The case for a defensive minded coach

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I believe it was Tim who said in a prior thread that the #1 thing we could do to move the needle forward next year is to hire a defensive-minded coach. I couldn't agree more. Sure, there are lots of other suggestions out there, such as swapping out Pek for a wing, finding a new backup PG, drafting one of the young SGs, run more pick and roll with Rubio, and the list goes on. All very valid, but none nearly as impactful as a new coach.

Let us turn to four recent examples of coaching changes that led to a dramatic improvement in defensive efficiency without wholesale player turnover.

#1 Scott Skiles - Skiles took the Bucks from being ranked dead last in the NBA the year before to 15th in his first season as head coach. Note how the Bucks' defensive efficiency has fallen off since he left....

#2 Tom Thibodeau - Took the Bulls from 11th to 1st in defensive efficiency in his first season and they continue to be an elite defensive team.

#3 Monty Williams - Took the Hornets from 21st to 10th in his first season. After two strong years, they decided to rebuild and their defense has taken a hit. But he made a huge impact in Year #1 with minimal roster turnover.

#4 Steve Clifford - This is the most dramatic improvement of all. He's the current coach of the #6 ranked Charlotte Bobcats defense. Last year the Bobcats were dead last. And guess what their biggest move was this offseason? Signing notorious defensive sieve Al Jefferson! What the hell!?

Now one might assume that defensive-minded coaches give it all back on offense, as if the scale of emphasizing offense vs. defense is symmetrical - as one side goes up, the other must go down and vice versa. Not the case. In all four of the cases above, the teams' offensive efficiency either stayed roughly the same or improved!

So let's now turn to our Timberwolves. Their situation is more analogous to the Chicago Bulls of 2009-10, which had a solid defense prior to Thibs, but then he took them from good to great.

The Wolves currently rank 11th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. But they do it in an unbalanced way. They are very good at forcing turnovers, protecting the defensive glass, and not sending people to the foul line, which is one of the more efficient ways to score the basketball. On the other hand, they are terrible at preventing made shots - something that I think we most can agree would be the primary objective in having a great defense. So the current roster already brings some solid strengths to the table. They aren't a complete trainwreck like Charlotte of 2012-13 or Milwaukee of 2007-2008. But they need to improve forcing more difficult/contested shots.

I think one of the key lessons learned in all of this is that if you look back at the four examples cited above, there was not significant roster churn that led to the surge in defensive efficiency. It was almost entirely attributed to the coaching philosophy.

Our roster has energetic and willing defenders who aren't always effective: Rubio, Brewer, Mbah Moute, Dieng, Turiaf, Pekovic, and even Love has improved. These guys are currently good enough to be #11 (albeit with an odd mix of strengths/weaknesses). With the right coach, why can't they get even better?

[worldK]

Scott skiles would be a top conteder for me. I think Monty williams is more suited as a lead assistant type. His best role might be the role casey played for carlslie in dallas championship run. Skiles as head coach and monty as lead assistant/defensive coach would be very good for me.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

World K, I'm not even suggesting we go hire one of those coaches. My broader point is that the right kind of coach can dramatically improve a team defense with existing player personnel. Now who the candidates are for such a role that fits best for the Wolves is a completely different question.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Nice post Q. I'm not sure if we need a more "defensive minded" coach, or just someone younger and more passionate. Tired Rick has certainly lost his passion. And someone who can find a way to mesh Slow Pek with Fast Ricky. Granted, our starters were not the problem this year, but this area could be improved.

I like SVG. I think he got forced out of Orlando by Dwight Coward, but not sure why he hasn't found another job yet.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'd keep an eye on the Tom Thibodeau coaching tree. I don't know who's on it... but the guy is building an impressive resume.

One thing that impresses me is that players are still buying in to the system. That has been Skiles' problem at every stop. Eventually, the bluster hits deaf ears and the players tune him out.

So what is Thibodeau's secret? The Bulls players have been given MANY excuses to fold, either with injuries or a front office leaving them for dead... but they won't. The question is whether that's because of Thibodeau or some of the best on-court/behind the scenes leadership from the players?

Considering Derrick Rose and L.Deng aren't even around the team, Carlos Boozer has never been regarded as a great leader... I gotta give Thibodeau a lot of the credit.

Or, Y. Noah is turning into the modern-day Bill Russell right in front of us...

[mjs34]

I'd keep an eye on the Tom Thibodeau coaching tree. I don't know who's on it... but the guy is building an impressive resume.

One thing that impresses me is that players are still buying in to the system. That has been Skiles' problem at every stop. Eventually, the bluster hits deaf ears and the players tune him out.

So what is Thibodeau's secret? The Bulls players have been given MANY excuses to fold, either with injuries or a front office leaving them for dead... but they won't. The question is whether that's because of Thibodeau or some of the best on-court/behind the scenes leadership from the players?

Considering Derrick Rose and L.Deng aren't even around the team, Carlos Boozer has never been regarded as a great leader... I gotta give Thibodeau a lot of the credit.

Or, Y. Noah is turning into the modern-day Bill Russell right in front of us...

What does Noah's dad have to do with it?? :)

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'd keep an eye on the Tom Thibodeau coaching tree. I don't know who's on it... but the guy is building an impressive resume.

One thing that impresses me is that players are still buying in to the system. That has been Skiles' problem at every stop. Eventually, the bluster hits deaf ears and the players tune him out.

So what is Thibodeau's secret? The Bulls players have been given MANY excuses to fold, either with injuries or a front office leaving them for dead... but they won't. The question is whether that's because of Thibodeau or some of the best on-court/behind the scenes leadership from the players?

Considering Derrick Rose and L.Deng aren't even around the team, Carlos Boozer has never been regarded as a great leader... I gotta give Thibodeau a lot of the credit.

Or, Y. Noah is turning into the modern-day Bill Russell right in front of us...

What does Noah's dad have to do with it?? :)

His passionate interviews from the stands inspire the team?