David Kahn v. Canis Hoopus: Open Thread
by Mplax on Mar 22, 2010 10:03 AM CDT
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PrintTime to get ready for the chat with David Kahn. For those of you out there who won't be able to make it to the Hoopus Night Q&A with David Kahn, for those who will and don't like asking questions, and for those of you, like me, who don't know if you'll be able to make it, this is a chance to get your questions out there. Maybe some kind Hoopus poster who can make it will make sure any good questions get answered. Or maybe you just want us to post what questions you plan on asking to get the wheels turning for what else can be asked.
In case you were looking for tickets, here's the link to the original article that provides a number and email for Suzie Hewitt: http://www.canishoopus.com/2010/2/1/1286450/hoopus-night-do-you-think-you-kahn
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To get things started, here are a few off the top of my head
Barring any FAs that fall into our laps at a steep discount, do you plan on actively seeking to add players to our team during the summer? What does our current FA market look like right now? If so, what type of player are you looking to add (veteran, potential, need, good deals)?
News on Rubio? Coming this summer for workouts?
“Leading the league in player development.” What have you done in this regard? Provide a grade for yourself and the team?
Does the organization keep track of any of it’s own stats (not available via the internet/synergy/etc)?
Can you take a guess about Darko’s, Gomes’ (cut for cap space, traded or kept), and Wilkins’ futures with the team? Have you had any discussions with them on the matter?
The Tri(cycle)angle: teaching tool or permanent fixture? How has Rambis performed in your eyes? How will your expectations for him change in the future?
When talking about the team (to the media or even to us), how careful do you have to be? Do you use a lot of loosely defined words on purpose or is this a case where we might be reading too far into things?
And of course everyone’s favorite question: Do you have someone following blogs such as Canis Hoopus? If so, what do you look for specifically?
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m sure I will think of plenty as I go through some other threads though throughout the day.
I like the stat-tracking angle...
…but to take it a step further, how might that indicate on-court decisions? If we are truly evaluating talent, it seems that none of us here (aside from KLJ’s tanking theory) have been able to figure out the rotations and minute distributions. I would like to know if, in his estimation, Rambis has done a fair job in evaluating our current “talent”.
Current news that came today can sorta answer some of your questions concerning RR
In a recent interview today there was Q&A with RR. I’ll just translated what is related to the NBA
What is the NBA for you?
Continues the be the best league in the world and I follow it with interest. I have friends there.
You see games on TV?
Few. In the first phase few games were watchable and also they are very early in the morning.
But what is the relationship of Ricky Rubio with the NBA?
Today, none. I have spoken a few times with the Timberwolves, but not of the future but on how I feel at Barcelona.
Is there any possibility that you do not end up in the NBA?
One of my dreams is to play there someday, I do not know when. Now I don’t think about the specific time limit, but to have the largest number of titles while at Barca.
What will you do this summer?
Go to the [FIBA]World Championships [at Turkey]… if they take me.
Also At MARCA.com they just reported that Kurt Rambis, will go to Europe in May to see Ricky Rubio
It also doesn’t sound disheartening.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Mar 22, 2010 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions
What do you want him to say?
Something like “Yeah F*** my Barcelona team that paid millions for me just a few months ago, Im ditching them the first chance I get to go to Minnesota! Woo Timberwolves babyyy!!!!”
Dont blame the kid for talking like a professional. Barca pays his salary him today so thats what hes gonna talk about.
by Xavier Garcia on Mar 22, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't have anything in mind.
But “I have spoken a few times with the Timberwolves, but not of the future” and “One of my dreams is to play there someday, I do not know when” just don’t sound encouraging.
I wasn’t blaming anyone or saying anything more than that.
Interesting
thanks for the links! I’d still like to hear the latest news from Kahn’s point of view though (although I am sure plenty of questions will be asked about Rubio).
Cap Space
Fred Hoiberg told the 93x morning show last week that the Wolves would have enough room under the cap to offer a max contract to a player. Seeing as how nobody can work out a clear way that this can happen, what stipulations was he assuming?
1. What are they assuming the salary cap will come in at?
2. Are they only talking about players with 0-6 years of experience (maximum 25% of cap) or players with 7+ years (30% of cap)? Because if it’s only the first group then that would cut out almost off of the available free agents that would be worthy of a max contract (LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare and Johnson all have 7+ years of experience)
3. Have they factored their expected draft positions into their calculations?
Assuming Rubio can come over, what does his ideal starting backcourt partner look like? Can he start next to, say, another 6’4" point guard with dominant athleticism?
by LoveTo on Mar 22, 2010 11:25 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Another 6'4'' point guard with dominant athleticism
who shall remain nameless… as he is not allowed to speculate on the first overall pick free agency
by Mplax on Mar 22, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
or...
a 6’7" point forward who basically does everything that most point guards do?
Again, not talking about a specific player.
by Andy G on Mar 22, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Someone there should actually ask that...
as an either-or question. “Would Rubio work better next to another 6’4” point guard with LeBron-like athleticism, or a 6’7" wing who has all the skills of a point guard? Hypothetically, of course."
He would probably find it amusing, and I’d wonder if, under the hypothetical pretense, he might actually subtly hint at an answer.
by LoveTo on Mar 22, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I bet he’d take the bait. When he was on with Jim and Hanny during the fan night, he said something about Rudy Gay without saying his name that was incredibly obvious. I think Hanny or Pete brought up Gay’s name and Kahn said something like “well, I can’t comment on specific players, but that is exactly the type of player we could use on this team.” I feel like it was even more obvious than that, though.
So yes, please ask this over something he’s just going to dodge with his typically obtuse wording or vague praise like “what do you think of Kurt’s coaching” or “talk about Al and Kevin playing together.”
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
Does the minute distribution for Love and Jefferson indicate the team has decided they can’t play together at the starting 4 and 5?
What player has most exceeded your expectations?
Have you been pleased with the team’s effort in the second half of the season? Has the team’s performance altered your perception of what the “core” is?
What is a reasonable expectation a Wolves fan should have regarding the product they will see on the floor next year?
If you had known Kurt Rambis would be your coach, would you have selected Jonny Flynn at #6?
How does the uncertainty regarding the collective bargaining agreement affect your strategy for this offseason?
Can’t ask directly about picking Flynn and the coach’s system. So, should ask “how will having a coach and system/philosophy in place this year affect the evaluation process in the draft compared to last year, when there was no coach/system/philosophy in place yet?”. He might answer that question
The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness
by Victor Mature on Mar 22, 2010 3:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
To clarify, of course you can ask about the Flynn pick and the absence of a coach but it’s too blunt a question and will not get answered as it essentially assumes Flynn does not fit the triangle and Kahn blew the pick, neither of which he will be willing to concede
The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness
by Victor Mature on Mar 22, 2010 3:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, sure.
The phrasing was blunt, but I think the question in some form needs to be asked: based on what we’ve seen, how does Jonny Flynn fit if the triangle is to remain a key part of the offense? What attributes does Flynn bring that Kahn and Rambis feel will allow Flynn to flourish in that system? What specifically are they expecting Flynn to do better going forward?
Good call on the thread...
… let’s FP it to get as many questions as possible.
The Q&A should be about 45 minutes pre-game (circa 6pm). I’ll get the precise details this week and distribute ASAP.
www.canishoopus.com
Awesome, thanks
that sounds like plenty of time to get questions in.
Though one request I have is that no one asks David Kahn who his favorite TWolf is (really generic “I like them all” answer) or if he owns his own jersey (he does not) type questions that we got during the no-commercial OKC game. Let’s get the real deal out of this!
Would it be possible...
…to compile the best (or most likely to be answered) questions from this list and let us vote on the ones we would like to see asked. Damn state schools refusing to give time off for Hoopus night Easter weekend.
by jballer_13 on Mar 22, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
From the other thread on questions to the FO..
Coyote’s question: How will the team define success next season?
Similar to SeanTO: If Rambis was in place prior to the draft what would have been done differently?
Was the Wolves representative at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytic Conference Matt Bollero, the 5’ 1" guard from DePauw University? What is the position and role of this person? Are there plans to expand the ‘stat guy’ department as the team gets more competitive, when this type of analysis more impact?
I don’t believe I’ve heard the name ‘Loukas Mavrokefalidis’ uttered by any Wolves representative in the past year. Is this because nobody can pronounce it or because he has no future with the team? Ok, kidding, but how about an update on how the Wolves feel about him as a player or asset, and how he might feel about the Wolves and the NBA?
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
Is your D-league experience going to influence how the Wolves become that talent development franchise?
We see other teams, like Memphis with Thabeet and Phoenix with Earl Clark, using their D-league affiliates a little more willingly with decent young players.
Do you see the Wolves treating their D-league relationship any differently in the medium term?
Can you imagine moving to a 1:1 relationship with a D-league franchise, rather than sharing with Miami as Minnesota does now?
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
A few more
(1) What is the single greatest deficiency in the current on-court product?
(2) How many rookie contracts is too many rookie contracts for next year?
(3) Aside from Corey Brewer’s shooting stroke, what can we identify as signs of player development?
(4) You have enjoyed multiple first-round picks in consecutive drafts, the first of which was strong at PG and the second of which will be deep in rotation-worthy bigs. Are there any lessons in strategy from the first draft that will help with the second?
(5) How should the thinking fan regard the player rotations this season? With so many smart and seasoned people involved there clearly must be a logic; what is it that we fans have been missing?
I don’t think we’ll get much from Kahn with questions that imply our lineup is full of mistakes (e.g., would we still have drafted Flynn with Rambis in the fold). In the main I think these questions are mere curiosities and just as likely to be colored by hindsight as by honest assessment of the past situations. (Kahn: “Actually, we likely would have drafted Steph Curry and done our best to snag Roddy Buckets and this Israeli kid we really liked, it just didn’t work out like that.”) Also, I assume from the rotations that Love and Al will never be a starting tandem in Wolves jerseys.
Kahn vs Simmons
I’d like someone to ask him what it’s like to be irrationally targeted by a national columnist (Bill Simmons).
Simmons is probably my favorite sports columnist, but his attacks on Kahn have been hysterically petty, vindictive and uninformed.
I’d like to hear if Kahn is aware of them, and what his response would be.
Check out Humdinger TV on YouTube.
http://twitter.com/HumdingerTV
A BS report with David Kahn..
has been in the makings for like nine months now. And I would absolutely love to hear it. Kahn would tear him a new asshole. Simmons would NEVER do it, though. Although I’d love to see how he responded if Kahn publicly stated he’d like to go on the BS report.
That's baloney
Simmons took a face-to-face meeting with Isiahaha Thomas after blasting the guy’s GM capabilities for years. Somehow I don’t think he’s going to be afraid of a phone interview with a modern-day Danny Kaye.
Good point. Kahn might be a few rungs up on the mental ladder from him, though. Oddly enough, of all the thing this Hoopus night could accomplish, this is by far the most likely.
Yes, you're right
about Kahn probably being a little brighter. But Simmons would have a decided advantage because he can ask whatever he wants, yet Kahn obviously can’t/won’t reveal the entire truth about whatever Kahn has done or will do.
Although, David Stern has been a regular guest, so . . .
But...
Simmons also didn’t fabricate things about Isaiah that Thomas could easily call him out on. Also, this issue is much less black-and-white. Thomas’ teams sucked. No way to argue that. But Kahn could prove wrong or refute a number of things Simmons has written about him. Lastly, Simmons’ face-to-face meeting was not recorded and broadcasted to the nation. Thomas could very well have bitch-slapped him and made him look dumb, but he could present that in his book however.
True . . .
. . . but my point wasn’t about the result of the meeting, it was that Simmons wasn’t afraid to go see him.
And for all of Zeke’s foibles in management, facing off against a guy who’s won an NCAA and NBA championship and been named one of the 50 Greatest Ever is a little more intimidating than going head-to-head with someone whose main accomplishment in basketball so far is clearing cap space.
Right
but Simmons seems to care alot about his national reputation, which couldn’t be hurt by a private conversation with Isaiah Thomas, whose criticized moves had already been resolved badly.
It could be hurt badly by a globally-accessible podcast in which his logic for obsessively ridiculing a yet-to-be-resolved move was debunked thoroughly.
Please, please, please ask about this
I think Kahn might do it and he and Simmons would both be very civil to each other I bet. Plus it would mean William would stop taking the cheap shots.
I bet Kahn is more likely to do it than Simmons is. )
All the questions I really want answers to - but Kahn shouldn't answer
1) Why Flynn in the first place? Who in the FO or on your scouting staff was responsible for taking Flynn and are they out the door? Or was this primarily your mistake and how will you prevent yourself from drafting 6 foot poor shooting, poor passing shooting guards in the future?
2) Is AlJeff tradeable or is it pretty much just crap offers right now?
3) Aren’t you a little concerned about pissing of Love?
4) Which FAs are you targeting this summer and at what price?
5) Rubio – most likely going out a trade or bring over to the team in a year?
6) From what you have seen so far rate Wall, Turner, Cousins, Favors and discuss the pros and cons of each for this club and how you would respond if you end up with each in terms of other roster moves.
7) What do you really think of Rambis…in your heart of hearts? Keeping the seat warm till the roster is better and you can attract a better coach or actual long-term potential? He seems over his head a bit, agree?
Phrase the questions 4 and 6 like
Would you be interested in signing a guy who could potentially make an allstar game in the right situation who was recently signed to a one year deal because his team was more focused on getting a superstar, even though they already had a great PF/C and could average a double double, works hard, and could be a nice replacement for Al and/or Love?
How about a guy who, when he played, was really really really productive and efficient, but his team kind of screwed him on a monetary offer so he went to Europe instead and could potentially come back this year to man the wing spot?
Maybe a guy who is a restricted FA this year, but was previously a moderately productive and athletic wing player in a system with a great coaching pedirgree and could probably be had for a moderately cheap amount?
Would you rather have an uber athletic PG with high upside or a point forward that has been extremely productive and could be a potential mismatch any given night?
Would you prefer a PF/C who can jump through the roof and run the floor with the best of them, but who has a lot of learning to do before he meets his enormous upside or would you rather have a C/PF who is built like an ox and who could muscle with anyone on the interior and perhaps learn to play incredible defense while contributing a steady amount on offense?
Questions I want asked (that have some chance of getting answered)
1. Do the Wolves intend to have a payroll that reaches the salary cap in 2010-11?
2. How many rookies can he see on the team next year (someone else mentioned this).
3. I wouldn’t ask him a basic: do you use stats question. I’d be more specific: what are your most efficient 5 man units? 2 man units? Why doesn’t Rambis play particular combinations that have been successful more?
4. How much will the team be able to ‘direct’ its players on what to work on over the summer? Are there specific summer plans to continue development? Does he expect the players to buy into those plans.
5. How much roster turnover does he expect by next opening day?
6. As mentioned earlier (and in the Chris Wright thread): how will the team measure success next season? Will winning games take on a bigger priority next season than it has this year?
by Eric in Madison on Mar 22, 2010 5:16 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Building off your #4...
Is it possible that Rubio could come to Minnesota, or even just the US, for workouts with TWolves players/staff, this summer?
Is it within the rules to include him on the Vegas League team? Is that a possibility? (If so, I would book my flight.)
#3
Great question! I would love that idea. I’ve thought a good question would be “What are your feelings on Rebound Rate?”. It’s considered an advanced statistic (which Kahn has seemed to avoid), but there is really no reason someone could be “against Rebound Rate”. I would like to see what he says, .and if he didn’t know what Rebound Rate was…then we’d know we’re in trouble.
Other questions…
1. What made you think Jonny Flynn would be an “elite defender” in this league?
2. Who would you say is responsible for Corey Brewer’s improved shooting?
3. If you don’t consider Ryan Hollins to be the worst player in the league, how many total players could possibly be worse?
4. Why did you sign Sasha Pavlovic?
5. You stated that James Johnson had the talent to be a top 5 talent in the draft…what did you see that made you believe this?
And the big one….
6. You’ve stated before that Big Al is a top 2 player on a contender and Kevin Love is a top 4 player on a contender…How would you alter this assessment after a year of watching them play?
#6 . . .
is especially good. The answer is fraught with implications about tanking, the draft, Love’s perceived frustration, Al’s trade value.
Definitely axe this.
Scratch that...
This one instead…
7. Are we tanking or have we just gotten worse over the course of the season?
Love the advanced stats question
To put it in Kahn parlance:
“It looks like using advanced statistical analysis represents a competitive advantage with a limited window of opportunity. Currently 1/4 to 1/2 of the league use it in some significant way (staffing, decision-making process for player evaluation or coaching).
As a small market team isn’t this the kind of inexpensive advantage you’d want to leverage as much as possible? If so, we’d like to hear what some of your process or people plans are in this area for the coming year."
Questions
1. Why is Coach Rambis giving Kevin Love inconsistent minutes when you are suppose to develop your young players. Why is Love getting a shorter leash than Jonny Flynn?
2. I don’t expect this to be asked: Why is Coach Rambis an idiot sometimes and why is Sasha Pavlovic still in the NBA?
How much would a potential trade for Rudy Fernandez
…increase the chances of Rubio coming over in the summer 2011? I know this would not get a direct answer but it would be nice to get a window into any thoughts he has on this subject, don’t want to drive up his trade value of course…
(1) Can you describe your working relationship with Rob Moor and what kinds of things you two work on together?
(2) The Timberwolves are rumored to to be losing upwards of $20 Million this year, can you talk about how viable the Target Center is as an NBA arena compared with your competitors in the NBA?
Follow up: Are the revenue problems strictly one of ticket sales or are there any other factors specific to the Twin Cities that are hurting your ability to make a profit?
(3) What types of things are you doing to attract corporate sponsorship for a team that is in clear rebuilding mode?
(4) Will a potential lockout following the 2011 draft, will this possibility affect the decisions you make this summer in regards to free agency and the draft?
Follow up: Do you think this will affect your negotiations to bring Ricky Rubio to the Timberwolves?
by Ebomb on Mar 22, 2010 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I may be the only one who's curious, but ...?
The biggest head-scratcher for me was waiving Chucky Atkins, rather than trading him.
As you recall, his $3,480,000 contract was only partially guaranteed for $760,000. Waiving him saved the Wolves $2,720,000, but the contract would have been a valuable trade chip if it he was dealt to one of the 14 teams that were over the luxury threshold. If they had swapped a similar contract for Atkins and waived him, they’d have saved double ($5,440,000).
The Timberwolves have made cap-related deals in the past, so I am curious if they looked into trading Atkins before releasing him?
Describe Glen Taylor's role as Chairman of the NBA's Board of Governors...
… and how that translates into the future Collective Bargaining Agreement discussions?
Dispel the myth that this is the “owner’s union.”
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