Laimbeer, Theus will join Wolves

[Tirion]

Nice.

New Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis will add former Detroit Pistons bad-boy center Bill Laimbeer and former Sacramento Kings head coach Reggie Theus to his staff, according to a league source.

Those two notable names will join Boston assistant general manager Dave Wohl, a former Los Angeles Lakers assistant and New Jersey's head coach in the 1980s who will become Rambis' No. 1 assistant.

Laimbeer, 52, resigned as the Detroit Shock's head coach and general manager in June after winning three WNBA titles in seven seasons as its coach. He did so in a surprise move presumably to pursue a coaching career in the NBA, where he won two NBA titles with the Pistons displaying an agitating playing style that earned him the nickname "His Heinous."

He has never coached in the NBA.

Theus, 51, coached the Kings to a 44-62 record before being fired last winter 24 games into his second season as head coach. He previously coached New Mexico State for two seasons and was an assistant coach to Rick Pitino at Louisville before that.

He played shooting guard for five franchises in his 13-season NBA playing career.

Current assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff might be retained from the team's former coaching staff. Jerry Sichting and Dean Cooper likely will be reassigned to the front office until their contracts expire.

Very strong signings. And another slap at McHale with Laimbeer getting an assistant coach gig. That's some notable names in a coaching stuff.

[4ho5ive]

link?

EDIT: nvm, http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/56130622.html

[Vega06]

I would've been okay with giving Laimbeer a shot at the head coaching position, so him being an assistant is awesome. Our coaching staff has some potential.

[Vega06]

link?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolve ... DEh7P:DiUs

[LOBO 7]

Yeah, this is great news. We'll get a chance to see what some good coaching can do for a team. I remember Kahn saying somewhere that he wanted us to become the best player-development team in the league, and this coaching staff, combined with all our young talent and assets could make for an exciting turn-around in the next few years. It's a great time to be a Wolves fan. Even if we really struggle this year I think this rebuilding thing is slowly turning the corner.

Bold prediction: by 2011-2012 we'll be a top-ten team.

[Tirion]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3tc7TXMBT8

What's up with Wolves coaches getting clotheslined/punched by Celtic players?

[PeeDee]

WOW! Didn't expect this. Wait, are we becoming a legit org?

[Esohny]

Nice.

[theGreatRC]

Certainly some nice names, let's see what they can do.

[funkatron101]

I don't think we could have expected much better. It will be interesting to see how they work together.

[john2jer]

That's a great group of assistants. Lot of championship playing/coaching experience, and guys that stress tough play and defense. I like it.

[4ho5ive]

I don't think we could have expected much better. It will be interesting to see how they work together.

I honestly didnt expect this much. Im pretty happy and really excited for the upcoming season.

[The J Rocka]

Bravo!!

[Klomp]

Any similarities with the Bulls situation last year?

First time head coach surrounded with three guys who've coached in the NBA. Bulls assistants more older/experienced, ours younger, less experienced, but have the potential to grow along with the players.

Laimbeer can give Al/Love some of that physical toughness, Theus was a combo guard in his playing days, Wohl has the coaching experience to help both Kurt and the players.

Is it basketball season yet? Man, I wish it was.

[TheFranchise21]

Some high profile assts. there. I hope they are the right moves.

[Klomp]

I just realized the Wohl connection. He was a Lakers assistant from 82 to 85, when he took his first and only head coaching job with the Nets.

[RD&KG2]

As much as I laugh and the WNBA, it's hard to not love having that kind of playoff/championship type coaching experience on your bench.
New team slogan:
The Minnesota Timberwolves: Our coaches can beat up your coaches.

[Devilzsidewalk]

nice, we got name recognition

our coaches have either coached with or played under: Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Chuck Daly, Jerry Tarkanian, and Rick Pitino

thats the best of the best right nyah

[Dewey]

Nice staff potential ... then, what if we get Rubio on the squad tomorrow (Monday)?

The thing that does scare me some is Rambis maintaining the upper hand over Theus and Laimbeer ... could become a group with some pretty strong personalities. Wohl will be a gritical component for this to work.

I like Laimbeer as an assistant ... his presence should help the team develop a strong defensive attitude. Very key for this young team. He needs to remember to be a teacher - first. I think he's going to find that NBA players "think they know" and may not be quite as responsive as his WNBA teams. Then again, that might be a T'Wolf players biggest mistake this year... !!!

I think Theus will be a nice compliment to Laimbeer. More reserved, but understands the game. Maybe the two of them can average each other out.

I agree ... Wohl seems to be perfect head assistant to Rambis.

[Basti]

nice signings. the new season can't start soon enough.