Minnesota Sports Forum

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2024 6:33 pm Being that the All Star game is based on offense, no defense it made no sense for Rudy to be selected. Let him focus on DPOY.

Ant was a given and happy for KAT. His scoring efficiency is insane for a center and he has taken a step forward defensively too.

In saying that I still wont watch it lol.

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2024 6:33 pm Being that the All Star game is based on offense, no defense it made no sense for Rudy to be selected. Let him focus on DPOY.

Ant was a given and happy for KAT. His scoring efficiency is insane for a center and he has taken a step forward defensively too.

In saying that I still wont watch it lol.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:12 pm On NBA Radio this morning, Scalabrine said it was an outrage that Sabonis wasn't selected as a reserve. I guess I agree with him, but didn't like it at first when he said he should have chosen instead of KAT. But I liked his reasoning, and it goes along with how I see this team. He said KAT's stats are fine, but the team is successful this season because we have so many really good players. He talked about how he loved Rudy, Jaden, Conley and NAZ in addition to Ant. Nice recognition from a guy I think usually really gets it.

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:57 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:12 pm On NBA Radio this morning, Scalabrine said it was an outrage that Sabonis wasn't selected as a reserve. I guess I agree with him, but didn't like it at first when he said he should have chosen instead of KAT. But I liked his reasoning, and it goes along with how I see this team. He said KAT's stats are fine, but the team is successful this season because we have so many really good players. He talked about how he loved Rudy, Jaden, Conley and NAZ in addition to Ant. Nice recognition from a guy I think usually really gets it.

Any complaints about KAT being selected over Sabonis or anyone else are ridiculous. Here’s a tweet that nails it:

Shahbaz Khan
@ShahbazMKhan

KAT is having a near 50/40/90 season playing the best defense of his career on the best defensive unit in the NBA.
He’s adjusted positions and made countless sacrifices for his team’s playstyle, a big reason why they’re the #1 seed.
Don’t tell me he shouldn’t be an All-Star.

I’ll chime in and say that KAT has been critical to the Wolves having the best record in the West. He’s contributed to the team’s top defensive rating and has contributed major, efficient offensive production on a consistent basis to a team that otherwise lacks offensive firepower.

I think of all the complaints by Wolves fans about KAT’s defense - certainly deserved. Well, KAT’s defense (after already improving two years ago) has been terrific this season. And as bad as KAT’s defense used to be, I wonder if KAT’s critics or those who think Sabonis should have been selected have watched him play defense. The answer is no because you can’t see something that’s not there.

So let’s cut through the KAT-hate or infatuation with the nifty footwork of Sabonis and recognize that KAT’s selection as an all-star reserve was absolutely the right decision.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:12 pm

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:57 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:12 pm On NBA Radio this morning, Scalabrine said it was an outrage that Sabonis wasn't selected as a reserve. I guess I agree with him, but didn't like it at first when he said he should have chosen instead of KAT. But I liked his reasoning, and it goes along with how I see this team. He said KAT's stats are fine, but the team is successful this season because we have so many really good players. He talked about how he loved Rudy, Jaden, Conley and NAZ in addition to Ant. Nice recognition from a guy I think usually really gets it.

Any complaints about KAT being selected over Sabonis or anyone else are ridiculous. Here’s a tweet that nails it:

Shahbaz Khan
@ShahbazMKhan

KAT is having a near 50/40/90 season playing the best defense of his career on the best defensive unit in the NBA.
He’s adjusted positions and made countless sacrifices for his team’s playstyle, a big reason why they’re the #1 seed.
Don’t tell me he shouldn’t be an All-Star.

I’ll chime in and say that KAT has been critical to the Wolves having the best record in the West. He’s contributed to the team’s top defensive rating and has contributed major, efficient offensive production on a consistent basis to a team that otherwise lacks offensive firepower.

I think of all the complaints by Wolves fans about KAT’s defense - certainly deserved. Well, KAT’s defense (after already improving two years ago) has been terrific this season. And as bad as KAT’s defense used to be, I wonder if KAT’s critics or those who think Sabonis should have been selected have watched him play defense. The answer is no because you can’t see something that’s not there.

So let’s cut through the KAT-hate or infatuation with the nifty footwork of Sabonis and recognize that KAT’s selection as an all-star reserve was absolutely the right decision.

I agree with everything you're saying about KAT, Lip...he's having a terrific season. But I agree with Skal that Sabonis was a huge snub. My God, he's leading the league with 13 rebounds per game and he's also adding 20 points and 8 assists! And just look at the comparison in the advanced stats with KAT on basketball reference. KAT is a huge contributor this season, but his stats don't measure up to Sabonis's.

https://stathead.com/basketball/versus- ... =sabondo01

KAT leads in PPG, but Sabonis leads in rebounds, assists, PER, VORP, TS% (barely), BPM, WS, and net rating. I actually think KAT might be slightly the better defender this season, but it's difficult to make a case for him over Sabonis when Sabonis beats him in almost every category. I especially liked it when Skal said he loved KAT, but attributed the Wolves' dominance this season to all the good players next to KAT and Ant. Sabonis doesn't have much really great help other than Fox, and I don't think Fox has been all that great this year either.