The search for a new coach results in Ryan Saunders (pg 11)

[Mattya]

I feel like he has a good approach to offense. At least he is trying to get guys to take less mid range shots and he clearly knew what he was doing with KAT. It will be nice to evaluate him with Roco and none of the drama queen stuff.

[DaKid]

And Thibodeau got us Butler.

As POBO, not as coach. Two different roles. Someone can be a competent POBO while being an incompetent coach at the same time.

Semantics and whatever. Thibodeau was the coach of our team that went to the playoffs season before last. Fact.

Another all star was on the team, fact.

Is it on saunders that there isn't another Jimmy butler on this team? No

[KGdaBom]

As POBO, not as coach. Two different roles. Someone can be a competent POBO while being an incompetent coach at the same time.

Semantics and whatever. Thibodeau was the coach of our team that went to the playoffs season before last. Fact.

Another all star was on the team, fact.

Is it on saunders that there isn't another Jimmy butler on this team? No

KAT is much better now. RoCo IMO is a star whether an all star or not. I think Saunders should be able to get us to the playoffs if he performs well.

[KGdaBom]

I feel like he has a good approach to offense. At least he is trying to get guys to take less mid range shots and he clearly knew what he was doing with KAT. It will be nice to evaluate him with Roco and none of the drama queen stuff.

Agreed and I hope he does very well.

[yawner]

I'd rather be a year or two early on a coaching hire than a year or two late

I don´t really like Ryan´s hire. But the fact that Rosas and him had personal interviews during the Rosas´hiring process, makes me think that he knew he probably would end up having to promote Ryan to fulltime headcoach. And yet, Rosas accepted the POBO job. Which means that he knows what he´s doing, which means that this is a calculated risk. And that makes me feel relieved.

If it doesn´t work, in a year, Rosas will be able to fire Ryan without angering Kat or Taylor. And he will have all the right and freedom to hire whoever he considers is best for the job. And until then, the team gains cohesion and togetherness, the players start to learn a playing system supervised by Rosas himself, and the team starts running as it should.

[Domejandro]

Semantics and whatever. Thibodeau was the coach of our team that went to the playoffs season before last. Fact.

Another all star was on the team, fact.

Is it on saunders that there isn't another Jimmy butler on this team? No

KAT is much better now. RoCo IMO is a star whether an all star or not. I think Saunders should be able to get us to the playoffs if he performs well.

Try to go into this hiring with an open mind. Keep in mind that it was Ryan Saunders that was willing to shift and give Luol Deng a shot (who played phenomenal), and he allowed both Cameron Reynolds and Keita Bates-Diop to thrive under him. It is certainly a bigger gamble of a hire (though honestly, other than Finch who was comfortable staying in New Orleans anyways, the options were pretty "meh"), but Ryan is someone who is receptive to criticism, understands analytics, and clearly knows how to get the most out of end-of-rotation guys.

I think by mid-season you will be pretty content with him. Unfortunately the Western Conference is going to be insane next year....

Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and (potentially) New Orleans Pelicans

....are all prospective Playoff teams, but I think Minnesota will 100% be in the thick of it next season, should Robert Covington not break down.

We also need Rosas to prove himself this off-season. I love the hiring of Gianluca Pascucci, I was not expecting us to poach him easily at all; that shows the value of hiring someone from a successful franchise like Rosas, he has forged excellent relationships. Now it is Rosas' job to continue filling out the front office well, having a successful draft, and filling out the team with quality supplementary players to compliment Karl-Anthony Towns.

I am encouraged by Rosas staying close to the team and encouraging working with Andrew Wiggins rigorously over summer; right now his salary is poison and near-impossible to trade, so we have to try to make him capitalize on his talent. Work on defense, encourage massive work on three-point shooting, and improve handling in ball-screen action, that is all I want. Also, put a shock collar or something on him that goes off every time he shoots a contested mid-range jumper in practice.

[Tukkerwolf]

Another all star was on the team, fact.

Is it on saunders that there isn't another Jimmy butler on this team? No

KAT is much better now. RoCo IMO is a star whether an all star or not. I think Saunders should be able to get us to the playoffs if he performs well.

Try to go into this hiring with an open mind. Keep in mind that it was Ryan Saunders that was willing to shift and give Luol Deng a shot (who played phenomenal), and he allowed both Cameron Reynolds and Keita Bates-Diop to thrive under him. It is certainly a bigger gamble of a hire (though honestly, other than Finch who was comfortable staying in New Orleans anyways, the options were pretty "meh"), but Ryan is someone who is receptive to criticism, understands analytics, and clearly knows how to get the most out of end-of-rotation guys.

I think by mid-season you will be pretty content with him. Unfortunately the Western Conference is going to be insane next year....

Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and (potentially) New Orleans Pelicans

....are all prospective Playoff teams, but I think Minnesota will 100% be in the thick of it next season, should Robert Covington not break down.

We also need Rosas to prove himself this off-season. I love the hiring of Gianluca Pascucci, I was not expecting us to poach him easily at all; that shows the value of hiring someone from a successful franchise like Rosas, he has forged excellent relationships. Now it is Rosas' job to continue filling out the front office well, having a successful draft, and filling out the team with quality supplementary players to compliment Karl-Anthony Towns.

I am encouraged by Rosas staying close to the team and encouraging working with Andrew Wiggins rigorously over summer; right now his salary is poison and near-impossible to trade, so we have to try to make him capitalize on his talent. Work on defense, encourage massive work on three-point shooting, and improve handling in ball-screen action, that is all I want. Also, put a shock collar or something on him that goes off every time he shoots a contested mid-range jumper in practice.

Saunders needs to bench him every time he shoots two contested midrange shots in a row. No excuses.

[mplsfonz23]

Saunders has an impossible task ahead.

Who do you think could get this team turned around with the crap talent and contracts on here?
Bet not even Pop could get more than 30 wins out of what is coming back. IMHO.

Making excuses for him already. The Wolves if they stay healthy have plenty of talent to make the playoffs and it will be an indictment against Saunders if we don't.

No excuses. Its facts. Look at who we had last year, and who won't be back. If we have the exact same roster, you have a point. But we don't know what we have and how healthy they will be. Wigs/Towns are the focal points. I Wiggins disappoints again, then we are lotto bound. We are strapped with his contract, and not able to make any moves. RS should be given 3 years minimum to access his talent. Players love him, and that makes him a better suited coach than a Thibs like coach. We don't know Finch, Howard, or any of them really. So this was the logical hire if we want a chance to retain Towns beyond this contract.

[mplsfonz23]

I'd rather be a year or two early on a coaching hire than a year or two late

I don´t really like Ryan´s hire. But the fact that Rosas and him had personal interviews during the Rosas´hiring process, makes me think that he knew he probably would end up having to promote Ryan to fulltime headcoach. And yet, Rosas accepted the POBO job. Which means that he knows what he´s doing, which means that this is a calculated risk. And that makes me feel relieved.

If it doesn´t work, in a year, Rosas will be able to fire Ryan without angering Kat or Taylor. And he will have all the right and freedom to hire whoever he considers is best for the job. And until then, the team gains cohesion and togetherness, the players start to learn a playing system supervised by Rosas himself, and the team starts running as it should.

But it will be Ryan's system. So if he's fired after one year, another coach, another "system."

[KGdaBom]

Saunders has an impossible task ahead.

Who do you think could get this team turned around with the crap talent and contracts on here?
Bet not even Pop could get more than 30 wins out of what is coming back. IMHO.

Making excuses for him already. The Wolves if they stay healthy have plenty of talent to make the playoffs and it will be an indictment against Saunders if we don't.

No excuses. Its facts. Look at who we had last year, and who won't be back. If we have the exact same roster, you have a point. But we don't know what we have and how healthy they will be. Wigs/Towns are the focal points. I Wiggins disappoints again, then we are lotto bound. We are strapped with his contract, and not able to make any moves. RS should be given 3 years minimum to access his talent. Players love him, and that makes him a better suited coach than a Thibs like coach. We don't know Finch, Howard, or any of them really. So this was the logical hire if we want a chance to retain Towns beyond this contract.

So if Ryan is not good as many expect you want us to give him three years minimum holding us back. I don't think that is logical.

[mplsfonz23]

Making excuses for him already. The Wolves if they stay healthy have plenty of talent to make the playoffs and it will be an indictment against Saunders if we don't.

No excuses. Its facts. Look at who we had last year, and who won't be back. If we have the exact same roster, you have a point. But we don't know what we have and how healthy they will be. Wigs/Towns are the focal points. I Wiggins disappoints again, then we are lotto bound. We are strapped with his contract, and not able to make any moves. RS should be given 3 years minimum to access his talent. Players love him, and that makes him a better suited coach than a Thibs like coach. We don't know Finch, Howard, or any of them really. So this was the logical hire if we want a chance to retain Towns beyond this contract.

So if Ryan is not good as many expect you want us to give him three years minimum holding us back. I don't think that is logical.

Given the situation of contracts and no cap room, you need to give him a fair shot. He will be lucky to win games right away considering we don't know who will be back. Rose, Taj, Tyus, helped us win games last year. If gone, we will struggle to replace them with the same quality.. I just think he needs time. That's all. Why start over every three years. Might as well fire Rosas too then, right?

[Worm Guts]

No excuses. Its facts. Look at who we had last year, and who won't be back. If we have the exact same roster, you have a point. But we don't know what we have and how healthy they will be. Wigs/Towns are the focal points. I Wiggins disappoints again, then we are lotto bound. We are strapped with his contract, and not able to make any moves. RS should be given 3 years minimum to access his talent. Players love him, and that makes him a better suited coach than a Thibs like coach. We don't know Finch, Howard, or any of them really. So this was the logical hire if we want a chance to retain Towns beyond this contract.

So if Ryan is not good as many expect you want us to give him three years minimum holding us back. I don't think that is logical.

Given the situation of contracts and no cap room, you need to give him a fair shot. He will be lucky to win games right away considering we don't know who will be back. Rose, Taj, Tyus, helped us win games last year. If gone, we will struggle to replace them with the same quality.. I just think he needs time. That's all. Why start over every three years. Might as well fire Rosas too then, right?

Wins and losses may not be the basis to judge Saunders, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to making a change even as early as next year. If Rosas views the next year or two as a short rebuilding process, then I would evaluate Saunders at the end of the process to determine if he's still the guy we think we can win with.

[Nick K]

Read on Twitter

That's good stuff!

[Slim Tubby]

I haven’t read this entire thread so if it’s been mentioned by others before me, I apologize. I have to believe that Ryan’s relationship with KAT was a HUGE factor in the decision that was made and I can live with it.

As for the concern that Rosas isn’t fully in charge and was shoe-horned into hiring Ryan by Taylor, that doesn’t carry any weight for me. He previously accepted a similar job in DAL and promptly bailed from the position quickly when he realized he would be more of a puppet for Cuban. Why would he bend over now for a Wolves organization that’s been a disaster for 10+ years? My bet is that Rosas truly sees things in Ryan that he wants to work with that will help build a winner.

[Nick K]

I'd rather be a year or two early on a coaching hire than a year or two late

We are about five successful lead assistant years early on Saunders.

Little early ... little late ... who knows maybe it's just the right time. Wins and losses will be the end game as always.

general points ....
First, safe to assume Gersson did not find a substantially better up and coming option.
Second, Gersson sees Saunders as low risk option he could potentially groom and develop.
Third, Saunders has demonstrated he has the ability to earn players respect - huge.
Fourth, Saunders is very analytical and that's a trait Gersson likes.
Fifth, Saunders has proven himself a competent professional within and outside the orgaization.

Time will tell,

That's right on Dewey. Good post.

[Killboard]

KAT is much better now. RoCo IMO is a star whether an all star or not. I think Saunders should be able to get us to the playoffs if he performs well.

Try to go into this hiring with an open mind. Keep in mind that it was Ryan Saunders that was willing to shift and give Luol Deng a shot (who played phenomenal), and he allowed both Cameron Reynolds and Keita Bates-Diop to thrive under him. It is certainly a bigger gamble of a hire (though honestly, other than Finch who was comfortable staying in New Orleans anyways, the options were pretty "meh"), but Ryan is someone who is receptive to criticism, understands analytics, and clearly knows how to get the most out of end-of-rotation guys.

I think by mid-season you will be pretty content with him. Unfortunately the Western Conference is going to be insane next year....

Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and (potentially) New Orleans Pelicans

....are all prospective Playoff teams, but I think Minnesota will 100% be in the thick of it next season, should Robert Covington not break down.

We also need Rosas to prove himself this off-season. I love the hiring of Gianluca Pascucci, I was not expecting us to poach him easily at all; that shows the value of hiring someone from a successful franchise like Rosas, he has forged excellent relationships. Now it is Rosas' job to continue filling out the front office well, having a successful draft, and filling out the team with quality supplementary players to compliment Karl-Anthony Towns.

I am encouraged by Rosas staying close to the team and encouraging working with Andrew Wiggins rigorously over summer; right now his salary is poison and near-impossible to trade, so we have to try to make him capitalize on his talent. Work on defense, encourage massive work on three-point shooting, and improve handling in ball-screen action, that is all I want. Also, put a shock collar or something on him that goes off every time he shoots a contested mid-range jumper in practice.

Saunders needs to bench him every time he shoots two contested midrange shots in a row. No excuses.

Not two, but one. If any has to create his own shot because the play was broken or the time is runing out, it HAS to be a 3.

[Killboard]

So if Ryan is not good as many expect you want us to give him three years minimum holding us back. I don't think that is logical.

Given the situation of contracts and no cap room, you need to give him a fair shot. He will be lucky to win games right away considering we don't know who will be back. Rose, Taj, Tyus, helped us win games last year. If gone, we will struggle to replace them with the same quality.. I just think he needs time. That's all. Why start over every three years. Might as well fire Rosas too then, right?

Wins and losses may not be the basis to judge Saunders, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to making a change even as early as next year. If Rosas views the next year or two as a short rebuilding process, then I would evaluate Saunders at the end of the process to determine if he's still the guy we think we can win with.

I think Wins in the ultimate measure of success, but can be factors like injuries, player development and performance that must be taken into account. If we dont suffer major injuries this roster would have to be fighting for a playoff spot in April. Even if we dont make the playoffs the rotation must be competent to gave themselves a chance. The west will be hard to compete against, and for that reason I dont think is fair to be playoffs or bust, specially when Tyus, Okogie, KBD, Reynolds and this season rookie are projected to be key pieces in the rotation. But if all of them are developing, and KAT continues to progress as defender and passer, missing the playoffs just for a couple of games shoulnt be the end of the world. Just look how Denver bounced.

[Nick K]

I'm so bitter about us signing Saunders. I know I should let it go, but it's really hard. I am confused, angry and feel betrayed by Rosas.

I don't understand your Saunders hate. The guy was doing basketball x's and o's with his dad since age 10. He spent over 10 years as an nba assistant performing every duty one can do including game planning for upcoming opponents. He also has been a nba coach for 42 games and did a very good job under difficult circumstances. None of the guys Rosas interviewed has ever head coached any nba team. He is highly respected around the nba by the elite. Jim Pete thinks he did a great job last year so who should I trust? Should I trust the opinion of KGdaBom or Jim Pete and Gersson Rosas?

Repeat over and over...In Rosas I trust.

Get on board KGdaBom we're making the playoffs this year.

From the Star trib this morning,
Poll: Do you agree with keeping Ryan Saunders as coach?
Yes 75%
No 25%
Total Votes: 2028

[Nick K]

Another all star was on the team, fact.

Is it on saunders that there isn't another Jimmy butler on this team? No

KAT is much better now. RoCo IMO is a star whether an all star or not. I think Saunders should be able to get us to the playoffs if he performs well.

Try to go into this hiring with an open mind. Keep in mind that it was Ryan Saunders that was willing to shift and give Luol Deng a shot (who played phenomenal), and he allowed both Cameron Reynolds and Keita Bates-Diop to thrive under him. It is certainly a bigger gamble of a hire (though honestly, other than Finch who was comfortable staying in New Orleans anyways, the options were pretty "meh"), but Ryan is someone who is receptive to criticism, understands analytics, and clearly knows how to get the most out of end-of-rotation guys.

I think by mid-season you will be pretty content with him. Unfortunately the Western Conference is going to be insane next year....

Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and (potentially) New Orleans Pelicans

....are all prospective Playoff teams, but I think Minnesota will 100% be in the thick of it next season, should Robert Covington not break down.

We also need Rosas to prove himself this off-season. I love the hiring of Gianluca Pascucci, I was not expecting us to poach him easily at all; that shows the value of hiring someone from a successful franchise like Rosas, he has forged excellent relationships. Now it is Rosas' job to continue filling out the front office well, having a successful draft, and filling out the team with quality supplementary players to compliment Karl-Anthony Towns.

I am encouraged by Rosas staying close to the team and encouraging working with Andrew Wiggins rigorously over summer; right now his salary is poison and near-impossible to trade, so we have to try to make him capitalize on his talent. Work on defense, encourage massive work on three-point shooting, and improve handling in ball-screen action, that is all I want. Also, put a shock collar or something on him that goes off every time he shoots a contested mid-range jumper in practice.

I agree with all. Well said. Especially about Wiggins.

[yawner]

I'd rather be a year or two early on a coaching hire than a year or two late

I don´t really like Ryan´s hire. But the fact that Rosas and him had personal interviews during the Rosas´hiring process, makes me think that he knew he probably would end up having to promote Ryan to fulltime headcoach. And yet, Rosas accepted the POBO job. Which means that he knows what he´s doing, which means that this is a calculated risk. And that makes me feel relieved.

If it doesn´t work, in a year, Rosas will be able to fire Ryan without angering Kat or Taylor. And he will have all the right and freedom to hire whoever he considers is best for the job. And until then, the team gains cohesion and togetherness, the players start to learn a playing system supervised by Rosas himself, and the team starts running as it should.

But it will be Ryan's system. So if he's fired after one year, another coach, another "system."

Rosas said that he will work with the coaches (and the entire ftanchise) to build an identity and the way the Wolves will play. If Ryan´s performance is not good and Rosas seeks for a new headcoach, the new headcoach will be one that shares his vision. Therefore, a change of coach shouldn´t be traumatic.