The official Walker Kessler thread

[Slim Tubby]

I was just quoting Klomp, ask him.

Time will tell who is right. My money is on me.,

People seem to think racism rules don't apply when it comes to the NBA. It pisses me off. Judge not by the color of my skin, but by the content of my skill. I mentioned him being White in a post in the context of people making negative assumptions of him. You stated he was white then went on to make negative assumptions about him that were almost all wrong.

Spare us all the white racism card. Oh the poor talk white NBA’ers! Such victims of racism with internet scouting bias! Are you honestly for real? People suffer from actual racism in this world, and this kind of both sides thinking is what is actually harmful. To think this actually pisses you off says way more about you.

These are not ‘negative assumptions’ The fact is that compared to most NBA centers he is less athletic, he is not a great leaper, has poor lateral quickness, lacks discipline, bites on pump fakes, very poor shooter, very bad passer, and is turnover prone in the post. I actually LOL’d by the video highlights of him dunking. Only to see him playing a one man volleyball game reminiscent of Kevin Love. Yes, he is able to gather and dunk when he has enough space, but for the most part he’s not paying above the rim. It’s a fact that his coach thought he was prone to being too stiff and lumbering, and so Pearl would tell him to act like a PF out there.

I will say he has good timing and instincts— he has to make up for his lack of athleticism. He also know his limitations and role—doesn’t try to do too much.

But I don’t see the upside. If everything works out for him I think he becomes a back up 15 minute per game player. I think it’s more likely he just doesn’t make it at all—which, if we’re playing odds is more likely than not given he was taken #22.

I’m going out on a long limb here but my guess is you don’t care for Kessler.


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[karch34]

Let me ask this:

Is this pick considered a miss if Towns and Kessler don’t share the floor regularly? Towns has averaged 33-37 MPG, and is particularly healthy for a big man, rarely missing games. If Kessler is exclusively a back up, is this too big an investment? Or does this indicate Finch plans to play Karl as a PF more this season?

I don’t think it’s likely they play together that much. In my mind this is getting size for certain match ups without overpaying in the free agent or trade markets. It’s only a miss if he can’t rebound or block shots.

[Klomp]

I say yes, especially with three 2nds you shouldn't hunt players that have roll player ceilings. But as things broke we would have needed to move up in the 2nd from 40 to fill the roll you hope Kessler fills.

Personally I think we as per usual had the players come off the board leaving us with a tier of player that would have questions regardless and no immediately apparent win was possible.

I think that's an okay philosophy in the lottery. But in the late 1st you should be just trying to not miss. I feel like a few years ago your philosophy would lead Toronto to draft Skal Labissiere over Pascal Siakam. Or what led Brooklyn to draft Marshon Brooks over Jimmy Butler. Or the Nets drafting Marcus Williams over Kyle Lowry.

[Klomp]

Interesting thought: Kessler is comparable to Naz Reid in that they both had absurdly high body fat percentages at the combine. As Kessler improves his eating habits as a professional, what body transformations could we see?

[KGdaBom]

Interesting thought: Kessler is comparable to Naz Reid in that they both had absurdly high body fat percentages at the combine. As Kessler improves his eating habits as a professional, what body transformations could we see?

Really? He sure doesn't look that way. All I know about Kessler is he got so good because of obviously his size, but also his eating, breathing and sleeping basketball.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

Interesting thought: Kessler is comparable to Naz Reid in that they both had absurdly high body fat percentages at the combine. As Kessler improves his eating habits as a professional, what body transformations could we see?

Really? He sure doesn't look that way. All I know about Kessler is he got so good because of obviously his size, but also his eating, breathing and sleeping basketball.

14.7% (Reid's was 14.0%)

[MagDag]

Guys, one question. Is Poetl better athlete than Kessler? Let me explain. Poetl is considered one of the best defensive minded bigs in NBA. But what makes him a good defender? Size? Athleticism? Defensive scheme? Quality defenders on perimeter? Can we somehow project Kessler role in NBA based on Poetl situation?

P.S. Also it was rumoured that Poetl was available for trade. I wonder what SAS were asking for him.

I think Kessler is going to be much better defensively, he has this sense of moment that Towns doesn't have like being caught on false throws all the time, Kessler can jump on his feet and block all day, Rudy Gobert has similar skills

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

Everybody who actually watches him play with an open mind realizes he moves quite well for a 7 footer. Sure he doesn't move as well as most wings and guards, but they don't have 7'5" wingspan and over 9' standing reach. That compensates very nicely. He can block just about anybody from behind without fouling.

[KGdaBom]

Interesting thought: Kessler is comparable to Naz Reid in that they both had absurdly high body fat percentages at the combine. As Kessler improves his eating habits as a professional, what body transformations could we see?

Really? He sure doesn't look that way. All I know about Kessler is he got so good because of obviously his size, but also his eating, breathing and sleeping basketball.

14.7% (Reid's was 14.0%)

Simply by looking at him Reid was clearly pudgy when we signed him. Looking at him now he is obviously in much better shape.

Simply by looking at Kessler I would have never guessed. Great he can get even quicker and better.

[KGdaBom]

I've created a Walker Kessler nickname poll. 4 options.
Walker Kessler Ranger
Walker Wall
Blocker Kessler
Other.

[Slim Tubby]

I've created a Walker Kessler nickname poll. 4 options.
Walker Kessler Ranger
Walker Wall
Blocker Kessler
Other.

Krapinsky would call him The Walker Dead.


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[KGdaBom]

I've created a Walker Kessler nickname poll. 4 options.
Walker Kessler Ranger
Walker Wall
Blocker Kessler
Other.

Krapinsky would call him The Walker Dead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL I should have had that in the choices. Can I add it now?

[minimus]

Interesting thought: Kessler is comparable to Naz Reid in that they both had absurdly high body fat percentages at the combine. As Kessler improves his eating habits as a professional, what body transformations could we see?

Really? He sure doesn't look that way. All I know about Kessler is he got so good because of obviously his size, but also his eating, breathing and sleeping basketball.

14.7% (Reid's was 14.0%)

OMG! He must work of his body! I don't care about his three point shot, just improve conditioning and stamina.

P.S. I know the recipe of success: make Kessler work whole off-season with coach and diet doctor who helped Reid, next year bring here Love for vetmin and make him Kessler shooting coach and mentor

[Dewey]

Let me ask this:

Is this pick considered a miss if Towns and Kessler don’t share the floor regularly? Towns has averaged 33-37 MPG, and is particularly healthy for a big man, rarely missing games. If Kessler is exclusively a back up, is this too big an investment? Or does this indicate Finch plans to play Karl as a PF more this season?

I don’t think it’s likely they play together that much. In my mind this is getting size for certain match ups without overpaying in the free agent or trade markets. It’s only a miss if he can’t rebound or block shots.

I this is on track… that’s the nuts and bolts of filling some critical team needs, and to be successful, he will need to do it efficiently and without being a hack. Who he plays with will be determined

[winforlose]

Let me ask this:

Is this pick considered a miss if Towns and Kessler don’t share the floor regularly? Towns has averaged 33-37 MPG, and is particularly healthy for a big man, rarely missing games. If Kessler is exclusively a back up, is this too big an investment? Or does this indicate Finch plans to play Karl as a PF more this season?

I don’t think it’s likely they play together that much. In my mind this is getting size for certain match ups without overpaying in the free agent or trade markets. It’s only a miss if he can’t rebound or block shots.

I this is on track… that’s the nuts and bolts of filling some critical team needs, and to be successful, he will need to do it efficiently and without being a hack. Who he plays with will be determined

I think the flaw in this argument is that it fails to address the flaw in the scheme. The only way Kessler stays a backup is if we bring in a legit big at either PF or C who can play next to KAT. Moreover. Finch kept talking about not having the size to do things like defend the paint and rebound. I seriously doubt he squanders it when he finally gets it. Some people talked about Naz moving to the 4 with Kessler at the 5, (I like this idea as I have been campaigning for Naz to the 4 for over a year.) I could see this happening as Finch played either Knight or Naz with Monroe for brief spurts during the Covid catastrophe last year. Either way, I doubt we willing choose to keep playing small ball.

[Nick K]

I don’t think it’s likely they play together that much. In my mind this is getting size for certain match ups without overpaying in the free agent or trade markets. It’s only a miss if he can’t rebound or block shots.

I this is on track… that’s the nuts and bolts of filling some critical team needs, and to be successful, he will need to do it efficiently and without being a hack. Who he plays with will be determined

I think the flaw in this argument is that it fails to address the flaw in the scheme. The only way Kessler stays a backup is if we bring in a legit big at either PF or C who can play next to KAT. Moreover. Finch kept talking about not having the size to do things like defend the paint and rebound. I seriously doubt he squanders it when he finally gets it. Some people talked about Naz moving to the 4 with Kessler at the 5, (I like this idea as I have been campaigning for Naz to the 4 for over a year.) I could see this happening as Finch played either Knight or Naz with Monroe for brief spurts during the Covid catastrophe last year. Either way, I doubt we willing choose to keep playing small ball.

I can't help to think that Naz won't be here long. I've been a big fan since we got him but I'm seeing his limitations. He plays small for his size and is a poor rebounder. No block outs what so ever. And he falls in love with the 3 way too much. I don't know, I think we can do better.

[KGdaBom]

I don’t think it’s likely they play together that much. In my mind this is getting size for certain match ups without overpaying in the free agent or trade markets. It’s only a miss if he can’t rebound or block shots.

I this is on track… that’s the nuts and bolts of filling some critical team needs, and to be successful, he will need to do it efficiently and without being a hack. Who he plays with will be determined

I think the flaw in this argument is that it fails to address the flaw in the scheme. The only way Kessler stays a backup is if we bring in a legit big at either PF or C who can play next to KAT. Moreover. Finch kept talking about not having the size to do things like defend the paint and rebound. I seriously doubt he squanders it when he finally gets it. Some people talked about Naz moving to the 4 with Kessler at the 5, (I like this idea as I have been campaigning for Naz to the 4 for over a year.) I could see this happening as Finch played either Knight or Naz with Monroe for brief spurts during the Covid catastrophe last year. Either way, I doubt we willing choose to keep playing small ball.

If I never see the Wolves play small ball again it will still be too soon for me. I get nightmares just thinking about it.

[Krapinsky]

Read on Twitter

Everybody who actually watches him play with an open mind realizes he moves quite well for a 7 footer. Sure he doesn't move as well as most wings and guards, but they don't have 7'5" wingspan and over 9' standing reach. That compensates very nicely. He can block just about anybody from behind without fouling.

Watch the weaknesses breakdown in this video, in which his poor lateral quickness is shown.

Watch on YouTube

Then again, maybe this YouTube poster is just racist and showing clips on negative stereotypical assumptions?

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

Everybody who actually watches him play with an open mind realizes he moves quite well for a 7 footer. Sure he doesn't move as well as most wings and guards, but they don't have 7'5" wingspan and over 9' standing reach. That compensates very nicely. He can block just about anybody from behind without fouling.

Watch the weaknesses breakdown in this video, in which his poor lateral quickness is shown.

Watch on YouTube

Then again, maybe this YouTube poster is just racist and showing clips on negative stereotypical assumptions?

I watched every second of that video closely. I saw a lot of great plays with very good mobility for a 7' 256 pound center and I saw a couple times a guard drove past him. I also saw him make a few turnovers. After watching your own cherry picked video I come away even more convinced of his good lateral quickness. I'm not sure about the TO prone thing. I didn't hear the YouTuber make any racist sounding comments, but he barely said anything at all.