ust to give people a hug.
Napsal: úte 28. srp 2018 6:37:57The Minnesota Timberwolves could have used their draft picks in deals to help clear space under the salary cap for potential free agent additions next month.
They needed some high-ceiling young players just as much.
Opting against any deals Josh Jackson Jersey Youth , the Timberwolves selected Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, targeting a tough-minded player with defensive versatility as a primary asset.
”Nothing presented itself that would be better than actually selecting at 20,” general manager Scott Layden said.
The same went for the 48th overall choice, when Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop was still available in the second round. The Big Ten Player of the Year was widely projected as a late first-round pick.
”Having a pick this year was critical for us, just to continue to grow,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. ”We think we have to have a blend, of young players, players that are in the middle and obviously the older veterans. But having those young guys, it’s important for the team, for the growth of the organization.”
Okogie played two seasons for the Yellow Jackets, averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 43.7 percent from the field. The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Okogie led the Atlantic Coast Conference with an average of 6.8 free throw attempts per game last season, bringing consistent doses of energy and physicality.
Born in Nigeria, Okogie grew up outside of Atlanta. He was third in the ACC in 2017-18 with an average of 1.8 steals per game and also grabbed an average of 6.3 rebounds per game. Okogie’s wingspan was measured at the draft combine this spring at 7 feet and his three-quarters-of-the-court sprint time was just 3.04 seconds.
With a vertical leap of 42 inches that tied Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo for the highest at the combine, Okogie is capable of guarding multiple positions Authentic Customized Eagles Jerseys , an ability treasured by Thibodeau. Toughness is another trait that assuredly attracted Okogie to Thibodeau, conducting his third draft since being hired in Minnesota.
Okogie, who watched the draft with family, friends and teammates in Atlanta, had trouble composing himself when Thibodeau called.
”When he said, `Josh,’ to be honest, I blacked out,” Okogie said. ”I was just like, `This is surreal.’ Everything happened so fast. They called my name. Everybody’s screaming. I’m getting tackled. Crying.”
Depth at the wing positions was a glaring need for the Wolves this offseason, with no backups set yet for Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. Jamal Crawford and Derrick Rose are set to become free agents.
Perimeter shooting is another priority after Minnesota ranked last in the league with an average of 8.0 made 3-pointers per game. The Wolves were 19th in the NBA with a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.7.
Last year, the Timberwolves used draft night to reshape their roster with a headliner trade for the All-Star Butler that dealt Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and seventh overall pick Lauri Markkanen to Chicago. The Bulls then sent the 16th overall selection, Justin Patton, to the Wolves. Patton sat out his entire rookie season with a broken foot. Markkanen made the NBA All-Rookie team after averaging 15.2 points per game.
With little space under the cap 49ers Game Jerseys , the Wolves could’ve used their first-rounder in a package to trade away some veteran salary, but the pick was also important as a way to cheaply add a rotation-caliber player. Thibodeau has long favored experience on the court, skimping on time for young players, but Okogie has shown an ability to make catch-and-shoot 3-pointers from the corner that could supplement his defense enough to warrant time in the rotation.
”I think I can help from day one,” he said.
The Wolves passed on one of the sharpest outside shooters in this draft class, Duke’s Grayson Allen, but took advantage of a rich pool of wing players to snag Bates-Diop, the leading scorer in the Big Ten as a fourth-year senior in 2017-18 at 19.8 points per game. He was limited to nine games as a junior because of a leg injury and took a redshirt for the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Bates-Diop finished his college career as a 47.2 percent shooter from the field.
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Two-time Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins is taking part in practice at organized team activities without the red jersey which tells other New York Giants players to keep their hands off him.
It doesn’t mean Collins has fully recovered from a late-season broken right arm that required two surgeries to fix. It does mean the leader of the defense is close, and could take part in next week’s mandatory three-day minicamp.
Don’t expect it, though. Coming off a 3-13 season, the Giants are not going to run the risk even with a new 3-4 defense being installed by coordinator James Bettcher for coach Pat Shurmur.
”I check with the doctors sometime this week, or next week,” Collins said Monday after practice. ”I’m very close. Just right now, we’re just taking the precautions LeSean McCoy Jersey , not putting me into the team things, getting my arm caught or anything. We’re right around the corner from the season, so we’re not about to risk anything.”
Collins broke his right forearm on Dec. 24 in Arizona. He had surgery the following week, but the arm did not heal properly, requiring a second surgery in late April.
”Nothing went wrong, we did everything, had my second opinion from other doctors, everything was great,” he said. ”I was just in that 20 percentile where it didn’t heal correctly.”
Collins said he is not concerned about his arm. He has no intention of wearing a protective device on it next season. He currently wears a piece of carbon fiber as protection.
The new defense reminds Collins of what he played at Alabama. He feels players are hungrier and know they have to earn their jobs this season. He includes himself in that group.
”I’ve got to come in and say that I can learn this defense, even though I’m not on the field, and put it to the test,” said Collins, who will be entering his fourth pro season. ”And when I get my opportunity to show that I can do it, that me not being on the field is not slowing me down.”
Collins also has been active in community work since the injury. He took a trip with a group of teammates to Puerto Rico last month.
”What I took away from it was that people are still out there grieving and need help,” he said Youth Tanner Lee Jersey , adding the trip brought back memories. When he was in grade school in Louisiana, Collins experienced Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
”I lost my home, I’ve been without power, I’ve been displaced,” Collins said. ”Is it shocking? No, because I’ve been through it. But seeing what they’re going through, I feel it, and I know their hearts sting and I know what they’re going through. So, as much as I can help, I will try my best to help.”
The memory he took home from the trip was the smiling faces he saw as the group distributed packages, food – and the open arms just to give people a hug.
NOTES: The Giants signed undrafted tight end Garrett Dickerson of Northwestern. They also waived receiver Keeon Johnson and defensive backs Jeremiah McKinnon and Mike Jones. … CB Janoris Jenkins intercepted Eli Manning’s fade pass to the corner during a red-zone drill. … CB Eli Apple also had an impressive breakup on a deep pass to Sterling Shepard. … WR Odell Beckham Jr. and DT Damon Harrison were not at the voluntary practice Monday, but Shurmur says they will be at the mandatory three-day camp next week.
—
.
They needed some high-ceiling young players just as much.
Opting against any deals Josh Jackson Jersey Youth , the Timberwolves selected Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, targeting a tough-minded player with defensive versatility as a primary asset.
”Nothing presented itself that would be better than actually selecting at 20,” general manager Scott Layden said.
The same went for the 48th overall choice, when Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop was still available in the second round. The Big Ten Player of the Year was widely projected as a late first-round pick.
”Having a pick this year was critical for us, just to continue to grow,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. ”We think we have to have a blend, of young players, players that are in the middle and obviously the older veterans. But having those young guys, it’s important for the team, for the growth of the organization.”
Okogie played two seasons for the Yellow Jackets, averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 43.7 percent from the field. The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Okogie led the Atlantic Coast Conference with an average of 6.8 free throw attempts per game last season, bringing consistent doses of energy and physicality.
Born in Nigeria, Okogie grew up outside of Atlanta. He was third in the ACC in 2017-18 with an average of 1.8 steals per game and also grabbed an average of 6.3 rebounds per game. Okogie’s wingspan was measured at the draft combine this spring at 7 feet and his three-quarters-of-the-court sprint time was just 3.04 seconds.
With a vertical leap of 42 inches that tied Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo for the highest at the combine, Okogie is capable of guarding multiple positions Authentic Customized Eagles Jerseys , an ability treasured by Thibodeau. Toughness is another trait that assuredly attracted Okogie to Thibodeau, conducting his third draft since being hired in Minnesota.
Okogie, who watched the draft with family, friends and teammates in Atlanta, had trouble composing himself when Thibodeau called.
”When he said, `Josh,’ to be honest, I blacked out,” Okogie said. ”I was just like, `This is surreal.’ Everything happened so fast. They called my name. Everybody’s screaming. I’m getting tackled. Crying.”
Depth at the wing positions was a glaring need for the Wolves this offseason, with no backups set yet for Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. Jamal Crawford and Derrick Rose are set to become free agents.
Perimeter shooting is another priority after Minnesota ranked last in the league with an average of 8.0 made 3-pointers per game. The Wolves were 19th in the NBA with a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.7.
Last year, the Timberwolves used draft night to reshape their roster with a headliner trade for the All-Star Butler that dealt Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and seventh overall pick Lauri Markkanen to Chicago. The Bulls then sent the 16th overall selection, Justin Patton, to the Wolves. Patton sat out his entire rookie season with a broken foot. Markkanen made the NBA All-Rookie team after averaging 15.2 points per game.
With little space under the cap 49ers Game Jerseys , the Wolves could’ve used their first-rounder in a package to trade away some veteran salary, but the pick was also important as a way to cheaply add a rotation-caliber player. Thibodeau has long favored experience on the court, skimping on time for young players, but Okogie has shown an ability to make catch-and-shoot 3-pointers from the corner that could supplement his defense enough to warrant time in the rotation.
”I think I can help from day one,” he said.
The Wolves passed on one of the sharpest outside shooters in this draft class, Duke’s Grayson Allen, but took advantage of a rich pool of wing players to snag Bates-Diop, the leading scorer in the Big Ten as a fourth-year senior in 2017-18 at 19.8 points per game. He was limited to nine games as a junior because of a leg injury and took a redshirt for the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Bates-Diop finished his college career as a 47.2 percent shooter from the field.
—
Two-time Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins is taking part in practice at organized team activities without the red jersey which tells other New York Giants players to keep their hands off him.
It doesn’t mean Collins has fully recovered from a late-season broken right arm that required two surgeries to fix. It does mean the leader of the defense is close, and could take part in next week’s mandatory three-day minicamp.
Don’t expect it, though. Coming off a 3-13 season, the Giants are not going to run the risk even with a new 3-4 defense being installed by coordinator James Bettcher for coach Pat Shurmur.
”I check with the doctors sometime this week, or next week,” Collins said Monday after practice. ”I’m very close. Just right now, we’re just taking the precautions LeSean McCoy Jersey , not putting me into the team things, getting my arm caught or anything. We’re right around the corner from the season, so we’re not about to risk anything.”
Collins broke his right forearm on Dec. 24 in Arizona. He had surgery the following week, but the arm did not heal properly, requiring a second surgery in late April.
”Nothing went wrong, we did everything, had my second opinion from other doctors, everything was great,” he said. ”I was just in that 20 percentile where it didn’t heal correctly.”
Collins said he is not concerned about his arm. He has no intention of wearing a protective device on it next season. He currently wears a piece of carbon fiber as protection.
The new defense reminds Collins of what he played at Alabama. He feels players are hungrier and know they have to earn their jobs this season. He includes himself in that group.
”I’ve got to come in and say that I can learn this defense, even though I’m not on the field, and put it to the test,” said Collins, who will be entering his fourth pro season. ”And when I get my opportunity to show that I can do it, that me not being on the field is not slowing me down.”
Collins also has been active in community work since the injury. He took a trip with a group of teammates to Puerto Rico last month.
”What I took away from it was that people are still out there grieving and need help,” he said Youth Tanner Lee Jersey , adding the trip brought back memories. When he was in grade school in Louisiana, Collins experienced Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
”I lost my home, I’ve been without power, I’ve been displaced,” Collins said. ”Is it shocking? No, because I’ve been through it. But seeing what they’re going through, I feel it, and I know their hearts sting and I know what they’re going through. So, as much as I can help, I will try my best to help.”
The memory he took home from the trip was the smiling faces he saw as the group distributed packages, food – and the open arms just to give people a hug.
NOTES: The Giants signed undrafted tight end Garrett Dickerson of Northwestern. They also waived receiver Keeon Johnson and defensive backs Jeremiah McKinnon and Mike Jones. … CB Janoris Jenkins intercepted Eli Manning’s fade pass to the corner during a red-zone drill. … CB Eli Apple also had an impressive breakup on a deep pass to Sterling Shepard. … WR Odell Beckham Jr. and DT Damon Harrison were not at the voluntary practice Monday, but Shurmur says they will be at the mandatory three-day camp next week.
—
.