Kahn tell it like it is

[jpatrick]

I wasn't sure if these had been posted yet. Feel free to delete if they have been.

Kahn's an honest SOB, I'll give him that.

Cliff notes: Jefferson and Love are the 2nd and 4th best players on a championship team; Love's ceiling is just below all-star level, we need everything but 4's, doesn't seen to think too highly of Foye; Hinrich not what we're looking for offensively; questions what Thabeet can do offensively and he'll be gone anyway; and Pekovic is not explosive.

http://www.twolvesblog.com/200906102207/minnesota-timberwolves/daily-news/kahn-addresses-season-ticket-holders.html

http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/6/10/904715/bfast-with-the-kahn

[john2jer]

I love the honesty. it also shoots down every insane Hinrich rumor that's been posted. Especially the garbage that Bulls fans have been posting about #6.

As a fan this was amazing to read. For the players though, I can see them being very offended. Especially Foye. I hope Randy takes it as a challenge to get better, and not a slap in the face.

[ritt0093]

Its hard to really argue against Kahn's points. I guess my question is this: If Jefferson is a #2 on a contending team, how many players are true #1s? Additionally, how would he propose acquiring a #1 without lucking out in the draft lottery? (I personally don't see MN as a likely spot for that caliber of a player in Free Agency)

[Esohny]

You mean Dan Barreiro isn't a credible source for what's happening in the Wolves FO?

[Esohny]

Its hard to really argue against Kahn's points. I guess my question is this: If Jefferson is a #2 on a contending team, how many players are true #1s? Additionally, how would he propose acquiring a #1 without lucking out in the draft lottery? (I personally don't see MN as a likely spot for that caliber of a player in Free Agency)

If Jefferson was able to become above average(heck, maybe even a solid average) on defense, I think he'd jump to the #1 guy territory. But you're right, unless NOH or someone got super desperate and had to trade an angry Chris Paul, I don't know that we're going to get a true #1 in trade.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I kind of appreciate his conservative estimation of talent. 2nd and 4th best players on the Lakers this year and Boston last year are Gasol/Bynum or Odom and Pierce/Rondo respectively, so yea, I agree with him. It's better to overshoot the needs than undershoot the needs and realize 5 years from now "oh ****, we still need a #1 option"

[Krapinsky]

Kahn is a badass. I love him. Finally a healthy dose of common sense for this franchise.

[john2jer]

Sounds to me that in his eyes a #1 option is a dynamic perimeter player that can put points on the board.

He's going to start sending out "Visit Minnesota" flyers all around the world to increase our tourism, marketing, and media in order to be an Uber Metropolis and attract LeBron James. Book it.

[Worm Guts]

I agree with everything he said, I just don't think he should have said it.

[shrink]

I fell just short of kissing the guy with this post from the Trade Board

Finally, as you guys on the Trade Board can probably understand if you've read my posts, when the Wolves new GM said that it would take 17 months to turn the team around, I was elated! I've been advocating this position for a long time, sometimes frustrating some legitimately impatient Wolves fans, who've waited a long time to see the wins come. I think MIN needs one more year of rebuilding and collecting assets, retaining the LAC pick, and waiting until 2010 when they can trade the full amount of their perhaps $23 mil in raw space under the cap. My many positions (acquiring unproductive expirings plus future assets for MIN talent and 2009 TPE's, avoiding Hinrich this year, trading Mike Miller, etc) .. all follow a 17 month window. I believe this is the best course of action for the Wolves, and I'm pleased that the new GM seems to agree.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I agree with everything he said, I just don't think he should have said it.

he kind of has to though, those season ticket holders are practically share-holders for the Wolves

[tvwolves7]

I agree with everything he said, I just don't think he should have said it.

Agree. I can only assume player's egos need to be handled with care and to flat out say your our future #2 and #4 guy is not carressing those egos.

Also, I read from Kahn the top 5 ways we will improve are through:

1) The upcoming draft
2) This summer’s free agency
3) Next year’s trade deadline
4) Next year’s draft
5) Next summer’s free agency

It is sad when he states the obvious and I get excited, just because he stated the obvious.

[john2jer]

I agree with everything he said, I just don't think he should have said it.

My point exactly.

[revprodeji]

Interesting that outside of Love/al the only player he has kind things to say about is Bassy as a reserve.

[Devilzsidewalk]

It is sad when he states the obvious and I get excited, just because he stated the obvious.

I get excited too. I don't know why, I guess because when he speaks specifically it makes it sound like we have direction.

[C.lupus]

Yeah it's a sad commentary on the previous state of the franchise that when someone basically says "we will add better players either through the draft, free agency, or trades" that it sounds like a direction.

[AQuintus]

The point he made about Hinrich not being what they're looking for offensively makes me wonder about what he thinks about the Curry at 6 rumors, since Curry certainly isn't a defensive prospect and he would pretty much do the same things as Hinrich on the offensive end (move the ball and spot up for threes).

That statement makes it seem like he might prefer a more ball controlling pure point, a Chris Paul or Deron Williams type.

[Esohny]

Not as big a Curry fan as others, but at least on offense, Curry is much more talented than Hinrich. He has a much better mid-range game as well as being better from deep. Not sure if he meets Kahn's defensive needs(whatever they may be) but I'd rather have Curry on a rookie contract than Hinrich for 10 million a year.

[revprodeji]

Other than Curry can be a very, very good p/r player and Hinrich has yet to develop that skill at a high level.

Curry is not a bad defender. He looks 15 but is not a bad defender.

For a shooter standing reach is very important.

Curry is an 8'1 That is equal to Foye, Jay Williams, +4 chris Paul, +2 Augustin and Conley Jr.

5.7 body fat was one of the best for a pg in the draft record. Roughly half of Foye, Better than Mayo.

His no-step vert reach is higher than paul, ford, Jay Williams, and Augustin

Max vert reach is higher than Hinrich and slighty shorter than Deron Wiliams, It is also better than Felton,

His 10 on the bench was very, very good for a pg. Only 5 (foye, westbrook, deron, stuckey, MCjr,) had better.

agility test is a rough science still, but his score is right between Paul and Curry. Nice place to be.

struggled on his sprint, but not by much. Only .03 slower than Deron Williams.

Small school bias this, small school bias that. Kid has a legit NBA pg body.

[Calinks]

Honesty is nice but he does slap alot of players in the face. I don't think Kevin Love will take kindly to being told that he doesn't have the potential to be an all-star. Al may not like being though of as the number 2 guy. Foye really gets ripped a new one there but that might not matter as much because Kahn may be looking to trade him after talking like that. Then again, Kahn could be hoping to stir a fire under some of these players as well.