Kahn traveled to see Rubio and Pekovic play...

[hotshotschamp]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolve ... anchO7DiUr

[shangrila]

"I certainly liked what I saw, and I have liked what I've seen on film," said Kahn, who arrived in Dallas from Europe five hours before Friday's game against the Mavericks. "The issue with him is how it all fits with the front line we already have. I think it can, by the way. I really do. But it has to be something that's further discussed."

I like this part

[hotshotschamp]

He picked a bad game to see Rubio, as his team lost and he didn't play well.

However, I'm glad our GM is doing this and is very active. Sounds like he likes Pekovic, nice.

[lobishome]

Kahn said Rubio played "OK" in an "incredibly intense environment you had to see to believe."

I don't think that Rubio played bad against Partizan, Hotshotshamp, quite the opposite, I am happy to see him leading his team in the worst moments in the most hostile pavillions like Belgrade or Badalona today (we mustn't forget that he is only 19 and his mind is his better skill). I think the americans of this forum still don't understand how is Belgrado for the foreign teams. I watched some games with the serbian players armed with scissors. It's habitual see the players run away to his locker room while the horn still sounds and the crowd throws chairs, lighters and coins.

I would like to know if Kahn and Ricky talked in person.

BTW, Kahn never will talk bad about Rubio or Pekovic and it's a inteligent and responsible attitude, obviously.

[hotshotschamp]

Lobo,

It said in the article they talked in person, after the game.

[lobishome]

Lobo,

It said in the article they talked in person, after the game.

Ooops, you'are right, sorry.

It seems that Kahn didn't want to talk about this conversation nor about the game. If they was talking after the game in the tunnel, I supose it was a protocolary conversation, because Rubio was worried about HTF his team could out alive of the pavillion.

[hotshotschamp]

I doubt it was too in depth. He probably just wanted to let Ricky know they still like him as a player, and let him know he was coming to watch him, shows respect. Same with Pekovic. He's under contract with Barca, so I doubt he was trying to tamper or or really give him advice on how to play the game.

Probably more just a visit to say we still like you, and are watching you, and want you in our plans I'd imagine.

[Klomp]

Kahn on Pekovic:

Q: How good is your big guy in Europe (Pekovic)? Can he step in and play regularly?

Kahn: He is, there's no question about it. I think he is 24 so he is not quite as young as some of the other kids over there. He's a man, there is no question he could play today, right now, this minute. No question. He's the best European big man right now. There is nobody better.

Q: Do you think you will get him?

Kahn: Well he's ours. So the question is do we want to do a deal to bring him over here. The primary focus of my trip last week was about that. We haven’t started talking about that meaning contract, I thought the first step was I wanted to see him live in person, which I hadn’t had a chance to do and I wanted to visit with him. I really liked him as a kid. He's a soldier. He will run through the wall for the coach. He's very disciplined and passionate about winning. I really enjoyed my time with him. There is no question he belongs in this league.

Q: Why don’t you bring him in?

Kahn: First of all, we have to get through this season because he is under contract with his Greek team. The question will be between the draft, free agency and other trades that we may do. We need to be talking very seriously about bringing him over to join our team. What I don’t want to do is bring someone over for our team and give them false hope that there is a lot of minutes. I don’t know how many minutes we'll have and lot of it depends on how Ryan Hollins perhaps finishes the year. I would love to have him, but the question is do we have enough room for him. I think we do but I just want to be very straight with him. I don’t want to misrepresent to him what the opportunity is here and I can't define it yet.

Q: When can you start talking contract with him? Is there a buy out?

Kahn: He has a buy out. The way I understand the rules I think we could talk to him today, but it would have to be something of course that happens after July 10.

Q: Whose game does he remind you of?

Kahn: A little bit Al, but more of a straight forward with his back to the basket. Al does a little more with trickery or fakes. This kid doesn’t do that, he just clears space and seals. A little like Al, to be fair, he's not explosive, he's got lateral quickness but he's not a jumper. He can run well.

Q: Defense?

Kahn: I didn’t really have a good feel (while watching him). Because of his size, he's not going to get pushed around. This kid is built. He's really muscular.

(Link in "Kahn: Midseason Update Thread")

[lobishome]

Yep, but I don't know (nobody knows it except Kahn and his staff) if Kahn is talking good about Peko and Rubio because he likes them for Twolves or for get a good money or players trading them. Almost everybody is a asset in the NBA and I don't believe nothing from Kahn until July, and I'm not criticizing him, simply I think he is doing the logical thing when he talks good about them.

All will depend on what players can get Kahn in the draft and after this, the available players for sign them ... and WTF will do the others teams ... (this is so complicated for a European ... ).

I think that Rubio has more posibilities for play in Minnesota than Pekovic, but this don't mean nothing definitive.

Yes, it was a courtesy visit, al least with Rubio, but maybe Kahn asked to Pekovic if he would accept a trade to a X, Y or Z team before the february deadline.

He's the best European big man right now. There is nobody better.

If Kahn has thinked trade the Pekovic's rights this february, I hope he does it before the thursday's match.



BTW, still is time for interchange Vázquez rights and Peko rights with Orlando, friday will be too late.