monsterpile wrote:I'll add that one reason for my surprise is they seemed to move very quickly once the first 4 interviews were over. Wolfson said they didn't require a 2nd round of interviews it sounded like he was the guy. I'm surprised maybe even pleased with how decisive they were.
For the people that are a fan of Dennis Lindsey he worked under him in Houston as an intern and Lindsey gave him his first scouting job. One of the reasons why top executives are successful is they are able to spot good smart talented people to surround them. It's not just about basketball talent but an eye for people all around you. Hopefully he has that eye.
The Rockets haven't made a first round pick since 2015 so it's a bit difficult to fully decide what their draft history the last few years. It they still have a pretty good team. It's worth noting they were the first team to have Robert Covington in their organization. Patrick Beverly is a guy they got out of nowhere. They used to be the team that was talked about drafting well getting solid guys while we traded with them. Lol Dane Mopre said on Twitter he has heard Rosas was more of a scouting guy and leaned more that way in the Rockets organization. I hope so. Looking forward to hearing Rosas at the PC.
Edit:
Someone on realgm posted this video from youtube if you want to see Rosas.
lipoli390 wrote:A friend of mine who is well plugged in texted me a few minutes ago that Glen offered the PBO position to Billups but Billups turned it down. He said Rosas was the Wolves second choice. Take it for what it's worth. True or not, I'm pleased it's Rosas rather than Billups.
Thanks for posting. Its really interesting because that goes against what Jon K has reported. I suppose they could be saving face... I read one report they didn't even want Rosas to leave after his interview but they hadn't interviewed Billups yet. Jon said Billups REALLY wanted the job came in guns blazing and did a ton of homework to be ready. One big reason I don't buy the idea they offered the job to Billups is that I don't see Casson going that route.
Regardless it is quite the relief we ended up with Rosas instead of Billups*. Honestly he probably is the most qualified candidate. Landon is obviously no slouch. When Rosas went to Dallas Henkie went to the Sixers and Arturas Karnisovas went to Denver. The other 2 guys are still well though of and maybe the fact that Houston had lost 2 other folks to other teams was part of the reason Rosas decided to leave Dallas go back. That part of his career is worrisome but he could have also learned from it. It COULD actually be a positive.
*It probably doesn't matter now I'm probably not quite at the point of you Lip saying it being asinine even interviewing Billups for the job but I would have NOT had a good feeling about that hire with others we had interviewing for the job even Booth. I saw someone post they heard that one reason Billups turned down the Cavs job was Dan Gilbert actually showed up late to the interview and Billups had to wait around quite a while and that was one thing that turned him off. No idea if its true but its kind of a funny story and it wouldn't surprise me. =)
lipoli390 wrote:A friend of mine who is well plugged in texted me a few minutes ago that Glen offered the PBO position to Billups but Billups turned it down. He said Rosas was the Wolves second choice. Take it for what it's worth. True or not, I'm pleased it's Rosas rather than Billups.
Thanks for posting. Its really interesting because that goes against what Jon K has reported. I suppose they could be saving face... I read one report they didn't even want Rosas to leave after his interview but they hadn't interviewed Billups yet. Jon said Billups REALLY wanted the job came in guns blazing and did a ton of homework to be ready. One big reason I don't buy the idea they offered the job to Billups is that I don't see Casson going that route.
Regardless it is quite the relief we ended up with Rosas instead of Billups*. Honestly he probably is the most qualified candidate. Landon is obviously no slouch. When Rosas went to Dallas Henkie went to the Sixers and Arturas Karnisovas went to Denver. The other 2 guys are still well though of and maybe the fact that Houston had lost 2 other folks to other teams was part of the reason Rosas decided to leave Dallas go back. That part of his career is worrisome but he could have also learned from it. It COULD actually be a positive.
*It probably doesn't matter now I'm probably not quite at the point of you Lip saying it being asinine even interviewing Billups for the job but I would have NOT had a good feeling about that hire with others we had interviewing for the job even Booth. I saw someone post they heard that one reason Billups turned down the Cavs job was Dan Gilbert actually showed up late to the interview and Billups had to wait around quite a while and that was one thing that turned him off. No idea if its true but its kind of a funny story and it wouldn't surprise me. =)
After reading John K's account of what happened, I'm inclined to reject my friend's information. It looks like Rosas hit a home run in his intereview. And that's in addition to his impressive resume along with the strong references he had. It's interesting that Kevin McHale gave Rosas a glowing recommendation. I know there are a lot of folks around here who don't think highly of McHale based on his tenure as the Wolves PBO. But he really knows basketball. And one thing about McHale is that it takes a lot to earn his respect when it comes to basketball. He obviously got to know Rosas while with Houston and I think it's significant that Rosas obviously earned McHale's strong respect as a basketball guy.
My main concern with Rosas was his mysterious 3-month stint in Dallas. But I'm satisfied by the explanation I've read. I can see how he got there and found Donnie Nelson unbearable. On reflection, I'll give Rosas credit for leaving and going back to Houston, knowing how bad that could make him look. And it's impressive that the Rockets took him back so readily after he left them to take a job with a rival. Armed with a lot more information now, I'd say that my initial negative reaction to the idea of Rosas as our PBO was mistaken. Obviously, the proof is in the pudding. So let's see how he performs. But I'm pretty excited about this decision.
lipoli390 wrote:A friend of mine who is well plugged in texted me a few minutes ago that Glen offered the PBO position to Billups but Billups turned it down. He said Rosas was the Wolves second choice. Take it for what it's worth. True or not, I'm pleased it's Rosas rather than Billups.
Thanks for posting. Its really interesting because that goes against what Jon K has reported. I suppose they could be saving face... I read one report they didn't even want Rosas to leave after his interview but they hadn't interviewed Billups yet. Jon said Billups REALLY wanted the job came in guns blazing and did a ton of homework to be ready. One big reason I don't buy the idea they offered the job to Billups is that I don't see Casson going that route.
Regardless it is quite the relief we ended up with Rosas instead of Billups*. Honestly he probably is the most qualified candidate. Landon is obviously no slouch. When Rosas went to Dallas Henkie went to the Sixers and Arturas Karnisovas went to Denver. The other 2 guys are still well though of and maybe the fact that Houston had lost 2 other folks to other teams was part of the reason Rosas decided to leave Dallas go back. That part of his career is worrisome but he could have also learned from it. It COULD actually be a positive.
*It probably doesn't matter now I'm probably not quite at the point of you Lip saying it being asinine even interviewing Billups for the job but I would have NOT had a good feeling about that hire with others we had interviewing for the job even Booth. I saw someone post they heard that one reason Billups turned down the Cavs job was Dan Gilbert actually showed up late to the interview and Billups had to wait around quite a while and that was one thing that turned him off. No idea if its true but its kind of a funny story and it wouldn't surprise me. =)
After reading John K's account of what happened, I'm inclined to reject my friend's information. It looks like Rosas hit a home run in his intereview. And that's in addition to his impressive resume along with the strong references he had. It's interesting that Kevin McHale gave Rosas a glowing recommendation. I know there are a lot of folks around here who don't think highly of McHale based on his tenure as the Wolves PBO. But he really knows basketball. And one thing about McHale is that it takes a lot to earn his respect when it comes to basketball. He obviously got to know Rosas while with Houston and I think it's significant that Rosas obviously earned McHale's strong respect as a basketball guy.
My main concern with Rosas was his mysterious 3-month stint in Dallas. But I'm satisfied by the explanation I've read. I can see how he got there and found Donnie Nelson unbearable. On reflection, I'll give Rosas credit for leaving and going back to Houston, knowing how bad that could make him look. And it's impressive that the Rockets took him back so readily after he left them to take a job with a rival. Armed with a lot more information now, I'd say that my initial negative reaction to the idea of Rosas as our PBO was mistaken. Obviously, the proof is in the pudding. So let's see how he performs. But I'm pretty excited about this decision.
Speaking of McHale Wolfson tweeted out this old video of a couple former Wolves executives chatting each other up with Rosas there as well. It's interesting to hear the info that McHale is still regarded highly. Regardless he is someone they should have called to get some intel on Rosas.
I'm with Wildwolf. Only time will tell. It's nice that Taylor didn't fall back on the country club, but then again he's gone outside of it before and that hasn't worked either (Kahn, Thibs). We've been burned so many times by GMs, Coaches, and even players that come to Minnesota and then underperform that it's just hard to get very excited about anything with this squad. Defense better be the #1 thing on his list to solve for. We already know coming from Houston he'll be a huge proponent of the 3.
Q12543 wrote:I'm with Wildwolf. Only time will tell. It's nice that Taylor didn't fall back on the country club, but then again he's gone outside of it before and that hasn't worked either (Kahn, Thibs). We've been burned so many times by GMs, Coaches, and even players that come to Minnesota and then underperform that it's just hard to get very excited about anything with this squad. Defense better be the #1 thing on his list to solve for. We already know coming from Houston he'll be a huge proponent of the 3.
Number one on his Todo list should be finding a sucker to take Wiggins contract off the Wolves books! The success or failure of this team going forward begins there IMO.
Q12543 wrote:I'm with Wildwolf. Only time will tell. It's nice that Taylor didn't fall back on the country club, but then again he's gone outside of it before and that hasn't worked either (Kahn, Thibs). We've been burned so many times by GMs, Coaches, and even players that come to Minnesota and then underperform that it's just hard to get very excited about anything with this squad. Defense better be the #1 thing on his list to solve for. We already know coming from Houston he'll be a huge proponent of the 3.
Considering that he's coming from a stats-crazy organization. And that the numbers show that post-ups even from the best centers in the league are less valuable than three pointers from average journeymen... what happens with KAT should be interesting.
More threes?
More hard rolls to the rim?
Everything funneled through him?
Marginalized?
Obviously, a lot depends on the coach... and Rosas' philosophies once unshackled from the Morey Experience.
It might be painful and hilarious and make you insanely angry but it may be worth listening to Jon K's podcast from Monday. Jon, Souhan and Steve Terry talk about how unqualified Kahn was and they knew it before the press conference introducing him as the guy. Jon K covered the Pacers before coming to MN. The positive? Rosas is well qualified for this job infinitely more so than Kahn and as an executive more so than Thibs. It may not work out but the process of this hire seems to be sound. That's probably a first when hiring a basketball executive for this organization.
monsterpile wrote:It might be painful and hilarious and make you insanely angry but it may be worth listening to Jon K's podcast from Monday. Jon, Souhan and Steve Terry talk about how unqualified Kahn was and they knew it before the press conference introducing him as the guy. Jon K covered the Pacers before coming to MN. The positive? Rosas is well qualified for this job infinitely more so than Kahn and as an executive more so than Thibs. It may not work out but the process of this hire seems to be sound. That's probably a first when hiring a basketball executive for this organization.
Hopefully, Rosas doesn't eat his ear wax while on camera and sitting with 15k+ people in a public space.
Kahn did this. I swear to god he did this. Some of you may remember me mentioning this story 2 or 200 other times.
monsterpile wrote:It might be painful and hilarious and make you insanely angry but it may be worth listening to Jon K's podcast from Monday. Jon, Souhan and Steve Terry talk about how unqualified Kahn was and they knew it before the press conference introducing him as the guy. Jon K covered the Pacers before coming to MN. The positive? Rosas is well qualified for this job infinitely more so than Kahn and as an executive more so than Thibs. It may not work out but the process of this hire seems to be sound. That's probably a first when hiring a basketball executive for this organization.
How do they know anything more about Kahn than we do Rosas? Wasn't Khan the assistant GM in Indiana for like five or 10 years? Doesn't he have a law degree as well?
