David Kahn 1500 ESPN interview (Merged)

[Rolf]

So the NBA declines to even investigate possible tampering and collusion charges in the Miami situation, but feel it's neccesary to fine Kahn and the Wolves 100K for commenting on a well documented, publicly acknowledged substance abuse issue from nearly a year ago? Oh and by the way the comment was commending the player in question for maturing past that stage in his life?... There was literally nothing in that part of the conversation Kahn had with espn that even caused me to raise an eyebrow. Sometimes I think Stern needs to wake up and realize he's not running a G or PG rated brand of entertainment. Most NBA fans are mature and sophisticated enough to deal with the realities of the league Kahn was discussing in stride.

[Krapinsky]

If Al was an alcoholic, entered the NBA's substance abuse program, received treatment, and confidentially admitted he had a drinking problem, only to later have Jerry SLoan say he drank too much in Minnesota, then yeah he would probably get fined.

I don't agree with the fine in this instance, but I understand the need for confidentiality for substance abuse issues.

But why would it be ok in Al's current situation? Just because it's not a big problem for him? But if it actually becomes a serious issue then you can't say that it is? I'm just having troubles figuring out what it is that makes saying this wrong.

Al didn't go through the NBA's treatment program, Beasley did. Supposedly Kahn's comments violated a strict confidentiality policy related thereto. If it's for conduct unrelated to the treatment program than those rules would not apply.

[Krapinsky]

So the NBA declines to even investigate possible tampering and collusion charges in the Miami situation, but feel it's neccesary to fine Kahn and the Wolves 100K for commenting on a well documented, publicly acknowledged substance abuse issue from nearly a year ago? Oh and by the way the comment was commending the player in question for maturing past that stage in his life?... There was literally nothing in that part of the conversation Kahn had with espn that even caused me to raise an eyebrow. Sometimes I think Stern needs to wake up and realize he's not running a G or PG rated brand of entertainment. Most NBA fans are mature and sophisticated enough to deal with the realities of the league Kahn was discussing in stride.

One is good for business/image management the other is not.

[younggunsmn]

"He's a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he's not smoking anymore, and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case," Kahn said this morning, during an interview that will air at 1:40 p.m. on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.

I think the NBA's substance abuse policy has a clause somewhere invoking confidentiality for the details of violation of said policy and/or treatment for substance abuse. Violating that would be what got Kahn fined. As a lawyer and supposed CBA expert Kahn should have known that.

The difference between Al and Beasley is that Al broke a law, and MN and Utah are allowed to speak about him breaking a law (the DWI). If Khan went on the air and called Al an alcoholic and Al was in treatment for it he'd probably get fined.

The use of the words "Immature" and "Kid" are also not the kind of patronizing things you say publicly if you want a good relationship with your new acquisition, even if they are true. A few different word choices mean tons. If he simply said "He's a talentedyoung man who has had some personal issues in the past. He has assured me that they are behind him, and I take him at his word", he could have said the same thing and built trust with Beasley at the same time.

So much of good GM'ing involves trust. With players, agents, coaches, and other GM's. Publicly airing personal issues, trade offers, and the like hurts your credibility, an area where, as someone who hasn't played or coached, Kahn is already starting with a disadvantage. I know as fans we love candor, but that candor often runs at cross purposes to being a successful GM.

"He has developed a really good support system around him this past season in Miami. He's hired people to help him grow up. He is growing up -- he's not grown up. He's 21 ... and he just turned 21 last January, and if you think back, as I do all the time, to when I was 21 and if you had given me this kind of money and put me in this kind of world with these kinds of pressures attached to it and some of the demands, I don't know (that) I would have handled it any easier than, say, he has."

"I think that if Michael was 25 or 26, maybe I would have felt differently about things. But I feel very strongly that some of these kids simply deserve the opportunity to make mistakes and grow up. The issue is, will they learn from their mistakes? Will they grow from them? [u]In Michael's case, there's no evidence yet to suggest he won't, meaning that he should be able to grow from these mistakes.

There is nothing wrong itself with the quote. The problem is that Kahn shouldn't presume to be speaking for Beasley, or make excuses or apologies for him. These are things Beasley, with help from his agent, has a right to explain for himself.

"So far, so good by the way. He had a very issue-free season last season in Miami. So, we expect more of the same with us. We're very cognizant that we, too, as a club have to help him with some resources and make certain that we've got everything there to help him continue to grow. But I think it's going to be fine, and he's an incredible talent, and for us to be able to land him for ... two second-round picks -- that's the kind of risk that I'll take any day of the week."

This is good. These are the things a GM is supposed to talk about. Team resources, talent, transactions. Not in depth about personal issues.

Kahn's biggest problem in dealing with the media is that he keeps speaking for other people, putting words in their mouths. Every time he starts a sentence with: "And as (insert name) would tell you", or something similar, I cringe. Especially when that person is sitting next to you and can speak for themselves. It's really patronizing, and he does it all the time with his players. He did it with webber, divac, beasley (presser), and many other times. He needs to stick to speaking from management's perspective and let the players and coaches speak for themselves.

Webber didn't get pissed until he started putting words in Webber's mouth about what his early career was like, instead of leading him with a question like "do you have any advice for young players on how to handle wealth and fame at such a young age?" Webber's early career had some embarrassing personal issues, and it obviously struck a nerve.

Webber is extremely green as a commentator, not terribly gifted. But Kahn didn't help himself at all by sticking his foot in his mouth speaking for Vlade and Webber. Maybe Webber is a schmuck. Calling him one on air isn't going to help Kahn or the team at all, not with the press or the fans.

I can understand Taylor putting a lot of pressure on him to win, and especially put butts in the seats. This is the guy who fired Flip a few months after a run to the Conference Finals. Part of me suspects Taylor ordered Kahn to trade Al.

But generating so much negative press isn't the way to sell tickets. Winning, and putting the players and coaches front and center is the only way to do that. Like the Twins have done with their player-centric ads the past 10 years. It's really hard to develop a local fan following for your players when you are changing half the roster every year. Hopefully one or more of these young guys blow up, and Ricky comes over and tears the league up. Then we'd have something we haven't had since KG & Marbury: 2 legitimate young stars to cheer for.

[funkatron101]

Kahn's biggest problem in dealing with the media is that he keeps speaking for other people, putting words in their mouths. Every time he starts a sentence with: "And as (insert name) would tell you", or something similar, I cringe. Especially when that person is sitting next to you and can speak for themselves. It's really patronizing, and he does it all the time with his players. He did it with webber, divac, beasley (presser), and many other times. He needs to stick to speaking from management's perspective and let the players and coaches speak for themselves.

Webber didn't get pissed until he started putting words in Webber's mouth about what his early career was like, instead of leading him with a question like "do you have any advice for young players on how to handle wealth and fame at such a young age?" Webber's early career had some embarrassing personal issues, and it obviously struck a nerve.

Webber is extremely green as a commentator, not terribly gifted. But Kahn didn't help himself at all by sticking his foot in his mouth speaking for Vlade and Webber. Maybe Webber is a schmuck. Calling him one on air isn't going to help Kahn or the team at all, not with the press or the fans.

I can understand Taylor putting a lot of pressure on him to win, and especially put butts in the seats. This is the guy who fired Flip a few months after a run to the Conference Finals. Part of me suspects Taylor ordered Kahn to trade Al.

But generating so much negative press isn't the way to sell tickets. Winning, and putting the players and coaches front and center is the only way to do that. Like the Twins have done with their player-centric ads the past 10 years. It's really hard to develop a local fan following for your players when you are changing half the roster every year. Hopefully one or more of these young guys blow up, and Ricky comes over and tears the league up. Then we'd have something we haven't had since KG & Marbury: 2 legitimate young stars to cheer for.

This echoes my feelings perfectly.