lipoli390 wrote:Q12543 wrote:Jester1534 wrote:Honestly I could see the Board turning on KAT this year if its another bad first half. You're as good as your best player.
Very good call. Also, if he plays poorly while putting on the drama queen act with the flailing, losing his cool, whining, etc. Hopefully his head is on straight now after a tough year and he's matured.
Yes, an excellent call, Jester. Here's an excerpt from the recent Chris Finch interview in The Athletic that I think is telling. I included this in my Chris Finch comments thread but thought it's worth repeating here:
Q. In 2016, NBA general managers said KAT would be the guy they would start a franchise with above all others.
A. 100 percent. And he still is; he just has to get back to that, right? He has that and he knows that. DLo is healthy, feels good, believes in his team and his teammates. So those two guys.
I thought this comment by Finch was pretty pointed if you think about it for a moment. "He just has to get back to that, right? He has that and he knows that." He's clearing saying that KAT needs to get back recapture something he's lost. It's a comment that should resonate with all of us who have watched KAT stagnate and fail to mature. Finch also talked about the need for the players to stop complaining about officiating and, instead, get back on defense. That comment was also clearly aimed at KAT.
It wasn't an accident or mistake when NBA GMs identified KAT as the guy they'd choose first to build a franchise around. A big who can be a dominant low post scorer, hit mid-range shots at a high level, be an elite 3-point shooter and win the NBA skills competition is certainly a guy you'd have near the top of your list to build around. As the last several years have come and gone, we've seen Jokic become the player those GMs thought KAT would be. Starting with the arrival of Jimmy Butler, KAT became whiny and often unfocused. It didn't help that he had an indulgent, amateur as head coach in between Thibodeau and Finch.
So now we'll see. This season will be pivotal for KAT, DLO and the entire Wolves team. If KAT doesn't focus and tap back into his potential as the mature, elite star he should be, he'll be the lightening rod for fan disdain and probably won't be here much longer. DLO will likely be #2 on the fan hit list if he doesn't return to his Brooklyn all-star form.
KAT's a year younger than Jokic and has been plagued by injuries the last couple of years. KAT has gone through a lot the past year and a half and I think that has had a maturing effect on him. Furthermore, KAT appear to be a highly emotional and competitive guy. So I think the criticism he's been hearing already will light a fire under him. Add in the accountability that Finch brings and I believe KAT will take the next step and become the player nearly every GM and most of us thought he'd be 5 years ago. As for DLO, I'm less certain. But I remain positive that the DLO we saw at the end of last season will be the DLO we see throughout this next season. If I'm right, then this next season will be a very good one for the Wolves. If not, there will be plenty of fan dislike to go around.
Towns is partly to blame as he has had some holes in his game like being good at setting screens etc but I personally don't feel like he has been utilized to his fullest the past few years on offense. If Finch can find a way to actually find the balance of utilizing Towns and also other players around him like Russell and Ant...that's gonna he big. Towns also as a player needs to find ways to turn his production into helping other players and little things to help win basket all games. He helps his teammates but there is that little extra that he is missing from a guy as talented as he is. I think he still has some legit ability to be a massive impact player on offense and some of that is on him but I do think coaching will matter especially since Towns is a big.
This is a big year for Towns and Russell. Both guys need to take it upon themselves to play well and make other better but coaching can impact both guys. Can Finch get Russell to find the balance between scoring and making plays for others? Can he balance towns Russell and Ant all getting opportunities offensively?
If you look back at players people tend to dislike in this board a lot of them are disliked because they are playing a role they do not have the ability to play. Like Ridnour one of the sort of original whipping boys had to play as a starting guard sometimes being asked to be a scorer and playmaker which wasn't his game. JJ Barea same deal. Will someone this season get placed in a role that's outside what they should have to play? Let's hope this team can stay healthy enough that is not a reason for guys playing to big of a roll. My guess is someone playing PF might get some heat for not being good enough but it may not be because they suck.