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Hit and Run: Another Mailed-In Performance
Photo copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
If you're still caring about the Timberwolves' on-court performance, you really need to get out more. Yesterday the Wolves followed up two honorable road wins with a tragicomic first quarter at home against Phoenix that had Kevin McHale channeling Randy Wittman after the game, disparaging his team and threatening to hold his breath until he turns blue unless his ballplayers avoid these embarrassments to his integrity. Like the frog boiled in water, McHale's sunny, "love these guys" disposition has slowly but surely curdled, despite his best intentions, into these snits. Remember his first postgame press conference of the season, when he pledged to become a better coach to honor the effort of his charges, continually saying that all they needed was a little confidence in themselves? It worked for awhile, with Jefferson around and an incredibly fortunate stretch in the schedule against teams either well below .500 and/or missing two or three key starters from the lineup. But as Jefferson went down, then Foye, the Wolves began yo-yo-ing from the kind of gritty effort that enabled them to snag 62 rebounds against the woeful Clippers, to yesterday's pratfall, that had them shooting 3-21 FG, with zero assists and six turnovers in the first period. Cue McHale, circa game 80: "A terrible effort from start to finish...it is hard to account for it... no bright spot, no nothing...We just weren't ready to play, bottom line...I'm disgusted for our fans...there was no excuse for that... if I could, I would have played ten different guys."
Okay, we get it, McHale was pissed off at the effort. But if his patience is really that low and his distaste at the performance really that strong, isn't it time for him to step aside? He is, after all, more part and parcel of the status quo than anyone in the entire organization. If we are to regard his anger as genuine, that he clearly must believe that on some level he is failing, either as personnel veep, coach, judge of human nature, whatever. And if he's not prepared to do something about it, then isn't this and the other "disgusted" outbursts so much kabuki theater? I mean, I'm just trying to parse McHale based on his well-renowned rep for straight-shooting common sense, the stuff about an honest day's work and accountability and all that. Is the very fact that McHale is angry about the way his players occasionally quit on him enough? I don't remember angry outbursts helping Randy Wittman. On the other hand, the even-keel, measured approach didn't help Dwane Casey, too "inconsistent" at 20-20 his final half-season, and with a chucklehead like Ricky Davis as one of his top options to boot. I guess if you're a coach, it pays to have friends in high places, a circumstance the supposedly blue-collar iron ranger probably pushes to the background of his thought process.
Back to the game, albeit briefly. I've been a longtime defender of Ryan Gomes, but this was a shameful performance. One assist, five turnovers, indifferent defense--he sure likes to shoot that trey though. And Bassy Telfair, 21 points on 12 shots (8-12 FG, 5-5 FT), just wonderful. Who cares if he had zero assists, eight less than Suns' backup Goran Dragic? Assists on the Timberwolves belong to Mike Miller, after all, who posted 9 of them, including five in that all-important 4th quarter, which began with the Wolves down 81-64. He had three more in that all-important third quarter, which began with the score 57-43. He had zero in the first quarter, which began 0-0 and ended 31-8. But it sure was a pretty stat line at the finish.
Total second half minutes for Shaq, Nash and Jason Richardson......0.
Best Wolves player on the floor for the second straight game....Shelden Williams, who had a memorable sequence where he blocked Shaq's shot and then stripped him of the ball after Aristotle regathered himself after the block. The past two games Williams has played the best fundamental post defense the Wolves have displayed since the Garnett trade. Runner up for best Wolves player on Saturday, a tie between Brian Cardinal (plus +10 in 20:10) and Mark Madsen (plus +6 in 7:09).
Cruel irony department: It was the "fan appreciation game" part of "fan appreciation month," meaning Wolves players hung around afterwards throwing t-shirts into the audience. Customarily, the fan appreciation game is the last home game of the season. Customarily, the day after the last home of the season, the front office meets with the press and goes over what has transpired and what the expectation is for the coming off season. None of this will happen this year because no one knows who will be in charge.
That last previous sentence is the perfect coda to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 2008-09 edition.
26 Reader Comments
Best thing about the game. I wasn't there.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
Ah, I guess Betty said it: "I don't know what to say".
We're pretty much stuck with waiting for a) Taylor to announce his new GM, b) McHale's "decision" about coaching, and c) what moves are made by Draft Day.
I find it beyond entertaining that for all of Papa Glen's talk about interviewing outside of the organization, no other news outlet in the country has mentioned anything approaching a leak about one of their up-and-coming execs taking a phone call from Mr. Taylor. Jim Stack or Fred Hoiberg it is. Also, don't forget...no matter what happens, it will be part of the blueprint.
Easter obligations kept me from the game Saturday night. Glad it did.
The front office situation will be settled quickly but probably not the way everyone is hoping. We will get either a current staff person or a stretch up and comer from the outside. Names I have heard bantered around doesn't lead me to believe that the outsider will have any real experience. The best outside GM candidates are not even being considered because of 1) $$$ concerns of Taylor and Partners 2) the status of McHale and 3) no way to overcome the Minne"snow" ta issue except by seriously over paying (see 1)
McHale does NOT want to stay as coach. But he feels some tremendous loyalty to the guys he drafted/hired. Ironically, if Big Al had not been injured, and if we could have kept our Jan pace going to some degree (obviously we were not going to keep going 10-2), most believe McHale would have voluntarily left feeling good about the situation. So, it is on honest to goodness crap shoot if he stays - does he hate the job more than he feels loyalty/responsible for the guys? I am going to bet that he stays - on a 1 year basis.
Those looking for a positive if McHale stays can take comfort in the fact that it will significantly increase the chances that Taylor hires the up and comer outsider. Taylor will be far more comfortable with only 1 key change rather than 2. Especially if he gets the GM cheap.
All and all, not looking forward to the next few weeks.
via Twolves Blog,
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has confirmed that Cavs assistant GM Lance Blanks has not been interviewed by Glen Taylor.
"As of last week, though, the Wolves had not asked for permission to speak with Blanks. Taylor said he's already conducted several interviews."
Do the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune no longer pay for long distance phone calls? Or does the cost of a phone call to Portland far surpass any and all local interest in the future plans of the Twolves? Because, how difficult is it, really, to call some front offices and ask if Mr. Taylor has requested permission to talk with anyone?
I'm convinced he hasn't interviewed any outside candidates.
Nate, that's exactly what I'm thinking...especially about the long distance capabilities of the Strib and PiPress. Come on guys, get with it.
Good stuff, JAF. More disappointing in some areas (GM stuff) than others (McHale's waffling), but still interesting. The question I wonder about is how much "lack of experience" these candidates actually have. I don't have a problem with someone if he's got a lot of potential (we did just elect a president on that premise), but if they didn't interview the best because of $ concerns, that's a bad start. Hopefully, those top-level guys that weren't interviewed are more in the category of former GMs like Jerry West instead of current assistants like Dennis Lindsey in SA, though not interviewing Blanks isn't a good indication.
As for the weather issue, I know that it could affect free agent choices, but it surprises me to hear that it would affect this, too. It's not like these front-office candidates have the power to choose their destination that players do.
FYI--
Sorry I didn't link to this before. The folks over at Blazers Edge inteviewed Kevin Pritchard about ten days ago and there is some good stuff in there. For one thing, Pritchard says that he wants to emulate Buford in SA in terms of spinning off general managers to other franchises, and that he'll be disappointed if he doesn't spin off two or three from his staff.
Given Portland's shrewd track record on what Pritchard calls "fact-based decisions" (meaning good stats), plus his gut instinct (plus, it should be noted, Paul Allen's Midas-like fortune that enables the club to lose money year after year), I think Pritchard proteges should be near the top or Taylor's speed-dial, along with Morey and some of the other folks Stop-n-Pop has noted on the ever-excellent canishoopus.com site.
Anyway, here's a link to the Pritchard interview http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/4/2/819759/kevin-pritchard-the-interview
and how about that Blazers Edge site?
This is my first time posting, but I've been a reader of this fantastic blog for a while. Thanks Britt.
I don't understand why everyone is so down about the TWolves. They're only one superstar, two additional solid veteran starters, two good draft picks, an upper level coach and a competent GM away from making a run deep in the playoffs.
The puzzling thing recently has been the team's inconsistency -- beating New Jersey, being blown out (Dallas), winning in Utah, being blown out (Denver), beating the Clippers and Golden State, being blown out (Phoenix).
There is something to be said, though, about improving the win total in a season which included losing the best player for 32 games. Maybe their future isn't as bright as OKC's, but they'll finish ahead of them in two straight years despite significant injury problems.
There's no doubt that "fact based" decision making is really the way of the future. If you're interested, you might get an idea of the possibilities by googling "Synergy Sports Technology".
Just A Fan's comments about Taylor being concerned about overpaying a GM seems to put Taylor be along the lines of being "Pound foolish, penny wise". On the other hand, I don't have any info about what the "available", or "available at the right price" candidates are looking for.
This town supports its winners well, but moves on quickly from losers. These last two seasons have done so much to extinguish the hopes of all but the faithful minority. Building a winner will take time, no doubt. Even Paul Allen's checkbook doesn't guarantee immediate success in Portland, but settling for second (or third, even) tier GM candidates based on $$$ seems to be lacking in vision to me.
Nice touch S&P, noting how the GM decision will be part of the "blueprint". It gave me a chuckle to recall that the "blueprint" from a couple of years ago had Fred Hoiberg designated as the next GM. Are you saying that he feels like the leading contender?
If we assume that Jefferson and Love are the two pillars upon which to rebuild this team, than Gomes is just a terrible fit at the 3. His 3-point stroke is nice, but otherwise he is a plodder that doesn't slash to the hoop, get to the line, protect the rim, or otherwise wreak any kind of havoc. The problem with Gomes is that if his jumper isn't falling, what is it that he does to help the team? If it's simply not making mistakes, that isn't good enough. We need a provocateur at the 3, not a wallflower. That means someone that can wreak havoc without having the ball in his hands. Can this be Corey Brewer? Al-Farouq Aminu(via draft)? Gerald "Crash" Wallace (via trade)?
Two years ago at the end of the season, I got a call from a Timberwolves ticket seller trying to sell me some tickets since the company I was working for at the time had purchased some tickets in the past. I told him that I would not buy anymore tickets until they got rid of McHale. This guy told me that I should not be concerned because they were grooming Fred Hoiberg to replace McHale in the next year or two. I was kind of stunned that some low-level sales guy at the Timberwolves would be so open about the plan to replace McHale with Hoiberg. I decided that he was willing to tell me anything if it got me to buy some more tickets. But, he might have been telling the truth. I would say that there is better than a 50% chance that next we start with Hoiberg as the GM and McHale as the coach.
jgale,
From my vantage point, I would say 80% chance of Hoiberg/McHale with no Stack/Babcock. They will be replaced with low level up and comer guys hired away from successful franchises.
Stepping out just a little further, Sam Mitchell hired as "assistant head coach". Taylor has a ton of respect for Sam who will also work cheaply (still being paid by Toronto next year).
JAF --
Do you get the sense that the in-house hire would be due to loyalty, recent performance (getting Miami's 1st for RD/Blount and Love/Mayo), $, or some combination? The scenario you bring up is intriguing but might not mollify those who won't come back unless new, important faces are brought in.
You're more in the know than I am, but why would Sam want to be an assistant when he could have a head coaching job? Or can he not take another top job and still get paid by Toronto?
PSR,
I would take the in house hire scenario being the path of least resistance. We are not going to spend the $$$ to hire away an experienced GM. We would need to substantially over pay to get one and we are not in that mode.
So, do you go with a guy that you know vs, as was reported in the Star, a guy Talyor just met? Least resistance says the guy you know as the advantage.
As for Sam, he is currently not on the "hot list" for any opening/rumored opening. (Unlike, Flip and Washington)
I think that is unfair as from my point of view Sam was shafted in Toronto. So, Sam will need a year or so as an assistant to get back into the big chair. (Not unlike what Wittman needed to do after Cleveland)
So, what better scenario for Sam - being the head assistant for a guy you know/respect who is an admitted short timer?
I don't know the details of Sam's contract. In most cases, if someone takes an assistant job, the former club gets to reduce its obligations by the amount the new club pays. Not sure if that works the same as a head coach.
I understand what that all means. I disagree that taking the path of least resistance is a good move, but it's been successful in other areas.
It is clear it will be an insider at GM.
It is slightly irritating that Taylor thinks fans are too stupid to know he has not interviewed outside the organization.
I see little hope for the franchise the next several seasons.
You have a poor plan in place and only two working components for a team, that should not be on the court together in Love and Jefferson.
Rob
Interesting comments, JAF. But it makes me wonder -- if Taylor sticks with the "blueprint" and elects for the Mayor, but ousts Babcock and Stack, how much control would Freddy have on choosing who would be working for him? Yes, I said "for", not "with". Fred hasn't struck me as being the kind of take-charge of personality this team will need going forward, though I certainly believe he has the capacity to make better decisions than Rob Babcock and McHale.
I do not like the idea of Mitchell as an assistant, especially thinking that he might be groomed for the head spot. Maybe (as JAF sees it) he was shafted in Toronto. But I count three strikes that should keep him out of "the big chair" here. Strike one, he botched it with his emotional outbursts. Strike two was publicly feuding with Babcock over Araujo’s playing time. But the big fastball down the middle of the plate for strike three on Sam is that he couldn't adjust his "system" to the talents of the players he had, especially Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston.
In my opinion, the Wolves need a coach who can put a plan together based on the *actual* capabilities of the players he has. And for the record, that is not McHale, either.
Seventy-two days till the draft.
Chad Ford writes today that John Wall might declare (and be eligible for) this year's draft. Apparently he's a 5th year high school senior and the CBA is unclear on how that works. If we get a Top-3 pick, it will be something to follow.
Andy G:
I couldn't find Ford's write-up on Wall, although I doubt the language in the CBA would allow for it. It seems that this year would be his high school gratuating "class" regardless of his being in high school for half a decade (it took me six years to get through college, but I still graduated in 1999, and not 1997 when all of my high school brethren did).
If he was to be in it would be huge. It would change it from a two star draft to a 3 star draft, with two of those likely stars playing the position of our most dire need (the point- Rubio being the other). I would like to think that we wouldn't have to count on lottery luck to attain one of those star pg's, but that we might be able to trade a pick or two and an established player (please let it be Randy Foye) to move up. But we tend to move in the opposite direction when trading, so I'm not counting on anything.
By any means, if you could link to the story it would be appreciated.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25945
It's one of the very last questions in his chat.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_cha...
Another John Wall link in a Chad Ford article about the Nike Hoop Summit.
When I look into the dull, glazed expression of the Iowa-native Hoiberg, I get cold chills down my spine at the thought of him leading the entire Wolves organization. Why does anyone think he can be the head of the entire show? What has he ever accomplished or done? Yes, he can shoot a nice three-pointer, but is that enough to give the whole shebang over to him, after so many wasted years? Why the heck does anyone look at that as a favorable option? It is clear as the nose on Bob Hope's face that we need to get someone with real experience, vision, and intelligence to be the new head of the Wolves. Someone that will lead this organization into a new era. An era of competence, nay, an era of excellence!
Very useful information in this post. It would change it from a two star draft to a 3 star draft, with two of those likely stars playing the position of our most dire need
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