ESPN's Chad Ford is doing instant analysis of the 2011 NBA Draft, which you unfortunately can't see unless you're an ESPN In$ider. However, we can certainly share with you his take on the Minnesota Timberwolves' selection of Arizona forward Derrick Williams.
So, here it is:
The Wolves tried for weeks to move the pick and they may still do it. But this is a really solid pick for Minnesota. Yes, he plays the same position as Kevin Love, but he's a very different sort of player and immediately the second- or third-best player on the team. Williams is an explosive athlete, he can take defenders off the dribble and he's an aggressive scorer. Ricky Rubio will figure out a way to make both of them happy.
Well, I'm not so sure if he plays the same position as Kevin Love, based on his interview that we mentioned earlier. . .from what he said there, the position he wants to play is the same as one Michael Beasley, who may or may not now be on the trading block with the selection of Williams.
If Kevin Love and Derrick Williams are both part of the Timberwolves' starting lineup in 2011, the Timberwolves could be a vastly improved basketball team, in this writer's opinion.