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Now that the dust has settled, how we feeling?!

I do think it's important to point out that Walker is a way better athlete than most believe. Kessler was also a top-25 five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American. He's not some late bloomer or small school sensation. He's dominated at the highest level of basketball (AAU, ACC, SEC) throughout his playing days.

Makes more sense to draft him and have him be a gobert/Cappella lite then spend a bunch of assets where all the above probably won't be able to play in meaningful playoff games

NebWolvesFan wrote:I do think it's important to point out that Walker is a way better athlete than most believe. Kessler was also a top-25 five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American. He's not some late bloomer or small school sensation. He's dominated at the highest level of basketball (AAU, ACC, SEC) throughout his playing days.

Great lineage too!

Grandfather: Played three seasons at the University of Minnesota (1960-63)
Father: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (1983-87), 93rd overall pick in 1987
Uncle: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (1987-90), 12th overall pick in 1990 (played four seasons)
Brother: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (2013-17)

Klomp wrote:

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Now that the dust has settled, how we feeling?!

I was feeling good before the dust settled, but now that it has I'm feeling even better. Go Wolves. By the way I thought about opening this thread a little before you actually did.

Klomp wrote:

NebWolvesFan wrote:I do think it's important to point out that Walker is a way better athlete than most believe. Kessler was also a top-25 five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American. He's not some late bloomer or small school sensation. He's dominated at the highest level of basketball (AAU, ACC, SEC) throughout his playing days.

Great lineage too!

Grandfather: Played three seasons at the University of Minnesota (1960-63)
Father: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (1983-87), 93rd overall pick in 1987
Uncle: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (1987-90), 12th overall pick in 1990 (played four seasons)
Brother: Played four seasons at University of Georgia (2013-17)

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Good vid. Thanks.

We've been begging for someone with size for a LONG time!

Klomp wrote:

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We've been begging for someone with size for a LONG time!

The really cool thing is he has that size, but doesn't look like a freak. It seems natural on him. I also like the weight. A slender 256 pounds.

Kats body is going to thank walker for taking on some of his old tasks game in, game out.


Just block shots and get rebounds dude. Literally all you need to do

I think the sticker shock of “big white guy” really hit the fan base hard (look no further than the guy here who tried to compare him to Paul Grant). I get the skepticism, but also listening to interviews the past few weeks I think he’s exactly what the staff wanted.

D1SGRUNTL3D wrote:Kats body is going to thank walker for taking on some of his old tasks game in, game out.


Just block shots and get rebounds dude. Literally all you need to do

Mostly agree, but add Dunk the Freaking Ball.

As I said last night I like the pick of Kessler at 22, but I will like it even more once he is part of the trade package to Utah that gets Twolves Rudy Gobert.

Get it done.

So, what will it take for him to not be a liability in playoffs? People point to perimeter defense, but if Kessler ends up 35% 3pt. And still shutting down paint and boarding, why wouldn't you play him?

An A+ grade for the pick and some good commentary. They called him a modern traditional big man. I like it.

Klomp wrote:I think the sticker shock of “big white guy” really hit the fan base hard (look no further than the guy here who tried to compare him to Paul Grant). I get the skepticism, but also listening to interviews the past few weeks I think he’s exactly what the staff wanted.

That was Krapinsky - lets put him on blast! I've decided my fave comparison is Hassan Whiteside - slightly worse physical gifts, but better B-ball IQ and instincts. College block percentage and rebound rate almost identical. Kessler has better assist numbers and scoring efficiency; part of that could just be much better teammates and coaching, but also I think he just has a better grasp for the game.

I think his size and instincts give him a solid floor though. He plays big. He's not like a Luke Kornet where he can't help but get some blocks because of his physical stature. He seems to be able to take full advantage of his frame.

I don't know how much offensive potential he has, but I think I'll be surprised if he doesn't attain around a Jakob Poeltl level of overall value, which is reasonable. Probably a better rim defender than Poeltl, but maybe a little less ability to go to work offensively. We'll see. And I'm still holding out hope that he'll be able to establish a jumper.