Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (#8). (Photo : Getty Images)
The Minnesota Timberwolves are brimming with young talent right now and to emphasize that, interim head coach Sam Mitchell named 2015 NBA Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine as the team's new starting shooting guard this season ahead of veteran Kevin Martin.
Yahoo Sports reported that Mitchell, who is filling in for Wolves head coach and president Flip Saunders who is currently battling cancer, declared LaVine as his starter alongside Ricky Rubio in the team's young backcourt on Wednesday before Minnesota's preseason tussle with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mitchell said that his decision was simply based on the "long-term health" of the team and there was nothing anyone earned or lacked.
"'It's not necessarily about earning (the spot)," the former Toronto Raptors head coach said. "It's about where you are as an organization and where you're trying to go."
LaVine, 20, is entering his second year as a pro and was named in last year's NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He easily won the Slam Dunk contest during February's All-Star break, dazzling the global audience with his gravity-defying and mind-boggling dunks that were video game-like to say the least.
Last season, the former UCLA standout averaged 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in 77 games, playing 24.7 minutes a night in both guard positions. He started 40 games for Saunders.
The Renton, Washington native has the same scoring aggressiveness as Martin in the two-guard spot, although the latter is the more experienced and more reliable when it comes to making clutch baskets.
However, LaVine brings in more energy and athleticism, something that Mitchell feels is the direction of the ball club heading this season.
Martin has thrived in a sixth man role throughout his career and is expected to have no issues about his coach's decision.
The Star Tribune noted that LaVine looked "more muscularly defined and stronger" at the start of training camp and has impressed Mitchell with his scoring and defense, which probably contributed to his assessment.
