David Kahn 1500 ESPN interview (Merged)

[Krapinsky]

Supposedly he's going to say Beasley smoked too much pot in Miami and will address the Webber interview. Should be good stuff.

http://www.1500espn.com/structurefiles/ ... _popup.php

[Saltine]

LOL
http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Kahn_say ... ng_anymore

Rumors about Michael Beasley's drug use dogged him during his two disappointing seasons with the Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn didn't overlook the issue when he traded for Beasley earlier this month.

But Kahn continues to speak highly of the former No. 2 overall pick's potential -- in part because Beasley has assured him he's done with dope.

"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.

"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? 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.

"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."

The full interview also will be posted to the "Reusse & Mackey" show page later this afternoon.

[funkatron101]

Kahn speaks too much.

[EddyCool]

Kahn speaks too much.

[Vega06]

LOL @ Kahn calling Webber a schmuck

[Krapinsky]

Re roster -- Doesn't know if he's done yet. Needs more pruning -- PG spot. Nothing substantial though.

Re Pekovic -- He sounds pretty excited about Pekovic. Says he'lll be signed any moment now. Calls him a brute that looks to hit people. Says he'll have to adjust to not setting illegal screens since they don't call them in europe.

Re Johnny's hip -- not comfortable talking about it yet, says some bs about medical privacy. Says he expects him to be available next season and be in training camp.

Re style of play -- want's to play like 80's showtime Lakers (Rambis' team); says Rubio will be very important to this. Doesn't want to play like D'antoni. Didn't like how offense had to run through Al every time out. Thought it wasn't fun too watch.

Re Al trade -- didn't think there was a better deal coming along. Thinks people should wait to see what the does with cap space before evaluating Al trade, but shouldn't discount the picks we got.

Re Beasley and his "baggage" -- baggage isn't like Rider's, not criminal in nature. baggage isn't like McCants who has psychological issues. His problem was he smoked too much pot and he says he no longer does. At only 21, Kahn is optimistic Beasley will simply grow out of it.

Re Ridnoour -- thinks it critical to have veteran leaders on the floor playing steady minutes, not just in the locker room from the bench like Cardinal and Wilkins, who were helpful in that role last year.

Re Webber -- "He's kind of a schmuck" -- big laughs. Thinks he had an agenda before interview that he got from McHale (although he didn't say McHale). Stands by his comment that Webber's career didn't take off until he got to Sacramento -- became a winner and a team leader for the first time.

Re Sessions -- he can move him if he wants to, there's a market for him.

[moss_is_1]

Damn, sucks I missed it. Kahn is right about Beasley though, some people just aren't that mature at 21. He should be though, I know I'm 21 and have matured since having my daughter, but has his 2nd child on the way now. Of course, I don't have millions of dollars to do whatever I want either. I really hope Beasley can fulfill his potential for us.

[C.lupus]

Random thoughts:

I kind of wish he would have handled the Webber question differently, although I did laugh.

Pekovic being taught by Laimbeer is going to be quite interesting.

I love the fact that they are using showtime Lakers as their model (as opposed to PHX). We certainly don't have near the talent but I think that is a nice team to emulate. A little showtime with some DET badboy thrown in.

I'm concerned about Flynn now.

[funkatron101]

Yeah, the schmuck comment ain't gonna go over too well.

[C.lupus]

I also think getting out of south beach might be a great move for Beasley - if he embraces it.

[Saltine]

I thought it was apt, Webber is a dick. Schmuck was very kind. I am saying that as someone with personal experience with Webber, and Isaiah Rider, back in the day.

You should be able to download the interview over here;
http://1500espn.com/shows/reusse

You want hour 2, it isn't up yet.

[Calinks]

Damn man. Kahn, really, shut your freaking mouth! The guy us going to start tossing people under left and right. As a great man once said, know your role and shut your mouth.

[The J Rocka]

Kahn is making our team look bad with all this chatter, he needs to stop feeding the media & espn.

[funkatron101]

Perhaps we should merge these threads?

[Worm Guts]

O noze, now the cops will be after him.

The comment made me wince a little, but probably will have no repercussions.

[funkatron101]

It will to the media at least. They eat this **** up.

[C.lupus]

He does need to stop talking as much but he's a lawyer who likes to hear himself speak, so what are you gonna do? He is who he is. As for this, I don't think it's bad in context. All he was saying was Beasley was and still is a little immature but he's maturing and will continue to mature. I mean the guy DID smoke too much pot in Miami. I don't think anyone will dispute that.

[C.lupus]

Perhaps we should merge these threads?

good idea.

[Esohny]

Putting aside the logic of his moves, I have to agree with everyone who wishes that Kahn would learn when to stop flapping his gums.

[prefuse73]

Disagree. Him talking and making some controversial statements is fine by me. He is trying to stir up interest around the t-wolves so people pay attention when they start making good on all this and win some games.

I just don't mind I guess. I think he just standing up for the team and for his decisions.