Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Yeah, Q, you're gonna lose this one. And there's a lot more to a "workout" than just the physical skills. There are mental aspects as well, both on the court and in film, which Flip says they do.

Kahns is upset about Hummel's QO (which isn't even signing him!), and Q is upset about doing due diligence. Tough Sunday...

Well, I'm not really here to "win" anything (unless there is some board debate gold star or blue ribbon that someone isn't telling me about!). In fact, it's kind of fun to offer some alternative perspectives because then at least we get to see Khans get all worked up!

I maintain my position: There is absolutely no upside to working out Towns - only downside. We would have drafted him anyway, right? So until someone provides me compelling evidence otherwise, I maintain my stance.

Not trying to win an argument either I am just curious how do you feel about the workouts for the lesser players late first rounders and beyond?

I think they can be useful for players that haven't been directly scouted and where there isn't as much video breakdown of live game action and background information that can be gleaned from opposing coaches. That isn't really the case with the majority of first round talent, especially the top guys like Towns, Okafor, Russell, etc.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Let's be honest here.

How many millionaire athletes are actually sitting in class with a highlighter and a taking notes? Karl-Anthony Towns "graduating" from college or even going there is good for his personal brand. Maybe even more importantly, it's pretty powerful marketing for the University of Kentucky.

I'm guessing there'll be a lot of "take-home" projects and that there is a well-paid member of the entourage to "take care" of it for Towns.

m4gor wrote:I don't think that all info about KAT could have been scouted, as from what we know his skillset is much wider than what he was showing in Kentucky offense. Therefore even though i would suppose him to be no.1 for Flip before workout, the workout itself was really important.

GymRat wrote:I've read a number of thoughts on the workouts throughout this draft process, and one of the things that always gets mentioned is something you heard from Vikings and Wolves coaches and staff. They all pointed to the fact you can scout players only so much, and the individual workouts are a great time to learn someone's personality and fit. The other thing it allows you to do is teach them things from your offense and philosophy, essentially testing how the player absorbs concepts and applies them in a high pressure situation. You're looking for conversion capabilities, and to see if that player can execute things you would have them do in a game.

Private workouts are the first time any coach gets to be hands-on with these guys, and you're looking to get a glimpse into so many things you can't get on tape or in person at a game. These are the nuances that make a difference in your selection. Regardless of if you believe Flip saying he had Towns pegged during the season as the #1 pick, having the workout makes you feel confident about a selection and in what you can ask of him. It helps you prepare more in advance for not only that player and his development, but how you construct other parts of your roster to complement him. This is invaluable information for draft day, free agency, etc.

The more information you have, the better informed your decision will be, and the better positioned you are as an organization to make good choices. And isn't that what we've all been clamoring for decades?

Q12543 wrote:

m4gor wrote:I don't think that all info about KAT could have been scouted, as from what we know his skillset is much wider than what he was showing in Kentucky offense. Therefore even though i would suppose him to be no.1 for Flip before workout, the workout itself was really important.

Towns had been scouted for years prior to coming to Kentucky. His game totally changed at Kentucky, as he was actually known more as a shooter and perimeter-oriented player in his prep days. It was absolutely no secret that he could knock down shots and handle the ball.

Guys like him start getting tracked and scrutinized at ~ age 15, if not earlier in some cases.

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Let's be honest here.

How many millionaire athletes are actually sitting in class with a highlighter and a taking notes? Karl-Anthony Towns "graduating" from college or even going there is good for his personal brand. Maybe even more importantly, it's pretty powerful marketing for the University of Kentucky.

I'm guessing there'll be a lot of "take-home" projects and that there is a well-paid member of the entourage to "take care" of it for Towns.

I'd rather have Towns in class working on learning something than just hanging out or whatever. If he is smart at all one class isn't going to keep him from working on his game. You can't work out your game 24-7 it's good to have something else to do. In addition learning information can allow you to translate to other areas of your life and Towns interest in a degree clearly connects to his current career.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Let's be honest here.

How many millionaire athletes are actually sitting in class with a highlighter and a taking notes? Karl-Anthony Towns "graduating" from college or even going there is good for his personal brand. Maybe even more importantly, it's pretty powerful marketing for the University of Kentucky.

I'm guessing there'll be a lot of "take-home" projects and that there is a well-paid member of the entourage to "take care" of it for Towns.

I'd rather have Towns in class working on learning something than just hanging out or whatever. If he is smart at all one class isn't going to keep him from working on his game. You can't work out your game 24-7 it's good to have something else to do. In addition learning information can allow you to translate to other areas of your life and Towns interest in a degree clearly connects to his current career.

That's cool. But maybe I need to be more clear. I have no problem with Towns going back to school... because I don't think it will take any time out of his training.

As I wrote, I highly doubt Towns is going to be a typical student waking up at 7:30 to trek across campus to take notes in his statistics class. Many college athletes at big-time programs have special privileges for them while they're 19 year old freshman.

Can you imagine the special privileges Kentucky will grant to a pro millionaire athlete whose "Degree" would simply be great marketing for the university?

Do you think Shaq was actually in class like every other student to earn that doctorate degree or whatever he has? Or, do you think he and the university came to a mutual agreement to help each other out a bit... with one of Shaq's advisers helping with any schoolwork along the way?