Love, Bigs Audition for Wolves

After working out several prospects on Monday, Minnesota continued its preparation for the looming NBA Draft by welcoming a slew of big men to Target Center on Tuesday, highlighted by UCLA power forward Kevin Love.

Joining the Final Four participant was French center Alexis Ajinca, Texas A&M center DeAndre Jordan and Ohio State center Kosta Koufos; Minnesota's Lawrence McKenzie and Winona State's Jonte Flowers competed as well in the workout run primarily by Wolves Assistant General Manager Fred Hoiberg and Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale.

As for Love, Minnesota wasn't the first NBA team to bring in other big, long players to see how he dealt with that type of physicality, and Love looked nearly as good as the weather on an aesthetically pleasing Minnesota morning.

"My thing when you see these workouts is that they confirm for you what you thought one way or the other," said Wolves broadcaster Jim Petersen, who observed the entire workout alongside Minnesota's assistant coaches, operations staff and selected season ticket holders. "You have preconceived notions of what you think, and for me when I watched him, it confirmed what I already thought: The guy is a stud."

How so?

"His ball skills are very refined, his ability to play against longer or bigger guys was better than I thought coming in, and he's bigger than you think," explained Petersen. "But size doesn't matter if you have his kind of skill level. He dominated the play today."

Hoops analysts have widely questioned Love's shape and athleticism, but a hyper-strict diet and workout routine since after the NCAA Tourney has resulted in his losing 15 pounds. And his passing, shooting and rebounding are widely praised, but what stands out most might be his brain, or his basketball IQ. Petersen said that Love already understands the makeup of the Wolves and has instantly wrapped his mind around the team's concepts.

"He just knows how to play," added McHale, who spent some time with Love on the low block on Tuesday. "There's a gift in knowing how to play. It makes you faster, it makes you quicker, it makes you everything because you're anticipating everything. You're a step ahead."

After completing a tough workout including three-on-three drills both in the half and full court, defensive rotation and on-the-ball drills, plus shooting excercises, Love said that he feels very confident in his ability to step in right away and help any team in the NBA ... Including the Wolves. Love said he hopes he's in the mix of players considered at the No. 3 draft position, and would welcome the opportunity to play in Minnesota.

He said he was particularly impressed with what Al Jefferson was able to do last season, and like Petersen suggested seems to grasp the role he could play alongside Big Al.

"I think I can be a facilitator," said Love. "I can play the high-post, I can really pass the ball and also I can stretch the defense with my long-range shooting and I think (Jefferson and I) compliment each other very well."

That Love's offensive skills would flourish alongside those of Jefferson isn't so much the question, however. What about on D?

"I know I'll be able to defend centers," Love continued. "Anybody who says I can't play against length is wrong ... And also, it's all about what's up here (mind) and down here (heart)."

Love acknowledged the obvious in that several NBA power forwards will be quicker or more athletic than him, but he feels that he can make up for it with his savvy and strength. Plus, he can board.

"Love positions his body extremely well as a rebounder," concluded Petersen. "And if you can score and rebound the basketball at the NBA level, then you can definitely play. I think Love can be special."

To follow up, Timberwolves.com interviewed Love on camera after he addressed local media; stay tuned for that.

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Tuesday's Workout - Participant Bios:

Ajinca (Ht. 7-0, Wt. 220) was averaging 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10.8 minutes of action per game in his first season of significant action in the French ProA League. He is a consistent contributer to the French Junior National Team and participated in the 2008 Nike Hoop Summitt where he tallied 13 points, 9 rebounds and three blocks for the World Select Team.

Jordan (Ht. 7-0, Wt. 260) earned Big 12 All-Rookie Team honors after averaging 7.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 61.7 percent from the field in his first season with the Aggies. He started 21 of 35 games as a rookie and scored in double figures 13 times.

Koufos (Ht. 7-0, Wt, 265) averaged 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds as a freshman at Ohio State, earning Third Team All-Big Ten and All-Freshman Team honors. He was the MVP of the MasterCard Preseason NIT as well as the MVP of the 2007 UMCOR U18 European Championships as he averaged 26.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks for the Greek U18 National Team.

Love (Ht. 6-10, Wt. 255) was a consensus First Team All-American and a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith Awards. He averaged 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Bruins while becoming just the second freshman to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year.