Comments on: It's not just you laughing at David Kahn, Chris Webber is on board, too

By: DCP

DCP — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:40:41 +0000

Ryan, Ryan, Ryan…In teeing off on CWebb you remind us all that there’s a difference between a has-been and a never-was. You, sir, are a never-was, but at least you have this space to flex.

By: JD

JD — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:14:28 +0000

I don’t have a problem with what Minnesota did with Darko. The contract is actually for less money than what was originally reported, and it looks like the fourth year is only partially guaranteed. The problem is that Kahn is possibly setting up Darko for failure for saying things like he is “Manna from Heaven” or comparing him to C-Webb or Vlade. Webber, especially, by 25 years of age was way beyond the player that Darko is right now at the same age. Yes, he played a solid 24 games with the T-Wolves last season and they paid a reasonable amount for a player they plan to start at center this season. Privately Khan may have certain beliefs, but he would be better off making realistic assessments of his players when speaking publicly. Overselling Darko does him no good.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 05:52:06 +0000

Bbos, you have to realize the warfare going on against Kahn though.. people aren’t just going up to him, sticking a mic in his face and asking him about the weather.. making polite conversation.. they are TRYING to tear him down. He has been marked as a lunatic and people are after him, because it’s that pack mentality that feels they have to overtly praise their heroes and tear apart the clowns.
Webb was openly cofnrontational here.. The only thing Kahn said that was ridiculous was that Darko was “manna from heaven” because Darko was merely a great surprise.. he was far from a savior of the team.. but Kahn probably feels compelled to defend his decisions because of how often people are after him because he got the GM job in MN and the other popular guy didn’t.. Sorry, I don’t remember who it was that was passed over for Kahn, but I know a lot of insiders in the NBA hated it, and that’s why you get these hatchet jobs on Yahoo sports and then it snowballs to the no-name bloggers like probasketballtalk columnists.
Nobody is going to doubt Webber’s talent, but nobody is ever going to confuse him for a classy guy either. He was a huge jerk here, plain and simple.. Kahn said what he said about his passing skills and he also said that Divac would be the FIRST PERSON TO TELL YOU so. That is verified statement people.. if Vlade says “Darko can pass as well as I can” everyone has the right to say it without being branded a fool.
And when he compared Webber to Darko, he was very clear to agree that you obviously can’t compare their careers, but it was also very clear that he wasn’t even trying to say Darko had a comparable career to Webber. I took it as him saying that every player takes a period to adjust and come into maturity and become a better player when they gain their focus. Obviously Webber hasn’t matured, but he was admittedly good from his first year on.. Maybe C-Webb took it as Kahn saying it took him a while to mature as a person..and obviously if that’s what he was saying, C-Webb still hasn’t matured as a person.
I don’t have an agenda so I can skip past the supposed belly laughs that all this piling on is supposed to bring.. All I saw was an arrogant, combative, jerk named Chris Webber being rude and unprofessional. This isn’t And-1.. you’re working for the NBA.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 05:38:30 +0000

People need to step back and realize something.. David Kahn has been on the job for about 1 year in total. And people are already calling him the worst GM in Basketball.. Why? Because the mentality that the team is bad, and he made a move that led to jokes on ESPN.
You know when the Vikings skipped their pick to get Kevin Williams later than they were scheduled to draft.. and every single draft for 5 years they showed the clips and joked about it? Or the same lame jokes about how the Lions will take a WR in the first round?
People don’t care about reality, they only care about perception. The perception is that Kahn is conceited, arrogant fool because he drafted 3 PGs in a row, one of whom will not play until 2011, and gave a bust 4 million a year because he played well for 3 months.. The reality is that Kahn probably can’t help the way his tone sounds condescending, it’s his natural speech pattern. He’s been anything but condescending and arrogant, he’s been brutally open and honest about the team, its weaknesses, his plans, and even honored a facetious bet to take along a local radio show host to the draft as a good luck charm if his Kentucky Derby prediction was right.
The reality is that since Kahn signed on, he has moved on he traded Foye and Mike Miller, massively underachieving for Ricky Rubio, who is considered to have all-star talent by NBA stars who have played him.. he has traded an injured Al Jefferson who has played miserably on defense and is a bad fit in the system they want to play for two first round picks, and he’s signed Darko Milicic who has actually been the first center to show signs of life in MN in the last 5 years, for a measley 4 million a season (people expect Darko to pay for being a bust and get nothing because they didn’t watch the Wolves last year, and who could blame them) and he traded for Michael Beasley for two second round picks.
All of this uproar probably comes from people STILL mad that he took Flynn over Curry, because everyone wanted Stephan Curry.. and amazingly he wasn’t a bust, even though guys like him bust out 90% of the time in the NBA. They’re pissed that he took Rubio because he wouldn’t play immediately because fans are so impatient, and they’re pissed he took another PG to play while Rubio was overseas instead of another SG. Then they’re bewildered they signed Ramon Sessions, as if you should only have one PG actively on roster.. And now they’re mad about re-signing Darko when darko was UNIVERSALLY PRAISED for his resurgence last season, and they’re pissed that he signed Ridnour, who everyone has said they feel is a good player.
It’s just a simple case of perception versus reality with Kahn. You have to let the season play out before you crucify him if you want to keep it grounded in reality.. otherwise, to steal from popular vernacular… you’re just being a “hater”

By: BBcrazy

BBcrazy — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:52:37 +0000

He was hired by Glen Taylor’s son in law, Rob Moor, a guy who knows more about Brie Cheese than basketball. He was only hired after multiple other candidates were offended by Rob and backed out of the deal. Kahn actually has a long history in the Developmental league of racking up financial issues and getting out of town without paying up. He’s had lawsuit after lawsuit thrown at him for these and other issues, including sexual harassment. He worked for an Indiana team that couldn’t stand him. It was a bad hire. Folks who sit behind him at games say that he plays solitaire during the T-Wolves games. Strange man who knows nothing about BB.

By: Danny

Danny — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:27:04 +0000

If David Kahn was smart. He would have not trade a proven 20-10 big man (which is pretty rare) to a division rival for just an up and coming memphis draft pick and a low Utah Jazz draft pick? Utah will hinder their developement for the next 5 or so years because Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are not even in their prime yet. They play like 4 times a year, so thats 20 games in the next 5 years. They are not preparing for the future because other than Utah they have Portland, OKC, and Denver in their division. They have a franchise player to build around. Im not saying Al Jeff is a franchise player but in the west you need a 20-10 player to build around and he was that. You can’t trade their best player for for future bench warmers. Triangle is not gonna work unless you have a perimeter player that can score 20+ points a night and they should have trade Al Jefferson for more yalue.

By: B_ran is CONman's ball liquor

B_ran is CONman's ball liquor — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:21:14 +0000

they don’t need that trade exception …. if you look at his posts that roster is LOADED …. he’s proud that the Woofies have accumulated lottery pick busts and somehow equates them into legit NBA players ….Wesley Johnson hasn’t played a minute in the NBA and is the next Reggie Miller and he’s proud of his 5’10″ point guard Johnny “turnovers” Flynn …. and next year he’s got that Rubio coming in who shoots 30% and doesn’t even avg 10 pts a game overseas, but he’s also another GEM …. didn’t think there could be anyone as IDIOTIC as the CONman ,but there is, unless that is the CONman posting as he states “WE have talent on OUR roster” in his first sentence …. also that amazing job he states that CONman has done are the DAILY jokes on all the local Twin Cities radio sports talk shows and newspapers ,all the national media outlets(tv, radio and newspapers),all the GM’s and coaches and owners of the NBA(EXCEPT Glen Taylor) , any ex-NBA player that is asked about the moves and many of the current players in the league …. as Chris Webber would say “GOOD LUCK” …. that was absolutely hilarious …. funniest part is/was that CONman didn’t even know he was being made a fool of

By: bballlguy703

bballlguy703 — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:25:19 +0000

THERE WAS NO TARDE EXCEPTION IN THE JEFFERSON, YOU GOT TWO FIRST ROUND PICKS ONE UTAH HAD FROM MEMPHIS THAT WILL NEVER BE LOWER THAN NINE AND ONE OF THE JAZZ’S WHICH WILL LIKELY NEVER BE LOWER THAN TWENTY, AND KOSTA KOUFOS. A TRADE EXCEPTION HAS NO WORTH TO A TEAM UNDER THE SALARY CAP AS FAR AS MINNESOTA IS

By: Bbostown

Bbostown — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:15:09 +0000

Ok I started following the wolves when all my old C’s players got traded there. We all knew that getting KG was great, but man it hurt to lose Al and Gomes (out of all those players). We C’s fans know whats its about to get killed year after year and our GM making crazy looking moves. From the time we drafted Pierce, I waited more than 10 years until we finally won one. Anyway Danny always said he was acquiring pieces for bid moves, etc etc and we thought he was full of crap until it finally happened. So as far as Kahn is concerned in my opinion, lets see what happens by the start of training camp. It might look like pure lunacy now, but if he does know what he’s doing, he’ll do something with that cap space and assets and then lets see. For now, you can say anything you want but I don’t think he’s done yet – for good or bad – we’ll see. At least Danny didn’t talk nonsense on the air though. Kahn really needs to stop saying stupid stuff – I admire him defending his players – not to the level you say stupid comments though. Lets be honest, what has he really lost with all these moves? He’s actually gained some $$$ just do the right thing Kahn!!

By: kahn sucks= B_rans Bitch

kahn sucks= B_rans Bitch — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:12:05 +0000

first of all your a moron if you dont think we have talent on our roster..Michael Beasley got drafted number 2 overall for a reason..and i guarantee you were praying there was a way we could draft him just two years ago…well we just got him for two second rounders…if you know anything about the nba you would know martell webster is a gem..he has not received the playing time yet, and is a well respected prospect in the nba…look at his stats while roy was out, he has a great shot and athletic as hell…and why do you morons keep saying two late first round pics…we are getting Memphis first round pick that is top 14 protected..do you watch the Nba? they suck, the pick will be around 15 16…and when the hell was the last time the jazz picked lower then 24? your stoned…wesley johnson has not even been mentioned and flynn…dude your a dumbass…Rubio will and i repeat WILL be here next year as well..
Kahn has been amazing, and we still havent even gotten the player from the trade exception…that will be a stud….so roll up your panties and shove them in your mouth before you speak..dumbass

By: Kahn Sucks

Kahn Sucks — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:41:50 +0000

Thanks for the list …. those guys actually won 9 more games(and lost quite a few close ones)than the CONman’s boys last year ….TALENT ?? name one player on the current Woofies roster that has PROVEN NBA talent …. CONman just traded away his only talented player for 2 late first round picks which basically will turn into nothing….the best player on the roster is Love and he’s avg(can’t run, can’t jump , can’t get his shot off down in the paint, not athletic and doesn’t play any defense)…. you’re one of the few people the CONman has KAHN’ed

By: Stunned

Stunned — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:40:49 +0000

B_ran, are you a nine-year old?

By: B_ran

B_ran — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:47:07 +0000

coyote your a douche too…i am gonna list the players we had before kahn took over…gomes, sebastian telfair, mark madsen, craig smith, randy foye, mike miller,rashaad f’n mccants,kevin ollie, rodney carney, jason collins, Brian Cardinal lol should i go on…brewer love and jefferson…go ahead and look at the talent this team has now..wow it is a monster turn around…i am not worried about our team sucking in just two years we have turned a roster over and made major improvements….dont be a ass hole like kurt…you end up sounding like a ra tard….

By: Kahn Sucks

Kahn Sucks — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:11:40 +0000

Dorko the difference maker …. Woofies record with Dorko 2-25….what a talent

By: Not Ignorant

Not Ignorant — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:52:55 +0000

So many uninformed people here. First, everyone is acting like we are paying Darko 20 mill a year. No, he makes 4 mill a year. 4 years 16 mill guaranteed. That is a below average salary for a starting Center. Secondly, Darko has not had a legitimate opportunity to play since his rookie contract in detroit. So unless you have been watching Darko in practice over the years. You really sound stupid just flinging crap out there. Darko played the last part of the season for us. And to any coherent fan who watched him play last year would know how impressive he did play in that stretch. Throw in the fact that he hadn’t played those kind of minutes in years and he was out of shape. I was impressed. For everyone putting this much energy into hating Darko. Wait till the season rolls around and check in on dudes stats. I promise he will average about 10 pts 7 rbds 4 assits and 1 steal or block a game. Were not saying he the number 2 pick superstar he was made out to be but….he is a good serviceable 7 footer.

By: hemlock09

hemlock09 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:18:32 +0000

as hollinger points out, trade exemptions and picks are great when your gm is morey or pritchard or presti or kupchak or whatever. if you’re david kahn? not so much. when you’re david kahn, you draft a bunch of point guards and then sign luke ridnour.

By: pat

pat — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:03:30 +0000

I am facinated by the hatred for Kahn. I think we are laying to much on Kahn and not on what a jerk Webber was in the interview. The Twolves are a work in progress and I think it would be more appropriate to have this discussion when we move into the season and see what kind of product Kahn puts on the court.

By: Kahn Sucks

Kahn Sucks — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:37:21 +0000

I’m from Minnesota and embarrassed every time this CON tool speaks …. talk about a guy with no clue about the game or what he’s doing…. Con claims it took Webber a few years to get his game going when he came out of college when Webber was a stud as soon as he stepped on the NBA hardwood …. He gave away Jefferson for what will be 2 late first round picks…. so he gives away a proven NBA talent for guys that will be crapshoot …. Hell ,CON can’t even pick the right guy when he gets 2 cracks at it in the first five picks of the draft….the Woofies will struggle …. they have nobody that can create their own shot except maybe Johnny “turnovers” Flynn….they have no player who is worthy of a double team so the shots will be tougher as Jefferson would usually command a double team and sometimes triple team ….they have the 3 softest 7′ centers (all Euro guys) in the league …. 2 undersized PF’s who play no D in Beasley(actually measures 6’7″) and Love(actually measures 6’7 3/4″)….Sure these guys might put up some #’s along the way but that will be because the opponents will either be dis-interested or playing the scrubs after going up by 40 …. bring McHale back…..PLEASE

By: Coyote

Coyote — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:55:05 +0000

Kid. I understand nobody likes to get their team capped on. Fire this fool and it will stop immediately. Fan outrage is the only way to force management to do something they otherwise might not do. If you continue to coddle this freaking lunatic, you guys might not win 1 game this season. Nobody wants to see a team struggle unlees you hate the Lakers like I do. But for the most part NBA fans want to see good teams and good team building. Especially people that pay attention to summer league. We love the subtle nuances of building good teams. If a guy is destroying your team you can’t defend him because he gave you low self-esteem. It’s like saying, “He didn’t meen to hit me. It’s just bills are really tight right now.”

By: Coyote

Coyote — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:41:30 +0000

Son, little details like that would normaly matter. But I’ve stayed up all night because I saw that interview live and I said if this doesn’t get coverage media of all kinds is dead. But alas the articles are pouring in. Divac and Webber happen to be the best passing big men in most peoples memory and Webber was Rookie of the Year and avg. 20ppg and 10rpg for his carreer dispite a few lousy seasons at the end of his carreer. He won a rebounding title with 13rpg and the folowing year fell to 11rpg but jacked his ppg up to 27.5. Yeah 20/13 followed by 27.5/11 You’re talking about a guy who dispite being the biggest choke artest in the history of the NBA, still will likely sneak into the Hall of Fame when he’s dead and people look back and see his stats were better than Duncan and Garnett, and then you say the words DARKO MANNA FROM HEAVAN and CWebb considers just for a moment putting Kahn in the hospital, and not the mental hospital where he belongs. Sorry.

By: B_ran

B_ran — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:11:39 +0000

hey kurt, if you want to talk about giving up a great player for nothing..why are you not bringin up how we RAPED the heat..just watch how great the bease is this year for the wolves… KAHN U ARE DOING GREAT, DONT THINK ABOUT HOW GAY THIS KURT GUY IS.. he probably dresses up like a woman at night and pretends kahn gives it to him up the ass…

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:44:37 +0000

Love C-Webb, way to be honest.
While Kahn may not be the smartest GM out there, you have to at the very least admire the passion behind those puzzling moves he makes. When they fire him, I can’t wait for his open letter to Wolves fan.

By: That 1 Guy

That 1 Guy — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:23:09 +0000

Why are T-Wolves fans such retards? It ain’t just here.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:16:59 +0000

I was one of those posters and never said Kahn was a genius. While the Darko contract may be a bit puzzling another commenter pointed out that there are many worse contracts out there for just about the same production. You need to remember that this was a 15 win team last year. There is no where to go but up. I guarantee more wins this year. Maybe 2, but that is more than the past. McFail left this team completely bare and void of any real talent. I for one am excited to see what happens. Hey CWebb… Hows that ring working out for you?….oh, thats right. Well at least you have that NCAA championship……. Time out!

By: RA

RA — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:32:44 +0000

No method to the maddness. This team has a billion point guards in and offense that don’t need one point guard! He says they want to run, run, run, and the coach is triangle offense guy without triangle offense players! I don’t if he has had on conversation with the coach before he makes a deal. He was the butt end of jokes on NBA-TV after draft show. He is lost!

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:31:46 +0000

The funniest part of this exchange is that that Kahn just says he ‘does pass like Vlade’. And Webber, incredulously, goes ‘Vlade Divac?’
‘Good Luck’ indeed.

By: Hmm

Hmm — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:23:43 +0000

I have a feeling that everyone commenting in the media about Khan’s moves and plan, didn’t watch a single second of last season or the horrid years before that. They all probably think McHale did a bang up job! At least Khan is doing something. 16 mil/4 years is completely average if not cheap for 7 foot plus size.. The majority of centers in the league are horrible but still get paid way more than Darkos measly 4 mil a year.. People need to get off that.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:21:10 +0000

Wow. The previous Wolves articles pointing out David Kahn’s woes were met by at least 15 different Timberwolves claiming Kahn had made brilliant, brilliant moves – and that Kurt was a moron for not understanding it.
Funny how the tides have turned in one or two short days.

By: all other nba gms

all other nba gms — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:17:30 +0000

From all other NBA General Managers to David Kahn…
Thanks for not letting us be the worst GM in all of basketball…

By: bear0402

bear0402 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:32:57 +0000

How the hell did this man get into the NBA?