The official Walker Kessler thread

GopherIt! · Post #21 » by **GopherIt!** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:52 pm

His college coach compared him to Al Horford and the Lopez twins, thinks he will be a dominant 3pt shooter in the nba. If he develops a legit 3 ball and plays elite D, he’s the steal of the draft.

PeeDee · Post #22 » by **PeeDee** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:55 pm

If he actually does have a shot then TC just loled on the whole league.

Post #23 » by **Klomp** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:56 pm

His rookie scale contract will start at $2,660,280

Post #24 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:57 pm

GopherIt! wrote:His college coach, Bruce Pearl, compared him to Al Horford and the Lopez twin, thinks he will be a dominant 3pt shooter.

If he can legitimately hit 3’s it’s a game changer.

Baseline81 · Post #25 » by **Baseline81** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:05 pm

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

Watch on YouTube

These A+ grades are ridiculous. I'm not saying it because of my thoughts on Kessler, but rather how, at pick 22, is such a grade given.

I do feel as if Kessler chased blocks, and as a result, bought on pump fakes. If that continues, he'll either be in foul trouble or looking the fool. His lateral quickness isn't great, relying on his length to compensate. The question remains if that will work at the highest level.

His 3-point shot needs a lot of work. He loads it above his right shoulder.

KGdaBom · Post #26 » by **KGdaBom** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:35 pm

Baseline81 wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:An A+ grade for the pick and some good commentary. They called him a modern traditional big man. I like it.

Watch on YouTube

These A+ grades are ridiculous. I'm not saying it because of my thoughts on Kessler, but rather how, at pick 22, is such a grade given.

I do feel as if Kessler chased blocks, and as a result, bought on pump fakes. If that continues, he'll either be in foul trouble or looking the fool. His lateral quickness isn't great, relying on his length to compensate. The question remains if that will work at the highest level.

His 3-point shot needs a lot of work. He loads it above his right shoulder.

CBS handed out A+ grades like Halloween Candy, but I still love them giving Kessler an A+. A+ at 22 is based on what one might expect to get at 22. I hope that helps.

His lateral quickness to me is very good for a legit 7 foot player. I don't expect him to be blocking 5 shots a game at the highest level. I'll be totally happy with 3.

KGdaBom · Post #27 » by **KGdaBom** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:38 pm

PeeDee wrote:If he actually does have a shot then TC just loled on the whole league.

His 3% in college was very bad, but his stroke looks good. I won't be surprised if he can hit them one out of three in the NBA. 33.33%.

Baseline81 · Post #28 » by **Baseline81** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 10:20 pm

KGdaBom wrote:
PeeDee wrote:If he actually does have a shot then TC just loled on the whole league.

His 3% in college was very bad, but his stroke looks good. I won't be surprised if he can hit them one out of three in the NBA. 33.33%.

How is loading the ball over your right shoulder a good stroke? Not to mention his FT%.

Honestly, you need to calm down a little. There's a reason Kessler wasn't chosen higher. It's okay to admit a prospect has flaws.

KGdaBom · Post #29 » by **KGdaBom** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 10:38 pm

Baseline81 wrote:
KGdaBom wrote:
PeeDee wrote:If he actually does have a shot then TC just loled on the whole league.

His 3% in college was very bad, but his stroke looks good. I won't be surprised if he can hit them one out of three in the NBA. 33.33%.

How is loading the ball over your right shoulder a good stroke? Not to mention his FT%.

Honestly, you need to calm down a little. There's a reason Kessler wasn't chosen higher. It's okay to admit a prospect has flaws.

He has flaws, but his stroke looks good to me. Now I am watching practice shots since he made a change to his mechanics. Maybe you don't like his stroke from game film you have seen.

80HD · Post #30 » by **80HD** » Fri Jun 24, 2022 11:03 pm

I love this pick. We are getting exactly what we need in Kessler. Next up, I’d like us to follow up with a trade to bring in a PG, or another guard, that attacks the rim (similar to to what Tony Parker did with the Spurs) - is Wendell Moore that type of player?

I’ve always seen KAT more of a Dirk-type and have always wanted us to pair him with a C exactly like Kessler.

Despite the numbers, Kessler’s shot does indeed look good. I think he can absolutely develop/show that he’s a capable shooter if given the opportunity - think KAT/Lopez; just give him the opportunity.

Plus, he’s an Atlanta guy just like our own superstar in the making (Ant). Can I see a bromance form like other great SG/C pairs? You bet!

Post #31 » by **Klomp** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 12:01 am

Read on Twitter

KGdaBom · Post #32 » by **KGdaBom** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 12:21 am

80HD wrote:I love this pick. We are getting exactly what we need in Kessler. Next up, I’d like us to follow up with a trade to bring in a PG, or another guard, that attacks the rim (similar to to what Tony Parker did with the Spurs) - is Wendell Moore that type of player?

I’ve always seen KAT more of a Dirk-type and have always wanted us to pair him with a C exactly like Kessler.

Despite the numbers, Kessler’s shot does indeed look good. I think he can absolutely develop/show that he’s a capable shooter if given the opportunity - think KAT/Lopez; just give him the opportunity.

Plus, he’s an Atlanta guy just like our own superstar in the making (Ant). Can I see a bromance form like other great SG/C pairs? You bet!

Atlanta bromance? Sure why not.

KGdaBom · Post #33 » by **KGdaBom** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 1:09 am

Kessler had at least 2 college triple doubles. I say he gets one in the NBA by his third year.

theGreatRC · Post #34 » by **theGreatRC** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 5:32 am

KGdaBom wrote:Kessler had at least 2 college triple doubles. I say he gets one in the NBA by his third year.

It's less common now to get a triple double with blocks. It happened every year from the 80s to 2000...then nobody got 1 until Dwight in 2008, then it happened once every few years.

Most recent triple doubls with blocks:

Capela did it in Jan 2021
David did it in 2018
Whiteside 2015
Noah 2013
Dwight 2008
Mutombo 2000

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/gwsn97/every_triple_double_with_blocks_or_steals_and_20/

Every single name on this list outside of Whiteside, Noah and Capela is a hall of famer..so you'd have to be extremely special to get a TD with blocks

winforlose · Post #35 » by **winforlose** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:24 am

The more I think about this kid the more I think he is essential for the high wall concept to function properly. High wall takes KAT away from the basket more often than not. It turns the opposing big into a roller and forces two defenders to collapse to contain the roller. This results in wide open 3s often in the corners. Therefore the best way to run high wall is not to have the 5 participate at all. Let the 5 guard the paint and let 1-4 handle everything else. Dane and Britt address this, and while it is more complicated than I am making it seem, it is the one thing that we couldn’t do last year. The key will be whether Kessler can defend the paint without fouling.

Neeva · Post #36 » by **Neeva** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:34 am

Maybe his awful ncaa tournament was a god send to the Timberwolves. If he plays in the tournament the way he did in the regular season he probably goes top 15. My hope is he ends up being a better pro than Williams and Duren.

minimus · Post #37 » by **minimus** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:40 am

winforlose wrote:The more I think about this kid the more I think he is essential for the high wall concept to function properly. High wall takes KAT away from the basket more often than not. It turns the opposing big into a roller and forces two defenders to collapse to contain the roller. This results in wide open 3s often in the corners. Therefore the best way to run high wall is not to have the 5 participate at all. Let the 5 guard the paint and let 1-4 handle everything else. Dane and Britt address this, and while it is more complicated than I am making it seem, it is the one thing that we couldn’t do last year. The key will be whether Kessler can defend the paint without fouling.

It is called drop scheme, but it requires a quality PoA defender or someone who can bother ballhandler from behind. See Embiid and Thybulle technique.

https://youtu.be/pvLM8VNba8k

But it is not a silver bullet against every team. Neither defensive scheme is. The key is getting more versatile in defense by bringing more defenders AND keep developing team defense.

minimus · Post #38 » by **minimus** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:00 am

Guys, one question. Is Poetl better athlete than Kessler? Let me explain. Poetl is considered one of the best defensive minded bigs in NBA. But what makes him a good defender? Size? Athleticism? Defensive scheme? Quality defenders on perimeter? Can we somehow project Kessler role in NBA based on Poetl situation?

P.S. Also it was rumoured that Poetl was available for trade. I wonder what SAS were asking for him.

packforfreedom · Post #39 » by **packforfreedom** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:08 am

I kind of like the pick. It´d be the first time in years we´ll have a proper defensive center with size and a rim runner/lob threat. I watched some film and think he´s also way more mobile than many people think. He has good hands and a solid feel for the game.
His shot mechanic is beyond awful so I won´t count on him becoming a regular outside threat. What worries me the most is his free throw shooting, but we´ll see. I could see him becoming a fan favorite for sure.

winforlose · Post #40 » by **winforlose** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:27 am

minimus wrote:
winforlose wrote:The more I think about this kid the more I think he is essential for the high wall concept to function properly. High wall takes KAT away from the basket more often than not. It turns the opposing big into a roller and forces two defenders to collapse to contain the roller. This results in wide open 3s often in the corners. Therefore the best way to run high wall is not to have the 5 participate at all. Let the 5 guard the paint and let 1-4 handle everything else. Dane and Britt address this, and while it is more complicated than I am making it seem, it is the one thing that we couldn’t do last year. The key will be whether Kessler can defend the paint without fouling.

It is called drop scheme, but it requires a quality PoA defender or someone who can bother ballhandler from behind. See Embiid and Thybulle technique.

https://youtu.be/pvLM8VNba8k

But it is not a silver bullet against every team. Neither defensive scheme is. The key is getting more versatile in defense by bringing more defenders AND keep developing team defense.

I know the difference between Drop and High Wall. What I am saying is KAT sucks at Drop (we have known this forever,) but is pretty good at high wall. The problem that Atlanta, Washington, and others exploited was that V8 is hilt more like a SF than a PF or C. That is why we needed Ant or Dlo or whoever else was on the floor to also collapse in a double or triple team of the opposing big. This collapse forces our players to then run out at opposing 3 point shooters. My point is a true C in the middle prevents the need to collapse. Kessler as a shot blocker is the missing link if he can defend without fouling.