Minnesota Sports Forum

60WinTim wrote: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!

Camden wrote: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.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote: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.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote: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.

ItsJustSoSab wrote:Does anybody have the ESPN insider for this article?

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

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote: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 wrote:

ItsJustSoSab wrote: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?

Camden wrote: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.