LaVine, Westbrook reflect on the comparisons

Timberwolves rookie guard Zach LaVine witnessed up close the kind of player he aims to be when he faced Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook for the first time on Friday.

He shares an alma mater with Westbrook and possesses the same kind of foot speed that invites comparisons to a guy who along with Chicago's Derrick Rose has redefined the point-guard position, if that's what Westbrook really is.

"They both went to UCLA and they're both about 6-5," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "That's about where we're at right now. We know people are going to compare them because of the athleticism that they have and the speed that they have. I do think that they both have a desire to be great. That's why Russell is where he's at."

LaVine likes to say he has patterned his game after fairly equal parts of Westbrook, Rose and Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, although he makes clear he's not comparing himself to any of the three.

"I met him a couple times, but I don't know him really like that," LaVine said about a player seven years older. "But I know he's a great player. I try to take bits and pieces from everybody's game, but especially him."

Westbrook is the perennial All Star and an explosive, physical presence who pushes the ball relentlessly when it's in his hands while LaVine is so young, unformed and what Thunder superstar Kevin Durant calls a "finesse" player.

"I'm not sure," Westbrook said when asked about LaVine. "I haven't watched much, but I know he can jump. That's about it."

Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks sighed and then answered when asked about a LaVine-Westbrook comparison.

"It's good that people are comparing to Russell now," Brooks said. "It used to be, I always had to defend him. But it's nice that everybody wants to be like Russell. He's done a great job developing every year and he has improved every year."

Shabazz Muhammad played with that hurting ankle Friday, persevering with an injury that tightens up when he rests on the bench. Among the treatments he has received is acupuncture in his calves that's intended to help the ankle.

Asked if he has issues with needles, he said: "Yeah I do, especially with those needles going inside your calf. It feels weird. It hurts a lot. I be screaming sometimes. Well, not screaming, but, 'Ahhhh.' But it has been making my legs feel better. Nobody else [on the team] does acupuncture. Everybody else said they did it one time and can't take it anymore."

Wolves veteran Corey Brewer gave students from a Monticello elementary school a ride to classes in a limousine Thursday morning and then stayed around to answer questions from first-graders.

•Injured Ricky Rubio has progressed to running extensively on an anti-gravity treadmill that takes the weight off his legs and healing ankle and Friday rebounded for teammates at shootaround. "He's anxious, he's chomping at the bit," said Saunders, who added Rubio probably will be evaluated while on his own weight midway through next week.