Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:Just spot checked a couple guys, but is there even any validity to the "he runs guys into the ground" theory? It looks to me like there are many star players that play the 35-40 min. LBJ has AVERAGED 39.3 mpg for his career...and he misses little time. Now, the other thing I have heard is it is games, along with practices. Maybe this is true...but this angle seems a bit fabricated. Deng did play a lot of minutes, but Noah has averaged only about 34 mpg over the past 5 seasons. Doesn't seem bad.

The other more selfish piece in this regard is this.....coaches in today's world are not TYPICALLY in position very long. They have a limited window to win, and get an extension, thus it is in their best interest to play the guys that put the team (and thus himself) in the best position to win now. Whether we like it or not, this coach will likely not be around later in a players career (think a guy like Wiggins), thus he probably doesn't think much about the ramifications of minutes played over the course of a younger players career. We love longevity of our players, but coaches typically don't have the luxury.

Lebron is the most gifted athlete of all-time. He is a physical specimen that I don't think anyone is a fair comparison to him in terms of how they physically hold up. Deng and Noah are only 30 and they move like they are at least 35. 30 is the athletic cutoff for NFL running backs, not basketball players. It's not just game time that wears them down it's the practices as well. Hard practices are what kept Riley in the front office in Miami because Wade wasn't going back to Riley's grind. I just don't see how anyone thinks Thibs has no accountability when it comes to his players consistently breaking down year after year like it's just bad luck year after year.

Also AP guy tweeted Flip talked to Thibs and Thibs wants a more ready made situation so the Thibs to MN can be put to rest for now.

Hicks123 wrote:Just spot checked a couple guys, but is there even any validity to the "he runs guys into the ground" theory? It looks to me like there are many star players that play the 35-40 min. LBJ has AVERAGED 39.3 mpg for his career...and he misses little time. Now, the other thing I have heard is it is games, along with practices. Maybe this is true...but this angle seems a bit fabricated. Deng did play a lot of minutes, but Noah has averaged only about 34 mpg over the past 5 seasons. Doesn't seem bad.

The other more selfish piece in this regard is this.....coaches in today's world are not TYPICALLY in position very long. They have a limited window to win, and get an extension, thus it is in their best interest to play the guys that put the team (and thus himself) in the best position to win now. Whether we like it or not, this coach will likely not be around later in a players career (think a guy like Wiggins), thus he probably doesn't think much about the ramifications of minutes played over the course of a younger players career. We love longevity of our players, but coaches typically don't have the luxury.

I think you bring up a couple good questions. But (IMO) those issues are probably secondary to the getting along with upper management. It's never good to be labeled as the guy who doesn't work well with others. I read reports that he had a strained relationship with the guys above him, so I'm assuming they just found a reason to get rid of him. We've probably all seen similar in our own jobs/companies. Some times guys get promoted because the boss likes them vs. their actual ability. And it works the same in reverse i.e. they get rid of guys they don't like even if they are high performers. It would be tough to justify firing him based on his job performance. So, I tend to believe the reports that he wasn't getting along with those above him.

It is looking like Hoiberg is going to the Bulls but here is an article which shows he is at least entertaining other NBA coaching positions

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-magic-hire-scott-skiles-coach-20150529-story.html?utm_content=buffer6d3bd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#page=1

"Hennigan ultimately conducted face-to-face interviews with four candidates from outside the Magic. In addition to Skiles and former Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks coach and current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson, the Orlando Sentinel has learned that Hennigan also met with former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson and current Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg."

Hoiberg is definitely my #1 choice with a bullet.

Thibs I'm split on, and I'm not as convinced that Flip is wanting him as others are, and that's after listening to this week's Funkadelic, but I could be wrong.

For Thib, it sounds like there's a good chance he'll sit out this year if he doesn't end up in the Pelicans job since he's getting paid either way. Flip mentioned the Wolves are a year away from being a more attractive coaching destination. If you connect the dots, it's quite possible Flip is thinking it may be a match next offseason.

Positives for hiring Thib:

1. Track record for success and overachieving, and the Bulls FO isn't known for being great with coaches
2. Defense, defense, defense... We have some pieces of a solid defensive team, and it'd be nice to be able to put those together.
3. KG has experience with Thib, and would be all about this move, and we have every reason to trust KG when it comes to coaches.

Negatives:
1. Chicago's FO really blasted him, suggesting he's not a team player when it comes to the organization. Red flag perhaps?
2. Offensive game plan... Flip suggested that's a big part of the reason he was canned.
3. Running his starters into the ground. He's known for using a very short bench. (Flip mentioned this as a suggested reason that they may have had so many injuries)

Flip you could argue ran Wiggins into the ground last season, and I hope we can manage his minutes better in the future.

I'd be mildly excited about Thibs if we picked him up, but not without some reservations. If it happens though, it'll be next year, not this.

Does anyone think Thibs might be aware of the complaints against him? Is there any way he can improve upon these "issues"? Do coaches learn from mistakes that got them fired at past stops and take that information to the next stop and become a better coach?

No, probably not.

New Orleans is hiring Alvin Gentry.
Chicago is hiring Fred Hoiberg.
Denver is hiring... who the fuck knows.

Minnesota has a legitimate shot at Thibs if they want it... and they should. Could be a legitimate franchise change for the better.

Camden0916 wrote:New Orleans is hiring Alvin Gentry.
Chicago is hiring Fred Hoiberg.
Denver is hiring... who the fuck knows.

Minnesota has a legitimate shot at Thibs if they want it... and they should. Could be a legitimate franchise change for the better.

Flip flat out said Thibs doesn't want the job now when he said Thibs wants a more ready-made situation. What more do you want him to do? I would bet at this point Thibs either takes the year off or is an assistant on a contender.

Guys, Flip is not going to hire Thibs - not this year, not next year, not ever. He's just not Flip's kind of coach. If Izzo wants the job next year, Flip will probably hire him. I'm sure Flip has a short list of head coaches he'd hire to replace himself. But I'd bet a billion dollars if I had it that Thibs is not on that list.

There isn't a more-ready situation available, though. Perhaps Thibs was waiting to see what happened with New Orleans. It's already been reported that Thibs camp was/is interested in Minnesota. Him and Flip seem to be cool with one another. I wouldn't kill this topic so soon even if it's not likely to happen.

lipoli390 wrote:Guys, Flip is not going to hire Thibs - not this year, not next year, not ever. He's just not Flip's kind of coach. If Izzo wants the job next year, Flip will probably hire him. I'm sure Flip has a short list of head coaches he'd hire to replace himself. But I'd bet a billion dollars if I had it that Thibs is not on that list.

One that focuses on defense? One that wins? One that gets the most out of his players? Man, that sounds awful...

I think IF you are correct in what you say there, Lip, then we really need Glen to get involved. Flip's gonna drive this team in the dirt if he can't land a good head coach, let alone not even pursue one that's available.

PS: If Thibs isn't a Flip guy, then why was Joerger? Answer that riddle.