Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:Oh, LST, don't flatter yourself. I don't feel attacked or threatened by your opinions. I merely find some of your takes about Thibodeau to be amusing, that's all.

You'd rather attribute the improved play to a softer side of coaching from the sideline. That's fine. I think that's a little silly, yes, but that's certainly okay. Here's a thought. Perhaps Thibs has been more positive, as you and Lip say, this past week because there's been more for him to be positive about. The team hasn't made nearly as many mental mistakes over the last handful of games. The entire starting five has been playing much better than they were earlier in the season.

Also, might the improved play have anything to do with the back-to-back practices Thibs held last week? I doubt you'd like to think about that being part of the improvement, though, since you seem to think Thibs practices result only in negative, fatigued play in the following games. Maybe, just maybe, practice is a good thing.

Cam -- You are one of my favorite participants on this Board, contributing great insights, observations and arguments. But I think LST was reacting to the sarcasm of your prior post. Sarcasm typically comes off as arrogant and tends to be a conversation killer. I'll admit to a sarcastic comment or two on this Board over the years, so I'm definitely in a glass house on this one. :). But I think it's best if we all avoid it. If you think someone says something that's silly, then why not just say you think the notion is silly? I happen to disagree with the notion that LST's take is silly, but I respect your view to the contrary.

All of us who have played and watched sports for a long time know how important the mental side of the game -- attitude and chemistry/atmosphere -- is to performance. And it seems clear to me that Thibs had adjusted his demeanor and interaction with players recently. As Q pointed out, it's sort of a chicken and egg thing. But I think it's fair (and not silly) to suggest that Thibs has made adjustments in the way he interacts with players and that those changes have contributed to the teams' recently improved performance even if just a little. And I wouldn't say it's Thibs showing a "softer" side. I'd say it's Thibs taking a more "positive" approach. Being positive and encouraging is a standard, well-accepted principle of effective leadership, not a silly idea. And while it's fair for you to disagree and believe it's silly, in my view, sarcasm is toxic and something we should all avoid.

Edit:

It doesn't matter. Let's continue.

BloopOracle wrote:Thibs was still screaming and storming the sidelines the Chicago and Houston game, I think it's just the team is learning how to finish now, Thibs berating players certainly had hasn't hurt us from amassing double digit leads in the majority of our games unless you think his screaming only counts in crunch time when we used to wilt in the final minutes.

Good post, Bloop. I almost let this one slip.

There is never a place for sarcasm.

I hate anybody who uses it. Always.

BloopOracle wrote:Thibs was still screaming and storming the sidelines the Chicago and Houston game, I think it's just the team is learning how to finish now, Thibs berating players certainly had hasn't hurt us from amassing double digit leads in the majority of our games unless you think his screaming only counts in crunch time when we used to wilt in the final minutes.

I didn't see the Houston game, bloop, so I assume your observation is accurate. I don't think Thibs is going to completely change his behavior overnight (and he doesn't have to), but I do think he has made an effort recently to make some adjustments (in response to some strong suggestions from a group that has made him a very wealthy man). But let me invite you to consider this possibility: if he was screaming and storming during the Houston game, might that possibly be a contributing factor to the worst end-of-game collapse of the year? Lip and I have both pointed out instances where players have appeared distracted looking over to hear what Thibs was screaming, and could that have led to the defensive breakdowns that cost us the game? I don't know...just something to consider.

I'm on Cam's side with this one. I don't think it's any coincidence that Thibs has been reeled in because the players are starting to do what they are supposed to do.

longstrangetrip wrote:

BloopOracle wrote:Thibs was still screaming and storming the sidelines the Chicago and Houston game, I think it's just the team is learning how to finish now, Thibs berating players certainly had hasn't hurt us from amassing double digit leads in the majority of our games unless you think his screaming only counts in crunch time when we used to wilt in the final minutes.

I didn't see the Houston game, bloop, so I assume your observation is accurate. I don't think Thibs is going to completely change his behavior overnight (and he doesn't have to), but I do think he has made an effort recently to make some adjustments (in response to some strong suggestions from a group that has made him a very wealthy man). But let me invite you to consider this possibility: if he was screaming and storming during the Houston game, might that possibly be a contributing factor to the worst end-of-game collapse of the year? Lip and I have both pointed out instances where players have appeared distracted looking over to hear what Thibs was screaming, and could that have led to the defensive breakdowns that cost us the game? I don't know...just something to consider.

All the players need to be let go if they lost a game because of a dude yelling at them on the sidelines to do things the right way. These are grown men. Someone yelling at them is not an excuse to fail at your job.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:There is never a place for sarcasm.

I hate anybody who uses it. Always.

I see what you did there.

Are we really going to give the Mankato doofus credit for Thibs better coaching? All of his experience with thank you cards and lace doilies has given him insight into molding young athletes. I'm surprised Taylor hasn't given a press conference or interview yet about how he's turned this team around.

Camden wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:There is never a place for sarcasm.

I hate anybody who uses it. Always.

I see what you did there.

Oh, surrrrre you did