The official fire Chris Finch thread

[shangrila]

Suggesting that this is a secret indication that Connelly is actually looking to replace Finch is an impressive level of mental gymnastics.

[mondry]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

[Slim Tubby]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

Thanks...I needed a good chuckle this morning.

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[minimus]

Everyone’s a genius in hindsight

[winforlose]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

Thanks...I needed a good chuckle this morning.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

[Slim Tubby]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

Thanks...I needed a good chuckle this morning.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[frankenwolf]

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

100% agree. If what is bolded and underlined is true, how in the H E double hockey sticks did the Wolves make it to sixth place and make it to the Western Conference Finals? Apparently the west was weaker than we thought and we just made it on talent alone. I will pick on Finch just a little because he saw what Denver did against OKC and tried to implement it the first two games instead of doing what got the Wolves to finals in the first place. As far as I am concerned, he has done a splendid job to date and if he has any season where he has the same roster for two straight seasons, he may very well bring a championship to Minnesota.

[Domejandro]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

Few thoughts.

1. Tyrese Halliburton is a higher-impact player than Anthony Edwards. He is functionally a one-man offensive tool in the same style of a Steve Nash.


2. Denver matches up better with OKC and have the best player in basketball, which always gives you a chance.

3. OKC was THE disaster match-up because Minnesota was turnover prone and had few competent ball-handlers. It’s something that I warned folks about prior to the series.

The are some criticisms I have around rigid lineups, but the blunt truth is that Indiana is a WAY better team than Minnesota, and OKC was a HORRIBLE matchup for Minnesota’s roster.

[winforlose]

Thanks...I needed a good chuckle this morning.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Rudy Gobert is a walking top 10 defense. Ant Edwards is an emerging star in the NBA and was 2nd team all NBA this year. We had KAT one year, Randle the other (who played significantly better than his averages, especially from deep.) We had Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and more. Your crediting Finch for our making the playoffs is like saying a bus driver deserves credit for the mechanic keeping it running. Obviously Finch does get more credit than the bus driver, but he also takes more blame than the bus driver for underperformance.

[BlacJacMac]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

Even a backup coach (denver) took them to 7 games and as one of the worst defenses in the league didn't look as bad as us when it's supposed to be our strength. But when your game plan is to hope you can stop SGA and Williams 1 on 1 (game 1 and game 2) before making any adjustments when everyone knows you force the thunder roleplayers to beat you, ignoring shannon / clark / dilly (who dominated the Thunder in the regular season) and you play Randle (who didn't play in the regular season wins against OKC) and DDV (who's like -50 in the series, instant turnover, chucking bad 3's) well what do you expect?

And don't tell me Denver and the Pacers just have way more talent than us. Denver had like 4 NBA players this season and the Pacers have no one on Ants level nor are they as deep (but of course finch never used any of those guys).

Glad we're going to waste another season on this guy

Few thoughts.

1. Tyrese Halliburton is a higher-impact player than Anthony Edwards. He is functionally a one-man offensive tool in the same style of a Steve Nash.


2. Denver matches up better with OKC and have the best player in basketball, which always gives you a chance.

3. OKC was THE disaster match-up because Minnesota was turnover prone and had few competent ball-handlers. It’s something that I warned folks about prior to the series.

The are some criticisms I have around rigid lineups, but the blunt truth is that Indiana is a WAY better team than Minnesota, and OKC was a HORRIBLE matchup for Minnesota’s roster.

That's the huge difference.

Looks at how many guys on Indy are capable of not only bringing the ball up against pressure, but making sharp, quick passes to their teammates.

Ant, Randle and even Jaden are guys who score best in isolation. That feeds into what Indy and OKC want their opponent to do.

[BlacJacMac]

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Rudy Gobert is a walking top 10 defense. Ant Edwards is an emerging star in the NBA and was 2nd team all NBA this year. We had KAT one year, Randle the other (who played significantly better than his averages, especially from deep.) We had Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and more. Your crediting Finch for our making the playoffs is like saying a bus driver deserves credit for the mechanic keeping it running. Obviously Finch does get more credit than the bus driver, but he also takes more blame than the bus driver for underperformance.

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

[winforlose]

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Rudy Gobert is a walking top 10 defense. Ant Edwards is an emerging star in the NBA and was 2nd team all NBA this year. We had KAT one year, Randle the other (who played significantly better than his averages, especially from deep.) We had Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and more. Your crediting Finch for our making the playoffs is like saying a bus driver deserves credit for the mechanic keeping it running. Obviously Finch does get more credit than the bus driver, but he also takes more blame than the bus driver for underperformance.

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

I am sorry but what are you talking about? The fit, especially defensively is excellent. In 2023/2024 our defense was beyond elite. It was setting or tying records from the beginning of the decade. Offensively we had Jaden not being utilized properly, Karl not being utilized properly, Rudy not being utilized properly, Naz not being utilized properly, ect… The fit wasn’t the problem, the execution was.

[BlacJacMac]

Rudy Gobert is a walking top 10 defense. Ant Edwards is an emerging star in the NBA and was 2nd team all NBA this year. We had KAT one year, Randle the other (who played significantly better than his averages, especially from deep.) We had Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and more. Your crediting Finch for our making the playoffs is like saying a bus driver deserves credit for the mechanic keeping it running. Obviously Finch does get more credit than the bus driver, but he also takes more blame than the bus driver for underperformance.

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

I am sorry but what are you talking about? The fit, especially defensively is excellent. In 2023/2024 our defense was beyond elite. It was setting or tying records from the beginning of the decade. Offensively we had Jaden not being utilized properly, Karl not being utilized properly, Rudy not being utilized properly, Naz not being utilized properly, ect… The fit wasn’t the problem, the execution was.

The fit problem is on offense. We don't have anyone that can run an offense with any kind of pace or precision. No one that can throw a proper pass to Rudy. We have too many guys that work best in isolation - and are turnover happy. We lack good decision makers. Even our better passers don't throw a super "catchable" ball to our open shooters.

Indy is able to attack OKC's defense because they have numerous guys that can bring the ball up vs pressure and they all make quick, crisp decisions with the ball.

[winforlose]

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

I am sorry but what are you talking about? The fit, especially defensively is excellent. In 2023/2024 our defense was beyond elite. It was setting or tying records from the beginning of the decade. Offensively we had Jaden not being utilized properly, Karl not being utilized properly, Rudy not being utilized properly, Naz not being utilized properly, ect… The fit wasn’t the problem, the execution was.

The fit problem is on offense. We don't have anyone that can run an offense with any kind of pace or precision. No one that can throw a proper pass to Rudy. We have too many guys that work best in isolation - and are turnover happy. We lack good decision makers. Even our better passers don't throw a super "catchable" ball to our open shooters.

Indy is able to attack OKC's defense because they have numerous guys that can bring the ball up vs pressure and they all make quick, crisp decisions with the ball.

Mike in 23/24 and Karl could both hit Rudy consistently. So for that matter could Kyle. I agree that we lacked roster balance in 24/25, but again, compare the Wolves to the undersized Lakers and Warriors and we should win in 5. The talent differential was enormous. With proper coaching, scheme work, and integration would have won 10-15 more games. Take us from 49-33 to 59-23 and you get the 2 seed. You want to blame Tim Connelly as well as Chris Finch I won’t stop you. I want both gone.

[Klomp]

Must be nice to have a coach like Carlisle who can actually game plan for the opponent and take away what they do best and an offense that isn't just "drive into 4 guys and hope for the best". Instead our coach made the Thunder look like a dynasty that would win 3-4 chips in a row.

This just shows how hard it is to win a championship.

Rick Carlisle might be one of the most underrated coaches in NBA history. In 23 seasons, he has brought 3 different franchises to the conference finals a total of five times and could possibly on his way to winning both of his Finals appearances.

[shrink]

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

100% agree. If what is bolded and underlined is true, how in the H E double hockey sticks did the Wolves make it to sixth place and make it to the Western Conference Finals? Apparently the west was weaker than we thought and we just made it on talent alone. I will pick on Finch just a little because he saw what Denver did against OKC and tried to implement it the first two games instead of doing what got the Wolves to finals in the first place. As far as I am concerned, he has done a splendid job to date and if he has any season where he has the same roster for two straight seasons, he may very well bring a championship to Minnesota.

I would also note last year that he solved the mid-range Suns, and solved the Jokic-champ Nuggets.

[Slim Tubby]

Why is he funny. I don’t agree with everything he said, but his point is valid. Finch got throughly and completely outcoached all season and all series. He has shown in back to back seasons he cannot adapt to opponents game plans. He relies on the talent differential between our players and their players (which is quite significant,) to carry him through. He does nothing to encourage or develop the games of any of his players, nor does he do ANYTHING to help bring out their best.

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

100% agree. If what is bolded and underlined is true, how in the H E double hockey sticks did the Wolves make it to sixth place and make it to the Western Conference Finals? Apparently the west was weaker than we thought and we just made it on talent alone. I will pick on Finch just a little because he saw what Denver did against OKC and tried to implement it the first two games instead of doing what got the Wolves to finals in the first place. As far as I am concerned, he has done a splendid job to date and if he has any season where he has the same roster for two straight seasons, he may very well bring a championship to Minnesota.

Agreed. I'm not a Finch apologist and know there are aspects of his coaching that need to improve, but what he's accomplished with a fluctuating, flawed roster the last three (3) years is worthy of nothing short of huge praise.

I can't even fathom how any Wolves "fan" could see what he's accomplished the last 2-3 years as our coach and come to the conclusion that he needs to be replaced. Utterly ridiculous take.

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[Note30]

Rudy Gobert is a walking top 10 defense. Ant Edwards is an emerging star in the NBA and was 2nd team all NBA this year. We had KAT one year, Randle the other (who played significantly better than his averages, especially from deep.) We had Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and more. Your crediting Finch for our making the playoffs is like saying a bus driver deserves credit for the mechanic keeping it running. Obviously Finch does get more credit than the bus driver, but he also takes more blame than the bus driver for underperformance.

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

I am sorry but what are you talking about? The fit, especially defensively is excellent. In 2023/2024 our defense was beyond elite. It was setting or tying records from the beginning of the decade. Offensively we had Jaden not being utilized properly, Karl not being utilized properly, Rudy not being utilized properly, Naz not being utilized properly, ect… The fit wasn’t the problem, the execution was.

Absolute delusion. Jaden is trash offensively so is Rudy there is no utilizing them better. I agree he could have utilized Naz and Karl better but we have limitations when you have offensive liabilities on the floor.

[winforlose]

No. We credit him for getting to back-to-back WCFs.

We have some very talented players, but we're far from the most talented team. And we don't have anywhere near the fit that OKC and Indy do.

I am sorry but what are you talking about? The fit, especially defensively is excellent. In 2023/2024 our defense was beyond elite. It was setting or tying records from the beginning of the decade. Offensively we had Jaden not being utilized properly, Karl not being utilized properly, Rudy not being utilized properly, Naz not being utilized properly, ect… The fit wasn’t the problem, the execution was.

Absolute delusion. Jaden is trash offensively so is Rudy there is no utilizing them better. I agree he could have utilized Naz and Karl better but we have limitations when you have offensive liabilities on the floor.

That you think Jaden and Rudy are trash offensively is the delusion. Jaden is 6th all time in Wolves playoff scoring. Jaden averaged 14.7 points on 51.5% shooting including 57.9% from 2 and 38.2% from deep. If you think that those are not great indicators of his offensive potential then what are we even talking about? As for Rudy, you saw him take over games both regular season and playoff. 25/22 is an easy example. Someone said it above, you have to know how to pass to Rudy. That guys are still bouncing passing to him 2 or more years in (3 in most cases,) is down right insane. It is terrible on an institutional level. Schemes help get players to their true potential and our schemes are chaotic at best, non existent at worst.

[winforlose]

Two (2) good chuckles in the same morning??? Priceless.

All Finch has been asked to do in the last three (3) seasons is completely overhaul our offensive and defensive schemes after drastic changes were made to his roster.

The result? Finch led this team - without a Top 20 PG mind you - to two (2) consecutive WCF's. So yeah...pretty effin funny. Thanks.

100% agree. If what is bolded and underlined is true, how in the H E double hockey sticks did the Wolves make it to sixth place and make it to the Western Conference Finals? Apparently the west was weaker than we thought and we just made it on talent alone. I will pick on Finch just a little because he saw what Denver did against OKC and tried to implement it the first two games instead of doing what got the Wolves to finals in the first place. As far as I am concerned, he has done a splendid job to date and if he has any season where he has the same roster for two straight seasons, he may very well bring a championship to Minnesota.

I would also note last year that he solved the mid-range Suns, and solved the Jokic-champ Nuggets.

Did he though? The Suns were swept with a significant defensive effort and significant offensive effort from playoff mode Karl, Jaden, Ant, ect… The Nuggets series had most games decided by 20 points or more. We traded blowout wins and losses until game 7 where we fell down by more than 20 points. I am struggling to understand how that kind of inconsistency screams amazing coaching?