Chris Finch the new head coach

[AbeVigodaLive]

When you look at the number of white coaches employed vs the number of african Americans, the law of averages tells you there must be an awful lot of good black coaching candidates out there. I think you would be foolish not to look at the best of them for your job. If the 20th best white coach has a job, the 11th best black coach certainly deserves a look.

There are likely way more white head coaches and candidates in the lower levels though as well, along with assistants. High School, NCAA, other Pro leagues around the world. You don't have to be a former NBA player to become an NBA coach, you can and many do work their way up through smaller positions. A guy like Spoelstra, He started out doing video coordination for them in 1995. I looked it up and he was a player-assistant coach for some German second division basketball team prior.

If you look at the big picture I would say the ratio is likely right in line. In fact I would say most ex NBA players are not looking at becoming a HC nor are willing to put in the hours to do so. They are not as financially motivated to succeed at the position as others who worked menial jobs. They are more unlikely to take a small position and put in the time to work their way up.

- There are about 35 white Americans in the NBA.
- There are about 300 black Americans in the NBA.

There are 6 white former NBA players coaching.
There are 3 black former NBA players coaching.

Now granted, just because you're a player doesn't make you a good coach. And I don't know if there are more white former players who are assistant coaches putting in their time than black former players as assistant coaches putting in their time. We'd need those numbers to see just how relevant this is.

But I have seen a stat from a few years ago that shows that about 40% of NBA assistant coaches are black. I'm unsure how many of those are former NBA players.



[Note: Technically, Nash is a Canadian or South African... but I included him.]

Good stat dig. It's certainly possible that a genetic survival trait to band together with someone who looks more like them could still be relevant today. People for hundreds of years lived together with the same race. Only recently in the grand scheme has that changed. Is the GM or POB more inclined to trust someone who looks like them because of this natural evolution and history? I think that is possible.

I don't think you can absolutely make that conclusion however with such a small number statistically. If it holds true in the long run it may make sense.

There are many more possible factors as well like you said. Complicated topic.

It could be a "genetic survival trait" or "natural evolution"... or... even systemic racism. It could even be something else entirely.

What we do know is that racism does exist. And it has existed in pro sports, including the NBA, even if it wasn't part of the Timberwolves hire... or any recent hires at all.

Because of the history with racism, however, I'm fine with requests for transparency... if the decisions by organizations are respected and outside forces aren't forcing them to hire specific people. In the end, if you think a white coach is better for your $3B business, hire that person. If you think it's a black guy... hire that person.

Someday, we can hope this isn't an issue. But we're not there yet.

[FNG]

I think we all would agree that the jury is still out on Finch. We were terrible in his first 5 games, and terrific in his 6th. Way too early to form any final conclusions. But so far he hasn't said anything that has made me grimace, and he has said a lot of things I liked. For instance:

1) He wants to run his offense through his best player...Towns. Duh.

2) He wants to play at a fast pace.

3) He doesn't call the 1 position "point guard". He prefers to call it "break starter", (In response to a question about who would be backing Rubio up at PG with J-Mac out)

4) He wants to change the defensive philosophy from the previous "bend but don't break". I think we saw a much more aggressive defense against the Pels.

5) He has always wanted to coach Ricky Rubio. That tells me he values 2 things I also value...a ball-moving pass-first PG...pardon me, break starter...and aggressive, smart, team-oriented defense.

Just words right now, and other than last game, an inauspicious start. But I like what he says and how it looked last game.

Are there any comments he has made that you also like, or are there some things you haven't liked?

[BloopOracle]

I think we all would agree that the jury is still out on Finch. We were terrible in his first 5 games, and terrific in his 6th. Way too early to form any final conclusions. But so far he hasn't said anything that has made me grimace, and he has said a lot of things I liked. For instance:

1) He wants to run his offense through his best player...Towns. Duh.

2) He wants to play at a fast pace.

3) He doesn't call the 1 position "point guard". He prefers to call it "break starter", (In response to a question about who would be backing Rubio up at PG with J-Mac out)

4) He wants to change the defensive philosophy from the previous "bend but don't break". I think we saw a much more aggressive defense against the Pels.

5) He has always wanted to coach Ricky Rubio. That tells me he values 2 things I also value...a ball-moving pass-first PG...pardon me, break starter...and aggressive, smart, team-oriented defense.

Just words right now, and other than last game, an inauspicious start. But I like what he says and how it looked last game.

Are there any comments he has made that you also like, or are there some things you haven't liked?

I liked his comment post game about Jaylen Nowell being asked to play backup point guard. He said that Jaylen was a little apprehensive but he told him all he wanted him to do was bring the ball up, get us into our stuff and then be himself. That turned into him having by far the best game of his young career

[60WinTim]

On the defensive end, he lamented the ease at which opposing guards could get into the paint and create havoc. He said that has become a point of emphasis, and it showed in the last game. He also made a point of throwing a lot of bodies at Zion whenever he attacked, which definitely showed in the 2nd half.

[Tactical unit]

So we have had some time to evaluate Chris Finch? Thoughts?

[Tactical unit]

I'll say I think Finch has done well in the player development area. He has guys playing up to potential for the most part vice playing below there capabilities. I'm more interested in seeing the teams growth over a more normal off season than I was months back where things looked a massive mess under Saunders.

[Wolvesfan21]

So we have had some time to evaluate Chris Finch? Thoughts?

I think he's done a pretty decent job. Lots of issues seem unfixable like KAT's over aggressive defense. Just wall up man and go straight up. Quit fouling so much. I know Jim Pete and I are like the only ones mentioning this but he could be so much better with better technique. He's had a half dozen coaches but still reverts to poor technique. You don't need to try and block and strip every shot attempt. Just make the shot difficult and rebound. That's it.

The team played some good defense for a few games, but they also did under Ryan last year too so big whoop. Need to see a consistently higher level.

Some of the rotations seem to be better. Finch plays the hot hands.

I guess overall a coach just isn't going to make that big a difference. We still lack experience and are not good enough having one player who is really above league starting avg. It's the youngest roster in the NBA. The players simply are not good enough "yet".

I like that Ant has been progressing as well.

I guess on the flip side I'm disappointed to see Culver get little minutes, though probably deservedly so.

I don't think it's too much to ask to see a big step forward next year with a full offseason and camp. I assume the roster will be mostly the same. See if the Finch and the Wolves can really start playing some better ball next season.

[DNatagal]

Culver is out with surgery.

[TheFuture]

Culver is out with surgery.

His shooting hitch was THAT bad?

[BloopOracle]

He has done outstanding considering he was hired in the middle of the season