Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

TheSP wrote:Anybody getting more concerned that we may be in store for a second year of Smitch?

It's been a possibility from day one. It would be insane, but sure it could happen. This is the Wolves after all.

I'm scared. I can hear the sound bites now...

"We saw so much improvement. Respected coach. Give him a chance to see it though. Foundation. Established. et al..."

Prepare yourself for it because I think it's going to happen. My guess is that Milt stays in place as GM and Mitchell as Coach.

Now I ultimately believe supreme talent trumps coaching in the NBA. Many teams continued to improve with a coach they canned before taking that final step to win a title:

Chicago - Doug Collins
Detroit - Rick Carlisle (ironic considering that he won a title in Dallas)
Dallas - Don Nelson and Avery Johnson
Golden State - Mark Jackson

Hopefully Taylor gets this ownership structure thing figured out with Kaplan and we get a new regime in that actually has a higher level of sophistication and standards about what it takes to win in the NBA.

Q makes a good point that he has made a number of times on this board. Let's remember that Love turned into a very good player possibly in spite of being coached and part of the wolves franchise at least part of his early career. My concern going forward was not making the mistakes that were made back in Love's day having no roster consistency and no vets to learn from.

I think the way this team has performed since the all star break is good news for both Sam and Milt. It seems like from what I have heard from both guys is they are on the same page when it comes to the roster and both seem to think they need more talent and can use some legit vets to help get this team to take another step forward. Other than the draft as long as whoever is running this franchise the next season doesn't screw up anything and can just add a couple decent bench players in FA that's probably fine. That's not sexy but it could be ok. It will be interesting to see what happens but a new ownership still in the mix makes keeping the status quo makes a lot of sense.

One note on Love. He improved statistically. But the team never even made it to .500.

I think the value of coaching shouldn't be ahead of talent, obviously... but it shouldn't be dismissed either.

The Wolves aren't like the 1980s Celtics... K.C Jones-types aren't winning a title in today's game.

Agree. Rick Carlisle in Dallas always seems to be able to patch together a decent team with a mixture of over-the-hill vets and castoffs.

My point is that I don't see Sam Mitchell standing in the way of the team continuing to improve into next year (barring major injury problems). Or may be even the next year. Is he a championship coach? Most likely not. But along the journey to a title, more teams than not actually go through a coaching change or two.

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

TheSP wrote:Anybody getting more concerned that we may be in store for a second year of Smitch?

It's been a possibility from day one. It would be insane, but sure it could happen. This is the Wolves after all.

I'm scared. I can hear the sound bites now...

"We saw so much improvement. Respected coach. Give him a chance to see it though. Foundation. Established. et al..."

Prepare yourself for it because I think it's going to happen. My guess is that Milt stays in place as GM and Mitchell as Coach.

Now I ultimately believe supreme talent trumps coaching in the NBA. Many teams continued to improve with a coach they canned before taking that final step to win a title:

Chicago - Doug Collins
Detroit - Rick Carlisle (ironic considering that he won a title in Dallas)
Dallas - Don Nelson and Avery Johnson
Golden State - Mark Jackson

Hopefully Taylor gets this ownership structure thing figured out with Kaplan and we get a new regime in that actually has a higher level of sophistication and standards about what it takes to win in the NBA.

Q makes a good point that he has made a number of times on this board. Let's remember that Love turned into a very good player possibly in spite of being coached and part of the wolves franchise at least part of his early career. My concern going forward was not making the mistakes that were made back in Love's day having no roster consistency and no vets to learn from.

I think the way this team has performed since the all star break is good news for both Sam and Milt. It seems like from what I have heard from both guys is they are on the same page when it comes to the roster and both seem to think they need more talent and can use some legit vets to help get this team to take another step forward. Other than the draft as long as whoever is running this franchise the next season doesn't screw up anything and can just add a couple decent bench players in FA that's probably fine. That's not sexy but it could be ok. It will be interesting to see what happens but a new ownership still in the mix makes keeping the status quo makes a lot of sense.

One note on Love. He improved statistically. But the team never even made it to .500.

I think the value of coaching shouldn't be ahead of talent, obviously... but it shouldn't be dismissed either.

The Wolves aren't like the 1980s Celtics... K.C Jones-types aren't winning a title in today's game.

Agree. Rick Carlisle in Dallas always seems to be able to patch together a decent team with a mixture of over-the-hill vets and castoffs.

My point is that I don't see Sam Mitchell standing in the way of the team continuing to improve into next year (barring major injury problems). Or may be even the next year. Is he a championship coach? Most likely not. But along the journey to a title, more teams than not actually go through a coaching change or two.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

TheSP wrote:Anybody getting more concerned that we may be in store for a second year of Smitch?

It's been a possibility from day one. It would be insane, but sure it could happen. This is the Wolves after all.

I'm scared. I can hear the sound bites now...

"We saw so much improvement. Respected coach. Give him a chance to see it though. Foundation. Established. et al..."

Prepare yourself for it because I think it's going to happen. My guess is that Milt stays in place as GM and Mitchell as Coach.

Now I ultimately believe supreme talent trumps coaching in the NBA. Many teams continued to improve with a coach they canned before taking that final step to win a title:

Chicago - Doug Collins
Detroit - Rick Carlisle (ironic considering that he won a title in Dallas)
Dallas - Don Nelson and Avery Johnson
Golden State - Mark Jackson

Hopefully Taylor gets this ownership structure thing figured out with Kaplan and we get a new regime in that actually has a higher level of sophistication and standards about what it takes to win in the NBA.

Q makes a good point that he has made a number of times on this board. Let's remember that Love turned into a very good player possibly in spite of being coached and part of the wolves franchise at least part of his early career. My concern going forward was not making the mistakes that were made back in Love's day having no roster consistency and no vets to learn from.

I think the way this team has performed since the all star break is good news for both Sam and Milt. It seems like from what I have heard from both guys is they are on the same page when it comes to the roster and both seem to think they need more talent and can use some legit vets to help get this team to take another step forward. Other than the draft as long as whoever is running this franchise the next season doesn't screw up anything and can just add a couple decent bench players in FA that's probably fine. That's not sexy but it could be ok. It will be interesting to see what happens but a new ownership still in the mix makes keeping the status quo makes a lot of sense.

One note on Love. He improved statistically. But the team never even made it to .500.

I think the value of coaching shouldn't be ahead of talent, obviously... but it shouldn't be dismissed either.

The Wolves aren't like the 1980s Celtics... K.C Jones-types aren't winning a title in today's game.

Agree. Rick Carlisle in Dallas always seems to be able to patch together a decent team with a mixture of over-the-hill vets and castoffs.

My point is that I don't see Sam Mitchell standing in the way of the team continuing to improve into next year (barring major injury problems). Or may be even the next year. Is he a championship coach? Most likely not. But along the journey to a title, more teams than not actually go through a coaching change or two.

Sure. I get it. Makes sense.

I guess I'm just tired of waiting. So, the "Well, other great teams started with bad coaches, too" isn't enough of an endorsement for Sam Mitchell for my taste.

There's no reason why they shouldn't jump right to the best coach.

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

TheSP wrote:Anybody getting more concerned that we may be in store for a second year of Smitch?

It's been a possibility from day one. It would be insane, but sure it could happen. This is the Wolves after all.

I'm scared. I can hear the sound bites now...

"We saw so much improvement. Respected coach. Give him a chance to see it though. Foundation. Established. et al..."

Prepare yourself for it because I think it's going to happen. My guess is that Milt stays in place as GM and Mitchell as Coach.

Now I ultimately believe supreme talent trumps coaching in the NBA. Many teams continued to improve with a coach they canned before taking that final step to win a title:

Chicago - Doug Collins
Detroit - Rick Carlisle (ironic considering that he won a title in Dallas)
Dallas - Don Nelson and Avery Johnson
Golden State - Mark Jackson

Hopefully Taylor gets this ownership structure thing figured out with Kaplan and we get a new regime in that actually has a higher level of sophistication and standards about what it takes to win in the NBA.

Q makes a good point that he has made a number of times on this board. Let's remember that Love turned into a very good player possibly in spite of being coached and part of the wolves franchise at least part of his early career. My concern going forward was not making the mistakes that were made back in Love's day having no roster consistency and no vets to learn from.

I think the way this team has performed since the all star break is good news for both Sam and Milt. It seems like from what I have heard from both guys is they are on the same page when it comes to the roster and both seem to think they need more talent and can use some legit vets to help get this team to take another step forward. Other than the draft as long as whoever is running this franchise the next season doesn't screw up anything and can just add a couple decent bench players in FA that's probably fine. That's not sexy but it could be ok. It will be interesting to see what happens but a new ownership still in the mix makes keeping the status quo makes a lot of sense.

One note on Love. He improved statistically. But the team never even made it to .500.

I think the value of coaching shouldn't be ahead of talent, obviously... but it shouldn't be dismissed either.

The Wolves aren't like the 1980s Celtics... K.C Jones-types aren't winning a title in today's game.

Agree. Rick Carlisle in Dallas always seems to be able to patch together a decent team with a mixture of over-the-hill vets and castoffs.

My point is that I don't see Sam Mitchell standing in the way of the team continuing to improve into next year (barring major injury problems). Or may be even the next year. Is he a championship coach? Most likely not. But along the journey to a title, more teams than not actually go through a coaching change or two.

Sure. I get it. Makes sense.

I guess I'm just tired of waiting. So, the "Well, other great teams started with bad coaches, too" isn't enough of an endorsement for Sam Mitchell for my taste.

There's no reason why they shouldn't jump right to the best coach.

Sure sounds great everyone is all for it. Who is that guy? That's my thing I don't feel super confident in anybody available including Thibs because if he gets final say in personnel decisions idk if he knows what he is doing there. I felt better last year about the field of available guys for some reason than this year.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

TheSP wrote:Anybody getting more concerned that we may be in store for a second year of Smitch?

It's been a possibility from day one. It would be insane, but sure it could happen. This is the Wolves after all.

I'm scared. I can hear the sound bites now...

"We saw so much improvement. Respected coach. Give him a chance to see it though. Foundation. Established. et al..."

Prepare yourself for it because I think it's going to happen. My guess is that Milt stays in place as GM and Mitchell as Coach.

Now I ultimately believe supreme talent trumps coaching in the NBA. Many teams continued to improve with a coach they canned before taking that final step to win a title:

Chicago - Doug Collins
Detroit - Rick Carlisle (ironic considering that he won a title in Dallas)
Dallas - Don Nelson and Avery Johnson
Golden State - Mark Jackson

Hopefully Taylor gets this ownership structure thing figured out with Kaplan and we get a new regime in that actually has a higher level of sophistication and standards about what it takes to win in the NBA.

Q makes a good point that he has made a number of times on this board. Let's remember that Love turned into a very good player possibly in spite of being coached and part of the wolves franchise at least part of his early career. My concern going forward was not making the mistakes that were made back in Love's day having no roster consistency and no vets to learn from.

I think the way this team has performed since the all star break is good news for both Sam and Milt. It seems like from what I have heard from both guys is they are on the same page when it comes to the roster and both seem to think they need more talent and can use some legit vets to help get this team to take another step forward. Other than the draft as long as whoever is running this franchise the next season doesn't screw up anything and can just add a couple decent bench players in FA that's probably fine. That's not sexy but it could be ok. It will be interesting to see what happens but a new ownership still in the mix makes keeping the status quo makes a lot of sense.

One note on Love. He improved statistically. But the team never even made it to .500.

I think the value of coaching shouldn't be ahead of talent, obviously... but it shouldn't be dismissed either.

The Wolves aren't like the 1980s Celtics... K.C Jones-types aren't winning a title in today's game.

Agree. Rick Carlisle in Dallas always seems to be able to patch together a decent team with a mixture of over-the-hill vets and castoffs.

My point is that I don't see Sam Mitchell standing in the way of the team continuing to improve into next year (barring major injury problems). Or may be even the next year. Is he a championship coach? Most likely not. But along the journey to a title, more teams than not actually go through a coaching change or two.

Sure. I get it. Makes sense.

I guess I'm just tired of waiting. So, the "Well, other great teams started with bad coaches, too" isn't enough of an endorsement for Sam Mitchell for my taste.

There's no reason why they shouldn't jump right to the best coach.

Sure sounds great everyone is all for it. Who is that guy? That's my thing I don't feel super confident in anybody available including Thibs because if he gets final say in personnel decisions idk if he knows what he is doing there. I felt better last year about the field of available guys for some reason than this year.

As noted previously, I think Thibodeau as a coach is a coop. But I agree that him as THE personnel guy is a completely different animal.

I don't know who that coach is. Is it too bad Joerger is somehow STILL winning in Memphis... considering he might have been close enough of a country club guy to appease Taylor?

But I do know when I see a coach who doesn't quite have it. Mitchell isn't Kurt Rambis. But our standards should be higher.