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Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:01 pm
by Calinks
I knew it would take more than this for Taylor to dump one of his guys. Wittman's going to get a lot of opportunity and unless he is just atrocious for a long stretch of time, he's our coach for the foreseeable future. They aren't going to a pull a .500 team Dwane Casey firing on Witt.
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Charley Walters: Minnesota Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman's job safe, owner Glen Taylor says
Randy Wittman's coaching job is safe, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said.
"If I worried about the short term, and I looked at the economy and all my companies, if I based things on that, then I'd fire all my presidents because they had a bad month," Taylor said. "I've been through ups and downs. You've got to be patient. I think Randy has prepared (the players) well. We've just got to get them some confidence. They're still young."
The Timberwolves are 2-8 entering tonight's home game against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, who include former Wolves Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell.
"I learned a long time ago that you've got to be patient with this," Taylor said. "The last thing, when these guys are trying so hard and everybody wants to win, is for me to put undue pressure on them. That's not going to make it any better. They all know I want to win, but I also know that they want to win just as bad.
"I thought we would probably have a better record. We played really good in every game for three quarters; we've just struggled in fourth quarters. We've done some really good things this year. The turnovers have been down, but when we've had them, they've been at critical times in the fourth quarter."
Wittman has this season and next season remaining on a contract worth nearly $5 million. No shakeups are planned, Taylor said.
"Because they've done some really good things," Taylor said. "It's just been that fourth quarter. Is it
just unlucky, or why do we do turnovers late in the game?"
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:13 pm
by Devilzsidewalk
I agree though, Wolves aren't going anywhere this year and our foundation is under contract for next year too so we don't have to placate any of the players. If they want to make a change, they should do it after the season instead of putting in a new system mid-season. We'd have better coaches to choose from too if we can land a good young player or 3, which we should be able to do.
No knock on Bassy but a big name coach probably doesn't want to coach Telfair, but if we get Ricky Rubio, then we might get some attention.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:14 pm
by Howler21
Usually that is a kiss of death (Cuban/Harris) but in our case that means he is likely here longer than Jefferson
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:20 pm
by 4ho5ive
Anything this FO says i dont believe. Even if he is one of Taylor's boys I just dont believe anything this FO comes out and says publicly.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:28 pm
by TMo519
If they are 2-21, I'm willing to be somethin happens.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:49 pm
by C.lupus
I can certainly understand (and agree with) looking long-term vs. short-term and being patient. You don't become a billionaire owner of several successful businesses by ignoring performance, though. Bottom line: the Wolves are 24-68 since the beginning of last season. Since we are rebuilding, the record alone doesn't worry me as much as the seeming lack of improvement. We are right where we were last year with the same questions about players and ability to closeout games. That should get the boss's attention.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:35 pm
by casey
This just makes me think it's more likely that Wittman will be fired soon.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:16 pm
by D1SGRUNTL3D
Fire him on Thanksgiving. Thatd be awesome
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:09 pm
by Vega06
OKC fired their coach. Atleast they're smart
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:17 pm
by Calinks
Well now we know who our next coach is. The Wolves wanted PJ back when we had Spree, so now if Wittman gets canned Carlesimo will get a lifetime deal.
Re: Wittman isn't going anywhere any time soon
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:18 pm
by GopherIt!
PJ got fired for starting 1-12, why can't Wittless suffer a similar fate?
Glen Taylor's brother was my math teacher in high school and I have to say
if there is any analytical/logical thinking in that family it all lives in Eagan.