thedoper wrote:lipoli390 wrote:thedoper wrote:lipoli390 wrote:thedoper wrote:I still don't get how KAT's effort can't be criticized but Wiggins' can. It's silly. KAT completely shits the bed on routine and get's out worked by bigs who crash the glass (see Capela in the playoffs). The fact is they're both young and learning what it takes to be successful in the league. I see growth from both of them, albeit slow growth. Jimmy is right in criticizing both of them, but has no idea how to turn criticism into a change of behavior with his public display. I think both KAT and Wiggins probably believe they're giving it their all because they work hard in practice, in the off season, and have a lot of responsibility for young players during games. You can't expect them to know anything outside of their experience. I wish Jimmy would be more open and invite KAT and Wiggins to work with him all summer, but it's not in his nature right now. Ultimately I see everything as very simple communication issues that will be solved once they all see eachother. This team simply needs to get back into training camp and pre-camp workout and hash it out. Too much boredom right now.
I think there's a big difference between KAT and Wiggins when it comes to effort. But otherwise I agree with you in having no problem with Butler criticizing either one for failing to live up to his level of effort. My problem is with Jimmy's public criticism, especially his indirect use of a media crony followed by his video antics. As you said, Jimmy needs to figure out how to make constructive use of his take on the level of effort he sees in these guys. The problem is that he's 29 years old and had a similar problem relating to teammates in Chicago. What you suggested he should do is obvious. The fact that Jimmy didn't do what you're suggesting and chose instead to simply vent to a media crony tells us it's unlikley he'll take the right approach or that he even wants to.
I think after last year the on court effort of KAT and Wiggins is pretty much on par. I still believe if Wiggins' shot was falling we wouldn't hear anything about his effort. To me both of these players have huge lapses on the court, you can call it effort or motor or a lack of concentration, but it's just splitting hairs.
As for the Butler issue, just don't think it's too far gone. The boredom of summer combined with social media and the 24/7 news cycle is making this seem way more complicated than it is. An hour over a drink can easily smooth this over. If the Wolves want to hire me to mediate I'm available.
The notion that KAT and Wiggins were on par last season in competitiveness and effort is way off the mark in my view. I was talking with another season ticket holder about this at lunch today and he thought Butler's criticism of KAT's effort was insane. That's from another person who, like me and LST, have seen these guys live a lot.
I agree with you, however, that the Butler/chemistry issue can be addressed. It take a physical altercation in practice to start the process, but ultimately if these guys are about winning, they'll figure it out. The guy who is unwilling to move on from this and have his teammate's back is the guy I'd want to get rid of. But like you, I don't see it coming to that.
I've been to a ton of nba games and was a former wolves season ticket holder when I lived in Minnesota and never had the unique ability to know the differences in effort you claim to see. I haven't noticed a difference in all those years of recognizing changed effort in person or on the television. But if it works as evidence for you great. The result is still that KAT is a shitty defender in spite of all his hubris. Saying he tries harder because you have season tickets is kind of a silly argument for me.
I'd go as far as to say Wig expended more energy than KAT on defense last year. Wig was much improved in keeping his man in front of him and getting around screens. Here is how I would rate Wig's weaknesses in order of significance:
1) His hands are terrible - this is by far his greatest limiting factor
2) He still struggles defensively in team concepts and getting in passing lanes
3) His outside shot struggled all year
4) He doesn't fight his teammates for rebounds in an attempt to boost his numbers
5) He was too comfortable watching Butler and Teague dribble the air out of the ball down to the last few seconds of the shot clock. He has to take a more alpha approach and not settle for being a bystander.
But Doper is right. If his shooting percentage and free throw woes improve this year, suddenly his effort won't be talked about as much. It's not easy for a 22 year old kid to lead the NBA in minutes and stay hyperactive on every possession. It's also not easy to play in 82 games which he does routinely.
