Kalk-Blocked: The Ryan Kalkbrenner Thread

[Diop]

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this is pretty extraordinary, so good to finally have some draft "luck"

[wilson115]

Dude is **** good

I’d like to see him try to stretch the floor though. He did in college and I think it’d open up a lot more for him.

Here he is at the combine, maybe work on speeding up that release? Shooting 71.4% FTs so he's no bricklayer.

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[Diop]

if I saw someone shooting like that in Highschool, I would have thought they were an absolute gun.

Shows how elite the NBA is

[Hornet Mania]

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this is pretty extraordinary, so good to finally have some draft "luck"

Defending the rim without fouling was an elite skill for him in college, it was only a question of whether that would translate to the pros. I'm thrilled it has because it means he's going to have a solid career.

[wilson115]

16 blocks in the last 4 games for Kalk. All-Defensive team as a rookie?

[MPM]

16 blocks in the last 4 games for Kalk. All-Defensive team as a rookie?

Currently 2nd in the league in blocks behind Wemby.

[Bassman]

Kale is doing a lot of good out there, but easy on the excitement throttle folks. He’s getting pushed around a lot by stronger bigs, his rebounding is good but not great, still not dependable with any form of jumper, and despite having good hands, seems to be putting out fumble turnovers under pressure from defenders. I really like him, and think he’s a keeper. Just not confident there is much more ceiling beyond current production.

[Liver_Pooty]

Kale is doing a lot of good out there, but easy on the excitement throttle folks. He’s getting pushed around a lot by stronger bigs, his rebounding is good but not great, still not dependable with any form of jumper, and despite having good hands, seems to be putting out fumble turnovers under pressure from defenders. I really like him, and think he’s a keeper. Just not confident there is much more ceiling beyond current production.

I think he has a little more ceiling. Hes going to get stronger and more used to the nba game. For where we drafted him he’s damn near been amazing.

[Trey24]

Kale is doing a lot of good out there, but easy on the excitement throttle folks. He’s getting pushed around a lot by stronger bigs, his rebounding is good but not great, still not dependable with any form of jumper, and despite having good hands, seems to be putting out fumble turnovers under pressure from defenders. I really like him, and think he’s a keeper. Just not confident there is much more ceiling beyond current production.

I think he has a little more ceiling. Hes going to get stronger and more used to the nba game. For where we drafted him he’s damn near been amazing.

He has a back to the basket game that we really have not used yet

[JDR720]

He could use some strength, but the tools and skills are there to be a 15/8/3 block level starting center.

Some sort of Kessler with more offensive skill is a reasonable comp. A max ceiling of Brook Lopez with less offense if he starts shooting 3's at a good percentage.

[Hornet Mania]

I'd pump the brakes on the all-defense talk, he still get tossed around by stronger guys, but I think he can get there someday.

Like Sion he's surpassed expectations by fitting in well in and I'm excited to see how far he can expand his role from here.

[Diop]

The fact he’s no 2 on the bpg list is ridiculous to me.

Who the hell would have picked that when we drafted him??

[wilson115]

"BAD IDEA"

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[JustBuzzin]

We crushed this draft.

Made up for that awful Salaun pick last year.

[Chapelchilla]

We crushed this draft.

Made up for that awful Salaun pick last year.

Yeah, it is even better than I had hoped. Likeable dudes who can really play too. Hmm.

[dmutombo321]

Finally gave him a couple post looks which he easily converted with hook shots, including one where scion recognized he had deep position on a mismatch after a switch. More of that please..easy high percentage offense.

Sent from my motorola edge (2021) using RealGM mobile app

[Bassman]

Kalk just keeps surprising me nearly every game. Last night was his best so far, and playing against a vet like Turner. Agree on getting him more looks down low…he finishes at such a high rate. Biggest challenge is to get even stronger so the bulk bodies don’t grind him out of his spots. Also find some mid range shooting, or go to moves to expand his offense.

Kalk has to be the most efficient scoring center in the league. Combine that with his defense/shot blocking, and he’s a heck of a rookie player for a second round pick. Moose is low efficiency but an effective rebounder and defender most nights. He still gets scrubbed out by larger strong 5’s. But the two of them together make for pretty good returns at that position. I was screaming for a trade, concerned our center position would be a disaster. Wrong. It’s really our other bigs (or lack thereof) and forever injuries hurting us the most.

[NMBSurfin]

Most Blocks Among Rookies In The 2025-26 NBA Regular Season :

Ryan Kalkbrenner — 26

Moussa Cisse — 11

Cooper Flagg — 9

Derik Queen — 6

Tre Johnson — 6

Cedric Coward — 5

Collin Murray-Boyles — 5

VJ Edgecombe — 5

Sion James — 4

[amcoolio]

No matter how you spin it, shooting 82% on 10ppg as a rookie 11 games in the season is pretty elite and a good indicator for his future in the NBA. How many years have we longed for a center that can catch the ball inside and finish. Nevermind the fact he's 2nd in the NBA in blocks, hasn't missed a game/isn't injury prone, and doesn't seem to foul.

[fatlever]

The Lakers game is really the only game I can think of off the top of my head where he just got played off the floor. The deep drop coverage just doesn't work against someone like luka. Are there other games this season where he just got played off the floor? I'm trying to remember. I'm sure I'm missing a few.