KAT puts up like 35/12 last night has over 10 points in the 4th quarter and D'Lo goes into hero mode down the stretch and Ant fumbles the ball into a turnover when they need a bucket the most.
I've always thought it's so unfair to players about the "will to win" and "empty stats" it's just kind of a weird way to punish someone for an awful franchise. KG and KLove didn't turn out to be empty stat players as soon as they left, just turned out the TWolves never had any idea how to build a team. This is the first time in his 7 years that he has talent around him but that talent is ball hogging and have no idea how to win either. You put that guy around someone like Luka who can actually lead and those empty stats conversations stop the same way they have with the dozens of players who have left bad situations for good ones.
That being said....if KP and Brunson play the way they have I honestly don't know what to think. KP is a much better defender than KAT and Brunson is carrying us most nights. (Also, I have the feeling would be more like KP+Brunson+Green+picks tbh).
(11-16-2021, 11:14 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]KAT
His teams are generally good when he plays, the problem is they suck when he is on the bench.
(11-15-2021, 08:00 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]Plus while we look at the contract as a possible negative, there will be many franchises that welcome the security of the asset they are trading for being there for a few years.
It's kind of funny because KP and KAT are the same age and on the same contract. But I think it's easy to sell a fanbase on "we think this guy is a better fit and also we got a 6MOY candidate in Brunson along with it (and probably future picks...)"
(11-16-2021, 11:56 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]It's kind of funny because KP and KAT are the same age and on the same contract. But I think it's easy to sell a fanbase on "we think this guy is a better fit and also we got a 6MOY candidate in Brunson along with it (and probably future picks...)"
The discussion is not about Minny wanting KP or someone else for KAT. Whatever his flaws KAT is a rare talent. I don’t see them trading him UNLESS he forces their hand.
Now if it comes to that, my contention is that we possess as good a chance as any, provided KP can stay healthy. Sometimes we overestimate our own, but many times we underestimate too. Ayton has his flaws. So does Ingram. Now other pieces like Bridges or someone else might seem to be a stronger offer, but KP and Brunson is a terrific offer too. I am not giving both those guys up for just anyone. KAT is one of the few for whom I will.
(11-16-2021, 02:05 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]Whatever his flaws KAT is a rare talent. I don’t see them trading him UNLESS he forces their hand.
You know, I can see an argument for that line of thinking.
However, while none of us follow Minnesota closely enough to know for sure, I get the sense that it's a sort of "KAT against the whole team, including the front office" situation up there. As in, DLo, Edwards, etc, all on one page, with KAT on another. Could be wrong.
But if that's the case, I can see them deciding to cut bait. They might just talk themselves into the idea that moving
all of those guys to suit Towns is closer to another "blow it up" than moving him.
It's not impossible.
(11-16-2021, 02:25 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]You know, I can see an argument for that line of thinking.
However, while none of us follow Minnesota closely enough to know for sure, I get the sense that it's a sort of "KAT against the whole team, including the front office" situation up there. As in, DLo, Edwards, etc, all on one page, with KAT on another. Could be wrong.
But if that's the case, I can see them deciding to cut bait. They might just talk themselves into the idea that moving all of those guys to suit Towns is closer to another "blow it up" than moving him. It's not impossible.
DLo and KAT are close friends. However, from some of the passive things that KAT has done or said lately you can sense that he might at least be open to leaving that franchise. The only thing is he has quickly squashed it too. I don’t see Minny doing anything until they really have to. I just hope we are ready with an offer whenever Minny wants to make a move.
(11-16-2021, 03:36 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]DLo and KAT are close friends. However, from some of the passive things that KAT has done or said lately you can sense that he might at least be open to leaving that franchise. The only thing is he has quickly squashed it too. I don’t see Minny doing anything until they really have to. I just hope we are ready with an offer whenever Minny wants to make a move.
I agree with this line of thinking but the only thing I would add is if there's thinking within the Minny FO that Edwards is the man and they know those two clash...they could really cash in and get some great future assets for KAT right now to focus their rebuild around Edwards. I do think this team is too talented though for them to do that and could easily sneak into the play in games which I would think they view as a win.
(11-16-2021, 03:41 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]I agree with this line of thinking but the only thing I would add is if there's thinking within the Minny FO that Edwards is the man and they know those two clash...they could really cash in and get some great future assets for KAT right now to focus their rebuild around Edwards. I do think this team is too talented though for them to do that and could easily sneak into the play in games which I would think they view as a win.
Bingo.
I actually think this is the most likely scenario. Edwards is an electrifying young talent. Moving KAT could help them bring in guys that fit Edwards better and cash in at KAT's peak value.
And it's not like Minny can get any worse from moving on from KAT. They've been constant bottom dwellers with him and it's not like they're any better this year so far, even with all their talent. They've been in a perpetual rebuild since 2004.
I like KAT a lot. I am petrified by his lack of effort on defense and wonder that perhaps his constant lapses on that end will limit how good a team can be while he's on it. And this is all despite the fact he has an MVP level offensive game.
Maybe putting him next to Luka would hide some of his shortcomings given how lethal that duo would be on the other end...?
I've always viewed KAT as someone I like to call a "playoff defender". As in they know how to do it and have the skills to be good at it but just don't seem to care enough during an 82 game season but once stuff gets real they can turn it on. I honestly kind of would same something similar about Luka.
Neither of those two are what anyone would consider good defenders but they have to ability to turn it on when it's super necessary.
Having said that, KP's defense has been great this year and we looked desperate for rim protection with him in street clothes so that would be a major concern for me in this hypothetical.
If he's still looking like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man, then I'd be worrying about re-injury or something else breaking.
(11-16-2021, 05:32 PM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ]If he's still looking like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man, then I'd be worrying about re-injury or something else breaking.
It'd be funny if there was a giant Stay-Puft Zion in the new Ghost Busters!
OKC desperately needs to fire their coach as he is destroying their full out tank plans. A couple more weeks like that and they will have to sit SGA for the season second time in the row - not really sure how good is that for development of a young player.
OKC is 6-8 with a g-league roster.
(11-18-2021, 08:34 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]OKC desperately needs to fire their coach as he is destroying their full out tank plans. A couple more weeks like that and they will have to sit SGA for the season second time in the row - not really sure how good is that for development of a young player.
OKC is 6-8 with a g-league roster.
Are you crazy? Who would that benefit? It´s still another 12-15 months before we are ready to move on from Kidd, so Daigneault needs to keep his job a little longer.
Seriously though I think there is a better chance that he steps down than him getting fired. Presti knows he has a great young coach, but other teams take notice, too. They´ll lure him with the might dollars and the craziest offer: we allow you to win basketball games.
(11-18-2021, 11:15 AM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]Now count the number of teams that will be interested in giving up a player on that list for a moody and flawed player who hasn't seen the court for two years.
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status...3965932549
Not to mention, is Morey really willing to wait out 2 years before trading Simmons if he holds out? That or IF Ben decides to play, will he just tank his value by not playing very well/playing disinterested.