Finch

[Coolbreeze44]

To me a free flow offense is based more on concepts and making reads as the possession unfolds, as opposed to specific patterns or assignments. A free flow offense typically relies on a few guiding principles, and less rules.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'll add to not take my word for it. I'm just a fan now.

[Coolbreeze44]

Guiding principles could include:

- Don't make 2 cuts in the same direction (Spacing)
- Don't ever stand after making a pass
- If no one currently occupies the high post, move to take that position

[Jester1534]

Guiding principles could include:

- Don't make 2 cuts in the same direction (Spacing)
- Don't ever stand after making a pass
- If no one currently occupies the high post, move to take that position

Ugh I’m still perplexed by this. Two of your three points are basic concepts for 5 out system and the high post we don’t obviously run when Rudy is in the game all time.

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Just call sets in last 3 fucking minutes already.

[Carlos Danger]

I mean...I answered the question honestly..."yes". But context is important.

Would I fire him today? Of course not. But if we finish the season with 35 wins after getting 30 by mid-season? Yes - he gets canned IMO.

My personal opinion is Finch is doing fine. We are literally the top seed in the West after 43 games. I don't think this team will collapse. But if it does collapse, and it not due to injuries...then yeah - that would reflect on the coach IMO. But I guess I'm the only one that feels that way after seeing the poll results!

I joined you Carlos, with a similar "it depends" type caveat. If we truly go on a losing streak of more than 3 or 4 games and fall down the standings in the West, I'd have to consider firing Finch because the only way we keep losing is that we keep making the same mistakes. At that point, you have to ask whether the players are still listening to the coach or if a new voice is needed.

I'm of course hoping it doesn't come to that.

It's us against the world It really comes down to how you interpret the question. I don't see Finch going anywhere. But, yeah - if we lose ever game from now until the end of the season - yes, he would be fired.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Will the Timberwolves fire Chris Finch?

It depends on whether Anthony Edwards would want him fired.

Finch has been surprisingly vocal about ripping his players publicly despite the successful season. Edwards seems to be a target for these criticisms at times (justified). So far, Towns and Edwards always say the right things and take accountability, at least with a quote.

But (1) when do those quotes become hollow? (We're far beyond that point with Towns.) We have to see real change on the court, especially when it comes to selfishness and immaturity. (2) When does the ascending star NBA player bristle at taking the blame from a 50-ish year old guy who makes a fraction of what he makes?

This is the NBA. This is how it works.

[Q-is-here]

Will the Timberwolves fire Chris Finch?

It depends on whether Anthony Edwards would want him fired.

Finch has been surprisingly vocal about ripping his players publicly despite the successful season. Edwards seems to be a target for these criticisms at times (justified). So far, Towns and Edwards always say the right things and take accountability, at least with a quote.

But (1) when do those quotes become hollow? (We're far beyond that point with Towns.) We have to see real change on the court, especially when it comes to selfishness and immaturity. (2) When does the ascending star NBA player bristle at taking the blame from a 50-ish year old guy who makes a fraction of what he makes?

This is the NBA. This is how it works.

I agree Abe, with one quibble related to KAT. There is no coach in this world that will ever get KAT to completely get rid of his bad habits. It's too late for that. The franchise has taken a big step forward because KAT is now surrounded by better overall talent and we no longer have to rely on him so much. But he's still mostly the same gifted, but flawed player he's always been with some improvements along the edges defensively and perhaps a little less stray voltage.

Ant is really the guy to watch. If Finch loses Ant then yeah, a change will need to happen, although I don't think Ant is quite in the position yet to dictate who the next coach would be.

I think the team has reached a proverbial fork in the road. They can either allow the problems they've had of late to fester or they can regroup and string together a bunch of wins.

[Coolbreeze44]

NBA radio this morning had Frank Isola ripping Finch for "messing around with the game" vs Charlotte. He repeatedly said you have to take care of the game, and it was ridiculous what went on. The immaturity by both of our star players was on full display throughout that game, and Finch rightly called them out for it. Frank said that gaining a number one seed in a conference is a big deal, but the Wolves didn't respect the game that way.

Another thought - we sometimes hear Ant being compared to MJ. The biggest difference between the two is MJ was extremely intelligent both on and off the floor. That's not Ant. He channels more of Shawn Kemp in terms of intellect than MJ. I can't imagine MJ changing his game to make a point to his coaches, it just wouldn't have happened.

[Lipoli390]

I think it would be silly to fire Finch now. You only fire him if you vastly overrated this team. We’ve sat atop the Western Conference most of the season but I don’t believe this team’s talent comes close to matching the team’s current place in the standings. Given the talent and mix on this team, Finch should be credited with getting them to overachieve after a 42-win season last year. The way this team has been playing the past few weeks provides some insight into this team’s true capabilities.

KAT will always be KAT no matter who’s coaching him. Ant and Jaden remain the key challenges for Finch. Can he get Ant to mature in his decision-making? Can he get Jaden to take the next step offensively and on the boards? Of course, a lot of that is on Ant and Jaden, but part of Finch’s job is to foster their development. Otherwise, It’s up to the front office to get more offensive firepower, especially three-point shooting, onto the roster and into the rotation. But that will be particularly difficult if the team is over the 2nd apron, which will happen unless the organization trades, KAT, Rudy, Jaden or Naz (they’re not going to trade Ant).

[Coolbreeze44]

I think it would be silly to fire Finch now. You only fire him if you vastly overrated this team. We’ve sat atop the Western Conference most of the season but I don’t believe this team’s talent comes close to matching the team’s current place in the standings. Given the talent and mix on this team, Finch should be credited with getting them to overachieve after a 42-win season last year. The way this team has been playing the past few weeks provides some insight into this team’s true capabilities.

KAT will always be KAT no matter who’s coaching him. Ant and Jaden remain the key challenges for Finch. Can he get Ant to mature in his decision-making? Can he get Jaden to take the next step offensively and on the boards? Of course, a lot of that is on Ant and Jaden, but part of Finch’s job is to foster their development. Otherwise, It’s up to the front office to get more offensive firepower, especially three-point shooting, onto the roster and into the rotation. But that will be particularly difficult if the team is over the 2nd apron, which will happen unless the organization trades, KAT, Rudy, Jaden or Naz (they’re not going to trade Ant).

Lip, you make some good points here. Where I would quarrel with you is that a half season is a pretty good sample size. You don't play .700 ball for this long, especially with the schedule we've had, and not be a very good basketball team. Sure we can improve our offense, and I expect we will make a move or two that will help. KAT and Ant are two of the best offensive players in the league. The only thing keeping NAZ from scoring 20ppg is minutes. Jaden shoots 52/38, I'm not sure what more you want from him. There is only one ball. NAW has developed into a very good 3 & D wing. This team is damn good and with a little good fortune and better smarts, we would have the best record in the league right now.

I sense much of your pessimism is still rooted in the trade for Rudy. I know you hated that move and I think it taints your opinion of this group. I think that trade looks better by the week and I'm not sure where we would be without it. I don't know if we can finish first in the West, but we have a shot for sure. Our biggest impediment might be the age and experience level of our young guys, who we count on a great deal. We're just going to have to see how it goes, and whether we can win some big games like next Monday night in OKC.