60WinTim wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:Q12543 wrote:Carlos Danger wrote:khans2k5 wrote:Camden0916 wrote:I certainly don't think KG has hurt Towns that's for sure, but to attribute Towns play as a direct byproduct of KG is a massive disservice to Towns.
BINGO. Completely agreed, Q.
I guess I don't understand why you and Cam are on a mission to prove Towns is doing it on his own with little help. Why is it so bad to say he's ahead of schedule because he has really good help? You act like that belittles what he's done somehow when it doesn't. It helps him be better, quicker which makes him look a lot better at the end of the day.
Half the posts on this forum are about posters proving themselves to be "right". I'm guilty too - so not trying to be a hypocrite . But I think that's what's going on here (both sides of the argument). At the end of the day - who friggin cares if it's KG mentoring or his own talent. He's playing great so far and that's all that really matters - right?
I'm sure KG is of help, but I'm sorry, KG doesn't mentor a guy into what we saw tonight. That's God-given talent and years of hard work.
No guys. Years of talent and inherent athleticism is irrelevant... as long as he got in a few good practices with his mentor.
As I noted before... Sam Mitchell didn't make Kevin Garnett who he was/is. Kevin Garnett did. Either you have the talent AND the mindset to be a good or great or elite NBA player or you don't. Mentors can offer random nuggets, but they're doing just as much off the court to be a "mentor." They're there for guidance, not for propping up guys.
Let's put it this way. If Garnett is such a mentor, why isn't Anthony Bennett still here? Why hasn't Adrien Payne progressed? Or even been serviceable?
You are absolutely correct -- the player has to have the tools, skill and drive to become a great player. And all your points about what KG can be a mentor for are correct as well, although a lot your points should also be covered by a good agent.
But isn't it possible that KG has helped put Towns in the fast lane of his development curve (along with the overall team's development as well)? That is the point that Flip had hoped for, and many of us believe we are witnessing.
Sometimes, in online forums, whether it's because of the dynamic of the communications method or something else... things end up being far too black/white for my taste.
See the infamous "Wiggins is a disappointment" thread from last season.
Yes. Like most here, I think having one of the top 20 NBA players ever next to Towns can only help the young guy. But to what extent?
Meh. For me, it means nothing without Towns' size. Strength. Skill. Mentality. Commitment. Et al. Personally, I think Garnett helps... just not anywhere near enough for THIS much hype about it. I'm giving Towns the credit and thinking how fortunate he is to have a guy like Garnett around when he needs it.