Dane Moore just posted this tidbit on Twitter/X and got me thinking…
With KAT sidelined due to injury, we’ve seen some interesting shifts in the team’s playstyle. Players like Monte Morris have been stepping up big time on defense, and we’ve been doing a way better job at holding onto the ball by having multiple PGs in our lineups.
But here’s the thing: as much as the fanbase love KAT, it’s got me wondering if his absence might actually be shining a light on some underlying issues.
The numbers don’t lie – fewer turnovers, defense still intact– it’s all pointing to something worth considering. Maybe KAT’s style doesn’t always mesh with what’s best for the team.
When we’re in the playoffs, every possession counts, and we need that consistency and reliability. But sometimes, it feels like we’re holding our breath, waiting for things to either click or completely fall apart when KAT’s in the mix.
Yes, it is a small sample size but I thought it was worth mentioning since this team looks different offensively.
Can we still keep this up with KAT back?
23 comments
I mean, it almost lines up perfectly with the addition of Monte Morris and TJ Warren, two serviceable upgrades over what we had prior that could potentially explain this sudden efficiency in ball handling.
I get there’s stats and numbers and stuff but I don’t understand these discussions. The Timberwolves with KAT are better than the Timberwolves without KAT. We can’t take advantage of less turnovers if the extra possessions fall to someone like Kyle Anderson.
I wouldn’t have guessed that. Ant still throwing a ton.
He’s a net positive, in almost every way. We need him for depth and hopefully he’s able to come back for the postseason, but if anything we’re seeing how deep the team is without him.
KAT is by no means a bad player, but he’s never been the franchise savior a lot of people hoped he’d be.
Monte Morris was specifically brought in to reduce turnovers when MC was off the floor. Ant has been better lately, as well.
> Maybe KAT’s style doesn’t always mesh with what’s best for the team.
In my opinion, KAT’s style “meshes” with every team in the league because he’s such a dynamic shooter and he’s a serviceable defender. Any above average team that has KAT will look good in stretches because he literally offers something that few other players can.
That said, I don’t think KAT’s style meshes well with consistent ELITE OF ELITE winning basketball in the NBA right now. for two reasons:
1) As a primary ball handler, KAT doesn’t create high-percentage scoring opportunities for his teammates consistently. He’s too good of an individual scorer to not have the ball in his hands but that’s only half the battle. Guys like Luka and Jokic get their team easy buckets night after night by making timely, on-target passes that are anticipatory. For this reason, KAT cannot be the primary ball handler for a consistent winning team.
2) He doesn’t move well enough without the ball (off-ball screen shooting, cutting, or lob threat) to be an elite 2nd option. Ideally, Ant would be our primary ball handler and would consistently be able to find KAT for easy buckets coming from off-ball action and Rudy for easy buckets as a role man. Because he doesn’t thrive in that environment, the offense ends up with poor spacing and ball movement when KAT isn’t involved.
Combine this with the fact that he’s not a high impact defender for a big man and it makes it hard to have ELITE team consistency with KAT taking up so much salary and playing time.
It’s a. 82 game season, from what it looks like to me, is that we were damn good with KAT, number 1 for most of the year, and we were confident (maybe complacent). Then KAT goes down, and we move to the 3rd seed almost immediately. We lose two games in a row, which has only happened once this season….. I feel like we are thriving, not because KAT is out, but because dudes got a jolt of reality, and adrenaline shot into them.
We were 68% winning rate with KAT on the court. Currently, we are at a 71% rate with him off the court. I feel like KAT going down was a wake-up call for a lot of guys, and they rose to the occasion. It doesn’t hurt that we gained Monte and TJ.
I’m pumped we are doing so good, but when facing the Nuggets and Golden State, I was like damn it would be nice to have KAT back. Just hope that when he comes back, all roll players keep shooting the 3 ball at a high clip.
Frankly, turnovers started to go down even before KAT’s injury. Now we have Naz and Jaden getting 4-5 almost every game. I don’t think the lack of turnovers is related to KAT’s absence, mainly to Ant becoming a better playmaker.
People are jumping the gun on this. Guys have stepped up where they can. We’ll have to see how we play with KAT back. If the ball movement and turnovers stabilize with KAT back I’m not sure how we’re not better. Ant’s decision making has been on another level, if that continues it helps KAT.
Thats what happens when you dont have a guy in the lineup who gets 3 offensive fouls a game and who throws turnovers cuz their being doubled after posting up 1 step inside the 3 pt line
Ant’s been better about handling the ball and he was a big part of those high turnovers. KAT does make a lot of really bad passes and decision making with the ball but honestly I attribute this to Ant being better + picking up additional ball handlers like Monte Morris
Who’s the next target? First, it’s McDaniel’s, and now back to KAT. Are we going to start criticizing Ant for making some boneheaded decisions to close out games trying to play hero ball. I don’t even understand what you guys want anymore.
Every kat pass looks like he’s trying to get on sports centers top 10 lists, he often makes the right play with flashy execution that ends up not working cause he’s doing too much.
I’m scared if anybody get injured though. But yes he might need or even want a trade if people can’t pay.
All these stats showing a smarter and more efficient team without KAT got fans in shambles lmao
I am once again asking the KAT haters to find a different team.
It’s been a little while since we could all do some Kat bashing but Moore had to open the door. If he can clean up his play a little bit, we have a legitimate chance at the finals. He’s too talented and just needs to make the easy reads on offense and play average defense.
I’m hopeful his rehab is going well and he will be back midway through the first round.
Fair weather fans 💀💀
KAT for Mikal Bridges
I hope KAT is watching these games and thinking of how he can integrate himself back into the offense without disrupting spacing and ball movement.
Also hope he sees how many 3s Naz is shooting within the flow of the offense and resolves to shoot just as many 3s.
KAT should also hopefully see the things that differentiate his game from Naz – KAT is more effective camped in the post as both a scorer and distributor, while Naz is more effective driving to the hoop without committing offensive fouls.
Super interesting statistic and it’s a small sample size and it’s cherry picked..
Comparing pre injury Wolves vs Post Injury wolves
The wolves are:
No change in OFFRTG (114.6)
_Worse_ in DEFRTG (108 vs 110.2.)
_Worse_ in NET (6.6 vs 4.4)
_Worse_ in AST (64.2% vs 62.6%)
*Better* in AST/TO ratio
No change in AST % (19.2 vs 19.3)
*Better* in OREB (27.8 vs 28.3)
*Better* in DREB (72.7 vs 73.3)
_Worse_ in REB% (51.4 vs 49.5) – Don’t know how that’s possible.
*Better* in TOV (14.8 vs 11.5)
_Worse_ in eFG (56.1 vs 54.3)
_Worse_ in TS (59.7 vs 56.5)
_Worse_ in Pace (98.07 vs 96.33)
_Worse_ in PIE – Player Impact Est. (54.7 vs 51.6)
All this is to say that cherry picking stats doesn’t give you all the info. Sure, our TOs are down but we’re playing worse defense, with a slower pace, with worse shooting splits and somehow still maintaining the same OFFRTG.
It’s pretty clear that we’re a better team with KAT, even with the increased TOs that comes with him (and his drives).
less mouths to feed means a simpler offense. wouldnt call it better tho
Of all the wolves I’ve always been the most sus on KAT in particular his late game decision making