Insider Article

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

So coddling two young players with tons of potential is more important than seeing if they got what it takes to become the best they can be. Oh, and winning lots of games, too.

The reluctance you, Cool, Lip, LST, and others too, have on bringing in the best coach out there is puzzling. I can understand having some concerns, but I keep getting this feeling of regret!

I'm just as confused as you are. We land arguably one of the best head coaches of all-time through five seasons (there absolutely is an argument for this) and we're discussing how he could have a negative effect on a couple of our most talented players. Doesn't add up.

[Coolbreeze44]

I think what gets annoying, at least for me anyway, is when Thibs detractors focus on his intensity and in-your-face motivational tactics, but fail to include that he is as detail-oriented and basketball intelligent as any coach in the game. Players, associates, media, etc. all talk about how Thibs finds the little things that no one else does. Hell, I just posted a quote from Jimmy Butler on that this morning. You (general term) say Wiggins doesn't need someone to light a fire under his ass, but rather explain things to him so that they make sense. Thibs isn't lacking in coaching ability that way either. It'd be one thing if he was just a hot head that screamed about general stuff all the time, but usually he has a detailed plan or way to do things that gets explained in the process. Fuck it up and he'll let you know about it, but that's so you get better. The proof is in the pudding. He wins. His players get better. Guys that can't make it on other teams look decisively better playing for him. He exceeds expectations. He creates a culture devoted to winning.

I seriously doubt Wiggins, son of an NBA player, is going to run away from a hard-nosed coach like Thibs. I feel the same way about LaVine, who seems like a guy that's always been coached hard by his father first and foremost. I think there's far too much worrying being done over this. It makes it sound like our guys are weak-minded and I don't think they are.

I'm focusing on what Thorpe said. And I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers here, but I know what your take/feelings are on the issue. I want to hear from guys that aren't so relentless in their defense of the coach.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think what gets annoying, at least for me anyway, is when Thibs detractors focus on his intensity and in-your-face motivational tactics, but fail to include that he is as detail-oriented and basketball intelligent as any coach in the game. Players, associates, media, etc. all talk about how Thibs finds the little things that no one else does. Hell, I just posted a quote from Jimmy Butler on that this morning. You (general term) say Wiggins doesn't need someone to light a fire under his ass, but rather explain things to him so that they make sense. Thibs isn't lacking in coaching ability that way either. It'd be one thing if he was just a hot head that screamed about general stuff all the time, but usually he has a detailed plan or way to do things that gets explained in the process. Fuck it up and he'll let you know about it, but that's so you get better. The proof is in the pudding. He wins. His players get better. Guys that can't make it on other teams look decisively better playing for him. He exceeds expectations. He creates a culture devoted to winning.

I seriously doubt Wiggins, son of an NBA player, is going to run away from a hard-nosed coach like Thibs. I feel the same way about LaVine, who seems like a guy that's always been coached hard by his father first and foremost. I think there's far too much worrying being done over this. It makes it sound like our guys are weak-minded and I don't think they are.

I'm focusing on what Thorpe said. And I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers here, but I know what your take/feelings are on the issue. I want to hear from guys that aren't so relentless in their defense of the coach.

Got it. I should stay quiet and keep my thoughts to myself.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think what gets annoying, at least for me anyway, is when Thibs detractors focus on his intensity and in-your-face motivational tactics, but fail to include that he is as detail-oriented and basketball intelligent as any coach in the game. Players, associates, media, etc. all talk about how Thibs finds the little things that no one else does. Hell, I just posted a quote from Jimmy Butler on that this morning. You (general term) say Wiggins doesn't need someone to light a fire under his ass, but rather explain things to him so that they make sense. Thibs isn't lacking in coaching ability that way either. It'd be one thing if he was just a hot head that screamed about general stuff all the time, but usually he has a detailed plan or way to do things that gets explained in the process. Fuck it up and he'll let you know about it, but that's so you get better. The proof is in the pudding. He wins. His players get better. Guys that can't make it on other teams look decisively better playing for him. He exceeds expectations. He creates a culture devoted to winning.

I seriously doubt Wiggins, son of an NBA player, is going to run away from a hard-nosed coach like Thibs. I feel the same way about LaVine, who seems like a guy that's always been coached hard by his father first and foremost. I think there's far too much worrying being done over this. It makes it sound like our guys are weak-minded and I don't think they are.

I'm focusing on what Thorpe said. And I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers here, but I know what your take/feelings are on the issue. I want to hear from guys that aren't so relentless in their defense of the coach.

Thibodeau has been universally applauded as anywhere from a really good to exceptional or elite coach. Considering that instantly makes him the most revered coach in Timberwolves history, it's pretty cool that the Wolves landed him

COULD he POTENTIALLY ruffle the feathers of some of the Wolves players? Sure. As could any coach, even Van Gundy or Joerger who I also like. Or, even Brooks who wouldn't have been a bad hire either. Is it more likely with Thibodeau? I don't know... maybe? Maybe more winning makes it moot?

But that's an unknown. So I'm not worried about it right now. What we do know is that he brings one of the best records in league history with him. And even though there were rumblings in Chicago about wearing out players in Year 5... the team was worse before AND after he was there.

Is it perfect? Dunno. Just like we wouldn't know with any coach. Look at this way... instead of worrying about what if a dedicated coach wears on young players... what if a dedicated coach connects with a group of dedicated players?

Once again, I have to be the voice of optimism. It's hard work, you know!

[Big O [enjin:13874644]]

Does anybody have the ESPN insider for this article?

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15287407/5-5-experts-thibodeau-timberwolves

Can somebody cut and past for us cheap bastards?

[Coolbreeze44]

I think what gets annoying, at least for me anyway, is when Thibs detractors focus on his intensity and in-your-face motivational tactics, but fail to include that he is as detail-oriented and basketball intelligent as any coach in the game. Players, associates, media, etc. all talk about how Thibs finds the little things that no one else does. Hell, I just posted a quote from Jimmy Butler on that this morning. You (general term) say Wiggins doesn't need someone to light a fire under his ass, but rather explain things to him so that they make sense. Thibs isn't lacking in coaching ability that way either. It'd be one thing if he was just a hot head that screamed about general stuff all the time, but usually he has a detailed plan or way to do things that gets explained in the process. Fuck it up and he'll let you know about it, but that's so you get better. The proof is in the pudding. He wins. His players get better. Guys that can't make it on other teams look decisively better playing for him. He exceeds expectations. He creates a culture devoted to winning.

I seriously doubt Wiggins, son of an NBA player, is going to run away from a hard-nosed coach like Thibs. I feel the same way about LaVine, who seems like a guy that's always been coached hard by his father first and foremost. I think there's far too much worrying being done over this. It makes it sound like our guys are weak-minded and I don't think they are.

I'm focusing on what Thorpe said. And I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers here, but I know what your take/feelings are on the issue. I want to hear from guys that aren't so relentless in their defense of the coach.

Thibodeau has been universally applauded as anywhere from a really good to exceptional or elite coach. Considering that instantly makes him the most revered coach in Timberwolves history, it's pretty cool that the Wolves landed him

COULD he POTENTIALLY ruffle the feathers of some of the Wolves players? Sure. As could any coach, even Van Gundy or Joerger who I also like. Or, even Brooks who wouldn't have been a bad hire either. Is it more likely with Thibodeau? I don't know... maybe? Maybe more winning makes it moot?

But that's an unknown. So I'm not worried about it right now. What we do know is that he brings one of the best records in league history with him. And even though there were rumblings in Chicago about wearing out players in Year 5... the team was worse before AND after he was there.

Is it perfect? Dunno. Just like we wouldn't know with any coach. Look at this way... instead of worrying about what if a dedicated coach wears on young players... what if a dedicated coach connects with a group of dedicated players?

Once again, I have to be the voice of optimism. It's hard work, you know!

Nice take.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Does anybody have the ESPN insider for this article?

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15287407/5-5-experts-thibodeau-timberwolves

Can somebody cut and past for us cheap bastards?

I think SP did in the second post in this thread above.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I think if Thibs were going into the Kings situation for example, the players might check out, ala Rose in Chicago. But i believe these guys, as young as they are, can see the championship potential they have as a group and will welcome a coach who can get them there.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I have my concerns about Thibs, but ruffling feathers of our young guys is not one of them. Maybe I overvalue the character of our guys, but I read them as all able to take it. Sam was as tough on LaVine and KAT as anyone else on the roster this year, but I thought they both took it well and greatly improved their games. I expect they will have a similar relationship with Thibs as they had with Sam. Sam didn't ride Wig as much, but that cat is so laid back, I can't see a hard-driving coach bothering him...might even help his game.

My concerns about the Thibs hiring are well developed by the writers in this article.

1) Having the same guy as POBO and coach is just bad policy, especially when the guy has never been an executive before...there just aren't enough hours in the day for him to handle two full-time jobs.

2) Thibs is saying the right things about having a new philosophy about practices, but it still remains a concern for me until we see him in action.

[Lipoli390]

I think what gets annoying, at least for me anyway, is when Thibs detractors focus on his intensity and in-your-face motivational tactics, but fail to include that he is as detail-oriented and basketball intelligent as any coach in the game. Players, associates, media, etc. all talk about how Thibs finds the little things that no one else does. Hell, I just posted a quote from Jimmy Butler on that this morning. You (general term) say Wiggins doesn't need someone to light a fire under his ass, but rather explain things to him so that they make sense. Thibs isn't lacking in coaching ability that way either. It'd be one thing if he was just a hot head that screamed about general stuff all the time, but usually he has a detailed plan or way to do things that gets explained in the process. Fuck it up and he'll let you know about it, but that's so you get better. The proof is in the pudding. He wins. His players get better. Guys that can't make it on other teams look decisively better playing for him. He exceeds expectations. He creates a culture devoted to winning.

I seriously doubt Wiggins, son of an NBA player, is going to run away from a hard-nosed coach like Thibs. I feel the same way about LaVine, who seems like a guy that's always been coached hard by his father first and foremost. I think there's far too much worrying being done over this. It makes it sound like our guys are weak-minded and I don't think they are.

Cam -- Don't get annoyed. It's part of the dialogue on any good message board like this one. Speaking for myself, I've been clear that I'm aware of and respect Thibs' coaching acumen. And there is no disputing the success he had winning games and getting the most out of his players in the three years he coached the Bulls. The question is whether his hard-driving incredibly intense and seemingly humorless style will fit well with our players over the long haul. This is not a 3-year horizon team. This is a team with a core of 21 year olds who are probably three years away from competing for a championship. And those same young talented players are 2-3 years away from expiration of their rookie contracts when they can become free agents. So the issue isn't whether Thibs has great coaching attributes that have proven successful over the short term. The question is whether his flaws will ultimately outweigh those attributes with this team over the longer term. That's the debate raging in my head and that's the question to be answered over the next few years.

What would really put my mind at ease would be some really sincere, clear comments from Thibs demonstrating that he recognizes his flaws and plans to improve in those areas. I'm looking forward to his introductory press conference as a great opportunity for him to address those issues.