5 Games Left In The Wilderness - Wolves at Jazz GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

Wouldn’t call him smart? Are you not watching the games? Are you not hearing the press conferences? He’s a kid, but he’s a basketball genius. The guy is the emotional leader and had evolved his game every year. What has he done that isn’t smart? Cause I would be willing to bet every one of us is guilty of being not too smart at 23 and none of us were multimillionaires with everyone watching us.

His off court behavior is at a minimum reckless, and could lead you to believe he lacks intelligence. I'm not a fanboy, so I look at things other than on the floor. If you want to believe your heroes are perfect and beyond reproach, that's up to you.

Do you enjoying following the team anymore?

Great question. Like most fans, I've had my favorite players over the years. But I've always put much more stake in the name on the front of the jersey over the one on the back. So the short answer would be, yes, I still enjoy following the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The long answer is complicated. I've followed the NBA since 1970. The 70's and early 80's were filled with legends who laced them up and went out and played night in, night out. The equipment, especially the shoes were terrible. They didn't have personal trainers, massage therapists, or multi-million dollar contracts. Yet they cared and competed every night. As a fan you never felt cheated by lack of effort or interest. So you can imagine why I have little respect for the players of today. Of course there are exceptions, but by and large the athletes today have been spoiled by huge contracts, the chartered flights, and a team of individuals who cater to their every whim. Each player is like a mini corporation, and they have no clue how most of the world lives.

It's ironic that Ant is actually a bit of a throwback between the lines. He loves to play and will only miss a game under extreme circumstances. He's a tremendous player and probably the best athlete in the game. I like and admire everything about Ant the player. But there are several things I can't respect about the guy. He says stupid things, does stupid things, makes poor decisions on both the court and in his personal life. I've been a fan chasing a Wolves championship since their inception into the league. I was all in on Ant being the type of player we could ride to a title. Even after the Kat trade I was full of faith in this group to take the next step. But soon after the season started I lost that faith. I saw flaws in Ant's character and game which led me to conclude he didn't quite have "IT". It's not his fault, very few have the complete package. But it was the disappointment in the realization that has made this season less enjoyable. I can't currently connect the dots that could result in a championship. But to answer your question, I DO enjoy following the team, but it's clouded by some disappointment this year. But if TC can swing a big deal here in the next few days, the enthusiasm could return in full force.

[Phenom]

His off court behavior is at a minimum reckless, and could lead you to believe he lacks intelligence. I'm not a fanboy, so I look at things other than on the floor. If you want to believe your heroes are perfect and beyond reproach, that's up to you.

Do you enjoying following the team anymore?

Great question. Like most fans, I've had my favorite players over the years. But I've always put much more stake in the name on the front of the jersey over the one on the back. So the short answer would be, yes, I still enjoy following the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The long answer is complicated. I've followed the NBA since 1970. The 70's and early 80's were filled with legends who laced them up and went out and played night in, night out. The equipment, especially the shoes were terrible. They didn't have personal trainers, massage therapists, or multi-million dollar contracts. Yet they cared and competed every night. As a fan you never felt cheated by lack of effort or interest. So you can imagine why I have little respect for the players of today. Of course there are exceptions, but by and large the athletes today have been spoiled by huge contracts, the chartered flights, and a team of individuals who cater to their every whim. Each player is like a mini corporation, and they have no clue how most of the world lives.

It's ironic that Ant is actually a bit of a throwback between the lines. He loves to play and will only miss a game under extreme circumstances. He's a tremendous player and probably the best athlete in the game. I like and admire everything about Ant the player. But there are several things I can't respect about the guy. He says stupid things, does stupid things, makes poor decisions on both the court and in his personal life. I've been a fan chasing a Wolves championship since their inception into the league. I was all in on Ant being the type of player we could ride to a title. Even after the Kat trade I was full of faith in this group to take the next step. But soon after the season started I lost that faith. I saw flaws in Ant's character and game which led me to conclude he didn't quite have "IT". It's not his fault, very few have the complete package. But it was the disappointment in the realization that has made this season less enjoyable. I can't currently connect the dots that could result in a championship. But to answer your question, I DO enjoy following the team, but it's clouded by some disappointment this year. But if TC can swing a big deal here in the next few days, the enthusiasm could return in full force.

I hope it does cool!

[Lipoli390]

Wouldn’t call him smart? Are you not watching the games? Are you not hearing the press conferences? He’s a kid, but he’s a basketball genius. The guy is the emotional leader and had evolved his game every year. What has he done that isn’t smart? Cause I would be willing to bet every one of us is guilty of being not too smart at 23 and none of us were multimillionaires with everyone watching us.

His off court behavior is at a minimum reckless, and could lead you to believe he lacks intelligence. I'm not a fanboy, so I look at things other than on the floor. If you want to believe your heroes are perfect and beyond reproach, that's up to you.

I don’t think we have any fan boys on this message board and I believe we all recognize that our heroes are all flawed in various ways.

Ant’s sexual behavior sure seems reckless but no more reckless than Magic Johnson’s. Yet, Magic was one of the greatest players of all time and is widely regarded as having had one of the highest basketball IQs in NBA history. I’ll admit that Ant’s reckless sexual behavior bothers me, but his off-court behavior does not include brandishing guns like Ja or abusing women like Miles Bridges among other things we’ve seen all too often from professional athletes. More importantly, Ant’s on-court behavior doesn’t include Draymond Green type cheap shots or thuggery, including sucker punching his own teammate in practice.

So I see Ant as a great player and, like all of us, a flawed human being. What we know about his off-court behavior indicates that he’s sexually irresponsible but there’s nothing to suggest he’s mean, violent, dishonest, duplicitous, disloyal or evil. And yes, I think he’s smart. Reckless and stubborn, yes. But that doesn’t make him dumb or bad.

By the way, I share some of your doubt about whether Ant has that “it” factor to be our version of MJ, Kobe, Larry, Magic, etc. to lead our Wolves team to a championship but I believe he was the best player on last season’s Wolves team and we were a championship contender then when Ant was only 22. He’s now barely 23 so I’m going to remain patient. I started to have some doubts about Jaden earlier this season, but he’s come around. Ant has been passing and moving the ball much better lately and it’s making the team better.

I’ll admit to losing some of my enthusiasm when the Rudy deal was announced two years ago and again when KAT was traded. But I haven’t lost interest or hope in this team. I like our core young guys - Ant, Jaden, Naz and Dilly. I also like TSJ’s potential. I like NAW and DDV. I’ve accepted Rudy and appreciate his defense. But yes, Ant has yet to show he can take his game to the next level where he can be our MJ or Kobe. I’m optimistic, but not certain about his chances of becoming that player. In the meantime, I hope he grows up off the court and starts to act responsibly in his sexual relationships.

[60WinTim]

ANT has talked about his baby girl at home. He is 23. Life is full of various stages as we grow older. Be thankful you don’t have a gun-toting Ja on the team.

[Wolvesfan21]

His off court behavior is at a minimum reckless, and could lead you to believe he lacks intelligence. I'm not a fanboy, so I look at things other than on the floor. If you want to believe your heroes are perfect and beyond reproach, that's up to you.

Do you enjoying following the team anymore?

Great question. Like most fans, I've had my favorite players over the years. But I've always put much more stake in the name on the front of the jersey over the one on the back. So the short answer would be, yes, I still enjoy following the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The long answer is complicated. I've followed the NBA since 1970. The 70's and early 80's were filled with legends who laced them up and went out and played night in, night out. The equipment, especially the shoes were terrible. They didn't have personal trainers, massage therapists, or multi-million dollar contracts. Yet they cared and competed every night. As a fan you never felt cheated by lack of effort or interest. So you can imagine why I have little respect for the players of today. Of course there are exceptions, but by and large the athletes today have been spoiled by huge contracts, the chartered flights, and a team of individuals who cater to their every whim. Each player is like a mini corporation, and they have no clue how most of the world lives.

It's ironic that Ant is actually a bit of a throwback between the lines. He loves to play and will only miss a game under extreme circumstances. He's a tremendous player and probably the best athlete in the game. I like and admire everything about Ant the player. But there are several things I can't respect about the guy. He says stupid things, does stupid things, makes poor decisions on both the court and in his personal life. I've been a fan chasing a Wolves championship since their inception into the league. I was all in on Ant being the type of player we could ride to a title. Even after the Kat trade I was full of faith in this group to take the next step. But soon after the season started I lost that faith. I saw flaws in Ant's character and game which led me to conclude he didn't quite have "IT". It's not his fault, very few have the complete package. But it was the disappointment in the realization that has made this season less enjoyable. I can't currently connect the dots that could result in a championship. But to answer your question, I DO enjoy following the team, but it's clouded by some disappointment this year. But if TC can swing a big deal here in the next few days, the enthusiasm could return in full force.

Do you not see the tremendous progress he's been making this year? He's a way better player then last year and the ascension only continues. I don't think people even understand what they are seeing, not just you, but generally around the NBA fanbase.

I think people got caught up last year too fast crowning him as the next Jordan. But then the bad playoff round in the WCF where Ant looked totally gassed and a poor team start to the year. Ant didn't start poorly. He has had a few bad games no doubt. But overall he is a way better player now then last year. Shoots the ball at an elite level and his playmaking continues to rise.

Think about how great he can be in 3 years? He's gonna be destroying everyone in the NBA.

[Q-is-here]

His off court behavior is at a minimum reckless, and could lead you to believe he lacks intelligence. I'm not a fanboy, so I look at things other than on the floor. If you want to believe your heroes are perfect and beyond reproach, that's up to you.

Do you enjoying following the team anymore?

Great question. Like most fans, I've had my favorite players over the years. But I've always put much more stake in the name on the front of the jersey over the one on the back. So the short answer would be, yes, I still enjoy following the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The long answer is complicated. I've followed the NBA since 1970. The 70's and early 80's were filled with legends who laced them up and went out and played night in, night out. The equipment, especially the shoes were terrible. They didn't have personal trainers, massage therapists, or multi-million dollar contracts. Yet they cared and competed every night. As a fan you never felt cheated by lack of effort or interest. So you can imagine why I have little respect for the players of today. Of course there are exceptions, but by and large the athletes today have been spoiled by huge contracts, the chartered flights, and a team of individuals who cater to their every whim. Each player is like a mini corporation, and they have no clue how most of the world lives.

It's ironic that Ant is actually a bit of a throwback between the lines. He loves to play and will only miss a game under extreme circumstances. He's a tremendous player and probably the best athlete in the game. I like and admire everything about Ant the player. But there are several things I can't respect about the guy. He says stupid things, does stupid things, makes poor decisions on both the court and in his personal life. I've been a fan chasing a Wolves championship since their inception into the league. I was all in on Ant being the type of player we could ride to a title. Even after the Kat trade I was full of faith in this group to take the next step. But soon after the season started I lost that faith. I saw flaws in Ant's character and game which led me to conclude he didn't quite have "IT". It's not his fault, very few have the complete package. But it was the disappointment in the realization that has made this season less enjoyable. I can't currently connect the dots that could result in a championship. But to answer your question, I DO enjoy following the team, but it's clouded by some disappointment this year. But if TC can swing a big deal here in the next few days, the enthusiasm could return in full force.

I get the nostalgia for those days of the NBA and surely there were players then that fit your description. But the NBA as a whole was troubled by widespread cocaine use and a libertine ethos. Guys didn't train as much in the offseason and there wasn't nearly the level of preparation and talent as there is now. The league was in trouble until Bird and Magic came along.

Thank God Ant has had true professionals like Ricky Rubio and Mike Conley to mentor him versus some of the characters back then!

[Q-is-here]

I agree with the general consensus that Ant's off court judgment is unrelated to his on court judgment. There are countless examples of high level performers in business, politics, and sports who have exhibited poor judgement in their personal lives while being at the absolute top of their chosen profession.

That being said, Ant's on court b-ball IQ is probably his #1 weakness. As Cool said, it's not really his fault. He grew up playing football mostly and then when he dedicated himself to basketball, he had such an overwhelming athletic advantage that he didn't really need to learn the nuances of the game or have to outthink far less athletic opponents.

I also think football is a lot less conducive to learning about spacing and off ball movement than a sport like soccer, which guys like Kobe and Giannis played a lot of growing up. But I also think football has benefited Ant in other ways. Ant never flops or dives and can play a very physical brand of basketball which is one reason why I think he thrives in the playoffs.

I'm not sure why Jayson Tatum or Dirk Nowitzki or Chauncey Billups are good enough to be the top dog on a Championship team but Ant somehow isn't. None of those guys are or were Top 5 NBA players the season they won the title.

[thedoper]

Ant is coachable. I think this last bump has shown that. That is a good characteristic in life and sports. I suspect he will continue to improve on and off the court as a result of his character. He had quite a fragmented foundation to build upon, I suspect he will continue to make mistakes and work through them like all humans. Im a fanboy, hes amazing and a unique basketball talent.

[BeenLurkin]

Boy if sexual habits dictate how good of a sports player you can be you guys better not google Tiger Woods, Micheal Jordan or Babe Ruth infidelity…..if anything it is a correlation to greatness. You rarely see the greatest athletes of all time keep their drive to succeed limited to their in game performance. They all gamble and sleep around! If you’re just learning this then I don’t know what to say.
All that being said we are witnessing the rise of an all time great. Enjoy while you can.

[Coolbreeze44]

For every all time great with off court problems you offer, I can name 5 who had similar ability but short circuited themselves with their personal flaws. And if I was a betting man I'd say Ant ends up in the group of 5. I don't want to see it happen obviously, but if I'm thinking with my head that's where I lean.