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Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2023 4:37 pm
by FNG
I'm troubled by this report on two fronts. First, there is a lot of evidence that Rudy is not very well liked by his teammates. I don't know this for sure, but I would guess he doesn't hang out off court with his teammates very often, if at all...he seems to be an odd guy. And second, this was a remarkably immature and not helpful act by Ant.
Which one bothers me the most? The second part, by far. While we'd like there to be harmony on our team, I don't know that it is necessary to be a winning team. But Ant going public with his criticism of a move his boss made is a head scratcher. I get that he is only 21, but he has to have more common sense than this. I can't imagine why he would think any good might come out of this.
That said, I give the possibility of TC moving Rudy this off-season less than a 5% chance. And I don't want him to. We have some superb perimeter defenders in Jaden, Ant and Conley, and Rudy's elite rim protection complements their skills. He's clumsy on offense, but his sheer size clears a lot of space for his teammates. Ant looked so much better as the season progressed at getting to the rim, and I think learning how to use Rudy's screening was a big part of that improvement.
Ant is going to be a superstar in this league, I'm convinced of that. But actions like this are not helpful to the team. I suspect TC and Finchie have already sat him down to talk about this.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2023 6:23 pm
by Lipoli390
I think Paul Pierce and KG should have a sit down with TC about how you build a team around a budding star. (If you haven’t, you should watch the video of the KG/Paul Pierce interview where they discuss the Rudy deal in context of the long history of dumb moves by Wolves front office execs).
I’m glad Ant had the confidence and integrity to publicly call out TC for an arrogant and idiotic move that he made without consulting KAT or Edwards and that nearly every NBA observer thought was a dumb overpay. I’m tired of Minnesota nice. When the Kings’s naked, someone needs to tell him. And there’s nothing wrong with saying it out loud so others can hear. After all, it’s the fricking king.
If Gobert isn’t well liked - or more importantly trusted on the court - by his teammates, especially the team’s best player and eventual franchise player, then that’s clearly the thing to worry about. I’m not anxious to trade Rudy if we can’t get good value for him. As I mentioned, I think this team can be good next season with Rudy and a healthy KAT. But how Rudy is viewed by his teammates, especially Ant, matters a lot and has to be factored prominently into any front office decision on Rudy this summer. The wrong approach in my view would be to sit Ant down and try to cram Rudy down his throat. It’s not TC’s job to sell the players on Rudy. It’s TC’s job to sell his top players on wanting to be here by giving them a supporting cast they’re comfortable with and who they believe optimize their abilities.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2023 6:57 pm
by Q-is-here
I kind of feel like the front office and coaching staff has put Ant through the appropriate hurdles over the past three seasons. They have really made Ant earn and work his way to being the clear #1 guy, whereas Wiggins and KAT were kind of handed the keys right away and failed. Then failed again when they couldn't handle Butler and Thibs.
Because of this, it's time to cater more to your star. He's earned it.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 1:13 am
by AbeVigodaLive
I think there's still a lot of stuff to leak about the Gobert trade... and is ill fit in Minnesota.
Might not here about it as much if he's still here though.
The oddness of bringing in a guy for THAT much... despite the fit... and despite not running it by Edwards and Towns (both with history with Gobert) is borderline malpractice.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 1:53 am
by TheFuture
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2023 6:23 pm
I think Paul Pierce and KG should have a sit down with TC about how you build a team around a budding star. (If you haven’t, you should watch the video of the KG/Paul Pierce interview where they discuss the Rudy deal in context of the long history of dumb moves by Wolves front office execs).
I’m glad Ant had the confidence and integrity to publicly call out TC for an arrogant and idiotic move that he made without consulting KAT or Edwards and that nearly every NBA observer thought was a dumb overpay. I’m tired of Minnesota nice. When the Kings’s naked, someone needs to tell him. And there’s nothing wrong with saying it out loud so others can hear. After all, it’s the fricking king.
If Gobert isn’t well liked - or more importantly trusted on the court - by his teammates, especially the team’s best player and eventual franchise player, then that’s clearly the thing to worry about. I’m not anxious to trade Rudy if we can’t get good value for him. As I mentioned, I think this team can be good next season with Rudy and a healthy KAT. But how Rudy is viewed by his teammates, especially Ant, matters a lot and has to be factored prominently into any front office decision on Rudy this summer. The wrong approach in my view would be to sit Ant down and try to cram Rudy down his throat. It’s not TC’s job to sell the players on Rudy. It’s TC’s job to sell his top players on wanting to be here by giving them a supporting cast they’re comfortable with and who they believe optimize their abilities.
Ant is 21 being paid a boatload to play this game. I don't give a shit if he dislikes the guy personally. His job is to perform and best utilize what is around him. Do your job and then go home to have it your way. You don't have to be friends with Joe to get your job done at a high level.
The biggest problem this whole year (last years playoffs too) was Finch. The manager of the team. It should go without saying.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 8:22 am
by AbeVigodaLive
TheFuture wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2023 1:53 am
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2023 6:23 pm
I think Paul Pierce and KG should have a sit down with TC about how you build a team around a budding star. (If you haven’t, you should watch the video of the KG/Paul Pierce interview where they discuss the Rudy deal in context of the long history of dumb moves by Wolves front office execs).
I’m glad Ant had the confidence and integrity to publicly call out TC for an arrogant and idiotic move that he made without consulting KAT or Edwards and that nearly every NBA observer thought was a dumb overpay. I’m tired of Minnesota nice. When the Kings’s naked, someone needs to tell him. And there’s nothing wrong with saying it out loud so others can hear. After all, it’s the fricking king.
If Gobert isn’t well liked - or more importantly trusted on the court - by his teammates, especially the team’s best player and eventual franchise player, then that’s clearly the thing to worry about. I’m not anxious to trade Rudy if we can’t get good value for him. As I mentioned, I think this team can be good next season with Rudy and a healthy KAT. But how Rudy is viewed by his teammates, especially Ant, matters a lot and has to be factored prominently into any front office decision on Rudy this summer. The wrong approach in my view would be to sit Ant down and try to cram Rudy down his throat. It’s not TC’s job to sell the players on Rudy. It’s TC’s job to sell his top players on wanting to be here by giving them a supporting cast they’re comfortable with and who they believe optimize their abilities.
Ant is 21 being paid a boatload to play this game. I don't give a shit if he dislikes the guy personally. His job is to perform and best utilize what is around him. Do your job and then go home to have it your way. You don't have to be friends with Joe to get your job done at a high level.
I guess, ok... if this was 1993.
But it's the NBA in 2023. Things work a lot differently than they used to. Whether fans like it or not is entirely irrelevant, we're way way down the list of people with clout.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 10:58 am
by thedoper
Ant just reposted a picture of Rudy's potatoes on Instagram. What does this mean?
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 11:48 am
by kekgeek
thedoper wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 10:58 am
Ant just reposted a picture of Rudy's potatoes on Instagram. What does this mean?
Ant was also hyping up Rudy on IG yesterday. We are all stupid fans including myself.
Re: Ant “likes” multiple Minnesota terrible trade comments
Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 3:37 pm
by thedoper
kekgeek wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 11:48 am
thedoper wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 10:58 am
Ant just reposted a picture of Rudy's potatoes on Instagram. What does this mean?
Ant was also hyping up Rudy on IG yesterday. We are all stupid fans including myself.
Yeah I think they heard the "rumors". Pretty funny.