The Official Chris Finch Thread

[Baseline81]

But he didn’t mention that the Wolves had the fifth best record against playoff teams, if I heard that right?

As for the elephant, I think it’s hard for anyone to determine whether the players or the coach is more at fault when teams struggle against bottom teams. Both share some blame, but personally I put more responsibility on the players. The coach didn’t tell them, “my game plan is for you to stop passing the ball around, don’t hurry back on defense, and get forced to do a lot of isolation. Just take it easy out there.” I see the players as adult, professionals that should bring the required level of energy to every game, regardless of the opponent.

I think it’s easier for fans to give credit to the players when the team succeeds, and blame the coach when the team fails.

At the end of the day, the coach is held responsible. Obviously, he isn't telling his players that, but then again, he, and only he, controls who plays. One of Finch's largest faults is his inability to adjust mid-game. We've seen it time and time again.

Again, I'm not saying Finch belongs in the same category as Saunders and Rambis, but I don't see the team making the next step under him either.

[Klomp]

Again, I'm not saying Finch belongs in the same category as Saunders and Rambis, but I don't see the team making the next step under him either.

But they did take the next step under him.

[Baseline81]

But they did take the next step under him.

No, the next step is getting this team to play more consistent, and eventually, advancing beyond the first round of the playoffs.

[will]

Not so sure Finch is the issue...than Gobert and/or KAT.

[Baseline81]

Not so sure Finch is the issue...than Gobert and/or KAT.

No one here has said there is just ONE issue to this team.

[Klomp]

But they did take the next step under him.

No, the next step is getting this team to play more consistent, and eventually, advancing beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Right, but to get to that step, they had to get to this step where they are at today. Ryan didn't get them to the step they're on. Chris did.

[Baseline81]

Right, but to get to that step, they had to get to this step where they are at today. Ryan didn't get them to the step they're on. Chris did.

Please follow along. Yes, I already stated Finch does not belong in the same bucket as Saunders. But do you agree this was a very talented Wolves team, when you consider the usual drivel we've had to endure through the years? Should we be okay with hovering around .500 and squeaking into the playoffs as a 7- or 8-seed?

[frankenwolf]

Right, but to get to that step, they had to get to this step where they are at today. Ryan didn't get them to the step they're on. Chris did.

Please follow along. Yes, I already stated Finch does not belong in the same bucket as Saunders. But do you agree this was a very talented Wolves team, when you consider the usual drivel we've had to endure through the years? Should we be okay with hovering around .500 and squeaking into the playoffs as a 7- or 8-seed?

My rant:

If anyone other than Chris Finch among the previous Timberwolf coaches had been coaching this years team, they probably wouldn't have made it to 20 wins. Holy cow, your star center/PF misses 70 % of your games and you have to integrate changes on the fly, starting with an all-offense, no defense PG and ending with a well balanced PG, well, Rambis would have benched Ant for about 50% of the playing time because something was wrong.

I'm tickled that they made it this far with all the challenges they have had this year. Did I expect it or want it? Heck no. Do I expect them to be a ton better next year?? Heck yes!

So, let's win on Friday, take it to the Suns and start next season this post season!

[Klomp]

Right, but to get to that step, they had to get to this step where they are at today. Ryan didn't get them to the step they're on. Chris did.

Please follow along. Yes, I already stated Finch does not belong in the same bucket as Saunders. But do you agree this was a very talented Wolves team, when you consider the usual drivel we've had to endure through the years? Should we be okay with hovering around .500 and squeaking into the playoffs as a 7- or 8-seed?

When you consider everything the team went through, starting from Towns' preseason illness and Gobert working back from international play to all of the injuries the team endured to one key rotation player after another, I honestly consider it a bit of a lost season. Frustrating? Yes. Understandable? Yes. Have we seen the peak with this group and Finch? Absolutely not.

[life_saver]

I think Finch despite his flaws is still one of the better headcoaches in the league...players love him which is very important for a Head Coach in NBA and despite all the injuries, Wolves were just a win away from finishing as 5th seed. Now, let's hope Finch can improve on 4th Qtr execution in upcoming season. That's the biggest issue we have currently

[Mattya]

Still has no idea how to use timeouts, sucks at challenges, somehow fascinated with McLaughlin, stagnant iso centric offense, still can’t convince his team to get back in transition defense.

He ran a lineup with Conley and McLaughlin last night…

[Neeva]

Still has no idea how to use timeouts, sucks at challenges, somehow fascinated with McLaughlin, stagnant iso centric offense, still can’t convince his team to get back in transition defense.

He ran a lineup with Conley and McLaughlin last night…

He is not head coach material, he is better suited as an assistant where he doesn’t have to make the crunchtime decisions. Finch makes horrible decisions when a game is on the line and his team gives up big leads. Double digit leads given up in last four playoff game’s fourth quarters is simply unacceptable! Enough with the excuses and I don’t care if he’s better than Saunders and the previous wolves head coaches. we mortgaged part of our future we are in win now mood and need a better HEAD coach asap.

[urinesane]

If they fire Finch this year or next, Ant is 100% gone after his rookie extension.

[Neeva]

If they fire Finch this year or next, Ant is 100% gone after his rookie extension.

Nah, Ant will fall in love with the next head coach, he is that type of guy.

[BlacJacMac]

If they fire Finch this year or next, Ant is 100% gone after his rookie extension.

And KAT will be gone of they fire Saunders, and KAT will be gone if they trade ROCo and KAT will be gone if they trade D'Lo...

[Mattya]

If Ant is willing to leave because Finch gets fired then he was gone anyway. He was closer with Ricky, Pat Bev, Vando than he was with finch.

[Neeva]

If Ant is willing to leave because Finch gets fired then he was gone anyway. He was closer with Ricky, Pat Bev, Vando than he was with finch.

For sure and I’d love Ricky, or Bev right now as our backup pg over jmac.

[urinesane]

If they fire Finch this year or next, Ant is 100% gone after his rookie extension.

And KAT will be gone of they fire Saunders, and KAT will be gone if they trade ROCo and KAT will be gone if they trade D'Lo...

He has a special relationship with Finch and respects him in a way that I don't think a new coach coming in would get. He wants Finch to be hard on him and Finch is VERY good at communicating his criticisms with tact (this is the most important part).

You bring in a hard ass Thibs type to whip things into shape, I don't think Ant will respond as well and will get him looking elsewhere (Finch getting fired means they missed the playoffs this year and failed to do anything next year imo).

It's not Finch's fault they torpedoed the roster for Gobert and KAT was out 52 games. It's also not his fault that players are immature (you can't force people to be mature), he has created an environment for them to thrive, and when they've followed the gameplan they've looked like a VERY good team. When they've stood around looking at someone else to make a play and haven't taken opponents seriously, they've looked terrible.

Everyone wants him to make these magical substitutions based on hindsight goggles, but most of the year his options have been a patchwork of "this is what we've got" with little real in the way of credible options.

Not sure how any of that is in the coach's control (nor how a new coach would suddenly "fix" these lapses), you can lead a horse to water...

It's really sad how people seem to forget how incredibly bad this franchise was for most of the years between Flip being fired and Finch being hired, yet the PTSD from those years and overall mediocre "they'll always blow it!" mentality of Minnesota sports fans comes back immediately after anything sh*tty happens.

I wish they'd just move the team to Vegas, so they can start being successful (and not have the Minnesota sports curse on them).

[Battletrigger]

Right, but to get to that step, they had to get to this step where they are at today. Ryan didn't get them to the step they're on. Chris did.

Please follow along. Yes, I already stated Finch does not belong in the same bucket as Saunders. But do you agree this was a very talented Wolves team, when you consider the usual drivel we've had to endure through the years? Should we be okay with hovering around .500 and squeaking into the playoffs as a 7- or 8-seed?

My rant:

If anyone other than Chris Finch among the previous Timberwolf coaches had been coaching this years team, they probably wouldn't have made it to 20 wins. Holy cow, your star center/PF misses 70 % of your games and you have to integrate changes on the fly, starting with an all-offense, no defense PG and ending with a well balanced PG, well, Rambis would have benched Ant for about 50% of the playing time because something was wrong.

I'm tickled that they made it this far with all the challenges they have had this year. Did I expect it or want it? Heck no. Do I expect them to be a ton better next year?? Heck yes!

So, let's win on Friday, take it to the Suns and start next season this post season!

I still prefer Rick Adelman by far.

[urinesane]

Please follow along. Yes, I already stated Finch does not belong in the same bucket as Saunders. But do you agree this was a very talented Wolves team, when you consider the usual drivel we've had to endure through the years? Should we be okay with hovering around .500 and squeaking into the playoffs as a 7- or 8-seed?

My rant:

If anyone other than Chris Finch among the previous Timberwolf coaches had been coaching this years team, they probably wouldn't have made it to 20 wins. Holy cow, your star center/PF misses 70 % of your games and you have to integrate changes on the fly, starting with an all-offense, no defense PG and ending with a well balanced PG, well, Rambis would have benched Ant for about 50% of the playing time because something was wrong.

I'm tickled that they made it this far with all the challenges they have had this year. Did I expect it or want it? Heck no. Do I expect them to be a ton better next year?? Heck yes!

So, let's win on Friday, take it to the Suns and start next season this post season!

I still prefer Rick Adelman by far.

You prefer end of his career Rick Adelman coaching three teams to no playoff appearances and a record of 97 - 133 over those three seasons?