Timberwolves interim coach Sam Mitchell said he has been purposefully tough on second-year combo guard Zach LaVine.
LaVine, who shot 25 percent over his previous nine games, busted out of his slump in Minnesota's 101-96 loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday at Target Center. He finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, with nine rebounds, four assists and three turnovers.
Mitchell said one of his tough-love precedents for point guards was how he treated Jose Calderon when Mitchell coached the Toronto Raptors (2004-09). Mitchell also mentioned how San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich brought guard Tony Parker to tears during Parker's rookie season.