Minnesota Sports Forum

Jon K hinted that the Thunder put up big money to get Griffin. Can't fault a guy for going after the top offer financially, and it seems like that was the case. Highly, highly doubt it was a "He didn't want to work with Thibs again" issue so let's not make it one.

Camden wrote:Jon K hinted that the Thunder put up big money to get Griffin. Can't fault a guy for going after the top offer financially, and it seems like that was the case. Highly, highly doubt it was a "He didn't want to work with Thibs again" issue so let's not make it one.

I have no idea why Griffin decided to sign with the Thunder. Maybe it was the money, but I doubt they offered more than Taylor would be willing to offer if Thibs wanted him. Perhaps it was the chance to learn from Donovan after already having experience with Thibs. Or perhaps he doesn't like working for Thibs. All these theories are speculation. That's what we do on message boards -- we speculate. So I might say, let's not make this a "he went for the money issue." But I won't say that because all speculation is fair game on a fan message board.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:Jon K hinted that the Thunder put up big money to get Griffin. Can't fault a guy for going after the top offer financially, and it seems like that was the case. Highly, highly doubt it was a "He didn't want to work with Thibs again" issue so let's not make it one.

I have no idea why Griffin decided to sign with the Thunder. Maybe it was the money, but I doubt they offered more than Taylor would be willing to offer if Thibs wanted him. Perhaps it was the chance to learn from Donovan after already having experience with Thibs. Or perhaps he doesn't like working for Thibs. All these theories are speculation. That's what we do on message boards -- we speculate. So I might say, let's not make this a "he went for the money issue." But I won't say that because all speculation is fair game on a fan message board.

I apologize if my comment came off as a jab, Lip. Honestly wasn't my intention. Your opinion is as valuable as anyone else's on the forum. However, I trust Jon K more than any other writer that covers the Wolves and he seems to think OKC outbid everyone. Apparently Thibs did reach out to him, but I don't think Thibs is a guy that's going to grovel to get a guy on his staff. He's been around the league long enough to not only understand that it's a business, but to have plenty of associates that he trusts enough to have work for him. That's my speculation based off something Jon K said via Twitter.

Thanks for the clarification, Cam! Like you, I have a lot of respect for Jon K.

I hope it wasn't Thibs' pride that kept him from ultimately getting Griffin. If Thibs really wants a guy, he SHOULD grovel. It's called recruiting and that's what the best execs do when they see talent they really want to acquire. Now for all we know, Thibs wasn't that high on Griffin given other options. And I can easily see Griffin wanting to get experience with another coach since he's already had the benefit of working for Thibs. I'll be very interested to see who Thibs ends up with.

The assistant coaching thing is important but I also look at it a little differently with Thibs as the coach. It's kinda like the Wolves in the draft. They already have their Maine pieces they don't HAVE to knock the ball out of the part with this pick (it would be nice) but if they just get a good player or even a really solid rotation player that would be enough of a success.

Similarly we have Thibs who is a very good head coach. We aren't dealing with some hot assistant coach or a college guy or former player or someone that coached for a year and a half and got fired. This is a guy that was a top head coach for 5 years and was a long time assistant for a ton of years in the NBA before that. On top of that they also have Layden who has been an NBA lifer who also happened to have been an NBA assistant coach for a few years. These guys know what they are looking for. We don't necessarily have to get the top names because we have Thibs although obviously getting a top guy would be nice. All these too guys (including Thibs) got their start somewhere. It's quite possible Thibs has guys he knows he can get that would be all in guys.

As for Griffin and anyone else out there we may want there are simply a lot of really good options out there. OKC is a terrific landing spot for Griffin. He goes to a team that could easily win a championship next year and that would look good on Griffin's resume to get a HC gig. Thibs may have made an offer but told Griffin "Hey man we really want you here but take the best job for you." After listening to Scalbine's appearance on the verticals podcast He mentioned how chasing a title as a coach was something he considered when he took the Warriors job with Jackson. He said he saw a great team and thought they could win a championship so I think that's something some guys could consider as part of their thinking.

I know people just think Thibs guys are just gonna jump ship to coach for him but if they have good situations where they are maybe they stay there. Ed Pinckney is in Denver and while the talent there isn't what the Wolves have there are some plenty exciting guys to coach. My bet is that Mike Malone is well thought of around the league and Pinckney may feel like he wants to stay and help Malone. Maybe Denver just feels like a great fit for him and his family. Who knows. There are slot of factors we don't always think about. Maybe his wife is friends with Arnie's wife and they want to hang out or something. lol

monsterpile wrote:The assistant coaching thing is important but I also look at it a little differently with Thibs as the coach. It's kinda like the Wolves in the draft. They already have their Maine pieces they don't HAVE to knock the ball out of the part with this pick (it would be nice) but if they just get a good player or even a really solid rotation player that would be enough of a success.

Similarly we have Thibs who is a very good head coach. We aren't dealing with some hot assistant coach or a college guy or former player or someone that coached for a year and a half and got fired. This is a guy that was a top head coach for 5 years and was a long time assistant for a ton of years in the NBA before that. On top of that they also have Layden who has been an NBA lifer who also happened to have been an NBA assistant coach for a few years. These guys know what they are looking for. We don't necessarily have to get the top names because we have Thibs although obviously getting a top guy would be nice. All these too guys (including Thibs) got their start somewhere. It's quite possible Thibs has guys he knows he can get that would be all in guys.

As for Griffin and anyone else out there we may want there are simply a lot of really good options out there. OKC is a terrific landing spot for Griffin. He goes to a team that could easily win a championship next year and that would look good on Griffin's resume to get a HC gig. Thibs may have made an offer but told Griffin "Hey man we really want you here but take the best job for you." After listening to Scalbine's appearance on the verticals podcast He mentioned how chasing a title as a coach was something he considered when he took the Warriors job with Jackson. He said he saw a great team and thought they could win a championship so I think that's something some guys could consider as part of their thinking.

I know people just think Thibs guys are just gonna jump ship to coach for him but if they have good situations where they are maybe they stay there. Ed Pinckney is in Denver and while the talent there isn't what the Wolves have there are some plenty exciting guys to coach. My bet is that Mike Malone is well thought of around the league and Pinckney may feel like he wants to stay and help Malone. Maybe Denver just feels like a great fit for him and his family. Who knows. There are slot of factors we don't always think about. Maybe his wife is friends with Arnie's wife and they want to hang out or something. lol

Pinckney was with the Wolves a while back. Maybe he had a bad experience... ;-)

Or maybe he will be coming back. Still lots of time for things to get sorted out.