Chris Finch Interview

[Lipoli390]

https://twitter.com/DWolfsonKSTP/status ... 60836?s=20

Not a lot here, but we take what we can get from an organization that doesn’t provide much information or interact much with the media or its fan base.

Highlights:

1. Finch was in Atlanta last week working one on one with Ant. You could tell Finch had a lot of fun. It’s probably impossible to not have fun interacting with Ant.

2. Finch stated the obvious - i.e., “this is the week conversations pick up surrounding the draft and the next 10 days is when teams starting plugging in with one another ….”

3. When asked whether the team has any players who won’t be traded, Finch responded that “We definitely nave a few untouchables … but as you know in this business nothing is for sure.” One thing I’ve noticed about Finch is that he’s VERY smart and chooses his words carefully. The words “a few” typically means three.” If you’re talking about two, you’ll typically say “a couple.” If you’re talking about more than three, you’d typically respond to the question posed by saying we have “some” or “a number of” untouchables. With nothing else to speculate on, I’ll milk this little tidbit for all its worth and say that he meant three players and that those three were Ant, Jaden and KAT. But Finch was very quick to add the caveat that “nothing’s for sure.” In other words, there’s almost always the proverbial offer you can’t refuse and I think that’s the situation with KAT. I don’t envision any potential offer that would persuade the Wolves to trade Ant. But I suspect there are offers that could materialize for KAT or even Jaden that the Wolves would accept - far more likely KAT than Jaden.

4.Finch’s main comment on the team: “We’ve just got to keep maturing as a team - physical, mentally and emotionally.” Interesting that he included “emotionally.” Hmm. He added, “I don’t think we’re that far off but we don’t have much margin for error.” Reading between the lines, that last comments suggests some dissatisfaction with the roster. He’s basically saying the team isn’t where it needs to be but not “far off.” That’s telling. Even more telling that he went on to add that the team doesn’t have much margin for error. Not sure what all that means for this summer.

5. Finch also commented on the new CBA, saying: “The looming cap in the new CBA is going to force some teams to make some moves in advance of all that. So it could flush out a lot of player movement the summer.” Not sure what this means for the Wolves, but not surprisingly the Wolves organization is fully aware that the new CBA is a game-changer for cap management.

[AbeVigodaLive]

https://twitter.com/DWolfsonKSTP/status ... 60836?s=20

Not a lot here, but we take what we can get from an organization that doesn’t provide much information or interact much with the media or its fan base.

Highlights:

1. Finch was in Atlanta last week working one on one with Ant. You could tell Finch had a lot of fun. It’s probably impossible to not have fun interacting with Ant.

2. Finch stated the obvious - i.e., “this is the week conversations pick up surrounding the draft and the next 10 days is when teams starting plugging in with one another ….”

3. When asked whether the team has any players who won’t be traded, Finch responded that “We definitely nave a few untouchables … but as you know in this business nothing is for sure.” One thing I’ve noticed about Finch is that he’s VERY smart and chooses his words carefully. The words “a few” typically means three.” If you’re talking about two, you’ll typically say “a couple.” If you’re talking about more than three, you’d typically respond to the question posed by saying we have “some” or “a number of” untouchables. With nothing else to speculate on, I’ll milk this little tidbit for all its worth and say that he meant three players and that those three were Ant, Jaden and KAT. But Finch was very quick to add the caveat that “nothing’s for sure.” In other words, there’s almost always the proverbial offer you can’t refuse and I think that’s the situation with KAT. I don’t envision any potential offer that would persuade the Wolves to trade Ant. But I suspect there are offers that could materialize for KAT or even Jaden that the Wolves would accept - far more likely KAT than Jaden.

4.Finch’s main comment on the team: “We’ve just got to keep maturing as a team - physical, mentally and emotionally.” Interesting that he included “emotionally.” Hmm. He added, “I don’t think we’re that far off but we don’t have much margin for error.” Reading between the lines, that last comments suggests some dissatisfaction with the roster. He’s basically saying the team isn’t where it needs to be but not “far off.” That’s telling. Even more telling that he went on to add that the team doesn’t have much margin for error. Not sure what all that means for this summer.

5. Finch also commented on the new CBA, saying: “The looming cap in the new CBA is going to force some teams to make some moves in advance of all that. So it could flush out a lot of player movement the summer.” Not sure what this means for the Wolves, but not surprisingly the Wolves organization is fully aware that the new CBA is a game-changer for cap management.

I saw the quote in #5.

And I think the Timberwolves are indeed one of the teams MOST impacted by it. The team and franchise is in no position (with finances, expectations, draft picks, roster) to go all-in for a title right now... salary cap be damned.

The first time I saw that quote I thought... "buckle up for a big Timberwolves trade."

[Carlos Danger]

Thanks for posting Lip. I think the maturity comment might be related to all the stupid shit we saw:

1.) Edwards showed up for camp out of shape and got off to a slow start
2.) KAT continues to be a cry baby when calls don't go his way
3.) Rudy took a swing at his teammate
4.) McDaniels punched a wall and broke his hand

Those are your four key guys. Everyone makes mistakes. But this past season seemed to have more than normal stupid things happen that should have been preventable with more professional behavior.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks for posting Lip. I think the maturity comment might be related to all the stupid shit we saw:

1.) Edwards showed up for camp out of shape and got off to a slow start
2.) KAT continues to be a cry baby when calls don't go his way
3.) Rudy took a swing at his teammate
4.) McDaniels punched a wall and broke his hand

Those are your four key guys. Everyone makes mistakes. But this past season seemed to have more than normal stupid things happen that should have been preventable with more professional behavior.

Carlos - I think you nailed it with you list!

[Q-is-here]

Thanks for posting Lip. I think the maturity comment might be related to all the stupid shit we saw:

1.) Edwards showed up for camp out of shape and got off to a slow start
2.) KAT continues to be a cry baby when calls don't go his way
3.) Rudy took a swing at his teammate
4.) McDaniels punched a wall and broke his hand

Those are your four key guys. Everyone makes mistakes. But this past season seemed to have more than normal stupid things happen that should have been preventable with more professional behavior.

Carlos - I think you nailed it with you list!

To me the back-breaker was losing at home to Washington on Feb 16 and Charlotte on Feb 24. Tons of rest, DLO trade had been made, playing on their home floor, etc. etc. Those losses were just inexcusable.

[Carlos Danger]

That's a great point about playing down to the competition Q. That's also a sign of immaturity. Handle your business like a pro.

[60WinTim]

Thanks for posting Lip. I think the maturity comment might be related to all the stupid shit we saw:

1.) Edwards showed up for camp out of shape and got off to a slow start
2.) KAT continues to be a cry baby when calls don't go his way
3.) Rudy took a swing at his teammate
4.) McDaniels punched a wall and broke his hand

Those are your four key guys. Everyone makes mistakes. But this past season seemed to have more than normal stupid things happen that should have been preventable with more professional behavior.

Carlos - I think you nailed it with you list!

To me the back-breaker was losing at home to Washington on Feb 16 and Charlotte on Feb 24. Tons of rest, DLO trade had been made, playing on their home floor, etc. etc. Those losses were just inexcusable.

I remember that Washington game well. KAT was still out, NAW had not earned a spot in the rotation, and Jmac/Nowell/Naz were just putrid. But the worst sin was in the 4 quarter when Finch just let Beal score against Rudy over and over and over again. Shameful! I think I was off to the Andes for the Charlotte game...

[Monster]

Thanks Lip for posting this.

Finch both complimented his roster and then basically motivated them with what he said next. Nothing too exciting there.

In light of some of the conversations on this board it was kinda funny that when the idea of the new CBA came up Finch basically framed it like it could be a positive for the Wolves. like their could be opportunities for them. I’m not reading much into anything he said but that was a little bit interesting and like I said at the very least amusing.

One thing I like about Finch is he is well spoken and seems likable without too much BS. He also isn’t afraid to smile and joke around a bit too. Seems like a pretty good dude that hasn’t had all the pressure and everything that comes with the business get to him much.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks Lip for posting this.

Finch both complimented his roster and then basically motivated them with what he said next. Nothing too exciting there.

In light of some of the conversations on this board it was kinda funny that when the idea of the new CBA came up Finch basically framed it like it could be a positive for the Wolves. like their could be opportunities for them. I’m not reading much into anything he said but that was a little bit interesting and like I said at the very least amusing.

One thing I like about Finch is he is well spoken and seems likable without too much BS. He also isn’t afraid to smile and joke around a bit too. Seems like a pretty good dude that hasn’t had all the pressure and everything that comes with the business get to him much.

I agree with your take, Monster. And I also share your view of Finch. I like how articulate he is and the absence of BS. By all accounts the players really appreciate his clear communication, straight up approach and lack of BS too.