Kahn's uptempo desire and what it could mean for the future

[horaceworthy]

I think it's a combination of the 1st point by Kraphead. Supposedly the frozen tundra of Minnesota makes it IMPOSSIBLE to attract free agents. A running style is more fun, as mentioned above, thus helping attract free agents. Plus, considering we'll never attract good free agents, this at least makes our games fun to watch, thus fans will come out. It's kind of the Phoenix model. They'll never win a championship, but at least they'll sell out because the games are entertaining, and they're good enough to make the play-offs.

My question is, why aren't we going after D'Antoni's assistants, then?

No idea why they're not going after D'Antoni guys. It's possible there isn't someone perceived as a rising star on his bench right now, or maybe teams are wary after Iavaroni scuffled in Memphis.

You can't just hire a coach, and then tell him to run if that style isn't part of his philosophy. He won't know how to coach it, then you end up looking like the Warriors, who run, but suck.

I'm guessing that Kahn's interviewing guys and asking them what their various philosophies are, then making a call based on that and other info, tryig to figure out if going up tempo is part of their philosophy.

I don't really get this statement in regards to the Warriors. Run-n-gun's been part of Nellie's philosophy since before most of us were in diapers, and when Golden State had health and personnel on their side, they were looking like a pretty dangerous team. Lately I think the problem with them has been more due to injuries, youth, too many players having to look over their shoulder due to Nellie's unpredictability and Nellie's fascination with turning waiver wire finds into rotation players (which he's awesome but it's tough to win while doing it with multiple players every year).

I don't think this means Big Al gets traded, Kahn wants him to get more athletic, and faster. Obviously he'll never be an Amare or Tyrus Thomas, but he can at least be a younger Duncan, with the ability to move in the half court with the pick and roll/pop.

Agreed. That's consistent with Kahn talking about how every time he sees Al he banters about Al losig weight. Hopefully this doesn't lead to an eating disorder for Big Al.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I hope it would work out like that because I want to keep AL on this squad as long as we can if he comes back healthy, hes is a fun player to watch. Something tells me we would be looking at a similar situation to Philly with Brand.

Philly's problem is that Iguodala and Young have shown for the past 2 years that they're significantly more comfortable and productive playing the SF and PF respectively rather than the SG and SF that they're forced into with Brand in the lineup, compounded by Brand being a pure PF.

[horaceworthy]

According to twitter, Bassy's down with the running game and thinks we can pull it off:

Just got out pratice. I think we cn B a running team from wht I saw 2day. MN is talking lk they wnt 2 win I'm happy abt that

[Devilzsidewalk]

is he training to be a court reporter? Ditch the shorthand and type full words like a big boy

[Vindicater]

THe question is, does Kahn want to be a running team or an uptempo team.

I think its the later. ANyone can run the ball, its a hell o alot different then using the ball effectivaly and quickly though.

If Jefferson can improve his passing out of the post then I think hes perfect for an uptempo game. Lots of quick passes into and out of the post followed by quick swing passes with minimal passing. Its been a staple of the Spurs for years now. Its not exciting like a "running game" but youll find its actually quite quick, or "uptempo" if you will.

[Krapinsky]

THe question is, does Kahn want to be a running team or an uptempo team.

I think its the later. ANyone can run the ball, its a hell o alot different then using the ball effectivaly and quickly though.

If Jefferson can improve his passing out of the post then I think hes perfect for an uptempo game. Lots of quick passes into and out of the post followed by quick swing passes with minimal passing. Its been a staple of the Spurs for years now. Its not exciting like a "running game" but you'll find its actually quite quick, or "uptempo" if you will.

Kahn thinks we should run. I think that's apparent.

[Sephiroth]

I believe Kahn is trying to emulate San Antonio's style of play. Who wouldn't want to?

With Jonny Flynn acting as Tony Parker (running up and down the court, attacking the basket, finding open 3pt shooters) and Al Jefferson acting as Duncan to change the pace with his low post presence.

Though, of course, San Antonio is an effective running team because of Duncan's presence on the defensive end. Blocking the shot/grabbing the rebound and giving it to Tony Parker to run down and get a layup or find an open man for the 3 while the defense is disoriented and not able to set up. Makes sense.

Too bad we don't have the three point shooters that San Antonio has or the defensive presence that Duncan provides San Antonio.

I think it could work for us - though not as effective.

[Krapinsky]

I believe Kahn is trying to emulate San Antonio's style of play. Who wouldn't want to?

With Jonny Flynn acting as Tony Parker (running up and down the court, attacking the basket, finding open 3pt shooters) and Al Jefferson acting as Duncan to change the pace with his low post presence.

Though, of course, San Antonio is an effective running team because of Duncan's presence on the defensive end. Blocking the shot/grabbing the rebound and giving it to Tony Parker to run down and get a layup or find an open man for the 3 while the defense is disoriented and not able to set up. Makes sense.

Too bad we don't have the three point shooters that San Antonio has or the defensive presence that Duncan provides San Antonio.

I think it could work for us - though not as effective.

How are people formulating this idea that we will be emulating San Antonio? In terms of pace -- which measures the pace at which teams play at by determining their possessions per game -- San Antonio is ranked 27/30 in the league. That's right, fourth to last.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinge ... ague%3dnba

Portland, fyi, is second to last. Only Detroit is slower.

If we're talking tempo -- the wolves last year player more uptempo than both the Spurs and the Blazers.

[HL Slamdunk]

I believe Kahn is trying to emulate San Antonio's style of play. Who wouldn't want to?

With Jonny Flynn acting as Tony Parker (running up and down the court, attacking the basket, finding open 3pt shooters) and Al Jefferson acting as Duncan to change the pace with his low post presence.

Though, of course, San Antonio is an effective running team because of Duncan's presence on the defensive end. Blocking the shot/grabbing the rebound and giving it to Tony Parker to run down and get a layup or find an open man for the 3 while the defense is disoriented and not able to set up. Makes sense.

Too bad we don't have the three point shooters that San Antonio has or the defensive presence that Duncan provides San Antonio.

I think it could work for us - though not as effective.

What kind of role would Love have in an offense like that, not necessarily positionally, but more schematically.

[Sephiroth]

Obviously San Antonio is not a run team. Their strengths are with their best player(s). Duncan: The Half Court Beast and Parker: The Speedy PG that can run you down. Seeing as Duncan is their best player, obviously they want to go to him more times than not - making them a "slow" team.

But, when they want to run. They run the **** out of teams and make them pay for it.

Kevin Love's role could be: grab the rebound and throw his infamous outlet pass to Fylnn for the fastbreak. meh.

[NO-KG-AI]

Pace=/= how well you push the ball.

The Hornets push the break more than the Jazz, and look at the pace difference.

SA pushes the break really well, just when it breaks down, they set their offense and use the full 24 seconds, instead of just tossing up a shot in 7 seconds or less.

[Devilzsidewalk]

How are people formulating this idea that we will be emulating San Antonio? In terms of pace -- which measures the pace at which teams play at by determining their possessions per game -- San Antonio is ranked 27/30 in the league. That's right, fourth to last.

I don't think that is the plan, but I think it should be. If your frontcourt team is Jefferson and Love, then you cant see the team really running that much. We'd need to trade Love or Jefferson for a guy like Thad Young or Josh Smith, otherwise it doesn't make sense. With Love/Jefferson, we should be looking to control the paint with our big men, then on defensive stops we can look for running opportunities. Against teams that like to run, we can match them w/ Gomes at PF who we've got a good history w/ as far as matching up against teams like Golden State and Phoenix when they try to run on us. Gomes thrives in those kinds of games. That gives us our versatility to run when need be, but in general I'd much rather see a disciplined team.

Maybe it's his master plan to get the team in better shape

[the_bruce]

All I know is whenever we've played a running team over the past 2 years. One or two of Gomes, Cookie, or Al go off in a big way.

[IcemanMN]

How are people formulating this idea that we will be emulating San Antonio? In terms of pace -- which measures the pace at which teams play at by determining their possessions per game -- San Antonio is ranked 27/30 in the league. That's right, fourth to last.

I don't think that is the plan, but I think it should be. If your frontcourt team is Jefferson and Love, then you cant see the team really running that much. We'd need to trade Love or Jefferson for a guy like Thad Young or Josh Smith, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

I agree with your assessment, but I think what it means is, we ARE going to trade Love or Jefferson. The team is going to be built around Rubio.