced the idea to prove his stock.

“I’m a competitive guy. It doesn’t matter who I go against,” Love said. “Going one against none isn’t my style. I like to bang. I wanted to play against length. JaVale and DeAndre are pretty big guys, and I scored against them a bunch of times. I’m going to have to play against guys that size at the next level, and that’s just something I had to show.”

While McGee was active and determined, Jordan had the most difficult workout among the big men. He underwhelmed greatly in endurance, defense and low-post scoring. Jordan missed a dunk and shot an air ball free throw.

The best matchups involved Love and/or Dorsey.

Love’s finest moments came against each of his bigger opponents, as he proving to be virtually impossible to guard in the post. During a one-minute drill in which players had to sprint baseline to baseline while stopping and shooting from the elbow, Love connected on five straight shots. The Grizzlies’ staff required seven made shots during that span, and Love converted nine.

Dorsey only sank three baskets during that drill. But, with University of Memphis men’s basketball coach John Calipari watching, Dorsey impressed with his defense and sometimes stunning shot-making in competitive situations.

Dorsey’s fine moments happened when he dunked over a Love block attempt in a three-on-two, full-court exercise, caught a pass in the post and whirled to the basket for a score over Love, and routinely outsmarted Jordan on both ends of the court.

“I want to show everybody I can play with the top guys offensively and on defense, as well,” Dorsey said. “I’ve put in a lot of work in the gym. I just want to play in the NBA.”

Dorsey and Love were the only big men not visibly tired during the slightly more than an hour session.

“Joey can play in the NBA,” Wallace said. “He can be a rebounder, defender and energy guy. I think the draft is going to treat Joey much better than people would have thought at the beginning of the season.”

Love seconded that prediction.

“He’s hungry,” Love said of Dorsey. “He’s a banger. I thought he had a great workout. He hit a bunch of shots and had a pretty nice touch. He actually showed a jump shot. He’ll definitely make a team. He’s big enough and solid.”

Dorsey said he’s worked with NBA players Rudy Gay and Carmelo Anthony in an attempt to make certain he’s seen in a different light.

“I’m getting word that, ‘Joey, you might be drafted in the first round because of your defense.’ I’m like, ‘Wait until they see my offense,’” Dorsey said. “With that, I think I can move up.”

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28
Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by tkf:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28
Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

hahahaha...hmmm, but you could be wrong...... NOT..



anyway, good try True blue and nice find on the article.....

Briggs, your boy mcgee may slip down in this draft...

[Edited by - tkf on 10-06-2008 4:33 PM]

I think Jordan might slip down. How many peope were on his jocK? Mcgee is not going past Sacremento at 12. Mcgee is not 24 years old like Dorsey and he doesnt ahev the expereince and his body isnt mature like Love. Mcgee is a project player with HUGE HUGE upside. I dont think Mcgee was ever slotted to go top 5 but he will go 9-12

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28

Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

Posted by tkf:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28
Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

hahahaha...hmmm, but you could be wrong...... NOT..



anyway, good try True blue and nice find on the article.....

Briggs, your boy mcgee may slip down in this draft...

[Edited by - tkf on 10-06-2008 4:33 PM]

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28

Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

CDR according to Dick Vitale right before the tournament started said he was a Top 5 player in college. During the tournament he was projected as a Mid 30 pick. As current as today I've seen him as high as 13 on a couple Mocks. I've seen him as low as 28 the spot where Memphis is slated to pick with their other first rounder. Anyone who saw Memphis play knows this guy has game and he literally carried them a few games during the tournament and truly all yr. Now how on earth does a player like CDR have a 27 player separation from a player like Rose? I just don't get it. And I asked why Memphis wanted him to come for a workout to show CDR who was recently worked out by Toronto with the 17th pick has an avg Mock draft selection at 22, highest selection in the consensus linked I showed is 17. Such disparity I tell you, obviously Memphis was doing their due diligence to extend an Olive branch to his camp in hopes to take a sneak peak at him since the draft is so fluid and deep.

CDR is an iso guard--horrible fit for the Knicks. There are a lot of top 5 college players who dont even make the pros. Im more interested in seeing Kevin Love--he has incredible IQ and if he really improved his physical package that much--hg moves way up in my book.

Love is going to be a sure thing it's just a matter of what that is. I think he fits perfect for Memphis. He'd actually be a good fit in Chicago and Minnesota. As car as CDR he'd be great in D'Antoni's offensive system because he knows how to run off screens and has a great midrange game and spot up shooter. The problem is we don't have a point guard so yes he'd be a horrible fit that much I agree with you on He's way more than a ISO guard... plays more of a Rip Hamilton/Paul Pierce game than a Jamal Crawford clear out and let me chuck game. Doesn't have the same athleticism compared to the Top athletes but is crafty and heady and a competitor.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Probably because Memphis has pick 28

Sounds like Love is raising his stock--and it is my belief that every player regardless of position needs to be worked out seriously by the NY knicks. We cant view game tape on Love if he is 15 pounds lighter--we have to evaluate him for what he is now.

CDR according to Dick Vitale right before the tournament started said he was a Top 5 player in college. During the tournament he was projected as a Mid 30 pick. As current as today I've seen him as high as 13 on a couple Mocks. I've seen him as low as 28 the spot where Memphis is slated to pick with their other first rounder. Anyone who saw Memphis play knows this guy has game and he literally carried them a few games during the tournament and truly all yr. Now how on earth does a player like CDR have a 27 player separation from a player like Rose? I just don't get it. And I asked why Memphis wanted him to come for a workout to show CDR who was recently worked out by Toronto with the 17th pick has an avg Mock draft selection at 22, highest selection in the consensus linked I showed is 17. Such disparity I tell you, obviously Memphis was doing their due diligence to extend an Olive branch to his camp in hopes to take a sneak peak at him since the draft is so fluid and deep.

CDR is an iso guard--horrible fit for the Knicks. There are a lot of top 5 college players who dont even make the pros. Im more interested in seeing Kevin Love--he has incredible IQ and if he really improved his physical package that much--hg moves way up in my book.

Love is going to be a sure thing it's just a matter of what that is. I think he fits perfect for Memphis. He'd actually be a good fit in Chicago and Minnesota. As car as CDR he'd be great in D'Antoni's offensive system because he knows how to run off screens and has a great midrange game and spot up shooter. The problem is we don't have a point guard so yes he'd be a horrible fit that much I agree with you on He's way more than a ISO guard... plays more of a Rip Hamilton/Paul Pierce game than a Jamal Crawford clear out and let me chuck game. Doesn't have the same athleticism compared to the Top athletes but is crafty and heady and a competitor.

If Love is really moving this well--what skill does he not pocess for this system where he could play C? The reason why I discounted him was mobility+speed but if that has changed as much as what is being purported--what do you say? This is a very very hard draft with a LOT of really good players--at the end of the day the NY Knicks need to find the BPA even if it takes them until 5 minutes vefore the draft. It is there absolute obligation to bring in LOve to be reevaluated--we BETTER. If we are going on game tape and he lost 15-20 pounds and is a completely different player--how could they not get him into NY for a very serious workout?

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 06-10-2008 6:35 PM]