Kat

[Wolvesfan21]

They had their best season in 35 some years, but they also lost in 6 to a team they took to 7 games last year with Randle hurt and OG only played in 2 full games. The Knicks went 2-0 in the two full games OG played in, and the Knicks basically swapped out Donte and Hartenstein for Towns and Bridges from the Knicks team that lost to Indiana in 7 last year. Hard to say, but they should be happy for making the ECF, but focused on making it further now which is what we wanted to do and ended up in the same place of losing in 5 in the WCF.

The trade really was a win-win in that the Knicks did advance further than last season and the Wolves extricated themselves from the 2nd apron stuff without taking a step back, but I know Knicks fans aren't satisfied as I'm sure they expected to beat the Pacers.

I feel like both Minnesota and New York encountered a similar fate. Both teams ran up against an opponent that was 100% secure in their identity and executed to it like a well-oiled machine. For Indiana at least, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and Rick Carlisle should get a ton of credit. OKC on the other hand is both well coached AND ridiculously talented. That's how you win 68 games and just destroy people along the way.

As for KAT, he played pretty damn well overall relative to his career playoff history. Why on earth does Thibs put him in drop coverage though!? He's always been absolutely terrible at it.

I agree with your take, Q. It’s a natural impulse for fans and pundits to look for individual scapegoats in the face of disappointment. In fact, it’s human nature to do so. KAT has his faults and we all know what they are. TC acquired Rudy to cover for those mistakes. But let’s remember that this team with KAT also won 46 games and took the team with the best record in the West to 6 games in the playoffs the year before Rudy arrived. Note that Jaden and Ant were only 20 years old and playing in their 2nd NBA season back then. Yes, it’s frustrating to watch KAT defend the pick and roll and even more frustrating to watch him commit so many dumb fouls. So I understand some of the NY sentiment. But blaming KAT for losing the Indiana series seems off base to me.

I think it's fair criticism for what he makes. He's paid to be a superstar level difference maker. You can't just be overall good when your pay is elite. You need to be elite.

[60WinTim]

The trade really was a win-win in that the Knicks did advance further than last season and the Wolves extricated themselves from the 2nd apron stuff without taking a step back, but I know Knicks fans aren't satisfied as I'm sure they expected to beat the Pacers.

I feel like both Minnesota and New York encountered a similar fate. Both teams ran up against an opponent that was 100% secure in their identity and executed to it like a well-oiled machine. For Indiana at least, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and Rick Carlisle should get a ton of credit. OKC on the other hand is both well coached AND ridiculously talented. That's how you win 68 games and just destroy people along the way.

As for KAT, he played pretty damn well overall relative to his career playoff history. Why on earth does Thibs put him in drop coverage though!? He's always been absolutely terrible at it.

I agree with your take, Q. It’s a natural impulse for fans and pundits to look for individual scapegoats in the face of disappointment. In fact, it’s human nature to do so. KAT has his faults and we all know what they are. TC acquired Rudy to cover for those mistakes. But let’s remember that this team with KAT also won 46 games and took the team with the best record in the West to 6 games in the playoffs the year before Rudy arrived. Note that Jaden and Ant were only 20 years old and playing in their 2nd NBA season back then. Yes, it’s frustrating to watch KAT defend the pick and roll and even more frustrating to watch him commit so many dumb fouls. So I understand some of the NY sentiment. But blaming KAT for losing the Indiana series seems off base to me.

I think it's fair criticism for what he makes. He's paid to be a superstar level difference maker. You can't just be overall good when your pay is elite. You need to be elite.

Which, in my book, will always be the #1 reason he was traded, given the new CBA apron rules.

[Q-is-here]

The trade really was a win-win in that the Knicks did advance further than last season and the Wolves extricated themselves from the 2nd apron stuff without taking a step back, but I know Knicks fans aren't satisfied as I'm sure they expected to beat the Pacers.

I feel like both Minnesota and New York encountered a similar fate. Both teams ran up against an opponent that was 100% secure in their identity and executed to it like a well-oiled machine. For Indiana at least, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and Rick Carlisle should get a ton of credit. OKC on the other hand is both well coached AND ridiculously talented. That's how you win 68 games and just destroy people along the way.

As for KAT, he played pretty damn well overall relative to his career playoff history. Why on earth does Thibs put him in drop coverage though!? He's always been absolutely terrible at it.

I agree with your take, Q. It’s a natural impulse for fans and pundits to look for individual scapegoats in the face of disappointment. In fact, it’s human nature to do so. KAT has his faults and we all know what they are. TC acquired Rudy to cover for those mistakes. But let’s remember that this team with KAT also won 46 games and took the team with the best record in the West to 6 games in the playoffs the year before Rudy arrived. Note that Jaden and Ant were only 20 years old and playing in their 2nd NBA season back then. Yes, it’s frustrating to watch KAT defend the pick and roll and even more frustrating to watch him commit so many dumb fouls. So I understand some of the NY sentiment. But blaming KAT for losing the Indiana series seems off base to me.

I think it's fair criticism for what he makes. He's paid to be a superstar level difference maker. You can't just be overall good when your pay is elite. You need to be elite.

Yes, it's fair, but nothing changes the fact that the Knicks had their best season in a quarter of a century and he was a huge part of it. That's why the trade was still a win for the Knicks in my opinion. But perhaps we get the better long-term win by getting out from under his contract and still making the Western Conference Finals. Now without those second apron restrictions and some of the other assets we have accrued, Connelly has the tools and flexibility to further reshape the roster around Ant.

[Sundog]

KAT continues to be the player we saw for years here in MN… I’m really happy for him that he continued to play at such a high level in NY — I was worried the NY pressure and reunion with Thibs was going to be hard on him, but I’m happy he did well there. The Pacers were just better than the Knicks, just as OKC was just better than the Wolves.

I’m also very happy the Wolves don’t have to carry KATs massive salary anymore… I think the trade for Randle/DDV/17 was win-win for both teams, but think it was measurably better for the Wolves. TC for the win!

[60WinTim]

Welp, it wasn't KAT's fault. It was Thibs. He has been fired.

[Lipoli390]

KAT continues to be the player we saw for years here in MN… I’m really happy for him that he continued to play at such a high level in NY — I was worried the NY pressure and reunion with Thibs was going to be hard on him, but I’m happy he did well there. The Pacers were just better than the Knicks, just as OKC was just better than the Wolves.

I’m also very happy the Wolves don’t have to carry KATs massive salary anymore… I think the trade for Randle/DDV/17 was win-win for both teams, but think it was measurably better for the Wolves. TC for the win!

Well said, Sundog. I’d say it was measurably better for the Wolves because of the financial/CBA angle, not on the court. I think it’s fair to say it was break-even on the court, although the Wolves were arguably worse than last season based on our record dipping from 56 wins to 49. My view is that our record did not decline because KAT is better than the Randle/Donte combo we got in return. I think we slid from last season for three main reason: (1) adjusting to the roster changes; (2) Mike Conley’s significant decline; and (3) the loss of Slo Mo. I think that third reason is overlooked. I think we really missed Slo Mo’s rebounding and playmaking.

[Wolvesfan21]

KAT continues to be the player we saw for years here in MN… I’m really happy for him that he continued to play at such a high level in NY — I was worried the NY pressure and reunion with Thibs was going to be hard on him, but I’m happy he did well there. The Pacers were just better than the Knicks, just as OKC was just better than the Wolves.

I’m also very happy the Wolves don’t have to carry KATs massive salary anymore… I think the trade for Randle/DDV/17 was win-win for both teams, but think it was measurably better for the Wolves. TC for the win!

Well said, Sundog. I’d say it was measurably better for the Wolves because of the financial/CBA angle, not on the court. I think it’s fair to say it was break-even on the court, although the Wolves were arguably worse than last season based on our record dipping from 56 wins to 49. My view is that our record did not decline because KAT is better than the Randle/Donte combo we got in return. I think we slid from last season for three main reason: (1) adjusting to the roster changes; (2) Mike Conley’s significant decline; and (3) the loss of Slo Mo. I think that third reason is overlooked. I think we really missed Slo Mo’s rebounding and playmaking.

I forgot about Slo Mo. He was consistently good for us because he could play make and take care of the ball. Ju helped some, but he still turns it over too much I think. You would think with Ju's ability on offense he'd have a better Assist to Turnover ratio (drawing more defenders for wide open passes), I'm not even looking it up, but I would bet Slo Mo was still better.

[DNatagal]

KAT continues to be the player we saw for years here in MN… I’m really happy for him that he continued to play at such a high level in NY — I was worried the NY pressure and reunion with Thibs was going to be hard on him, but I’m happy he did well there. The Pacers were just better than the Knicks, just as OKC was just better than the Wolves.

I’m also very happy the Wolves don’t have to carry KATs massive salary anymore… I think the trade for Randle/DDV/17 was win-win for both teams, but think it was measurably better for the Wolves. TC for the win!

Well said, Sundog. I’d say it was measurably better for the Wolves because of the financial/CBA angle, not on the court. I think it’s fair to say it was break-even on the court, although the Wolves were arguably worse than last season based on our record dipping from 56 wins to 49. My view is that our record did not decline because KAT is better than the Randle/Donte combo we got in return. I think we slid from last season for three main reason: (1) adjusting to the roster changes; (2) Mike Conley’s significant decline; and (3) the loss of Slo Mo. I think that third reason is overlooked. I think we really missed Slo Mo’s rebounding and playmaking.

I forgot about Slo Mo. He was consistently good for us because he could play make and take care of the ball. Ju helped some, but he still turns it over too much I think. You would think with Ju's ability on offense he'd have a better Assist to Turnover ratio (drawing more defenders for wide open passes), I'm not even looking it up, but I would bet Slo Mo was still better.

Randles handle was too loose and he never saw the offside defender coming in to steal the ball from behind. That was at least a third of his turnovers.

Did Slo Mo even play this year? Just 25 games for Miami and 36 for GSW and didn't average 19 minutes a game for either team with only 2.2 assists per game. Not sure he is really as good as we all thought he was.

[Wolvesfan21]

Well said, Sundog. I’d say it was measurably better for the Wolves because of the financial/CBA angle, not on the court. I think it’s fair to say it was break-even on the court, although the Wolves were arguably worse than last season based on our record dipping from 56 wins to 49. My view is that our record did not decline because KAT is better than the Randle/Donte combo we got in return. I think we slid from last season for three main reason: (1) adjusting to the roster changes; (2) Mike Conley’s significant decline; and (3) the loss of Slo Mo. I think that third reason is overlooked. I think we really missed Slo Mo’s rebounding and playmaking.

I forgot about Slo Mo. He was consistently good for us because he could play make and take care of the ball. Ju helped some, but he still turns it over too much I think. You would think with Ju's ability on offense he'd have a better Assist to Turnover ratio (drawing more defenders for wide open passes), I'm not even looking it up, but I would bet Slo Mo was still better.

Randles handle was too loose and he never saw the offside defender coming in to steal the ball from behind. That was at least a third of his turnovers.

Did Slo Mo even play this year? Just 25 games for Miami and 36 for GSW and didn't average 19 minutes a game for either team with only 2.2 assists per game. Not sure he is really as good as we all thought he was.

I'm not sure he was either. Finch relied on him because I think he didn't make bonehead mistakes and simply knew what to do. Now was he that good? I don't think so either, just reliable enough. In fact I for sure wanted his minutes reduced or to see him traded at the deadline that last year (because of his 3P shooting woes).

I'm not at all surprised to see his minutes dwindle on other squads though.

[60WinTim]

I forgot about Slo Mo. He was consistently good for us because he could play make and take care of the ball. Ju helped some, but he still turns it over too much I think. You would think with Ju's ability on offense he'd have a better Assist to Turnover ratio (drawing more defenders for wide open passes), I'm not even looking it up, but I would bet Slo Mo was still better.

Randles handle was too loose and he never saw the offside defender coming in to steal the ball from behind. That was at least a third of his turnovers.

Did Slo Mo even play this year? Just 25 games for Miami and 36 for GSW and didn't average 19 minutes a game for either team with only 2.2 assists per game. Not sure he is really as good as we all thought he was.

I'm not sure he was either. Finch relied on him because I think he didn't make bonehead mistakes and simply knew what to do. Now was he that good? I don't think so either, just reliable enough. In fact I for sure wanted his minutes reduced or to see him traded at the deadline that last year (because of his 3P shooting woes).

I'm not at all surprised to see his minutes dwindle on other squads though.

And while SloMo did contribute some important skills, let's face it. He was 8th man on the totem pole of minutes. Just like NAW was 8th man on the totem pole of minutes for this past year.