<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Point guard Blake Stepp, playing on a tender ankle, has struggled this week at the Wolves' summer league. Stepp, taken by the Wolves in the second round (No. 58 overall) of this year's draft, said a handful of summer league games aren't enough to determine his future with the team. The former Gonzaga guard won't really start fighting for a roster spot until the Wolves hold their training camp in October. "It's not do or die for me right now," said Stepp, who still is recovering from a bone bruise on his left ankle. "I'm just trying to do as much as I can and as much as the team wants me to do." Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale concurred. "His real evaluation will be when he's healthy, and later on in the summer, and at the beginning of veteran camp," said McHale, who became interested in for Stepp during the 2003 NCAA tournament, where Gonzaga pushed top-seeded Arizona to double-overtime in the second round. Last season, Stepp averaged 14.6 points, 6.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds for a team that was upset in the second round by 10th-seeded Nevada. "I like his ability to make shots, and I like his ability of seeing the floor and making plays," McHale said. Stepp's limited mobility has affected that shot, although he still has made an impact. He sees his future as a point guard, but his ability to play off-guard also makes him attractive to Wolves coaches. "I think you might be able to play him at the [off-guard] some," Zierden said. "In our league, most of the twos are 6-7 and very athletic. You might have to pick your spots."</div> Link
Well Mark Madsen is happy that Blake is on the team. Here's a quote from Mad Dog: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"When I saw that we drafted Blake Stepp I thought it was a very good pick. I've watched Blake play on TV several times and I've always been impressed by his combination of size and skills for a guard. He can play the point or the off guard and he can definitely shoot. Coming froma great basetball/academic school in Gonzaga, clearly he's proven that he can lead a team and win. I'm excited to meet Blake and have the chance to be on the same team with him." </div> To be honest, I wish he can play. I want to see how he will do. I want to see him be able to perform his best so he can make this roster. Like Madsen said, he came from a good school in Gonzaga and has shown that he's a team leader and wants to win. Blake had a very nice college career. I just hope he can heal this ankle injury so he can go out and perform and do something. I'm excited about seeing him playing sometime soon but I guess we might have to wait till October.
This guy is really really good, I saw his college games when they were televised and I watched 2 of the summer league games he was in, this kid drops some pretty dimes and plays good defense. I bet he will be as good as any mid-late first rounder in his draft class providing he gets the time to do so.
Damn, that sucks. Stepp was my favorite college player last year, close second was his running partner Cory Violette (BTW, why didn't he get drafted? He had solid years in Gonzaga.). Hopefully he can recover and show his skills to compete for a roster spot, maybe even Cassell's backup. Only thing that can probably turn coaches away is that he's not that quick for a PG.
Once again the Wolves made a great move. Stepp is going to be a solid NBA guard for many years. What does everybody around here think of the Szcerbiak trade rumors? ESPN Insider says Bulls for Crawford/Jerome Williams, Blazers for either Abdur-Rahim, Dale Davis or Derek Anderson, or New Orleans for Mashburn. I've always disliked Wally so I think all three would be great for Minny but I was wondering if anybody's heard anything else?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Birdman33:</div><div class="quote_post">Once again the Wolves made a great move. Stepp is going to be a solid NBA guard for many years. What does everybody around here think of the Szcerbiak trade rumors? ESPN Insider says Bulls for Crawford/Jerome Williams, Blazers for either Abdur-Rahim, Dale Davis or Derek Anderson, or New Orleans for Mashburn. I've always disliked Wally so I think all three would be great for Minny but I was wondering if anybody's heard anything else?</div> Dr. Jack Ramsay, IMO the best NBA analyst around, thinks that Wally will be a T'Wolf again this season. I hate disagreeing with a guy that's won a couple NBA championship trophies & an ABA championship trophy with Rick Barry so I won't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Birdman33:</div><div class="quote_post">Once again the Wolves made a great move. Stepp is going to be a solid NBA guard for many years. What does everybody around here think of the Szcerbiak trade rumors? ESPN Insider says Bulls for Crawford/Jerome Williams, Blazers for either Abdur-Rahim, Dale Davis or Derek Anderson, or New Orleans for Mashburn. I've always disliked Wally so I think all three would be great for Minny but I was wondering if anybody's heard anything else?</div> Well I've also heard Crawford will most likely sign with the Knicks, Shareef might go to the Cavs for Z, and I don't think we'd go for Mash. Honestly, I doubt any of those rumors will ever come true, and I kind of hope they don't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MainEvent:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I've also heard Crawford will most likely sign with the Knicks, Shareef might go to the Cavs for Z, and I don't think we'd go for Mash. Honestly, I doubt any of those rumors will ever come true, and I kind of hope they don't.</div> SAR for Ilgauskas won't happen because that'd give Portland 2 expensive centers. They'd have $25+ million tied up in their 2 centers.
I know, that's just the rumor I've heard, though. I don't know if there is any truth to the rumor or not, just what I've heard.
