Rambis reaches deal to become head coach of Wolves

Post #1 » by **dockingsched** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:46 pm

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to begin interviewing finalists for their head-coaching position this weekend, league sources said. ABC-TV analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis are widely considered to make up the finalists pool with Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams a long-shot possibility.

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn is expected to conduct the interviews by asking the candidates to show some of their on-court coaching techniques, as well as having them diagram plays and give examples of their motivational strategies.

Jackson has been long thought to be the leading candidate for the job.

Even though Lakers coach Phil Jackson could retire after this season, the franchise doesn’t seem inclined to keep Rambis from taking the Minnesota position should it be offered. One coaching source predicted the Lakers would seek a more established replacement for Jackson.

SApuro_ · Post #2 » by **SApuro_** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:49 pm

If he's good enough to coach Laker away games figure he can take the T-Wolves out of the cellar. If only Minn would have drafted a few more point guards they might have a shot.

The Skyhook · Post #3 » by **The Skyhook** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:20 pm

Well we all saw how Phil Jackson almost didn't come back to coaching the Lakers this season. If we go all the way this season or fall short, I'm not sure Phil will come back. Now that his contract will be up he can leave the coaching career in peace. He wouldn't feel as bad as leaving the Lakers since its not during the team he still has a contract with the team.

If Rambis really does get the coaching job and Phil Jackson doesn't come back then I don't think anyone on the current Lakers coaching staff will be the head coach of the Lakers. We will have to go out and find a new coach, but the question is who would we go after. Maybe if Popavich doesn't win a championship this year he will get fired or leave the Spurs like he said. There also Byron Scott who many people have brought up before,

lakersfanatic · Post #4 » by **lakersfanatic** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:37 pm

Good for him. He deserves a coaching job, but i think they'll ultimately choose Mark Jackson for the job. Maybe going fresh would help spark some wins in Minns. hehe.

If we lose Phil, then i think the next best canidate would be byron scott. True Lakers all the way hehe.

TommyTheCat · Post #5 » by **TommyTheCat** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:35 pm

i'd like to see rambis get a head coaching job.

i'm still down with the robophil idea if phil's health limits him

LAKESHOW · Post #6 » by **LAKESHOW** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:45 pm

i'll send in another vote for jim clemons for the job, and let rambis go to the Twolves.

Post #7 » by **Danny Darko** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:39 pm

It seems like despite Rambis being more high profile as a candidate that when Phil is gone it will be us looking at Shaw (and if it's next year) Byron Scott.

KB20 · Post #8 » by **KB20** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:16 am

I really hope he gets that job because I don't want him to become our next head coach. I'd much rather have Brian Shaw or Byron Scott.

Erik Eleven · Post #9 » by **Erik Eleven** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:45 am

TommyTheCat wrote:i'm still down with the robophil idea if phil's health limits him

EDIT: Nobody ever checked what the rule book says about the coach needing to be physically present, or if it's enough presence to be able to see, hear and speak on location. I'm still not sure it's against the rules to roll out Robo-Phil, next time Phil can't make a trip.

Erik Eleven · Post #10 » by **Erik Eleven** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:46 am

Don't do it, Kurt. Minny is the next Grizzlies.

Mamba Venom · Post #11 » by **Mamba Venom** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:04 am

I could give a crap less about coaches with Laker loyalties...

I want GMs w/ Laker loyalties

The Celtics are beating us at this.

Post #12 » by **dockingsched** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 12:58 am

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins ... page=3&c=y

The word in NBA circles is that Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis will be the next Timberwolves coach and Mychal Thompson, the former Gophers star and Lakers teammate of Rambis' who now is a radio broadcaster for the Lakers, has made a strong recommendation. "I talked to David [Kahn] personally and told him you have to go after a guy like Rambis who knows what it takes to win in this league," Thompson said. "He would take the job if it was offered to him. I know that. He would be a great teacher to guys like Al Jefferson and Kevin Love." ... Thompson's youngest son, 18-year-old Trayce, just signed with the White Sox after being drafted in the second round of the baseball draft. A 6-4, 200-pound outfielder, Trayce Thompson had committed to UCLA, but after getting a $625,000 bonus, he reported to Bristol of the rookie Appalachian League this past week. Thompson's other sons play college basketball: Mychel is a junior at Pepperdine and Klay is a sophomore at Washington State.

Erik Eleven · Post #13 » by **Erik Eleven** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 7:07 am

I'd hate to see him go to a losing culture like Minny.

Dr Aki · Post #14 » by **Dr Aki** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 7:25 am

enlightenment wrote:I could give a crap less about coaches with Laker loyalties...

I want GMs w/ Laker loyalties

The Celtics are beating us at this.

thank god for chris wallace

Gus McCrae · Post #15 » by **Gus McCrae** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 10:39 pm

Would that have any other effect on the team?

Who will coach the Lakers when Phil can't make the road trips? I'm sure he'll miss at least one road trip this year?

djericho · Post #16 » by **djericho** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 11:34 pm

I'd hope not.

I'd like to see Brian Shaw step up and coach when Phil can't make a game or two on the road.

I like Rambis as a person and player, but I dunno if he is head coach material. I look @ him as a Del Harris, best suited as an assistant....

Patterns · Post #17 » by **Patterns** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 11:39 pm

Hire Jeff Van Gundy as the assistant. Let him teach the team defense then once Phil leaves, allow him to be the head coach while Shaw becomes the offensive coach.

JustBlaze · Post #18 » by **JustBlaze** » Tue Aug 4, 2009 1:38 am

I know its every assistant coaches dream to be a head coach, but I think he should wait 1 more year.

He can coach the wolves now, which means as a new coach on a bad team he will pretty much be on the hot seat from day 1, or he can stick it out 1 more year with LA and then have a good chance of taking over a championship caliber team and possibly be the next Laker's head coach to hold up the trophy.

If he doesn't become the Lakers coach next year then there will be other opportunities just like their are every off-season.

ShowtimeFan · Post #19 » by **ShowtimeFan** » Tue Aug 4, 2009 4:09 am

Hopefully Byron Scott will be available about the same time as Action Jackson decides to retire, Rambis had his shot...

Mamba Venom · Post #20 » by **Mamba Venom** » Tue Aug 4, 2009 6:34 am

B SCOTT CAN COME BACK AND GET THAT MONKEY OFF HIS BACK