What’s really going on?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm as big of a Towns fan as there is, but this whole situation with Butler makes me view Towns in a different way. He's being a soft little boy. Great players can play with each other successfully regardless of if they like each other or not. Towns having a poor attitude or looking depressed shows immaturity on his end. Be a professional. Use your premium-level talent and ball out. Moping around and looking sad all the time is just weak as hell.

Gotta agree with you on this one, Cam. I'm just watching the replay now, and have noticed a couple times KAT's sour expression while the rest of the team looks excited and fired up. I love his game (although he has not been very good in the firts two games) and see him as a future perennial all-star and cornerstone of this team, but his attitude is troubling me. Granted, none of us know what's going on behind the scenes, but his public façade seems immature to me right no. He needs to man up.

[thedoper]

I was watching Jimmy's post game interview and he still seems really tight with thibs and buddy buddy with the players on the team. During the presser he mentioned that the media doesn't know the whole story.

Could it simply be Taylor refusing to give Butler the max deal next year (don't think this angle was ever mentioned as a possibility) ? And that's why he's so easily open in facilitating a butler deal? And maybe why butler feels that Taylor wasn't up front with him and constantly brings up being honest?

I've been floating the possibility that Taylor is the stick in the mud here. I think it's well within the realm of possibility. Who really knows, but it seems like there are multiple idiots in this situation.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm as big of a Towns fan as there is, but this whole situation with Butler makes me view Towns in a different way. He's being a soft little boy. Great players can play with each other successfully regardless of if they like each other or not. Towns having a poor attitude or looking depressed shows immaturity on his end. Be a professional. Use your premium-level talent and ball out. Moping around and looking sad all the time is just weak as hell.

Gotta agree with you on this one, Cam. I'm just watching the replay now, and have noticed a couple times KAT's sour expression while the rest of the team looks excited and fired up. I love his game (although he has not been very good in the firts two games) and see him as a future perennial all-star and cornerstone of this team, but his attitude is troubling me. Granted, none of us know what's going on behind the scenes, but his public façade seems immature to me right no. He needs to man up.

I noticed the same thing. That being said, I feel like defensively he's played well these first two games. He's contesting a lot of shots and he made some highlight reel plays in this one. We'll see if he can keep it up.

[Lipoli390]

I'm as big of a Towns fan as there is, but this whole situation with Butler makes me view Towns in a different way. He's being a soft little boy. Great players can play with each other successfully regardless of if they like each other or not. Towns having a poor attitude or looking depressed shows immaturity on his end. Be a professional. Use your premium-level talent and ball out. Moping around and looking sad all the time is just weak as hell.

Gotta agree with you on this one, Cam. I'm just watching the replay now, and have noticed a couple times KAT's sour expression while the rest of the team looks excited and fired up. I love his game (although he has not been very good in the firts two games) and see him as a future perennial all-star and cornerstone of this team, but his attitude is troubling me. Granted, none of us know what's going on behind the scenes, but his public façade seems immature to me right no. He needs to man up.

I noticed the same thing. That being said, I feel like defensively he's played well these first two games. He's contesting a lot of shots and he made some highlight reel plays in this one. We'll see if he can keep it up.

I agree with all three of you. First of all, I'll join with Cam and LST in calling on KAT to man up. Of course none of us can know what's really going on between KAT and Butler. But whatever it is, KAT has to learn to wall himself off from those issues and just lose himself in the game. In a sense, it's similar to his constant carping at the officials. He lets every little thing bother him and can't let go. His inability to stop obsessing over perceived bad calls often interferes with his game on the court, causing him to not get back on defense or lose his concentration. In similar fashion, I think he's now allowing issues with Butler to affect his play. That just can't happen.

I think KAT's pride was wounded the minute the Wolves traded for Butler. Do you remember KAT commenting on the Butler acquisition by saying, "we were going to the playoffs with or without Jimmy"? You have to wonder what made KAT reluctant to sign his extension, requiring multiple conversations with Glen Taylor to resolve some issues. I wonder if KAT needed assurance that this team was "his" and not Jimmy's. For example, I think it matters to KAT that he's the final name announced in the intros. In contrast, I don't think Jimmy Butler gives a shit about that. Now to be clear, KAT is and should be the cornerstone of this franchise based on his talent, unique skills/size combination, age and tremendous production to date at such an early age. But he has to get over himself. More to the point, he has to learn to lose himself in the game when he steps on the court. In my view, that's the key to KAT taking the next step in his development.

My prediction is that KAT will get past this and return to form. The good news is that, even in his current funk, KAT's defense looks improved in these first two games. These are growing pains for a young talent. I take comfort in knowing that KAT is highly competitive. Effort and intensity have never been issues with him. His issues are focus and concentration, as well as just understanding how to play defense. He has to learn to block out distractions like bad calls and what he perceives as affronts to his pride. It would really help if we had a head coach who understood and could connect with the human side of people. Thibodeau is an Xs and Os assistant coach. That's who he is. He has no business being a head coach, which calls for leadership skills. And leadership is all about understanding and connecting with people. Butler has the same problem as Thibodeau in that regard. KAT needs a true leader who can get through to him. Alas, we have a serious leadership void at the top of this organization on down. So we'll have to hope that KAT figures it out on his own. He dad sits across the isle from me. Maybe I should talk with him about this. :)

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm as big of a Towns fan as there is, but this whole situation with Butler makes me view Towns in a different way. He's being a soft little boy. Great players can play with each other successfully regardless of if they like each other or not. Towns having a poor attitude or looking depressed shows immaturity on his end. Be a professional. Use your premium-level talent and ball out. Moping around and looking sad all the time is just weak as hell.

Gotta agree with you on this one, Cam. I'm just watching the replay now, and have noticed a couple times KAT's sour expression while the rest of the team looks excited and fired up. I love his game (although he has not been very good in the firts two games) and see him as a future perennial all-star and cornerstone of this team, but his attitude is troubling me. Granted, none of us know what's going on behind the scenes, but his public façade seems immature to me right no. He needs to man up.

I noticed the same thing. That being said, I feel like defensively he's played well these first two games. He's contesting a lot of shots and he made some highlight reel plays in this one. We'll see if he can keep it up.

I agree with all three of you. First of all, I'll join with Cam and LST in calling on KAT to man up. Of course none of us can know what's really going on between KAT and Butler. But whatever it is, KAT has to learn to wall himself off from those issues and just lose himself in the game. In a sense, it's similar to his constant carping at the officials. He lets every little thing bother him and can't let go. His inability to stop obsessing over perceived bad calls often interferes with his game on the court, causing him to not get back on defense or lose his concentration. In similar fashion, I think he's now allowing issues with Butler to affect his play. That just can't happen.

I think KAT's pride was wounded the minute the Wolves traded for Butler. Do you remember KAT commenting on the Butler acquisition by saying, "we were going to the playoffs with or without Jimmy"? You have to wonder what made KAT reluctant to sign his extension, requiring multiple conversations with Glen Taylor to resolve some issues. I wonder if KAT needed assurance that this team was "his" and not Jimmy's. For example, I think it matters to KAT that he's the final name announced in the intros. In contrast, I don't think Jimmy Butler gives a shit about that. Now to be clear, KAT is and should be the cornerstone of this franchise based on his talent, unique skills/size combination, age and tremendous production to date at such an early age. But he has to get over himself. More to the point, he has to learn to lose himself in the game when he steps on the court. In my view, that's the key to KAT taking the next step in his development.

My prediction is that KAT will get past this and return to form. The good news is that, even in his current funk, KAT's defense looks improved in these first two games. These are growing pains for a young talent. I take comfort in knowing that KAT is highly competitive. Effort and intensity have never been issues with him. His issues are focus and concentration, as well as just understanding how to play defense. He has to learn to block out distractions like bad calls and what he perceives as affronts to his pride. It would really help if we had a head coach who understood and could connect with the human side of people. Thibodeau is an Xs and Os assistant coach. That's who he is. He has no business being a head coach, which calls for leadership skills. And leadership is all about understanding and connecting with people. Butler has the same problem as Thibodeau in that regard. KAT needs a true leader who can get through to him. Alas, we have a serious leadership void at the top of this organization on down. So we'll have to hope that KAT figures it out on his own. He dad sits across the isle from me. Maybe I should talk with him about this. :)

Excellent post, Lip...I agree with all your observations, and with your prediction that KAT will get over his moodiness and return to form.
I'm wondering if you noticed often what Q and I did about KAT's demeanor when play was stopped, or if the camera just happened to catch him at his poutiness? I agree that he generally showed his usual passion during action, especially on his weak side block late in the game.

[Lipoli390]

I'm as big of a Towns fan as there is, but this whole situation with Butler makes me view Towns in a different way. He's being a soft little boy. Great players can play with each other successfully regardless of if they like each other or not. Towns having a poor attitude or looking depressed shows immaturity on his end. Be a professional. Use your premium-level talent and ball out. Moping around and looking sad all the time is just weak as hell.

Gotta agree with you on this one, Cam. I'm just watching the replay now, and have noticed a couple times KAT's sour expression while the rest of the team looks excited and fired up. I love his game (although he has not been very good in the firts two games) and see him as a future perennial all-star and cornerstone of this team, but his attitude is troubling me. Granted, none of us know what's going on behind the scenes, but his public façade seems immature to me right no. He needs to man up.

I noticed the same thing. That being said, I feel like defensively he's played well these first two games. He's contesting a lot of shots and he made some highlight reel plays in this one. We'll see if he can keep it up.

I agree with all three of you. First of all, I'll join with Cam and LST in calling on KAT to man up. Of course none of us can know what's really going on between KAT and Butler. But whatever it is, KAT has to learn to wall himself off from those issues and just lose himself in the game. In a sense, it's similar to his constant carping at the officials. He lets every little thing bother him and can't let go. His inability to stop obsessing over perceived bad calls often interferes with his game on the court, causing him to not get back on defense or lose his concentration. In similar fashion, I think he's now allowing issues with Butler to affect his play. That just can't happen.

I think KAT's pride was wounded the minute the Wolves traded for Butler. Do you remember KAT commenting on the Butler acquisition by saying, "we were going to the playoffs with or without Jimmy"? You have to wonder what made KAT reluctant to sign his extension, requiring multiple conversations with Glen Taylor to resolve some issues. I wonder if KAT needed assurance that this team was "his" and not Jimmy's. For example, I think it matters to KAT that he's the final name announced in the intros. In contrast, I don't think Jimmy Butler gives a shit about that. Now to be clear, KAT is and should be the cornerstone of this franchise based on his talent, unique skills/size combination, age and tremendous production to date at such an early age. But he has to get over himself. More to the point, he has to learn to lose himself in the game when he steps on the court. In my view, that's the key to KAT taking the next step in his development.

My prediction is that KAT will get past this and return to form. The good news is that, even in his current funk, KAT's defense looks improved in these first two games. These are growing pains for a young talent. I take comfort in knowing that KAT is highly competitive. Effort and intensity have never been issues with him. His issues are focus and concentration, as well as just understanding how to play defense. He has to learn to block out distractions like bad calls and what he perceives as affronts to his pride. It would really help if we had a head coach who understood and could connect with the human side of people. Thibodeau is an Xs and Os assistant coach. That's who he is. He has no business being a head coach, which calls for leadership skills. And leadership is all about understanding and connecting with people. Butler has the same problem as Thibodeau in that regard. KAT needs a true leader who can get through to him. Alas, we have a serious leadership void at the top of this organization on down. So we'll have to hope that KAT figures it out on his own. He dad sits across the isle from me. Maybe I should talk with him about this. :)

Excellent post, Lip...I agree with all your observations, and with your prediction that KAT will get over his moodiness and return to form.
I'm wondering if you noticed often what Q and I did about KAT's demeanor when play was stopped, or if the camera just happened to catch him at his poutiness? I agree that he generally showed his usual passion during action, especially on his weak side block late in the game.

I definitely noticed what you and Q have termed his poutiness when play stopped. But I wouldn't use that term. I'd say it was more a sullen, depressed look - or more accurately a detached look. He didn't look like a kid taking his ball and going home or sitting defiantly in the corner as if he were actually pouting. And to provide a more complete picture, it's worth noting that KAT stood up and cheered for his teammates when he was on the bench and he would hand slap Butler from time to time. He just didn't do any of that with his characteristic enthusiasm. So KAT undoubtedly seemed down. That's something he'll have to get over. And I think we're both right that he will.

But the coldness between KAT and Butler was palpable. Yet they both deserve credit for still playing well together and even handslapping from time to time. That alley-pop from KAT to Butler in the 1st quarter was an early sign that these two guys will work together for the sake of the team - even if it means KAT giving Butler the glory of a dunk on the receiving end of an alley-oops.

I also want to add an observation about Teague. He looks like a great teammate. When he's on the bench, he's usually the first to stand and cheer for his teammates when things go well and his enthusiasm for the success of his teammates is clearly animated and heart-felt. I'm not a fan of the way he runs the team at the point. He's clearly a shoot-first PG who really doesn't really see plays or facilitate his teammates very well. Rose is actually better than Teague in that regard and Tyus is much better. That's why I'd like to see Teague and Tyus together. In fact, you might recall that Teague was lobbying Thibodeau last season to play the two of them together. Teague clearly understands himself and his limitations better than his head coach. Alas, it comes back to Thibodeau.

[Coolbreeze44]

It can't be easy to coexist with a guy who nailed your girlfriend. KAT will be fine.

[Lipoli390]

It can't be easy to coexist with a guy who nailed your girlfriend. KAT will be fine.

Seriously Cool, do we know that happened?

[Monster]

There is some kind of issues with Butler and some players on the team likely Towns. There is simply too much reporting for there not to be something. How big of a deal is it? Nobody really knows. If Towns is a bit down...I don't have a problem with it. How many fans here are down about this situation we have before us? Your saying Towns can't feel less than his usual enthusiastic self? These guys are pros sure but they aren't robots. In addition it seems like every year Towns starts of a bit slow on the offensive end and then ramps up pretty quickly.

It's worth remembering also that Towns is pretty hard on himself and I'm sure his he has some pride and the way they played in preseason and how his first regular season game played out probably didn't exactly make him happy although he was joking around after that one. If Towns is still having negative body language a week or 2 from now (assuming this team hasn't imploded in some way) I'll be a little more worried about him. The guy is a few weeks from 23 it's not like he has it all figured out. I'm not dismissing the concerns but I also think there should be more consideration of all the factors at play.

Amusingly A few diffeeent media both national and local media people have used the same term about Wiggins...he is like Teflon it seems like nothing bothers him. I'm sure things do but I still think some of his weird affect can have some positives.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

It can't be easy to coexist with a guy who nailed your girlfriend. KAT will be fine.

Seriously Cool, do we know that happened?

That story has already been reported as "fake news" and always seemed more like a Barstool story anyways. Highly doubt that story had any semblance of truth in it whatsoever.