Minnesota Sports Forum

I don't want Billy to leave Florida. That's as a Florida fan. If he did take the job, we'd be getting the best coach in college basketball who stresses defense and preparation. Pretty much what we need. I don't think he's leaving Florida, though. He has recruits visiting the campus today. He's already been offered an NBA job previously (Magic) and backed out of it days later because he just can't see himself coaching away from Gainesville. Not to mention his family absolutely loves Gainesville.

The name I'm hearing today that I'm extremely interested in is Tom Izzo. Stresses defense. Strong ability to develop college kids. Tough personality. More than enough experience at the college level. Give me that guy.

I can have my cake and eat it too.

I dont know why Flip would want to coach this team. Its not constructed to fit Flips offensive philosophy, which revolves around jump shooters.
When he was successful in his last stint here he had guys that could shoot the rock. Guys like Wally, Cassel, Kg , Peeler and Hudson. All those fellas could get hot from the perimeter . He especially needs a pg that shoots well . ( T Brandon, Marbury, Billups, Cassel all played for his most successful teams.
What does this team offer? Love and an incosistent Martin.
Hed be setting himself up for failure.

PorkChop wrote:I dont know why Flip would want to coach this team. Its not constructed to fit Flips offensive philosophy, which revolves around jump shooters.
When he was successful in his last stint here he had guys that could shoot the rock. Guys like Wally, Cassel, Kg , Peeler and Hudson. All those fellas could get hot from the perimeter . He especially needs a pg that shoots well . ( T Brandon, Marbury, Billups, Cassel all played for his most successful teams.
What does this team offer? Love and an incosistent Martin.
Hed be setting himself up for failure.

That is in the right line of thinking, however, I say having Flip coach, regardless of the rosters make up, is a bad idea. Jump shooting teams do not win squat. I don't want another 10 years of jump shooting teams.

Phenom's_Revenge wrote:

PorkChop wrote:I dont know why Flip would want to coach this team. Its not constructed to fit Flips offensive philosophy, which revolves around jump shooters.
When he was successful in his last stint here he had guys that could shoot the rock. Guys like Wally, Cassel, Kg , Peeler and Hudson. All those fellas could get hot from the perimeter . He especially needs a pg that shoots well . ( T Brandon, Marbury, Billups, Cassel all played for his most successful teams.
What does this team offer? Love and an incosistent Martin.
Hed be setting himself up for failure.

That is in the right line of thinking, however, I say having Flip coach, regardless of the rosters make up, is a bad idea. Jump shooting teams do not win squat. I don't want another 10 years of jump shooting teams.

Im right there with ya, only making an argument for why Flip wouldnt want too.

I hope flip considers scott skiles. Skiles did well with the bulls and bucks with limited talents. A defensive oriented coach with a fiesty type personality.

I think Flip came here with the idea that he would succeed Adelman as head coach and I think he will now turn his attention to persuading Glen Taylor to let him do it. Since Flip seems masterfully capable of manipulating Glen, I fully expect to see Flip coaching this team next season. That would be very unfortunate, but that's how I see things unfolding.

On the other hand, Flip hasn't been a bad head coach in his tenure with various teams, including the Wolves. When he's had talented teams, those teams have won a lot of regular season games commensurate with their talent. When he's had bad teams, those teams have finished near the bottom. And even when coaching good teams, he's never been a particularly successful playoff coach. In other words, Flip doesn't seem to get his teams to overachieve and his style doesn't tend to succeed in playoff basketball. Nor do his teams play particularly well defensively. Yet, Flip's teams don't tend to underachieve either. In other words, he's no Kurt Rambis.

Hope I'm wrong about Flip's intentions. But assuming it's not Flip, a bigger concern I have is that Flip will shy away from hiring a strong personality like one of the Van Gundys, Hollins or George Karl. I get the sense listening to Flip over the years and talking to people that he doesn't like being challenged or questioned. So I could see him hiring a weak head coach likeTerry Porter. If that's the alternative, I'd rather have Flip as our head coach.

Bottom line for me, is that (like most others here) I want a head coach with a proven NBA track record of success getting his teams to play excellent defense and win playoff games. My order of preference would be Stan VanGundy, Jeff VanGundy and Hollins. If we can't get any of those three, I'd opt for George Karl. I'm assuming Thibs isn't available. If we can't get any of those guys, then I'd probably prefer Flip. Not thrilled at that idea, but he's proven he can coach effectively at the NBA level.

Personally, I'd rather have Tom Izzo over George "Can't get out of the first round" Karl.

I'd take Karl over Izzo because George is a proven winner at the NBA level and command instant respect from the Wolves' player, especially Kevin Love. But I wouldn't complain if its Izzo. I could see him succeeding at the NBA level.

Flip made only three comments about the selection of our next head coach:

1. He want's the next coach to preserve Adelman's offensive system.

2. The Wolves will not hire Fred Hoiberg -- Flip's exact comment was "that's not happening."

3. He doesn't know when a decision will be made and he first needs to sit down with Glen Taylor and identify the qualities needed in the Wolves next head coach.

I find it interesting, but not surprising, that Flip wants to retain Adelman's offense. I find it particularly interesting that Flip's only comment on an individual was the comment he make definitively dismissing Hoiberg as a head coaching candidate. Fred is VERY close to Glen Taylor. I suspect that Flip would not want a head coach or anyone else in the organization who has a close relationship independent relationship with Glen.

All three comments point towards Flip making himself the next head coach. First, Flip has said a number of times that he and Adelman have the same coaching philosophy at least offensively. Second, summary dismissing Hoiberg at the outset takes away someone who Glen Taylor would view favorably. Third, Flip's lack of urgency regarding the selection of a new head coach suggests he expects to assume that role.

What are everyone's thoughts on Sam Cassell being a head coach?