**Official New Coach Thread**

HL Slamdunk · Post #1 » by **HL Slamdunk** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:16 pm

I wrote this first on rubechat just a few minutes ago:
It doesn't seem like there has been as much discussion about coaching possibilities as there could be (not making a rant, just an observation). There are some names out there that seem like definite possibilies as our next coach. I'll do a rundown of what these possible candidates bring to the table. This is in no particular order.

Avery Johnson
Coached the Dallas Mavericks for four seasons, making the playoffs in each of those years. In his second season (2005-2006) he coached the Mavericks to its first NBA final. Ended up losing to the Miami Heat in six games after winning the first two of the series. Was fired from Dallas after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the 06-07 season and the 07-08 season. He was on a list of candidates to replace Flip Saunders at Detroit.

My take: This would definitely be an interesting move if the Wolves would persue this guy. He has been able to win. Whether the success in his first two seasons as coach of the Mavericks was the product of impressive coaching or just a really good situation that only needed very mediocre coaching is up for debate. He has a lot of energy, which is something I think this team needs. But, does he have the ability to completely turn a squad and organization around? I don't think anybody really knows or can give the answer.

Sam Mitchell
Has a Minnesota connection as he was one of the prominent players on the team during the 90's. His coaching career began in the 04-05 season when he coached the Toronto Raptors to a 33-49 record. He missed the playoffs again the next season. Finally in the 06-07 season, Mitchell was able to make the playoffs with his Raptors squad. For his accomplishments, Mitchell received the NBA coach of the year award. The team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and the next year they were eliminated in the first round as well. Mitchell was fired after 17 games of the 08-09 season.

My take: I think that Mitchell would definitely be a popular hire in the state of Minnesota. He has a lot of fans in the state, thus making Minnesota a nice and comfortable atmosphere for Mitchell. I believe that he could turn this thing around. In the 05-06 season the Raptors had a measly 27 wins (comparable to the Wolves). The next year he led the Raptors to the playoffs. Could he do the same here? I think the answer is yes. But in the end, could Sam Mitchell take us to the next level? I'm skeptical.

Mike Budenholzer
San Antonio Spurs' number one overall assistant coach. He has been part of arguably the most successful NBA organization of the 21st century for 14 years. Is an understudy of Greg Popovich. Has served as the summer league coach for the Spurs on numerous occasions. Not a lot to write about on this guy.

My take: This guy has been a part of an organization that has won. He knows what it takes to win. He knows what kind of a philosophy is needed for an organization to be successful. He would bring the intensity night in and night out. That is what we need. We need a coach that can light a fire underneath our players and get them to play with some enthusiasm. This could be the guy. If we could get a GM that would be on the same page as this guy, I think that really good things could happen.

Tom Thibodeau
Currently in his second season as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. He is one of the defensive gurus that has helped the Celtics rank at or near the top in team defense. He has some background here as he was an assistant coach underneath Bill Musselman. He was also an assistant coach under Jeff Van Gundy at New York. He helped the Houston Rockets rank in the top 5 in team defense from 2004-2007. Definitely a defensive-minded coach.

My take: Thibodeau would be a home run hire in my opinion. His emphasis is on defense, which is what this team really needs now. He has proven himself to be very successful due to the fact that his defenses have ranked at or near the top in team defense. He would bring a fresh new look to this Timberwolves team, and I think that it is important for the organization to get a fresh start.

Jeff Van Gundy
Was an assistant coach at with the New York Knicks for six-and-a-half seasons. Became the head coach of the Knicks in 1995. He then was able to lead the Knicks to an NBA final and two conference finals. He resigned from his post as head coach of the Knicks in 2001, and then he became the head coach of the Houston Rockets. As head coach, he has led his teams to the playoffs every year except one. But, the last four playoff appearances by Van Gundy ended in the first round. Jeff Van Gundy currently works for ESPN as an analyst.

My take: Van Gundy would be another home run hire. Defense is his emphasis. He brings an energy to the game that is rivaled by very few. He brings what this team needs most: a fresh look. He won't take any b.s. from players. He will instill his system and make it work. I, along with many others, doubt that he will take a head coaching position with a team because he is so comfortable doing the commetary for ESPN. But, who knows? He might go back to doing what he loves to do most: coaching basketball.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #2 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:09 pm

Thibodeaux interests me, and Avery Johnson kind of too. Van Gundy would probably make himself the star of the team and Smitch doesn't interest me at all, I'd much rather keep McHale. Budenholzer I know nothing about, but he sounds like a really smart guy.

HL Slamdunk · Post #3 » by **HL Slamdunk** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:11 pm

Yeah, Mitchell might be able to turn us around, but I don't know if he could bring us deep in the playoffs.

Post #4 » by **revprodeji** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:37 pm

Good idea, but it is utterly in vain until we know the new GM. The new coach will be dependent on who the new boss is.

Post #5 » by **revprodeji** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:37 pm

Front office guys will bring in someone they have a connection with, someone they feel confident with and someone that runs a system that is compatible with the vision the coach wants. That is why the boss is more important than the coach.

Post #6 » by **Klomp** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:57 am

revprodeji wrote:Good idea, but it is utterly in vain until we know the new GM. The new coach will be dependent on who the new boss is.

Do either of the two big GM possibilities (from Cleveland and SA) have ties to Avery? How long was the Cleveland guy with the Spurs?

I still think Budenholzer is most likely, followed by Mitchell, Thibodeau, Johnson, and Van Gundy. (of the guys listed)

My personal preference would be Budenholzer, followed by Johnson, Thibodeau, Mitchell, and Van Gundy. (of the guys listed)

Post #7 » by **revprodeji** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:05 am

You are assuming it is one of the 2 mentioned guys. It could be a darkhorse.

It just proves the point that the Gm is the first step before the coach is hired.

Post #8 » by **Klomp** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:07 am

revprodeji wrote:You are assuming it is one of the 2 mentioned guys. It could be a darkhorse.

It just proves the point that the Gm is the first step before the coach is hired.

Just a gut feeling

Oh, and if its Hoiberg, the coach is Mitchell or Porter lol

HL Slamdunk · Post #9 » by **HL Slamdunk** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:26 am

klomp44 wrote:
revprodeji wrote:Good idea, but it is utterly in vain until we know the new GM. The new coach will be dependent on who the new boss is.

Do either of the two big GM possibilities (from Cleveland and SA) have ties to Avery? How long was the Cleveland guy with the Spurs?

I still think Budenholzer is most likely, followed by Mitchell, Thibodeau, Johnson, and Van Gundy. (of the guys listed)

My personal preference would be Budenholzer, followed by Johnson, Thibodeau, Mitchell, and Van Gundy. (of the guys listed)

Avery Johnson played about 10 seasons with the Spurs. That's about the only connection between Cleveland and SA that I know of.

On another note, you have to realize that Dennis Lindsey only joined the Spurs organization in 2007. Before that he was at Houston, which is the same place and the same time that Thibodeau was an assistant in Houston. So, I think we can look at that connection too.

Post #10 » by **Klomp** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:04 am

HL Slamdunk wrote:Before that he was at Houston, which is the same place and the same time that Thibodeau was an assistant in Houston. So, I think we can look at that connection too.

Good call. Lindsey and Thibodeau would also have connections with Dean Cooper then, wouldn't they? Maybe the master plan was put into place last year, and Cooper was the first piece?

Post #11 » by **C.lupus** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:14 pm

I'd be a very happy camper if we end up with Lindsey as GM and either Budenholzer or Thibodeau as coach.

john2jer · Post #12 » by **john2jer** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:56 pm

The last guy off that list I want is Sam Mitchell. No thank you, please.

Tom Thibodeau and Mike Budenholzer are my two favorites.

mnWI · Post #13 » by **mnWI** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:26 am

Avery Johnson wouldn't take the Wolves job. He has his sights set on Atlanta. He can afford to sit out another year if he doesn't see a situation he likes.

Post #14 » by **C.lupus** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:07 pm

OK, the Spurs are out of the playoffs. We've waited long enough. Time to announce Lindsey and Budenholzer already.

Post #15 » by **revprodeji** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:27 pm

It does worry me. I imagine perhaps it is one of the Cle guys. There is no point in waiting for the NBDL guy, and the spurs are done so we should know about them. There is also no point in waiting on an in-house guy. It must be a cavs guy.

john2jer · Post #16 » by **john2jer** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:30 pm

Patience. Give them until the end of the week before we riot.

Krapinsky · Post #17 » by **Krapinsky** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:32 pm

revprodeji wrote:It does worry me. I imagine perhaps it is one of the Cle guys. There is no point in waiting for the NBDL guy, and the spurs are done so we should know about them. There is also no point in waiting on an in-house guy. It must be a cavs guy.

Any chance it is a complete wildcard, like a euro guy?

Post #18 » by **C.lupus** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:45 pm

john2jer wrote:Patience. Give them until the end of the week before we riot.

I want instant gratification! :evil:

john2jer · Post #19 » by **john2jer** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:51 pm

C.lupus wrote:
john2jer wrote:Patience. Give them until the end of the week before we riot.

I want instant gratification!

End of the week is tomorrow. :-)

If I don't hear anything by closing bell tomorrow, I'm walking the two blocks to Target Center and spitting on the front door.

Post #20 » by **revprodeji** » Fri May 1, 2009 12:19 am

Dr.Krapinsky wrote:
revprodeji wrote:It does worry me. I imagine perhaps it is one of the Cle guys. There is no point in waiting for the NBDL guy, and the spurs are done so we should know about them. There is also no point in waiting on an in-house guy. It must be a cavs guy.

Any chance it is a complete wildcard, like a euro guy?

I could understand it for a coach, but not a GM. A GM needs league experience. Understanding of the prospects, but also the players currently in the league. That is my concern with Kahn (*even more than the shady past), that he has not been in an active successful front office the last couple seasons.