Q12543 wrote:
Where I do buy into the KG hype is how he can help the team defensively. Insofar as defense wins titles, then yeah, I'm on board with the KG train. But the "championship experience" bit is overdone in my opinion.
I am with you. I could care less about championship experience. I just think that KG has the mentality that will help this young team. Time will tell.
Q12543 wrote:Meh. Last year we had a pretty decorated roster in terms of team accomplishments. Seriously, Brewer and Barea had NBA rings; Rubio and Pek have won Euroleague titles, which is a big deal over there; Dieng was coming off of an NCAA national title; Brewer won two national titles; Love won an Olympic gold medal. The "championship experience" thing is tough to sell me on when most of these guys have championship experience in various settings. KG has won one NBA title. Heck, Brewer might have played in more big games than KG when you include college!
Where I do buy into the KG hype is how he can help the team defensively. Insofar as defense wins titles, then yeah, I'm on board with the KG train. But the "championship experience" bit is overdone in my opinion.
I think the championship experience thing is just one small thing that is brought along in addition to everything else KG & Neal provide. I'd also like to add that the experience is most valuable when you actually make the playoffs, sharing past experience with the less experienced making them aware of what to expect in high stress situations. It's small in the grand scheme of putting a team together and how much actual value it holds. However I want my young growing assets around guys that have done it before and the cost of acquisition was nothing major.
Q - I agree that "championship experience" is overrated. But KG brings something else, other than "championship experience", and we just haven't coined the right phrase, yet.
It's the focus. It's the intensity. It's the determination. And a bunch of other stuff that few other individuals have. Kobe Bryant has it. LeBron James has it. And a handful of others. For a team to get one of those few guys, even though he cannot do it on the court any more, is still going to be a huge boost to both the players and the fans.
There are a few that just don't see it. Cam. Cool. I am not sure where you fall in the mix. But I think the majority of us feel pretty damn lucky that this opportunity has presented itself.
How has Kobe's focus and determination helped the Lakers squad? How did Michael Jordan's focus and determination help the Wizards/Bullets?
While I agree in theory with everything people are saying - and I'm just as interested as everyone else to see how this plays out - we have to face up to the fact that each situation is different. We don't know where KG's head is at these days and we don't know how his legendary focus and intensity will rub off on the team. He could end up being an overbearing pain in the ass that eventually just gets tuned out. That would not be good.
Q - well, in addition to having one of THOSE guys, you also need a talented supporting cast to make it all come together. I think the Wolves have a lot of talented players, and some developing talent, too.
[edit: you should listen to both ap guy interview (27:30 mark on 2/19) and the funkadelic (75:40 mark on 2/20). ]
Q12543 wrote:How has Kobe's focus and determination helped the Lakers squad? How did Michael Jordan's focus and determination help the Wizards/Bullets?
I think both of those situations Kobe/MJ thought they were still the best player in the league. I think KG has already bought into the mentorship role and knows how important Sam and company were to him when he was younger.
Q12543 wrote:How has Kobe's focus and determination helped the Lakers squad? How did Michael Jordan's focus and determination help the Wizards/Bullets?
While I agree in theory with everything people are saying - and I'm just as interested as everyone else to see how this plays out - we have to face up to the fact that each situation is different. We don't know where KG's head is at these days and we don't know how his legendary focus and intensity will rub off on the team. He could end up being an overbearing pain in the ass that eventually just gets tuned out. That would not be good.
So color me cautiously optimistic.
We will check back with you after the LAC game on March 2nd to see where your're at.
