KAT

[FNG]

I know I said this a lot last season, but I thought KAT's demeanor really began changing then...I see his on-court behavior this year a continuation of that. KAT's constant whining and frequent failure to get back on defense used to frustrate me to no end. His season last year was impacted by his injury, but I saw it as a transition year for him in terms of on-court behavior.

This year KAT has elevated his game to a new level. His 3 level scoring has gotten even better, but whoever thought he would rank in the top ten in terms of on-ball defense? He has become a true 2-way all star.

Are there still things that bug me about KAT? Certainly. His inability to stay away from offensive fouls frustrates me, and his interviews still make me cringe at times. But at age 28 he has developed into a player than can be a key contributor on a championship team.

[Carlos Danger]

So...would it be fair to say that part of KAT's improvements (both defensively and the less whining) might be due to the Rudy Gobert effect?

Is it possible that with Rudy protecting the rim (something KAT was terrible at), allows KAT to do the things he does well - better? I believe that was TC's vision all along - right?

It just seems like people have been saying he's improved defensively the last couple years. In my head I was thinking why would he suddenly be better on defense after seven years? Gobert is the biggest change I can point to...

[60WinTim]

Personally, I think this is a trickle down effect from the top. TC wants a certain culture though-out the organization. You know there are all sorts of voices in KAT's ear about what he needs to change and focus on. TC is one of them. Finch is another. Guys that TC has brought in, like Conley and Gobert, are also in KAT's ear.

Kudos to KAT for making an effort to making those changes. Now if only we can afford to keep him!

[FNG]

So...would it be fair to say that part of KAT's improvements (both defensively and the less whining) might be due to the Rudy Gobert effect?

Is it possible that with Rudy protecting the rim (something KAT was terrible at), allows KAT to do the things he does well - better? I believe that was TC's vision all along - right?

It just seems like people have been saying he's improved defensively the last couple years. In my head I was thinking why would he suddenly be better on defense after seven years? Gobert is the biggest change I can point to...

I think so, Anthony. When the deal was announced, many of us questioned whether KAT could be an effective defensive 4 (most of us had no concerns about his offense at that position). It turns out that he is more effective defensively as a 4 than he was as a 5. His close outs at the 3-point line have been quicker than I would have imagined, and if he gets beat off the dribble, Rudy is there to pick him up. Will he still be a top 10 defender at year end? Probably not. But there's no question that he is more than adequately defending his position.

[Wolvesfan21]

He does have a point many times but I really do think if he didn't bitch so much they would call more calls for him.

It shouldn't matter. The refs job is to call fouls as they occur, there is no place for refs to inject personal opinions into the game.

It shouldn't but it does. Even if it might be subconscious.

[Carlos Danger]

Personally, I think this is a trickle down effect from the top. TC wants a certain culture though-out the organization. You know there are all sorts of voices in KAT's ear about what he needs to change and focus on. TC is one of them. Finch is another. Guys that TC has brought in, like Conley and Gobert, are also in KAT's ear.

Kudos to KAT for making an effort to making those changes. Now if only we can afford to keep him!

I won't discount that as a possibility. But I will point out that didn't work with Thibs and Butler. Both brought a defense culture and I don't recall anyone writing about KAT's defense at that time. That's why I think Gobert is helping him. As FNG pointed out, it's nice to know when you get beat, the Stifle Tower has your back.

[Monster]

Personally, I think this is a trickle down effect from the top. TC wants a certain culture though-out the organization. You know there are all sorts of voices in KAT's ear about what he needs to change and focus on. TC is one of them. Finch is another. Guys that TC has brought in, like Conley and Gobert, are also in KAT's ear.

Kudos to KAT for making an effort to making those changes. Now if only we can afford to keep him!

I won't discount that as a possibility. But I will point out that didn't work with Thibs and Butler. Both brought a defense culture and I don't recall anyone writing about KAT's defense at that time. That's why I think Gobert is helping him. As FNG pointed out, it's nice to know when you get beat, the Stifle Tower has your back.

I think for the first time in Town career he is in a place where he doesn’t have to be THE guy both in his mind and in reality. Edward’s ascended last year and this year has taken another leap. Gobert is a big part of the team and is back to being a massive impact player in the league. Conley is a good vet leader at PG. Finch is in his 4 season with Towns. Connelly is the new head guy but quite a few people including Gupta stuck around. Connelly is a guy that’s been around so he probably commands some respect when he talks. Naz has ascended too so Towns even has another guy that can step into a real role if something happens to him. I think Towns has always been a team first guy (even if it doesn’t seem that way from some of his actions) but now he can actually be part of a team and just play ball. Hopefully he can stay healthy that’s been the biggest issue for him for a couple years when it was such a big positive early on in his career.

[Carlos Danger]

Personally, I think this is a trickle down effect from the top. TC wants a certain culture though-out the organization. You know there are all sorts of voices in KAT's ear about what he needs to change and focus on. TC is one of them. Finch is another. Guys that TC has brought in, like Conley and Gobert, are also in KAT's ear.

Kudos to KAT for making an effort to making those changes. Now if only we can afford to keep him!

I won't discount that as a possibility. But I will point out that didn't work with Thibs and Butler. Both brought a defense culture and I don't recall anyone writing about KAT's defense at that time. That's why I think Gobert is helping him. As FNG pointed out, it's nice to know when you get beat, the Stifle Tower has your back.

I think for the first time in Town career he is in a place where he doesn’t have to be THE guy both in his mind and in reality. Edward’s ascended last year and this year has taken another leap. Gobert is a big part of the team and is back to being a massive impact player in the league. Conley is a good vet leader at PG. Finch is in his 4 season with Towns. Connelly is the new head guy but quite a few people including Gupta stuck around. Connelly is a guy that’s been around so he probably commands some respect when he talks. Naz has ascended too so Towns even has another guy that can step into a real role if something happens to him. I think Towns has always been a team first guy (even if it doesn’t seem that way from some of his actions) but now he can actually be part of a team and just play ball. Hopefully he can stay healthy that’s been the biggest issue for him for a couple years when it was such a big positive early on in his career.

I don't disagree with your take. But I think that was part of the frustration with KAT for fans (and certainly Jimmy Butler). When you are drafted #1 overall and paid max money, the expectation is that you ARE the guy. If you end up being #2 or #3 instead of the man, then that's a different income bracket on most teams.

Again - I'm not taking anything away from the fact that he's a very good player and I'm happy to have him. I just thought he'd keep getting better each year and put this team over the top practically by himself. His first six years produced ONE winning season for the franchise. And that was the Butler year. He was the face of the franchise for six years of mostly terrible teams. Was it all his fault? Absolutely not. But we all thought adding #1 overall pick would have a greater impact. Anthony Edwards has had ONE losing season. Is that all because of him? Nope. But it's hard to find fault with what he's done because we winning.

[Q-is-here]

Good discussion here....

Keep in mind that Rudy does two things to help KAT defensively. First, he is indeed the rising tide that lifts all boats defensively. When you have a Center like him protecting the rim, it changes the way others guard their guys.

Second, it allows KAT to slide to the 4. Remember that during the Butler phase, KAT was still the Center. Yes, we had Taj Gibson, but he was more of an old-school 4 than a pure 5, as he wasn't all that big. A number of us have been saying for years that getting a defensive-minded Center to play next to KAT for at least half the game (with KAT also playing the 5 too) would help take a lot off of KAT's plate. Obviously, the front office was thinking the same thing and went all-in by getting the best defensive 5 in the business.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Good discussion here....

Keep in mind that Rudy does two things to help KAT defensively. First, he is indeed the rising tide that lifts all boats defensively. When you have a Center like him protecting the rim, it changes the way others guard their guys.

Second, it allows KAT to slide to the 4. Remember that during the Butler phase, KAT was still the Center. Yes, we had Taj Gibson, but he was more of an old-school 4 than a pure 5, as he wasn't all that big. A number of us have been saying for years that getting a defensive-minded Center to play next to KAT for at least half the game (with KAT also playing the 5 too) would help take a lot off of KAT's plate. Obviously, the front office was thinking the same thing and went all-in by getting the best defensive 5 in the business.

Another loss for Abe here...

I thought Towns' best value was by doing things other centers could not do. This has been a fun, remarkable turnaround.

I still contend I've been more right than wrong over the years as the longest tenured Wolves basketball fan*, but sometimes, it feels great to be wrong.


*obviously, I'm not the only "longest tenured Wolves fan"... but I can still remember the disappointment of Rick Mahorn snubbing the franchise and the pick of Pooh being quite "meh."