Minnesota Sports Forum

Monster -- I think Sam has a major issue with being replaced. I think he believes he deserved to be extended. He expresses his hurt and anger in relation to how Taylor communicated the decision and every more bizarrely by venting about Thibs not calling him right away. But let's not kid ourselves. Sam thinks he should have been extended and he's pissed it wasn't. He has a huge ego (not unique in the profession), but he also seems incapable of meaningful self-reflection, which we saw in his failure to hold himself even a little accountable for problems the team had last season. I'm not going to hold Doogie responsible for Sam's rant. First of all, Doogie's not that good. Second and more importantly, Sam's an adult and presumably a professional. He wanted to say those things and Doogie gave him the platform. He could have taken the high road and simply said something like the following:

"I'm disappointed I wasn't extended. It think we made great strides the end of the season and I'm proud of what we were able to do last season under difficult circumstances. But I understand that getting replaced goes with the territory in the head coaching profession. And I appreciate the opportunity the Wolves organization gave me to coach this talented group of young players in front of these great fans. At the end of the day, getting replaced by a head coach of Thibs' caliber isn't a repudiation of me or my abilities. I love this game and hope to remain in this coaching profession as part of this League in the future."

Something like that would have reflected positively on Sam. It's not hard to do and something that most head coaches regularly say when fired or, as in this case, simply not extended. And let's remember, he wasn't fired. The Wolves honored their contract with him and then replaced him with one of the best proven head coaches around. Glen should have been more sensitive to Sam's feelings, but for pete's sake Sam, GET OVER IT!!

lipoli390 wrote:Monster -- I think Sam has a major issue with being replaced. I think he believes he deserved to be extended. He expresses his hurt and anger in relation to how Taylor communicated the decision and every more bizarrely by venting about Thibs not calling him right away. But let's not kid ourselves. Sam thinks he should have been extended and he's pissed it wasn't. He has a huge ego (not unique in the profession), but he also seems incapable of meaningful self-reflection, which we saw in his failure to hold himself even a little accountable for problems the team had last season. I'm not going to hold Doogie responsible for Sam's rant. First of all, Doogie's not that good. Second and more importantly, Sam's an adult and presumably a professional. He wanted to say those things and Doogie gave him the platform. He could have taken the high road and simply said something like the following:

"I'm disappointed I wasn't extended. It think we made great strides the end of the season and I'm proud of what we were able to do last season under difficult circumstances. But I understand that getting replaced goes with the territory in the head coaching profession. And I appreciate the opportunity the Wolves organization gave me to coach this talented group of young players in front of these great fans. At the end of the day, getting replaced by a head coach of Thibs' caliber isn't a repudiation of me or my abilities. I love this game and hope to remain in this coaching profession as part of this League in the future."

Something like that would have reflected positively on Sam. It's not hard to do and something that most head coaches regularly say when fired or, as in this case, simply not extended. And let's remember, he wasn't fired. The Wolves honored their contract with him and then replaced him with one of the best proven head coaches around. Glen should have been more sensitive to Sam's feelings, but for pete's sake Sam, GET OVER IT!!

Sam said something much along the lines of what you suggested earlier in the spot with Wolfson. He said he thought he and his staff did a good job and was disappointed but I've never got the impression he thought he should no question get the job. I remember distinctly him telling Wolfson he never considered the team his team it was Flip's and he was doing what he was asked to do. I'm not doing what he said justice it was a very classy thing to say and I think Sam meant it. Who wouldn't feel like what Sam did he would want to continue doing the job? That's not the part he is whining about imo.

I think ultimately Sam is willing to move on as he said so numerous times in this spot. You may not think Wolfson is good or whatever but the guy pushes and IMO does so going too far. I bought he crossed a line at least once trying to get Sam to talk about KG. The thing that's dumb about Wolfson (or brilliant for his career) is he talks up Sam as this good guy then goads him into saying stuff that ends up making Sam look bad although we know Sam can do that pretty easily. Lol

honestly if Sam had conducted himself better after being let go I think he may have had a nice amount of momentum after this season. Even wolves fans that basically hated that he was coaching were giving him some props. I don't think that would have translated to an NBA head coaching spot but some college level program may have looked at him as an option which he and Wolfson chatted about in this spot in detail. Sam said he would like to get back into coaching after this experience. I do think he has something to offer in the right setup. I don't know if a college program would work I see goo and bad there like I have said a couple times now with Sam is maddeningly good and bad with the guy.