Minnesota Sports Forum

It seems like KG is coming back based on what various players have said. I don't really get any indication that he won't be back. Will I be completely surprised if he retires or somethings else happens? No but I'm expecting him to be back and at this point that's fine relatively speaking. He likely at least will earn some money working with players.

So devil's advocate. What happens if KG decides to play....albeit in limited minutes. And he is a solid/good player for the Wolves. But then we make a run at playoffs and he isn't around to play....which is inevitable. What is the point? I personally think that either the Wolves win with their youth movement, or they delay success another year. Unless KG can play all year, including the playoffs (I don't think we get their this year....but for arguments sake), I just don't see the value of having him on the roster. This is not his team anymore.

Hicks123 wrote:So devil's advocate. What happens if KG decides to play....albeit in limited minutes. And he is a solid/good player for the Wolves. But then we make a run at playoffs and he isn't around to play....which is inevitable. What is the point? I personally think that either the Wolves win with their youth movement, or they delay success another year. Unless KG can play all year, including the playoffs (I don't think we get their this year....but for arguments sake), I just don't see the value of having him on the roster. This is not his team anymore.

Well this team is very young. It's nice to have some vets. Thai is what we have at this point.

KG if he can play limited minutes he will help. How many minutes or how many games we don't know. He was a guy that put forth a lot of effort into working with young players last year.

Pek. Probably even less likely to play minutes than KG. Good guy but doesn't seem like he will help a whole lot of he can't be on the court.

Rush. He can play, he has been around and has his own story. Solid vet presence.

Rubio. Young vet been around a few years and happens to be a PG.

After that it's guys going into their 4th year or less. Having KG as a vet player especially one of his stature around the league will probably have some value. How much? Idk it might be vary tiny or it might be somewhat significant. We will never really know but it does make sense to have a vet guy like that on the roster with all the youth. I'm not arguing it's great and wonderful that he is back but more that if he is I've seen worse uses of a roster spot and especially from an older player.

Hicks123 wrote:So devil's advocate. What happens if KG decides to play....albeit in limited minutes. And he is a solid/good player for the Wolves. But then we make a run at playoffs and he isn't around to play....which is inevitable. What is the point? I personally think that either the Wolves win with their youth movement, or they delay success another year. Unless KG can play all year, including the playoffs (I don't think we get their this year....but for arguments sake), I just don't see the value of having him on the roster. This is not his team anymore.

It's all hands on deck to make the playoffs. It doesn't matter if he's not available come playoff time, just that he contributes to us getting there. His limited minutes are still helpful to us starting games well and that contributes to a winning effort.

khans2k5 wrote:KG has to start or he can't play. It takes a lot of time and energy to get him physically ready to play every game. He physically can't cool down from the warm up and come in the game. That's why he would never come back in after his stints in the 1st and 3rd quarters. I think he's a guy you start for 5-8 minutes to help us get off to a good start and then he's done for the game. No that's not worth 8 million dollars, but that's the pretty much all he can give you. You might be able to get him 5-8 minutes at the start of the 3rd quarter, but that's it. The dude wears a snow suit of towels on the sideline to try to stay warm. He can't come off the bench.

Sorry, but I don't buy this. With the army of trainers and techniques available to these guys today, I have to believe there is a way to warm him up prior to going into the game. Somehow he's able to warm up after halftime and start the 3rd - why can't that same "start-up" routine apply? Whether it's stretching, jogging in place, or going on a stationary bike, all of these things can be done while the game is happening.

Hicks123 wrote:So devil's advocate. What happens if KG decides to play....albeit in limited minutes. And he is a solid/good player for the Wolves. But then we make a run at playoffs and he isn't around to play....which is inevitable. What is the point? I personally think that either the Wolves win with their youth movement, or they delay success another year. Unless KG can play all year, including the playoffs (I don't think we get their this year....but for arguments sake), I just don't see the value of having him on the roster. This is not his team anymore.

I think his value as a player is the fact he's putting on the uniform day in and day out, going through a routine, practice habits, teaching, and yes, playing some minutes too. People would argue - and I somewhat buy into this - that he is in a better position to mentor, teach, and influence the young guys if he's wearing the uniform versus a suit (i.e. as an assistant coach or player development coach).

However, I do agree that he should take a fairly minimal in-game role, with spot minutes from time to time. It's time for Da Kid to take a back seat and for The Kids to take over!

Q12543 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:KG has to start or he can't play. It takes a lot of time and energy to get him physically ready to play every game. He physically can't cool down from the warm up and come in the game. That's why he would never come back in after his stints in the 1st and 3rd quarters. I think he's a guy you start for 5-8 minutes to help us get off to a good start and then he's done for the game. No that's not worth 8 million dollars, but that's the pretty much all he can give you. You might be able to get him 5-8 minutes at the start of the 3rd quarter, but that's it. The dude wears a snow suit of towels on the sideline to try to stay warm. He can't come off the bench.

Sorry, but I don't buy this. With the army of trainers and techniques available to these guys today, I have to believe there is a way to warm him up prior to going into the game. Somehow he's able to warm up after halftime and start the 3rd - why can't that same "start-up" routine apply? Whether it's stretching, jogging in place, or going on a stationary bike, all of these things can be done while the game is happening.

I would say starting would make this process easier but maybe not absolutely essential. I think we all can realize we don't REALLY know for certain how much KG can give based on the last couple season with the Wolves...but I'm also not getting optimistic either just saying there is some uncertainty because there is some knowledge we really don't know.

How about a second unit of Dunn, Rush, Bazz, KG and Aldrich? If KG has anything left in his tank and Rush is healthy, that's a pretty good second unit going up against other teams' benches.

lipoli390 wrote:How about a second unit of Dunn, Rush, Bazz, KG and Aldrich? If KG has anything left in his tank and Rush is healthy, that's a pretty good second unit going up against other teams' benches.

Not a bad lineup Lip!

I wouldn't be against KG starting and getting the first 6 mins of the 1st and 4th quarters.

Rubio - LaVine - Wiggins - KG - KAT

Dunn - Rush - Bazz - Dieng - Aldrich

Belly getting the short end of the stick once again!