Minnesota Sports Forum

Your first line was that he's an average name for you. If you actually do realize how good of a coach Billy is, then you wouldn't have said that in the way you did.

Also, I'd have Donovan over Izzo, but the argument there is that Izzo's too old to make the NBA jump, in my opinion. I don't see him changing his ways to adapt the pro level like a younger coach would.

Average name when it comes to picking up a new head coach for the Timberwolves.

If you were offering me Donovan to the Gophers, I'd be the first to sign the petition to make it happen.

That's a fair criticism on Izzo. And to be completely truthful, I'm not 100% sure if Izzo can make that transition right now either. The one college name that I'm absolutely convinced can draw instant credibility and make a seamless NBA transition is Freddie.

I'd take all 3 of these guys over a lot of the recycled NBA coach list that we've heard been linked to the Wolves in recent years, but I also like the Atlanta Hawks approach of pilfering the San Antonio Spurs coaching tree.

There's definitely a difference in saying Donovan is an average name and saying Donovan is an average coach. Since Hockey & I are the same person it should come as no shock that I knew what he was getting at.

zigzag22 wrote:I'm firmly in the camp that believes deep down Flip did NOT want to coach this year. You read some of this stuff about his long talks with Izzo, Donovan, etc. and his move to try to land Joeger, I really think he wanted to land a big name coach and when it failed, he realized he could bridge the gap rather than just hire a Plan B or C coach (like a George Karl).

We debate if Flip truly has a clue or not about how to run a franchise, but I personally think he is smart enough to know that he has the PERFECT job (basically overseeing the entire franchise while also having minority ownership) and he knows that the grind of day-to-day coaching is not for him long-term.

I would put all my chips in on the Timberwolves entering Mankato this fall with a new, shiny head coach.

I wouldn't bet on the last part but I do think Flip was actually looking for a new coach and when the guys mentioned above weren't available and they guys that were left were um not really what he wanted and he wasn't absolutely sure what his team would look like this season he took over and for the Love situation that was probably pretty key.
Let's say he hired a coach and then made the Love trade and of course even next summer the roster likely will look pretty different and maybe that coaches style really wouldn't fit with the guy that are on the roster. Then you end up firing a coach and that looks bad. Glenn wouldn't have liked that it seems.

Will Flip look for a new coach this summer? I think he has a list of guys he would give up the job to but he won't be just interviewing whoever that's for sure. I am assuming Flip is coaching next year but part of that is because I don't think anyone on his list says yes to even an interview (unless someone gets canned we don't expect) so yeah. Maybe Jeff Van Gundy decides the Wolves job is for him? Would Flip give him the job since he called him about it last year? Not saying that will happen just throwing out a name/scenario of someone Flip might give up coaching to show he might actually do it.

I'll add a couple more thoughts:

1 other name that might be considered is Tyronne Lou especially if KG has a connection with him from when he was in Boston. I don't know what is going down in Cleveland but if he doesn't want to stick around there he will be a guy that will have job offers or at the very least opportunities to interview this summer I am sure.

I think the narrative that Flip only does the same stuff he did 10 years ago is just not accurate. Flip is a coach he approaches everything like he is trying to learn something new to get better. I found in interesting how he said on funkadelic that he likes to go to Vikings training camp because he sometimes picks up things he can use. I guess my point is that flip is more innovative than people are giving him credit for. I do think he has a philosophy of getting good shots no matter where they are on the floor and that's unlikely to change but I don't think he is quite as stuck in his old ways as some people here say. The fact that Bud Martin Hummel Hamilton Payne are on the team and all have possible ability to shoot 3's should be an indicator that Flip values the 3 more than he is given credit for.

Like I said earlier Flip is a coach he approaches things that way and said he will always be a coach. Therefore he is going to want to hire a guy that's willing to talk shop and bounce ideas back and forth. Because Flip is a coach I don't think he wants to tell a guy what to do but he is probably not going to hire someone he doesn't agree with their basic philosophy which makes total sense. You want those two people running your franchise to be on the same page. It's going to be an interesting summer not just frontage Wolves but for the rest of the league. Not as interestingn as last summer but there will be plenty of interesting storylines I am guessing.

I see that Hoiberg is having heart surgery to have a valve replaced again. I would think that makes it more likely he stays in Ames another year especially since he has most of his players returning as well.

monsterpile wrote:I see that Hooberg is having heart surgery to have a valve replaced again. I would think that makes it more likely he stays in Ames another year especially since he has most of his players returning as well.

I wouldn't think that is a consideration on where he coaches. If health is a concern . I would think the NBA game would be better for him.

bleedspeed177 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:I see that Hooberg is having heart surgery to have a valve replaced again. I would think that makes it more likely he stays in Ames another year especially since he has most of his players returning as well.

I wouldn't think that is a consideration on where he coaches. If health is a concern . I would think the NBA game would be better for him.

Personally I disagree especially in his situation. Living at home and traveling for half as many games sounds like a much easier gig even if you have to recruit. Both jobs are year around and the NBA seems to be more high stress. I think this will factor in. How much? Idk but I think it's a factor.

I think Donavan would be a great fit with the athleticism of LaVine and Wiggins to build with.

Darren Wolfson @DWolfsonKSTP
Hear Flip arranged the Malone-Taylor meeting weeks ago. Still would love to see Mike as Flip's top ass't next year. Defensive wiz. #twolves

Darren Wolfson @DWolfsonKSTP
Nothing official. But feel the same now as I did months ago: I see him coaching still. #twolves