FIBA World Cup Discussion (Aug. 25-Sep. 10)

[BlacJacMac]

A few observations from the first day of the FIBA World Cup.
- Spagnolo is not close to being NBA ready. He struggled to handle ball pressure.
- KAT didn't seem like he had all that great a game and still put up 26 and 10. The international refs gave KAT a lot of calls when he drove to the basket, something the NBA refs too often don't. It makes me wonder if it's a lack of built-up bias against KAT or just the way the international games are called.
- NAW's defense and shooting are real, but his playmaking needs work. He often gets in trouble when he tries to make difficult passes in traffic.
- Gobert was fine, but France got smoked. One thing remains true, the only time Rudy should get the ball in the post is if he's close enough to dunk it.

Agreed.

He's a SG with some secondary playmaking ability, but people that want him to be the "PG of the future" are probably going to be disappointed when it doesn't happen.

That said, I think he'll also be able to play some minutes in the backcourt with Ant, but there will be times we need a real PG in there when things start stagnating.

[Calinks]

A few observations from the first day of the FIBA World Cup.
- Spagnolo is not close to being NBA ready. He struggled to handle ball pressure.
- KAT didn't seem like he had all that great a game and still put up 26 and 10. The international refs gave KAT a lot of calls when he drove to the basket, something the NBA refs too often don't. It makes me wonder if it's a lack of built-up bias against KAT or just the way the international games are called.
- NAW's defense and shooting are real, but his playmaking needs work. He often gets in trouble when he tries to make difficult passes in traffic.
- Gobert was fine, but France got smoked. One thing remains true, the only time Rudy should get the ball in the post is if he's close enough to dunk it.

I think Towns gets screwd on a ton of calls. I think like 30 percent of that is because he plays for the wolves who suck and 40 percent of that is because he whines and the refs are sick and tired of him being a baby. Another reason why I hate how he behaves with the officials. He really should be getting more calls, as should Ant but we don't. Hopefully if the team gets a lot better we will get a better whistle.

I agree with the people who say KAT needs to jack up like 8 threes a game next season. He needs to let it fly like crazy. Basically pull a Beasley.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Tough night.
France was terrible, unfortunatly not unexpected. When your best offensive player is Fournier, you can worry...

On Minny side, NAW was good averall. Good defense, hit some 3, struggle a bit at passing but he was there. Good 1st game for him.

I would not say the same about Rudy. Rudy was the Rudy minny got ( before Mike join....). akward, not involved in offense and not much efficient in defense ( got 2 early fouls which does not help). Let Canada getting a lot of offensive rebound.... a night to forget. Hopefully it was just a bad night as the rest of the team.

[Klomp]

A few observations from the first day of the FIBA World Cup.
- Spagnolo is not close to being NBA ready. He struggled to handle ball pressure.
- KAT didn't seem like he had all that great a game and still put up 26 and 10. The international refs gave KAT a lot of calls when he drove to the basket, something the NBA refs too often don't. It makes me wonder if it's a lack of built-up bias against KAT or just the way the international games are called.
- NAW's defense and shooting are real, but his playmaking needs work. He often gets in trouble when he tries to make difficult passes in traffic.
- Gobert was fine, but France got smoked. One thing remains true, the only time Rudy should get the ball in the post is if he's close enough to dunk it.

Agreed.

He's a SG with some secondary playmaking ability, but people that want him to be the "PG of the future" are probably going to be disappointed when it doesn't happen.

That said, I think he'll also be able to play some minutes in the backcourt with Ant, but there will be times we need a real PG in there when things start stagnating.

It's not so much we think he's the PG of the future, but we think he can do enough playmaking to share a starting backcourt with Edwards. We probably don't need a Steve Nash or Ricky Rubio at PG.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Rudy ITW after game reflect well the disaster. '' we go our ass k..... and on a personal level, i was totally non-existent....'' . Hopefully it's a wake up call and tomorrow they come and fight hard.

[BlacJacMac]

A few observations from the first day of the FIBA World Cup.
- Spagnolo is not close to being NBA ready. He struggled to handle ball pressure.
- KAT didn't seem like he had all that great a game and still put up 26 and 10. The international refs gave KAT a lot of calls when he drove to the basket, something the NBA refs too often don't. It makes me wonder if it's a lack of built-up bias against KAT or just the way the international games are called.
- NAW's defense and shooting are real, but his playmaking needs work. He often gets in trouble when he tries to make difficult passes in traffic.
- Gobert was fine, but France got smoked. One thing remains true, the only time Rudy should get the ball in the post is if he's close enough to dunk it.

Agreed.

He's a SG with some secondary playmaking ability, but people that want him to be the "PG of the future" are probably going to be disappointed when it doesn't happen.

That said, I think he'll also be able to play some minutes in the backcourt with Ant, but there will be times we need a real PG in there when things start stagnating.

It's not so much we think he's the PG of the future, but we think he can do enough playmaking to share a starting backcourt with Edwards. We probably don't need a Steve Nash or Ricky Rubio at PG.

I still think starting might be a reach. Unless Ant really improves as a passer/decision maker.

We see it it too often in Boston, where they have two guys who are really good scorers, but not great at creating offense for others. It works until it doesn’t and then they stagnate as they basically take turns trying to score.

[KGdaBom]

Rudy ITW after game reflect well the disaster. '' we go our ass k..... and on a personal level, i was totally non-existent....'' . Hopefully it's a wake up call and tomorrow they come and fight hard.

I always cheer for Rudy, so I'm cheering for France.

[shrink]

Ant’s been pretty inconsistent in the first half.

(Games on ESPN2, for anyone looking for it)

[Calinks]

Ant’s been pretty inconsistent in the first half.

(Games on ESPN2, for anyone looking for it)

Yea bad game from Ant today. As amazing as he can be, I still worry about his consistency. Even last season he had plenty of off games, including the play in games.

That's why I'm still not 100 percent on board with moving KAT and would be against it if it wasn't for the cap situation and the Gobert trade screwing us up financially. Except for the playoffs, KAT has been like 90 percent reliable. In the regular season you could put him down in ink for 20 and 10. That's extremely valuable. You know he would deliver no matter if you were playing the defending champs or some bums from a rec league.

There are some nights where for whatever reason, Ant just doesn't show up.That's a big problem.

[Klomp]

While his performance was down offensively, he was still contributing in other ways. I know we're past this comparison, but he was the anti-Wiggins leading the team in rebounding today.

[Calinks]

While his performance was down offensively, he was still contributing in other ways. I know we're past this comparison, but he was the anti-Wiggins leading the team in rebounding today.

Yes, he is learning to bring it in some other areas when his offense isn't there, particularly rebounding. Going way back here but Wally was another guy who killed me. When Wally wasn't scoring, he did nothing else. Couldnt grab a board to save his life.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Ant’s been pretty inconsistent in the first half.

(Games on ESPN2, for anyone looking for it)

Yea bad game from Ant today. As amazing as he can be, I still worry about his consistency. Even last season he had plenty of off games, including the play in games.

That's why I'm still not 100 percent on board with moving KAT and would be against it if it wasn't for the cap situation and the Gobert trade screwing us up financially. Except for the playoffs, KAT has been like 90 percent reliable. In the regular season you could put him down in ink for 20 and 10. That's extremely valuable. You know he would deliver no matter if you were playing the defending champs or some bums from a rec league.

There are some nights where for whatever reason, Ant just doesn't show up.That's a big problem.

Totally agree with that. KAT is still our most consistent players with Mike. Ant got the most talent and will be the leader but he still have a lot to learn specially ratio Assist/TO which is still far from good. But he can learn from Mike.
And i would add that i have still a fair amount of doubt on Rudy. If he is physically down ( i start having doubt since few months), he become average player. Game against Canada was terrible, he was slow, did not jump at the right time. All the team was bad so let's see, it may be just a bad night. But however, we need KAT-ANT duo if we wanna win.

[TimberKat]

Rudy ITW after game reflect well the disaster. '' we go our ass k..... and on a personal level, i was totally non-existent....'' . Hopefully it's a wake up call and tomorrow they come and fight hard.

Once down by 20pt, I will expect Rudy to shoot some 3s. What's the point of all those practice videos if you aren't going to do it in real game situations.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Great win from KAT team against Italy. Very solid performance for KAT (24/11/5)... heading to Jakarta center to see France-Latvia later on !

[wolves_89]

KAT had a solid game against Italy. One thing I really liked was that for the most part he didn't force his drives. Italy was using multiple players to ensure that KAT couldn't drive and rather than doing something stupid, KAT was drawing two defenders and then moving the ball (which often led to open shots for teammates). A second promising sign was even when Italy was getting overly physical with him KAT kept his composure.

[minimus]

Yeah, it was really solid game from Towns. Karl needs to keep it simple - let it fly or attack closeout. Italy loaded the nail to stop Towns drives, so he started to kick the ball to the right corner. Karl is kind of too big for FIBA, with his big feet he needs space to operate. I like how he has adjusted and is shooting those long 3s. He is still a little too predictable with his drives, because he only drives right. I also would like to see more those hybrid slow drive with end up as postup a-la Jokic postups.

P.S. And Towns would not be Towns without at least one questionable foul...

[life_saver]

lol France is eliminated...didn't expect that.

[jpatrick]

lol France is eliminated...didn't expect that.

They were a disaster. Rudy. Well. Let’s just say this tournament isn’t helping his perception or trade value.

[Note30]

lol France is eliminated...didn't expect that.

did anyone see why? Saw it was a 2pt game.

[Note30]

lol France is eliminated...didn't expect that.

They were a disaster. Rudy. Well. Let’s just say this tournament isn’t helping his perception or trade value.

did you watch? What happened?