At least this franchise is in good hands
Posted: Wed Sep 2, 2009 9:54 am
I think that the only silver lining from the Rubio Saga is the impression that Kahn left on me and other Wolves fans, and we need to appreciate his efforts, especcially now, when he's being ridiculed in media by hacks with NY bias and people who didn't do their homework on the matter (I'm looking at you, BS).
First, trading Foye/Miller for the pick was a proactive move, that indicated the begginning of the housecleaning process that this team so desperately needed for the past few years. Second, drafting Flynn at #6, despite all the heat he took at the time, looks like a genius move right now. Third, the names of the coaches he hired (Rambis, Laimbeer and Wohl) speak for themselves.
When Rubio slipped to #5, Kahn was in "no-win" situation. You take him and you are faced with the most complicated buy-out issue this league has ever known. You take someone else and you'll get crucified for passing on the second best player of the draft twice. Most of other GMs facing this decison might have chosen the "less bothersome" way of letting the next in line deal with Rubio's problem. Yeah, media will talk for a while, but at least I will be sure that my player will report to camp next fall. Not Kahn. He stood up to the challenge, willing to take the gamble, risk his reputation and put the work in resolving the buyout matter in order to built a contender. He went to Spain numerous times, even got Taylor involved personally and negotiated, by all accounts, relentlessly. He somehow came up with a buyout agreement that was agreed to by DKV. All this while being blasted by the media, interviewing people for the headcoach position and negotiating trades. And in the end Kahn was this close to actually make it happen. That have to count for something. The difference between him and McHale is staggering. There is no other way to put it. Can you even imagine McHale in this situation? Or any other NBA GM for that matter? This franchise may be cursed, but if there is a man to lift this curse, it's David Kahn.
First, trading Foye/Miller for the pick was a proactive move, that indicated the begginning of the housecleaning process that this team so desperately needed for the past few years. Second, drafting Flynn at #6, despite all the heat he took at the time, looks like a genius move right now. Third, the names of the coaches he hired (Rambis, Laimbeer and Wohl) speak for themselves.
When Rubio slipped to #5, Kahn was in "no-win" situation. You take him and you are faced with the most complicated buy-out issue this league has ever known. You take someone else and you'll get crucified for passing on the second best player of the draft twice. Most of other GMs facing this decison might have chosen the "less bothersome" way of letting the next in line deal with Rubio's problem. Yeah, media will talk for a while, but at least I will be sure that my player will report to camp next fall. Not Kahn. He stood up to the challenge, willing to take the gamble, risk his reputation and put the work in resolving the buyout matter in order to built a contender. He went to Spain numerous times, even got Taylor involved personally and negotiated, by all accounts, relentlessly. He somehow came up with a buyout agreement that was agreed to by DKV. All this while being blasted by the media, interviewing people for the headcoach position and negotiating trades. And in the end Kahn was this close to actually make it happen. That have to count for something. The difference between him and McHale is staggering. There is no other way to put it. Can you even imagine McHale in this situation? Or any other NBA GM for that matter? This franchise may be cursed, but if there is a man to lift this curse, it's David Kahn.
