I learned from a team source tonight the particulars of the Grizzlies' first two draft-prospect workouts.
On Thursday, the Grizzlies are scheduled to bring in three players: Israeli small forward Omri Casspi, USC small forward Davon Jefferson, and Mississippi State big man Charles Rhodes.
A bigger workout takes place Monday when Kevin Love pairs up with Texas A&M man child Deandre Jordan.
Omri Casspi
Casspi should be the feature attraction Thursday. A legit contender for the team's pick at #28, Casspi made a strong impression at the Nike Hoop Summit here a last year by playing with more intensity than anyone else on the floor and he's since proven himself against older, more experienced competition internationally. Casspi could fit a positional need as a back-up small forward as well as bringing some needed toughness to the team. The biggest question might be whether he really has the raw talent to thrive at the NBA level.
Jefferson is a pro-caliber athlete, but apparently didn't acquit himself well in Orlando last week and isn't a name I've heard much from team insiders. I think he's probably a longshot.
Without a second-round pick, Rhodes isn't really a candidate to be drafted by the Grizzlies, but the team needs size and Rhodes might go undrafted. If so, he could be an interesting summer-league candidate.
Kevin Love
The Monday workout will be more meaningful and intriguing. Love, obviously, is a serious candidate for the pick at #5, though I do wonder if his potential lack of center-caliber length could hurt him.
Jordan is on the outside looking in for the Grizzlies pick, but I suppose with an eye-popping workout, he could get into the mix.
If nothing else, it's quite a contrast: Love is perhaps the most skilled big man in the draft but may lack the requisite size and athleticism the thrive in the NBA. Jordan, on the other hand, has big-time size and allegedly big-time athleticism (though he didn't seem all that explosive the few times I watched him last season) but hasn't at all proven he's a basketball player.
Great scoop on the upcoming workouts. Has there really been a large contingent of players refusing to workout with the Grizzlies this season? Why would that be if it is the case?
Seems to me that the team is getting a bad rap for no reason?