Minnesota Sports Forum

OK....I agree with Abe and crew....the KG mentoring thing is ridiculous. But my argument to the folks like doper and others that do value this "mentorship" is that while we COULD hypothetically absorb KG....why not actually get a veteran player that can mentor AND actually play the game of basketball (which in the end is what KG is getting paid $8MM per season to do). He is not a coach....or a life mentor....he is a player first and foremost. A guy like Noah comes to mind. While he is certainly going to miss some games, he brings a higher level of play when he plays than KG, and the same defensive acumen and intensity. There are several guys out there that can play the role of "teacher" and player for this squad. KG is a footnote at this point....let him go.

Hicks123 wrote:OK....I agree with Abe and crew....the KG mentoring thing is ridiculous. But my argument to the folks like doper and others that do value this "mentorship" is that while we COULD hypothetically absorb KG....why not actually get a veteran player that can mentor AND actually play the game of basketball (which in the end is what KG is getting paid $8MM per season to do). He is not a coach....or a life mentor....he is a player first and foremost. A guy like Noah comes to mind. While he is certainly going to miss some games, he brings a higher level of play when he plays than KG, and the same defensive acumen and intensity. There are several guys out there that can play the role of "teacher" and player for this squad. KG is a footnote at this point....let him go.

I think the plan moving forward is to get more vets that can contribute. But for these guys under 20 years old who are just learning the ropes I think KG was perfect for this year to play that role. I also am assuming that should we be competing for a playoff spot next year, KG's health will take a dramatic positive turn and he will give valuable minutes when it counts. We saw quite clearly that he is still capable of impacting the game. Our real problem this year was penciling in Belly as a key contributor at the 4, he clearly was not up to the task. We have money to throw at Noah or even better at Horford this off-season. Let's do it. KG's 8mill is not a problem for where this team is going to be at next year, in fact it may even pay off if we need it to in the playoffs.

The real point remains that if mentoring thing is ridiculous then are all the players ridiculous for pushing the story as well? All I have been reiterating is that the players like KG's presence, example and mentorship. And for where we are as a franchise, building a cohesive unit is really the most paramount thing and has a monetary value associated with it. Is it worth closer to 4mil? Maybe, but our salary situation is not dire outside of Pek.

I think everyone agrees KG likely had a positive impact (however big or very small) on Towns and probably the rest of the team and even the organization as the whole. How much? How much credit should he be given? Idk. Any of the thoughts here and the complete spectrum are completely valid. I don't really care all that much as long as it's a positive that's good enough for me at this point. There was worry from some that he could be a negative. It doesn't seem there is anything coming out that suggests that at all. As long as he is a positive next year not a negative that's fine if he comes back plays a handful of games and does his magic mentoring thing again. Would I prefer another option? Yeah I suppose but I doubt that's going to happen and at this point oh well what is done is done. It could be worse we could be locked into a guy that can't play at all doesn't do any work on his body and is a jerk hole. If the option is no KG really around the organization next year or paying KG 8 million to be on the roster with the young players everyday I would pick the later. I don't think of KG decided to retire h would just vanish behind the scenes but I don't know what role he would fill.

monsterpile wrote:I think everyone agrees KG likely had a positive impact (however big or very small) on Towns and probably the rest of the team and even the organization as the whole. How much? How much credit should he be given? Idk. Any of the thoughts here and the complete spectrum are completely valid. I don't really care all that much as long as it's a positive that's good enough for me at this point. There was worry from some that he could be a negative. It doesn't seem there is anything coming out that suggests that at all. As long as he is a positive next year not a negative that's fine if he comes back plays a handful of games and does his magic mentoring thing again. Would I prefer another option? Yeah I suppose but I doubt that's going to happen and at this point oh well what is done is done. It could be worse we could be locked into a guy that can't play at all doesn't do any work on his body and is a jerk hole. If the option is no KG really around the organization next year or paying KG 8 million to be on the roster with the young players everyday I would pick the later. I don't think of KG decided to retire h would just vanish behind the scenes but I don't know what role he would fill.

Well if he really does become part of an ownership group I think there would be some great continuity and he would be able to speak from an interesting point of relevance. I like your take though. Very balanced.

You have to realize that these young guys talked about KG in a positive manner because:

a. They were asked a question from the media directly about KG and what impact he's had. I have yet to see/hear a quote where they talk about his mentoring without a question that induced it.

b. We have a group of really good guys. They've said positive things about Milt Newton, Sam Mitchell, Kevin Garnett, and just about everybody you can think of including each other. You're not going to get them to say something that isn't unicorns and rainbows. They're not negative people. I love that about them. I just don't take everything they say as full truth, such as then saying Sam Mithell is a great coach or whatever they said.

c. KG's an NBA legend and the face of the franchise. He's probably some of these guys favorite childhood player. There is zero chance that you wouldn't talk up your favorite player or a first ballot Hall of Fame player either when given a question about him. That's a respect thing.

I think KG had a positive effect, but in no way am I giving him credit for the growth we've seen from our young guys or the player KAT is. That's just not a realistic take. That's like saying Andre Miller and Kevin Martin taught Ricky Rubio how to score more efficiently. I doubt it. Did he give him a few pointers or vet moves? I'd say that's likely. Anything more than that becomes a reach.

No one is saying KG is the only reason Towns is good, if KG was a big man whisperer O'Bryant would have been an all star.

However, in no way is it a disservice to anyone to give credit where credit is due, in fact it's more of a disservice to not acknowledge KG's role in Towns development. As doper mentioned it has been pointed out numerous times by a wide range of people that Towns has benefited greatly from KG. As Towns dad said, KG was the best thing to happen to him. Just to restate that because it seems to be missed - of everyone who has contributed to Towns success KG was the BEST thing to happen to him. I cannot fathom why anyone would want to remove the most important person in Towns development.

The Rage Monster wrote:No one is saying KG is the only reason Towns is good, if KG was a big man whisperer O'Bryant would have been an all star.

However, in no way is it a disservice to anyone to give credit where credit is due, in fact it's more of a disservice to not acknowledge KG's role in Towns development. As doper mentioned it has been pointed out numerous times by a wide range of people that Towns has benefited greatly from KG. As Towns dad said, KG was the best thing to happen to him. Just to restate that because it seems to be missed - of everyone who has contributed to Towns success KG was the BEST thing to happen to him. I cannot fathom why anyone would want to remove the most important person in Towns development.

Probably because the most important person in Towns' development is Towns. KG eased the transition, yes, but development is an on court, in practice and games, type of thing. You're giving KG too much credit there.

Camden wrote:

The Rage Monster wrote:No one is saying KG is the only reason Towns is good, if KG was a big man whisperer O'Bryant would have been an all star.

However, in no way is it a disservice to anyone to give credit where credit is due, in fact it's more of a disservice to not acknowledge KG's role in Towns development. As doper mentioned it has been pointed out numerous times by a wide range of people that Towns has benefited greatly from KG. As Towns dad said, KG was the best thing to happen to him. Just to restate that because it seems to be missed - of everyone who has contributed to Towns success KG was the BEST thing to happen to him. I cannot fathom why anyone would want to remove the most important person in Towns development.

Probably because the most important person in Towns' development is Towns. KG eased the transition, yes, but development is an on court, in practice and games, type of thing. You're giving KG too much credit there.

That is the strangest statement possible, you do realize that without Towns there is no player...in an academic setting you wouldn't take credit away from a mentor just because the mentee is smart. This is the exact same situation.

I am giving KG the exact amount of credit Towns dad gave him but I suppose he could be wrong, perhaps you know more about Towns than his dad?

The Rage Monster wrote:

Camden wrote:

The Rage Monster wrote:No one is saying KG is the only reason Towns is good, if KG was a big man whisperer O'Bryant would have been an all star.

However, in no way is it a disservice to anyone to give credit where credit is due, in fact it's more of a disservice to not acknowledge KG's role in Towns development. As doper mentioned it has been pointed out numerous times by a wide range of people that Towns has benefited greatly from KG. As Towns dad said, KG was the best thing to happen to him. Just to restate that because it seems to be missed - of everyone who has contributed to Towns success KG was the BEST thing to happen to him. I cannot fathom why anyone would want to remove the most important person in Towns development.

Probably because the most important person in Towns' development is Towns. KG eased the transition, yes, but development is an on court, in practice and games, type of thing. You're giving KG too much credit there.

That is the strangest statement possible, you do realize that without Towns there is no player...in an academic setting you wouldn't take credit away from a mentor just because the mentee is smart. This is the exact same situation.

I am giving KG the exact amount of credit Towns dad gave him but I suppose he could be wrong, perhaps you know more about Towns than his dad?

My point was that Towns' development over the season is a testament to the work ethic and overal smarts that kid has. That's on him. That's him putting in the hours and getting better. How do you explain his last two months? They were the best of his rookie season and KG didn't play a single minute over that time.

Also, Karl Towns Sr. said that KG is the best thing to happen to him in his career back in December (when KG was still relatively active). That's not necessarily a false statement, but it doesn't mean that KG's mentoring is the biggest piece of Towns' development like you and others here are trying to make it out to be. I can guarantee that Towns picked Garnett's brain often, but most of what Towns was doing this year he was already capable of. The guy's skill level is ridiculous. It was ridiculous before he even met KG.

Tell me, if you replace KG with someone like Greg Stiemsma, does Towns have any less of a spectacular rookie campaign? Is he less of a shooter? Is he less skilled with the basketball? Is he less of a passer? Is he less of a rim protector? No, no, no, and no.

I'm cool with giving KG some credit with the transition and getting acclimated to the NBA grind, but KAT's a stud with or without KG in his ear.