Minnesota Sports Forum

Yeah, while I think this team can be coached up, the calculus in the Western Conference makes it damn near impossible. We are literally competing with 6 teams just for one damn playoff spot. We only have truly one bad team in the entire conference!

So while I expect Saunders and Co. to make some changes to the way they play, the rotations, etc., ultimately it's tough seeing us outplaying six other teams that are currently in the mix for the 8th seed.

It's really a travesty because I think this squad is a 6th or 7th seed out East even with Thibs and his old fashioned methods kept in tact.

Q12543 wrote:Yeah, while I think this team can be coached up, the calculus in the Western Conference makes it damn near impossible. We are literally competing with 6 teams just for one damn playoff spot. We only have truly one bad team in the entire conference!

So while I expect Saunders and Co. to make some changes to the way they play, the rotations, etc., ultimately it's tough seeing us outplaying six other teams that are currently in the mix for the 8th seed.

It's really a travesty because I think this squad is a 6th or 7th seed out East even with Thibs and his old fashioned methods kept in tact.

Let's not forget that Thibodeau personally sabotaged the season by not dealing Butler earlier.

The season was lost in the first 13 games (4 - 9) by bringing in a malcontent who was picking and choosing when he played... and when the team lost games.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Yeah, while I think this team can be coached up, the calculus in the Western Conference makes it damn near impossible. We are literally competing with 6 teams just for one damn playoff spot. We only have truly one bad team in the entire conference!

So while I expect Saunders and Co. to make some changes to the way they play, the rotations, etc., ultimately it's tough seeing us outplaying six other teams that are currently in the mix for the 8th seed.

It's really a travesty because I think this squad is a 6th or 7th seed out East even with Thibs and his old fashioned methods kept in tact.

Let's not forget that Thibodeau personally sabotaged the season by not dealing Butler earlier.

The season was lost in the first 13 games (4 - 9) by bringing in a malcontent who was picking and choosing when he played... and when the team lost games.

Good point. Had we been 7-6 instead, we'd currently be the 8th seed....but still, plenty of teams would be right on our heels.

I think Saunders will be given the benefit of the doubt if we stay competitive and "in the mix" until near the end, assuming he checks the box in other respects (playing style, rotations, connecting with players, effort levels).

Q12543 wrote:Yeah, while I think this team can be coached up, the calculus in the Western Conference makes it damn near impossible. We are literally competing with 6 teams just for one damn playoff spot. We only have truly one bad team in the entire conference!

So while I expect Saunders and Co. to make some changes to the way they play, the rotations, etc., ultimately it's tough seeing us outplaying six other teams that are currently in the mix for the 8th seed.

It's really a travesty because I think this squad is a 6th or 7th seed out East even with Thibs and his old fashioned methods kept in tact.

Yeah, its going to be tough. But the other 6 teams are thinking the same thing.

FYI all the full video from yesterday's media availability is on the Timberwolves website now.

Souhan and Jon K also have a podcast up from yesterday.....some good stuff there.

- Jon K reiterated the relationship and communication issues and that it was organization-wide. He had to win a ton of games to overcome the dislike for his organizational and personnel mismanagement.

- They fired him after a win to demonstrate to everyone that it wasn't just about the product on the floor and that this wasn't a knee-jerk decision.

- Reiterates that Saunders has broad backing and support from the players and organization.

- Hoiberg is not as much in the mix as the national press might make him out to be. Yes, he'd get "a look" for the head coaching role, but is by no means a favorite for the position.

- Monty Williams would definitely get a long look as head coach if Saunders doesn't get it.

- As for GM/POBO, that is more up in the air, although no one thinks Layden will be around long-term.

Jon Krawczynski
?Verified account @JonKrawczynski

Saunders said he took time yesterday to meet individually with each player, talk to them about how they saw the situation and communicate about how to move forward.

Q12543 wrote:Jon Krawczynski
?Verified account @JonKrawczynski

Saunders said he took time yesterday to meet individually with each player, talk to them about how they saw the situation and communicate about how to move forward.

Didn't Johnny Athletic break the original story?

Interestingly, I've seen A LOT more about Woj's belated quip about Hoiberg and a bunch of other side nuggets though. Apparently, Big Business is gonna promote the more established guys for obvious reasons.

Good for the local guy though. He seems to be doing well for himself.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Jon Krawczynski
?Verified account @JonKrawczynski

Saunders said he took time yesterday to meet individually with each player, talk to them about how they saw the situation and communicate about how to move forward.

Didn't Johnny Athletic break the original story?

Interestingly, I've seen A LOT more about Woj's belated quip about Hoiberg and a bunch of other side nuggets though. Apparently, Big Business is gonna promote the more established guys for obvious reasons.

Good for the local guy though. He seems to be doing well for himself.

This is two or three in a row that Jon K and the Athletic has had before ESPN. I think it's as much ESPN trying to squash the Athletic as anything else. Jon K is great, his podcast with Souhan is always good.

thedoper wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Jon Krawczynski
?Verified account @JonKrawczynski

Saunders said he took time yesterday to meet individually with each player, talk to them about how they saw the situation and communicate about how to move forward.

Didn't Johnny Athletic break the original story?

Interestingly, I've seen A LOT more about Woj's belated quip about Hoiberg and a bunch of other side nuggets though. Apparently, Big Business is gonna promote the more established guys for obvious reasons.

Good for the local guy though. He seems to be doing well for himself.

This is two or three in a row that Jon K and the Athletic has had before ESPN. I think it's as much ESPN trying to squash the Athletic as anything else. Jon K is great, his podcast with Souhan is always good.

It's beyond just ESPN though.

For example, The Ringer hasn't mentioned The Athletic scoop either. Then again, they remain thinly tied with ESPN... and Simmons actually ripped The Athletic's business model on a recent podcast.



[Note: Been toying with joining The Athletic. But I don't subscribe to any pay services. But now that I mercifully ended my Time magazine subscription... maybe I can spend my $2.50 per month there.]