Chris Finch

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm not sure where this should go, but Chris Finch and Gersson Rosas sat down with Dane Moore on his podcast to discuss the Wolves heading into this next season.

Obviously, there was a plethora of platitudes thrown around, mainly by the used car salesman Rosas, but I liked enough of what I heard that I would suggest others here to give it a listen. The main takeaway for me and something that has been discussed here ad nauseum was that the Wolves are built to be good offensively, but they want to improve to be at least middle of the road defensively. They figure that if they can do that, and score the ball with the best teams in the league, then they should come out to be a positive.

No shocker there, but Chris Finch talked about how he thought that was achievable without any personnel or scheme adjustments -- ie. by just upping the "give-a-shit" of this team, and those were his words. He specifically mentioned being better on the glass and much better in transition defense. He noted that far too often last season he would see guys picking up teammates off the floor or arguing with referees instead of hustling back on defense. Finch continued on saying that cleaning up those areas would reduce the number of easy buckets the team allows defensively. I would also add that if your offense is better, and more efficient, that there will be less transition opportunities for the opposition and more times where you can actually set your defense. Common sense stuff here, but I appreciate that Finch is verbal about it. He also correctly said that making players give a shit about defense and establishing that environment will be his job.

Overall, Finch sounded like a coach that really wants to win and that came across in the podcast. Hopefully we can get further away from the nonsense of "creating a family" and focus on actually winning basketball games. No more trips to the Bahamas or Glen Taylor's villa for spaghetti.

The only other takeaway I got from the pod that resonated with me is one of them (I forget who) stated they need low usage/high impact guys to surround KAT, DLO, Edwards, and Beasley. I agree!!!

[Lipoli390]

I'm not sure where this should go, but Chris Finch and Gersson Rosas sat down with Dane Moore on his podcast to discuss the Wolves heading into this next season.

Obviously, there was a plethora of platitudes thrown around, mainly by the used car salesman Rosas, but I liked enough of what I heard that I would suggest others here to give it a listen. The main takeaway for me and something that has been discussed here ad nauseum was that the Wolves are built to be good offensively, but they want to improve to be at least middle of the road defensively. They figure that if they can do that, and score the ball with the best teams in the league, then they should come out to be a positive.

No shocker there, but Chris Finch talked about how he thought that was achievable without any personnel or scheme adjustments -- ie. by just upping the "give-a-shit" of this team, and those were his words. He specifically mentioned being better on the glass and much better in transition defense. He noted that far too often last season he would see guys picking up teammates off the floor or arguing with referees instead of hustling back on defense. Finch continued on saying that cleaning up those areas would reduce the number of easy buckets the team allows defensively. I would also add that if your offense is better, and more efficient, that there will be less transition opportunities for the opposition and more times where you can actually set your defense. Common sense stuff here, but I appreciate that Finch is verbal about it. He also correctly said that making players give a shit about defense and establishing that environment will be his job.

Overall, Finch sounded like a coach that really wants to win and that came across in the podcast. Hopefully we can get further away from the nonsense of "creating a family" and focus on actually winning basketball games. No more trips to the Bahamas or Glen Taylor's villa for spaghetti.

The only other takeaway I got from the pod that resonated with me is one of them (I forget who) stated they need low usage/high impact guys to surround KAT, DLO, Edwards, and Beasley. I agree!!!

Q - When I read your takeaway, I immediately guessed it was Finch who made that comment. I just listened to the podcast and, indeed, it was Finch. In fact, every meaningful comment came from Finch. I didn't hear anything of value from Rosas other than him saying something to the effect that they won't make moves just to make moves. Rosas is truly a platitude machine. But I'll be OK with the platitudes if he gets the player personnel decisions right. And I give him credit for two things - (1) his success in identifying and signing under-the-radar young talent; and (2) his prudent restrain so far this off season and at last February's trade deadline as he has resisted to impulse to act rashly and overpay for players.

[thedoper]

I just fully listened. Rosas has made some questionable moves so far no doubt. But I really like Finch. This is all instinct and feelings but he seems like the right fit. If Finch pans out and get this team moving Rosas should be commended for taking that risk. Especially with all the media hit they took for picking him.

[FNG]

I like Finch too, and got a lot out of his portion of the podcast. But I found myself shaking my head at times as I thought about the tough job Finch has with the roster Rosas has given him. Finch says he values guys who give a shit on defense and consistently hustle back on defense. Perhaps he can mold Ant into one of these guys, but how do KAT, DLO and Beasley fit into this mold? Does he think he can transform guys who have been in the league for 5+ years, or is he hoping that Rosas can still pull a rabbit out of his hat to get him guys who fit the profile he wants?

Who can convince me that a team that features KAT, Ant, DLO and Beasley can be "middle of the road defensively" as Finch desires? I agree with Rosas/Finch that we are going to have a lot of offensive firepower...perhaps even a top 5 offense if everyone plays to their ability. But I think the roster as currently configured is destined to be in the bottom five defensively. Next year might be fun to watch, but I don't see playoffs in our near future if our defense is in the bottom five.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

As others have pointed out here previously, it is possible to be a playoff team with a bottom 10 defense. Ultimately, the goal is to outscore your opponent.

Dane did another pod with Jon K. and Britt Robson. Jon K. basically thinks they need to get to about #19 or 20 defensively to have a shot at a playoff spot.

Adding a vet big that can mix it up inside and keep KAT from emotionally melting down every other game would certainly help the cause.

[Monster]

I like Finch too, and got a lot out of his portion of the podcast. But I found myself shaking my head at times as I thought about the tough job Finch has with the roster Rosas has given him. Finch says he values guys who give a shit on defense and consistently hustle back on defense. Perhaps he can mold Ant into one of these guys, but how do KAT, DLO and Beasley fit into this mold? Does he think he can transform guys who have been in the league for 5+ years, or is he hoping that Rosas can still pull a rabbit out of his hat to get him guys who fit the profile he wants?

Who can convince me that a team that features KAT, Ant, DLO and Beasley can be "middle of the road defensively" as Finch desires? I agree with Rosas/Finch that we are going to have a lot of offensive firepower...perhaps even a top 5 offense if everyone plays to their ability. But I think the roster as currently configured is destined to be in the bottom five defensively. Next year might be fun to watch, but I don't see playoffs in our near future if our defense is in the bottom five.

Beasley plays defense like he gives a shit he just isn't good at it. Lol

The transition D and defensive rebounding have been a problem for a long time...which is a legit part of why this team hasn't been good on defense for...a long time.

One other thing Finch said that I thought was significant was he basically said something about playing to players strengths not asking them to do things clearly outside of them. The point seemed to be Finch was looking to play to players strengths not some system.

Dane asked both guys about the PF situation and Finch said that a guy could emerge as the PF in training camp but it's also possible they play matchups with different players they have. Playing the matchup game is something I support but I know in the past (I believe more before Finch) it felt like the matchups didn't make sense enough. He did say he prefers McDaniels at SF but he could play some PF also. Personally I'm just a fan of in general get the best players on the floor as long as you are putting those guys in a position to succeed.

[FNG]

As others have pointed out here previously, it is possible to be a playoff team with a bottom 10 defense. Ultimately, the goal is to outscore your opponent.

Dane did another pod with Jon K. and Britt Robson. Jon K. basically thinks they need to get to about #19 or 20 defensively to have a shot at a playoff spot.

Adding a vet big that can mix it up inside and keep KAT from emotionally melting down every other game would certainly help the cause.

Yeah, it's possible. But as you look at the detailed analysis of the top ten teams laid out in this forum, I think there would have to be some significant injuries on those teams for us to make the playoffs with this roster.

I agree with Monster's comment below that Beasley indeed does give a shit on defense...he just doesn't seem to get it, and that's why he consistently ranks at the bottom in defensive metrics. I proposed a Beasley/Williams pipe dream sign and trade in the big man thread. Putting an exciting defensive big next to DLO, Ant, Jaden and KAT would instantly transform us into a playoff team. There's no doubt we'll be able to score points.

[Monster]

The Wolves announce a bunch of coaching hires most significantly Elston Turner was hired to replace Blair and lead the defense. I think that's a solid move.

https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-announce-coaching-staff-additions

[Lipoli390]

The Wolves announce a bunch of coaching hires most significantly Elston Turner was hired to replace Blair and lead the defense. I think that's a solid move.

https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-announce-coaching-staff-additions

Thanks for posting, Monster. Here's an excerpt from an old article about Turner's coaching just as he was starting his second stint with the Rockets:

That being said, what defines coach Turner?

"My style is (to) get into the basketball," Turner explained. "Everything starts with pressure. All the football fans -- you can't let the quarterback sit there and just survey; he's gonna pick you apart. It's the same way with a ballhandler. Most ballhandlers, you have to show some interference. Get up in him. If somebody is open, he may miss him because he got his back to him because of the pressure you apply. So I'm a pressure guy, if that's what you're asking. So get into the basketball. And then there's some reality stuff that comes into play because the 40-minute guys that you're expecting to get 50 (points), I don't know if anybody pressures for 40 minutes. You have to pick and choose your situations to be aggressive without hurting."

It's this explanation that allows Turner to resonate so deeply with players like Westbrook and P.J. Tucker. Both veterans take extreme pride in defending. At 34, Tucker might not be the quickest or shiftiest forward out there anymore, but he's certainly still savvy. And he can still be a pest in the halfcourt, no matter how big or small his opponent is. It's almost Patrick Beverley-like how Tucker can stick with his matchup during these situations, using his hips, hands, feet and IQ to move like a veteran running back, doing his best to cause disruption.

[Monster]

The Wolves announce a bunch of coaching hires most significantly Elston Turner was hired to replace Blair and lead the defense. I think that's a solid move.

https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-announce-coaching-staff-additions

Thanks for posting, Monster. Here's an excerpt from an old article about Turner's coaching just as he was starting his second stint with the Rockets:

That being said, what defines coach Turner?

"My style is (to) get into the basketball," Turner explained. "Everything starts with pressure. All the football fans -- you can't let the quarterback sit there and just survey; he's gonna pick you apart. It's the same way with a ballhandler. Most ballhandlers, you have to show some interference. Get up in him. If somebody is open, he may miss him because he got his back to him because of the pressure you apply. So I'm a pressure guy, if that's what you're asking. So get into the basketball. And then there's some reality stuff that comes into play because the 40-minute guys that you're expecting to get 50 (points), I don't know if anybody pressures for 40 minutes. You have to pick and choose your situations to be aggressive without hurting."

It's this explanation that allows Turner to resonate so deeply with players like Westbrook and P.J. Tucker. Both veterans take extreme pride in defending. At 34, Tucker might not be the quickest or shiftiest forward out there anymore, but he's certainly still savvy. And he can still be a pest in the halfcourt, no matter how big or small his opponent is. It's almost Patrick Beverley-like how Tucker can stick with his matchup during these situations, using his hips, hands, feet and IQ to move like a veteran running back, doing his best to cause disruption.

Thanks Lip that's interesting. Some people like Dane Moore said that Turner likes the drop scheme that hasn't worked here. I was skeptical of that. He ran that in Houston before they traded Capella. If you have a Capela a drop scheme it makes a lot of sense. I think Turner has coached a few different places and I've always gotten the idea he was more of a basketball coach than a guy that implemented a specific system. I think this is sort of a solid hire of a guy with a lot of experience. He will also have familiarity with Rosas and maybe even some with Finch as they were with the Rockets for a few years at the same time when Finch was coaching the Vipers in the D-league.