The official Walker Kessler thread

[minimus]

My scouting report.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkhrug5lh6kB3YiIKP8KNFb-xz9vTjLAB

Things I am impressed with:

* - physical tools. When I watched these videos I always had to tell myself that this guy is a true 7'0". He is kind of mix between Marcus Camby (and his ugly shot) and Kristap Porzingis. He has similar height w/o shoes, high center of gravity, but you know the difference: WK is 256lbs, while Camby and KP are 220-230lbs. but the trick here is that I don't notice these 25-30lbs, because this is functional weight, and Kessler is jumping, running in transition, get back in defense and even trying to pump fake and slash. Yes, we are all suckers for those guys who have pterodactyl wingspan and can jump out of the gym, but don't get me wrong, this guy is phenomenal athlete. I believe that he is some kind of unicorn, a seven footer who can survive in modern high pace game. This does not mean that he will be able to defend on perimeter, but lets be real no one with such height is able to defend on perimeter in current NBA.

* - Motor. Here I have to combine everything I wrote above, Kessler has all physical tools AND he has motor. His 4.6BPG is not only indicator of his physical tools, defensive scheme and his desire to chase blocks. It is also indicator of his motor. He constantly outworking smaller guys, making second, third, forth effort in order to get the ball. He is basically an opposite of Hassan Whiteside who has impressive physical tools, but is known for his laziness, low IQ and stat padding. What is so special about motor, you asking me? To me Kessler is special because he is outworking guys in the paint while being the tallest, biggest guy on the floor. From physical standpoint it is impressive that even staying ready to jump on his feet with arm sup is hard, is exhausting for a big, yet Kessler is always ready, constantly moving. Unicorn.

* - he plays within team concept. It is important, because he is a special talent and such guys struggle to integrate themselves into organised basketball (see Towns struggle mightly for many years) Kessler is an educated player. This is a big factor in NBA.


Things he needs to improve:

* - he needs to learn how to use his body in defense better, angles, timing, rotation etc. He is already our tallest player, he often will be the tallest player on both teams, his body is his weapon. Flip hips, move feet, stay vertical etc.

* - he needs to improve his footwork and shooting touch around the rim.

* - he must prepare and develop his body for high paced NBA game. Core muscles, low body strength, balance etc.

Development path: my absolute dream would be Marc Gasol: tough big bodied, defensive minded C, who can pass. When Marc came to NBA, he was fat, he fouled a lot. But I remember him asking referees every time he fouled, he was asking them for explanation. He was learning every time by using his mistakes. Kessler comes out basketball family, if he can learn how to learn, he might be a generational talent. I also hope that his basketball education will help him to learn how to pass. Being tallest guy on the floor and being able to see over the heads is a big advantage. This is IMO swing factor for Kessler.

[thinktank]

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.

Kessler >>> Poetl

His block rate is more than 2x Poetl’s (college stats). He’s just better at denying shots. Instinctive.

Kessler’s feet are better and his wing span is a couple inches longer. These help.

[Devilzsidewalk]

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.

GP2 is a free agent

[minimus]

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.

GP2 is a free agent

Agree, he is the silver bullet.

[KGdaBom]

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

So you're saying Kessler is going to be extremely special. I love it.

[KGdaBom]

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.

I'm with you.

[KGdaBom]

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.

I disagree with you that his shot mechanic is beyond awful. It's a million times better than LaMelo Ball's. I fully agree with you that he's got pretty decent mobility. I think many just assume big white guy so he can't be mobile. I love how he's a totally ambidextrous shot blocker.

[KGdaBom]

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.

I fully understood and agreed with what you were saying.

[KGdaBom]

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.

GP2 is a free agent

Agree, he is the silver bullet.

We don't need him. We got Wendell Moore.

[Colbinii]

I like Kessler as a prospect. High Ceiling, relatively high floor as a player with strong defensive instincts and soft hands.

[Baseline81]

I disagree with you that his shot mechanic is beyond awful. It's a million times better than LaMelo Ball's. I fully agree with you that he's got pretty decent mobility. I think many just assume big white guy so he can't be mobile. I love how he's a totally ambidextrous shot blocker.

Why are you using Ball's shooting form as a baseline?

[KGdaBom]

I disagree with you that his shot mechanic is beyond awful. It's a million times better than LaMelo Ball's. I fully agree with you that he's got pretty decent mobility. I think many just assume big white guy so he can't be mobile. I love how he's a totally ambidextrous shot blocker.

Why are you using Ball's shooting form as a baseline?

Because it's fun.
Looking at Melo's shot honestly you would think he would shoot 20% or less, but somehow he made 39% last year. If he can shoot over 30% Kessler certainly can.

[Nick K]

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

Yep. Points, rebounds and blocks. That;s outrageous! I don't ever remember seeing one of those.

[Nick K]

My scouting report.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkhrug5lh6kB3YiIKP8KNFb-xz9vTjLAB

Things I am impressed with:

* - physical tools. When I watched these videos I always had to tell myself that this guy is a true 7'0". He is kind of mix between Marcus Camby (and his ugly shot) and Kristap Porzingis. He has similar height w/o shoes, high center of gravity, but you know the difference: WK is 256lbs, while Camby and KP are 220-230lbs. but the trick here is that I don't notice these 25-30lbs, because this is functional weight, and Kessler is jumping, running in transition, get back in defense and even trying to pump fake and slash. Yes, we are all suckers for those guys who have pterodactyl wingspan and can jump out of the gym, but don't get me wrong, this guy is phenomenal athlete. I believe that he is some kind of unicorn, a seven footer who can survive in modern high pace game. This does not mean that he will be able to defend on perimeter, but lets be real no one with such height is able to defend on perimeter in current NBA.

* - Motor. Here I have to combine everything I wrote above, Kessler has all physical tools AND he has motor. His 4.6BPG is not only indicator of his physical tools, defensive scheme and his desire to chase blocks. It is also indicator of his motor. He constantly outworking smaller guys, making second, third, forth effort in order to get the ball. He is basically an opposite of Hassan Whiteside who has impressive physical tools, but is known for his laziness, low IQ and stat padding. What is so special about motor, you asking me? To me Kessler is special because he is outworking guys in the paint while being the tallest, biggest guy on the floor. From physical standpoint it is impressive that even staying ready to jump on his feet with arm sup is hard, is exhausting for a big, yet Kessler is always ready, constantly moving. Unicorn.

* - he plays within team concept. It is important, because he is a special talent and such guys struggle to integrate themselves into organised basketball (see Towns struggle mightly for many years) Kessler is an educated player. This is a big factor in NBA.


Things he needs to improve:

* - he needs to learn how to use his body in defense better, angles, timing, rotation etc. He is already our tallest player, he often will be the tallest player on both teams, his body is his weapon. Flip hips, move feet, stay vertical etc.

* - he needs to improve his footwork and shooting touch around the rim.

* - he must prepare and develop his body for high paced NBA game. Core muscles, low body strength, balance etc.

Development path: my absolute dream would be Marc Gasol: tough big bodied, defensive minded C, who can pass. When Marc came to NBA, he was fat, he fouled a lot. But I remember him asking referees every time he fouled, he was asking them for explanation. He was learning every time by using his mistakes. Kessler comes out basketball family, if he can learn how to learn, he might be a generational talent. I also hope that his basketball education will help him to learn how to pass. Being tallest guy on the floor and being able to see over the heads is a big advantage. This is IMO swing factor for Kessler.

I agree with all. Really good stuff minimus.

[Nick K]

We went into the draft looking to trade for a rebounding, rim protecting big, and a lead guard. Brogdon and M Turner come to mind. High money cost and future draft capital would have been needed. We just might have filled the need on draft night for very, very little money. I'm thrilled with the draft.

[TheZachAttack]

What I like about Kessler is his body control and verticality. He’s not jumping at guys for blocks he’s just using his length and moving his feet and staying with ball handlers and staying quiet. To Minimus’s post, he can get his feet and hips turned around in space and get beat… but in drop when he’s in that structure on D… he’s really really good.

[KGdaBom]

What I like about Kessler is his body control and verticality. He’s not jumping at guys for blocks he’s just using his length and moving his feet and staying with ball handlers and staying quiet. To Minimus’s post, he can get his feet and hips turned around in space and get beat… but in drop when he’s in that structure on D… he’s really really good.

I proposed the idea of drafting Kessler either day of or day before the draft I forget. My proposal was met primarily with scorn followed by a lot of meh. We ended up drafting him and I'm happy to see that a lot more people like you appreciate him. It was nice that we got Moore as well.

[Krapinsky]

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.

Big white guy who can’t shoot, has limited offensive skill, too slender to set a decent screen, and poor lift. Watch him play. The guy needs a running start to dunk the ball. Lower body looks weak and just don’t see him staying healthy. He’s a huge project and will not be as impactful in open NBA game. I think it was a waste of a pick.

Sensible thing would have been to take Branham at 19 when he was there and I think we’ll regret not doing so.

[Rookie-Mistake]

Gee
You wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?

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.

Big white guy who can’t shoot, has limited offensive skill, too slender to set a decent screen, and poor lift. Watch him play. The guy needs a running start to dunk the ball. Lower body looks weak and just don’t see him staying healthy. He’s a huge project and will not be as impactful in open NBA game. I think it was a waste of a pick.

Sensible thing would have been to take Branham at 19 when he was there and I think we’ll regret not doing so.

Sent from my SM-G991B using RealGM mobile app

[Krapinsky]

Gee
You wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?

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.

Big white guy who can’t shoot, has limited offensive skill, too slender to set a decent screen, and poor lift. Watch him play. The guy needs a running start to dunk the ball. Lower body looks weak and just don’t see him staying healthy. He’s a huge project and will not be as impactful in open NBA game. I think it was a waste of a pick.

Sensible thing would have been to take Branham at 19 when he was there and I think we’ll regret not doing so.

Sent from my SM-G991B using RealGM mobile app

Had a great day today, just giving my honest POV