Jimmy Butler fed up with Towns

[Lipoli390]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Howsito/status/1014507455299006464

Cryptic...

Jeez...it would be so easy for him to tweet that the rumors are a bunch of bs, and that he and KAT are tight. I recognize Cowley is a pot stirrer, but Butler's silence speaks volumes as far as I'm concerned. Until Butler says something positive, I'm going to have to believe there's trouble in paradise. Doesn't make sense to me becasue I think Karl plays hard, but apparently Jimmy doesn't.

I've been thinking that Jimmy needs to publicly squelch the rumor if the Cowley report is false. Now this video tease. I'm now convinced the report is true, especially learning that Butler has a long-standing relationship with Cowley. We need leadership in this Wolves organization -- true leadership that's built on communication and relationships. Taylor doesn't provide it and Thibodeau is the last guy you'd choose to build relationships and handle people. He's a career assistant coach doing Xs and Os. That's who he is. Time to overhaul the front office again. Sad. Hire David Griffin as the new PBO and go from there. I'd overhaul the front office before I'd trade Butler, Wiggins or anyone else. But I've been saying that for a long time.

Looks to me like Jimmy is having some fun.

Not sure what Jimmy's up to. And we have no idea what, if anything, he's saying to his teammates behind the scenes. For all we know, he and Towns have talked and had a big laugh together over this latest rumor. Then again... I've never had an issue with Jimmy Butler and it will take a lot for me to get down on him. My problem continues to be with the Wolves front office (as it has from the beginning). Thibodeau was absolutely the wrong guy and wrong type of person to head the Wolves basketball operations and it's even worse that he's been given the dual role, which is nearly impossible for anyone to do well.

I still like the Wolves team on paper in the near term. I have a feeling that Wiggins will have a break-out season, but that could be wishful thinking clouding my judgment. I also have high hopes for our two rookies and I'm praying that Okogie is the NBA's next Donovan Mitchell. We'll see how things go this upcoming season. If things go well, then I'll be excited even though I'll continue to have seriously misgivings about Thibodeau as either PBO or head coach and moreso in both roles. If things go as I fear, then Thibodeau should be gone before next June's draft and possibly sooner.

[Coolbreeze44]

Is Dave Checketts still available for a potential PBO role? I don't know what he's doing these days

[thedoper]

How would Taylor ever make a better hire than Thibs? Hilarious to think of. There was almost universal praise for what Thibs could bring to this team in the larger media when he was hired. Now two years in where there has been steady but slow improvement in wins and everyone is pulling their hair out. I'm sorry but as I see it Thibs was basically Taylor's last chance. An NBA team in Minnesota will not survive another long rebuild, who in their right mind would want to come and work for Taylor if he's admitting defeat now?

[Monster]

How would Taylor ever make a better hire than Thibs? Hilarious to think of. There was almost universal praise for what Thibs could bring to this team in the larger media when he was hired. Now two years in where there has been steady but slow improvement in wins and everyone is pulling their hair out. I'm sorry but as I see it Thibs was basically Taylor's last chance. An NBA team in Minnesota will not survive another long rebuild, who in their right mind would want to come and work for Taylor if he's admitting defeat now?

There is some truth to this but there is a couple realities.

1. There are only so many NBA jobs and assuming Towns is here and possibly being able to do anything else you want...it might not be a bad gig.

2. The Wolves in general haven't lived up to the expectations while Thibs has been here. Now you can argue whether some of those expectations are valid I'm there with you. Add to that Thibs and Layden don't seem to have done a ton to endear themselves to anyone outside of trading for Butler. If Glen cut them loose now he would absolutely look like a fool. If he was gonna do that he should have done it months ago before the draft (draft looks pretty good) FA etc. If Glen had made a move after the season I think it would have raised some eyebrows but I think you could actually find reasons to not think Glen was completely nuts for doing so.

3. Now would Glen pick the right guy to run the franchise? Good question. Let's just say they hire David Griffin who is largely considered a good GM type because of some of the work he did building the Cavs around Lebron. I think he would be a good GM for a playoff type team that needs to keep adding pieces. That kinda sounds like us. On the other hand he overpaid some role players and who did he draft that was worth getting excited about? How much control did he have over some decisions? He was obviously constrained by winning now though.

The reality is you bring up a fair point that just because we get rid of problem A B and or C it doesn't mean the leadership coaches and players/prospects will actually be an improvement over what we have now. To me I still think Thibs and Layden haven't had enough opportunity to give a complete grade. I get some people are ready to judge and I respect that there is worthwhile points people bring up that are feeling that way. It's not the only thing but if Patton doesn't slip and bust his foot and he looks like at least a possible rotation player that would be something that would help their case. Instead it's very possible it's a wasted pick in a good draft which is tough. And yet it might not be their fault at all. This draft is a very good opportunity for both guys to look like they can move this team in the right direction.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Yeah, monster, you make some good points.

To me, Thibs the GM has been solid, not great, but solid. Thibs the coach has been a disappointment. That's not what I was expecting to be sure. And it's weird to say because the GM moves like getting Taj have been for the purpose of serving Thibs the coach. But the short benches, the inability to develop our defense, the lack of ball movement and three point shooting, the unrelenting yelling . . . I'm not a fan of Thibs as a coach, even though I think he's done a halfway respectable job as a GM.

[60WinTim]

Actually, an argument can be made that Thibs the GM has been slow to adjust to the new NBA, but that he is getting there. Look how heavy (and expensive) he had gone with Bigs in a league now dominated by guards and wings. He signed Aldridge to that big 3-year deal. He re-signed Dieng to an even bigger deal. He drafted a big last year (Patton). He went into last year heavy on PGs (Teague, Tyus and Brooks) and Centers (KAT, Dieng, Aldrich and Patton). And was light on wings with Butler, Wiggins, Crawford, Bazz and MGH, especially once Bazz crapped out. Thibs the coach had his hands tied with the lack of wing depth.

But this year Thibs the GM seems to be adjusting. He drafted two wings that just might contribute. He brought back Rose. I would argue Tolliver is more versatile than Belly. And he still has two more signings that could add even more wing depth. Jon K commented about Thibs the coach utilizing more small ball this season that could see Butler at the 4.

Anyway, I think Thibs the GM has had a sneaky good offseason thus far, and it ought to help out Thibs the coach. I expect our win total to creep well into the 50s!

[thedoper]

I like those points Monster, but my counter would be does any GM want to come to Minnesota in a crappy environment and be the GM that lost Towns. I 100% agree with the sentiment that Thibs and Layden need more time for a proper evaluation. Wins have gone up every year. I guess winning doesn't cure all. Weird times for sure.

[Wolvesfan21]

Is Dave Checketts still available for a potential PBO role? I don't know what he's doing these days

David Con?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

It probably deserves its own thread, but my GM/HC choices -- should Tom Thibodeau be removed from his positions -- would be:

GM: Brian Wright
HC: Tony Bennett

[Monster]

It probably deserves its own thread, but my GM/HC choices -- should Tom Thibodeau be removed from his positions -- would be:

GM: Brian Wright
HC: Tony Bennett

Interesting Cam. I read a couple things about Wright. This would be 2 new guys in their positions in the NBA. Is there an experienced guy that might be good to have around to help both out at the front office level? Experience doesn't mean you are good but I do think it has its place and these jobs are incredibly vast (espcially GM/POBO) in what is expected and needed.