Who is MOST to blame for KAT's very poor defense thus far in his career

[Wolvesfan21]

What ya think?

[AbeVigodaLive]

My vote is obvious.

And I can't imagine how it could even be a debate at this point.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It's somewhat "all of the above", but KAT is obviously #1:

1. KAT
2. Thibs
3. All of his prior coaches and mentors, including his Dad.
4. Mother nature

I also think KAT has a distinct physical disadvantage (mother nature) that isn't his fault, per se. It's the classic skinny legs/weak base issue. We've talked about the importance of interior defenders being able to hold their ground and not get easily knocked off their base. It's why Pekovic was actually a fairly solid defender despite having such short arms and a limited vertical. It's the same reason why Dieng struggles defensively once guys get him deep in the paint (he's much better in PnR coverages).

He makes things even worse by constantly leaving his feet to chase blocks, even when simply getting square and walling up would be the much better choice.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm perhaps the worst Thibs' detractor on this board (although I'm getting more and more company every day), but even I won't hold him most accountable for KAT's poor defense...the answer has to be KAT himself.

That said, we don't know what the coaching staff is telling and showing KAT in practice...maybe they are negligent here for poor coaching. In addition, Thibs' refusal to yank KAT out of the game when he does something stupid or lazy is certainly a factor too. But ultimately KAT needs to be mainly responsible for his deficiencies.

[Wolvesfan21]

Just to play devils advocate if KAT were on the Celtics does he still struggle or does he have a Kyrie style jump from great coaching and system?

[AbeVigodaLive]

Just to play devils advocate if KAT were on the Celtics does he still struggle or does he have a Kyrie style jump from great coaching and system?

You have to buy in to the culture.

I've never heard any NBA insider claim Thibs doesn't know his hoops. I'm pretty sure he and his staff have pointed out KAT's mistakes and have given him recommendations toward fixing them. Connecting with a new breed of young superstar player though... that's a different story.

Stevens seems better at reaching young players... or at least a certain kind of young player. But he seems to be a bit of an anomaly with just how successful he's been.

[Monster]

Just to play devils advocate if KAT were on the Celtics does he still struggle or does he have a Kyrie style jump from great coaching and system?

You have to buy in to the culture.

I've never heard any NBA insider claim Thibs doesn't know his hoops. I'm pretty sure he and his staff have pointed out KAT's mistakes and have given him recommendations toward fixing them. Connecting with a new breed of young superstar player though... that's a different story.

Stevens seems better at reaching young players... or at least a certain kind of young player. But he seems to be a bit of an anomaly with just how successful he's been.

Culture. Yep its a big deal. The jury is out on Thibs. Stevens has been terrific the whole time as a Celtics coach. This year has been even more impressive. Lets keep in mind he came into a franchise that's one of the more storied ones with a POBO thats pretty much considered a genius. The previous coach? Doc Rivers. Compare that to Thibs coming to the Wolves and this is not taking anything away from what Stevens has done. The Wolves been one of the worst franchises the last 13 years maybe the worst and maybe worst in the league since they have been in the league (Abe can outline this all day every day). This team had 3 different coaches in 3 years before him. The POBO Flip who was moving things forward died from cancer. The POBO before him was and is a complete joke. Thibs took over a bunch of young kids and a franchise that hadn't done anything since a no-brainer HOF player named KG was in his prime (who also hates the owner). Could Thibs be building a culture that helps us win? Maybe or maybe he won't but I think it might take more than a year and a half to do it espcailly since the players that may help set the tone in Bulter and Taj have only been here a few months. Just sayin.

[Monster]

On Towns bad defense...I'm looking forward another few games to see if some of the positive signs I've seen from him and the team are actually reason for optimism or not.

[thedoper]

On Towns bad defense...I'm looking forward another few games to see if some of the positive signs I've seen from him and the team are actually reason for optimism or not.

Inching forward one game at a time. Those first 5 really put us in a massive hole.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Just to play devils advocate if KAT were on the Celtics does he still struggle or does he have a Kyrie style jump from great coaching and system?

You have to buy in to the culture.

I've never heard any NBA insider claim Thibs doesn't know his hoops. I'm pretty sure he and his staff have pointed out KAT's mistakes and have given him recommendations toward fixing them. Connecting with a new breed of young superstar player though... that's a different story.

Stevens seems better at reaching young players... or at least a certain kind of young player. But he seems to be a bit of an anomaly with just how successful he's been.

Culture. Yep its a big deal. The jury is out on Thibs. Stevens has been terrific the whole time as a Celtics coach. This year has been even more impressive. Lets keep in mind he came into a franchise that's one of the more storied ones with a POBO thats pretty much considered a genius. The previous coach? Doc Rivers. Compare that to Thibs coming to the Wolves and this is not taking anything away from what Stevens has done. The Wolves been one of the worst franchises the last 13 years maybe the worst and maybe worst in the league since they have been in the league (Abe can outline this all day every day). This team had 3 different coaches in 3 years before him. The POBO Flip who was moving things forward died from cancer. The POBO before him was and is a complete joke. Thibs took over a bunch of young kids and a franchise that hadn't done anything since a no-brainer HOF player named KG was in his prime (who also hates the owner). Could Thibs be building a culture that helps us win? Maybe or maybe he won't but I think it might take more than a year and a half to do it espcailly since the players that may help set the tone in Bulter and Taj have only been here a few months. Just sayin.

Sure. I'm cool with that.

And I think because of the Wolves ineptitude... maybe they were too willing to anoint KAT and Wiggins as superstars (and treated them as such) before they were remotely deserving of such latitude.

Consider: Is there anybody else in the league who has done (proven) less to deserve a max deal than Andrew Wiggins?