KGdaBom wrote:Killboard wrote:KGdaBom wrote:This is a very dark day for the Timberwolves. They had several qualified candidates and one interim coach who had never even been a lead assistant. Choosing Saunders is akin to choosing Ndudi Ebi over Josh Howard so many years ago in the draft. Howard was IIRC ACC Player of the Year. Ebi was a high school guy who looked good guarding somebody in a practice.
Is not like the other guys are coaching right now, 29 other teams also are passing on them. Im not saying Ryan is definetly the best choice, but Im not sure the other guys are going to be HoF and KAT knows and respect Ryan. Maybe after what the previous regime did is a good way to show him we care about his input.
Nobody is Head Coaching until they are. The candidates other than Saunders had impeccable assistant coaching resumes as lead assistant or associate head coach with mostly winning organizations. Saunders was never even a lead assistant. That is why I say his credentials were being Flip's son and KAT liking him. To me that isn't enough. I guess to you it is. Ryan getting the job totally reminds me of Ebi being drafted over Howard. It's a great analogy. As a Wolves fan I don't see how anybody can see this happen and not feel like a piece of their heart is being ripped out. I guess we have been conditioned to accept whatever happens.
I would be much more confident if I know for sure it was Rosas decision without any conditional. I suppose it is, because the guy already step aside of an organization without control. But talking strictly about Ryan perfomance, he was 17-24 without Roco and a 4th string PG (Bayless, Cannan, Terrel) in the mix in almost every of his games and KBD soaking minutes from Taj. Thibs was 19-22 with his darling Jimbo/Roco and the best Rose of the last 5 seasons, and I dont have to point you Thibs resume. Im fine with giving him a full preseason based on that and KAT input.
If we fall off of the playoff hunt before April comes I think the Ryan experiment should be over. But I understand Rosas if he wants to earn to confidence of the ownership, fanbase and roster (specially KAT) doing an slow transition in the organization. Giving Ryan a full season to prove himself worthy, accepting the input of key pieces as Casson, Taylor and Towns, while changing the culture of the front office (New Defacto GM signing today too), the scouts, medical and training staff, then the roster biggest concerns. When all the scenario is set, and if Ryan isnt who Taylor and KAT thought, you take the heat and replace him with your guy, knowing you've set up the pieces for long term success.