Vanderpool and Gates let go as Finch looks to build his staff

[Calinks]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

[KGdaBom]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

[shrink]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

[winforlose]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

I really do think he expected to be HC and when Finch got the gig that was that.

[Klomp]

The only reason I'm kinda bummed is Ant. Vanterpool is a guards' coach and had a strong rapport with Ant especially here.

[Calinks]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

[shrink]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

Maybe. But Saunders had qualities that Rosas would have wanted:

1. He could push him around. Saunders was loyal, playing the players and style Rosas wanted, even if it meant he got losses.

2. Rosas knew that the first coach would struggle and be short term. He might not want to do that to Finch.

3. Saunders had the relationships. After Thibs authoritarian regime, Rosas and his new bunch of kids had no credibility with Towns, and the rest of the players that were already on the roster.

4. P.R. win.

We will never know if Glen made the final call, and it’s easy to imagine that Ryan was hired because Glen felt he owed it to Flip. Maybe that’s true. But I think that’s a simple explanation when there are certainly other reasons Rosas might choose Saunders.

[life_saver]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

After watching this team struggle defensively even when Thibs was here (Thibs was able to turn a below par Knicks team into a stud team defensively and even his Bulls teams were fantastic defensively), I am starting to think maybe the problem is with the core here..KAT has been the only constant in the last 6 yrs. Especially after seeing how much Knicks improved defensively under Thibs, it's starting to feel like KAT really is the major problem on defense..I definitely wouldn't come to conclusion on Vanterpool based on his last couple of seasons here

[TaylorTag]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

Maybe. But Saunders had qualities that Rosas would have wanted:

1. He could push him around. Saunders was loyal, playing the players and style Rosas wanted, even if it meant he got losses.

2. Rosas knew that the first coach would struggle and be short term. He might not want to do that to Finch.

3. Saunders had the relationships. After Thibs authoritarian regime, Rosas and his new bunch of kids had no credibility with Towns, and the rest of the players that were already on the roster.

4. P.R. win.

We will never know if Glen made the final call, and it’s easy to imagine that Ryan was hired because Glen felt he owed it to Flip. Maybe that’s true. But I think that’s a simple explanation when there are certainly other reasons Rosas might choose Saunders.

great **** points.. I think it was Britt Robson who said in a recent podcast that Ryann was a shield for Rosas and it really kind of was an epiphany for me. I could never figure out why Saunders was a head coach in the NBA (I honestly didn't watch most games during his era, save when he first took over the team for Thibs)..

Rosas played the long-game and new that Saunders would buy him time to build a roster worthy of competing. From what I hear, Rosas is a good guy, and I am sure he had no qualms giving Saunders his time as an NBA head coach while, at the same time, buying himself more time to accumulate assets and build a competent team in the West.

[Calinks]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

Maybe. But Saunders had qualities that Rosas would have wanted:

1. He could push him around. Saunders was loyal, playing the players and style Rosas wanted, even if it meant he got losses.

2. Rosas knew that the first coach would struggle and be short term. He might not want to do that to Finch.

3. Saunders had the relationships. After Thibs authoritarian regime, Rosas and his new bunch of kids had no credibility with Towns, and the rest of the players that were already on the roster.

4. P.R. win.

We will never know if Glen made the final call, and it’s easy to imagine that Ryan was hired because Glen felt he owed it to Flip. Maybe that’s true. But I think that’s a simple explanation when there are certainly other reasons Rosas might choose Saunders.

great **** points.. I think it was Britt Robson who said in a recent podcast that Ryann was a shield for Rosas and it really kind of was an epiphany for me. I could never figure out why Saunders was a head coach in the NBA (I honestly didn't watch most games during his era, save when he first took over the team for Thibs)..

Rosas played the long-game and new that Saunders would buy him time to build a roster worthy of competing. From what I hear, Rosas is a good guy, and I am sure he had no qualms giving Saunders his time as an NBA head coach while, at the same time, buying himself more time to accumulate assets and build a competent team in the West.

Yea, I kind of feel that way too, I alluded to some of this when the hire was first made.

[Calinks]

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

After watching this team struggle defensively even when Thibs was here (Thibs was able to turn a below par Knicks team into a stud team defensively and even his Bulls teams were fantastic defensively), I am starting to think maybe the problem is with the core here..KAT has been the only constant in the last 6 yrs. Especially after seeing how much Knicks improved defensively under Thibs, it's starting to feel like KAT really is the major problem on defense..I definitely wouldn't come to conclusion on Vanterpool based on his last couple of seasons here

I still don't think he is so bad that we can chalk it up to him. I think just as a whole we have not had a roster and scheme match that can plat at a high level. Randle was seen as a crappy defender until this year too. I think there is a way to make KAT serviceable we just haven't found it. Hell people are calling Wiggins a shut down dwfender and he wasnt that great under Thibs either.

[shangrila]

After all the crap that went on during Finch's hiring I can't say I'm sad to see Vanterpool go. He did nothing of note here

[Dewey]

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

After watching this team struggle defensively even when Thibs was here (Thibs was able to turn a below par Knicks team into a stud team defensively and even his Bulls teams were fantastic defensively), I am starting to think maybe the problem is with the core here..KAT has been the only constant in the last 6 yrs. Especially after seeing how much Knicks improved defensively under Thibs, it's starting to feel like KAT really is the major problem on defense..I definitely wouldn't come to conclusion on Vanterpool based on his last couple of seasons here

Clearly KAT is a part of the root cause defensively ... no secret. what’s worse is that it’s still an issue after three years of proof. apparently there’s there’s no defender qualified

[shrink]

I thought my paragraph was fair. KAT has improved greatly this year, and there is nothing wrong with Vanterpool’s system.

However, if he couldn’t get KAT to buy in as a defensive coach for so long, he probably wouldn’t be able to get him to buy in as a head coach. I see it as two guys that aren’t a good fit, but if you want to be a part of the Timberwolves, you need to fit with KAT, not vice versa.

[packforfreedom]

always hard to evaluate assistant coaches since their work is mostly behind the scenes, it's also normal that head coaches bring their own people. But since our player development and our defense weren't very good in the last years I don't mind a change at all.

[KGdaBom]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

Maybe. But Saunders had qualities that Rosas would have wanted:

1. He could push him around. Saunders was loyal, playing the players and style Rosas wanted, even if it meant he got losses.

2. Rosas knew that the first coach would struggle and be short term. He might not want to do that to Finch.

3. Saunders had the relationships. After Thibs authoritarian regime, Rosas and his new bunch of kids had no credibility with Towns, and the rest of the players that were already on the roster.

4. P.R. win.

We will never know if Glen made the final call, and it’s easy to imagine that Ryan was hired because Glen felt he owed it to Flip. Maybe that’s true. But I think that’s a simple explanation when there are certainly other reasons Rosas might choose Saunders.

The big problem with Hiring Saunders even as interim is he had zero credentials of an NBA Head Coach. I don't even know if he was ever a lead assistant. Saunders getting the HC job was a very bad joke played on Wolves fans.

[KGdaBom]

I still strongly suspect that Glen was pushing for Ryan to be coach and Rosas hired him just to make his new boss happy and because there was some potential there. I think if Rosas had it his way he would have hired Finch from the start. his hand was forced and was ready to jump to Finch as soon as he realistically could.

This is why owners should let the people they hire do their jobs, if you have faith in the person you hired to get things done, let them do it.

Maybe. But Saunders had qualities that Rosas would have wanted:

1. He could push him around. Saunders was loyal, playing the players and style Rosas wanted, even if it meant he got losses.

2. Rosas knew that the first coach would struggle and be short term. He might not want to do that to Finch.

3. Saunders had the relationships. After Thibs authoritarian regime, Rosas and his new bunch of kids had no credibility with Towns, and the rest of the players that were already on the roster.

4. P.R. win.

We will never know if Glen made the final call, and it’s easy to imagine that Ryan was hired because Glen felt he owed it to Flip. Maybe that’s true. But I think that’s a simple explanation when there are certainly other reasons Rosas might choose Saunders.

great **** points.. I think it was Britt Robson who said in a recent podcast that Ryann was a shield for Rosas and it really kind of was an epiphany for me. I could never figure out why Saunders was a head coach in the NBA (I honestly didn't watch most games during his era, save when he first took over the team for Thibs)..

Rosas played the long-game and new that Saunders would buy him time to build a roster worthy of competing. From what I hear, Rosas is a good guy, and I am sure he had no qualms giving Saunders his time as an NBA head coach while, at the same time, buying himself more time to accumulate assets and build a competent team in the West.

I could figure out why Saunders was a HC in the NBA. It's called Nepotism.

[Calinks]

always hard to evaluate assistant coaches since their work is mostly behind the scenes, it's also normal that head coaches bring their own people. But since our player development and our defense weren't very good in the last years I don't mind a change at all.

I disagree about player development, I think we have been pretty solid there these last two seasons.

[SmokeyPaw]

always hard to evaluate assistant coaches since their work is mostly behind the scenes, it's also normal that head coaches bring their own people. But since our player development and our defense weren't very good in the last years I don't mind a change at all.

I disagree about player development, I think we have been pretty solid there these last two seasons.

Agree. If you look at Reid, Nowell, McLauglin, Ant, McDaniels ots a good track record. Only underperformer is Culver.

[Nick K]

https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/18/timberwolves-assistant-coaches-david-vanterpool-and-bryan-gates-wont-be-back-next-season/

I'm sure Finch has his defensive guy in mind, I am really looking forward to seeing the changes we make next season. If we can play average defense that's a big jump.

I wonder if Vanterpool requested his release.

This was expected.

Vanterpoole came here expecting this to be a short gig, and perhaps be a head coach in the next year or two. I believe he interviewed for a head coaching job while he was here, but didn’t get it. Many felt that he should have become the head coach here when Saunders was hired, and the flap over him not being interviewed, I think this was all for show by the Head Coaches Association who want to stick up for black (not diverse) hires, because

1. Rosas couldn’t have extended hiring process mid season
2. Rosas had already interviewed Vanterpool and Finch 18 months earlier
3. Nobody should be accusing the Wolves of a lack of diversity, when their brain trust was

Rosas: 1st Latino GM
Gupta: India
Vanterpool: black
Priglioni: Argentina/Italy
Saunders: white. Finch doesn’t really make them too white, right?

Moreover, Vanterpool didn’t exactly do great here. I had high hopes for him, after he turned Damian Lillard from a turnstile to at least an okay defender, but the Wolves routinely were in the bottom 3 teams in the league defensively. Now, this isn’t all his fault - the roster Rosas gave him wasn’t exactly a defensive one, and when KAT was out last year and Gorgui was inserted, the Wolves instantly became a top 5 defense running DV’s system. However, part of the job of being a coach isn’t just drawing up systems - it’s getting your players to learn, accept, and implement that system.

I think losing Vanterpool is a loss in potential, but I am curious to see what the Wolves can be defensively with a new voice on the coaching staff.

Good post shrink. you nailed every point except the last one. I don't think we'll miss Vanterpool. We'll find better potential in our next coach.