Wolves reach out to Don Nelson

[$tunna]

An unlikely candidate has emerged as a possibility to replace Kurt Rambis in Minnesota -- NBA career wins leader Don Nelson.

In a recent press conference, Minnesota GM David Kahn said he wanted a head coach who emphasized an up-tempo and entertaining style, a description that fits Nelson, whose teams have focused on offense in his over 30 years in the NBA, perfectly.

Nelson, who is 71, dismissed concerns that his age had become a problem during his last tenure with Golden State: "I'm a lifer," he said. "I love basketball. I don't know how else to put it."

He confirmed that he had a 40-minute chat with Kahn last week and the two would probably talk again shortly.

Via Minnesota Star-Tribune

Hmm, I'm not sure how he'd work in Minny with their lineup.

 

[DJT]

I'm not sure how he would work out either, but I'd like to see him have a shot.

 

[RipCity32]

IDK why anyone would want a coach who doesn't emphasize defense, especially as a young team.

 

[$tunna]

IDK why anyone would want a coach who doesn't emphasize defense, especially as a young team.

That would be my biggest knock on him and they T-Wolves definitely need in emphasize defense in the conference their in

 

[Mexi]

Hmm, I'm not sure how he'd work in Minny with their lineup.

really $tunna? it's a dream line-up for Nelly

Love
Beas
Williams
Wes
Rubio

OMG. this team is going to be really fun to watch on offense
even Darko has some athleticism if Nelly starts him instead of Wes/Beas/DWill

 

[The Young One]

I like this fit for Don and the Wolves personally. Like mexi said they'd be fun to watch.

 

[Mooche]

They would be an entertaining product on the floor for sure. It's going to be cool to see how this could turn out in Minnesota.

 

[Pugz]

why would anyone knock nellie on this team? theyd be fun as hell to watch. the lack of defense for how young they are would be a bit of a downfall, but they would have no problem scoring. rubio would shine in the open floor.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Oh yeah, the missing piece.

 

[Pugz]

missing piece to what, another lottery pick? dont go putting words in my mouth. rubio will have a solid season IF neliie coaches that team. beasley, kevin, dwill will all have good seasons.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

missing piece to what, another lottery pick? dont go putting words in my mouth. rubio will have a solid season IF neliie coaches that team. beasley, kevin, dwill will all have good seasons.

Huh? lol

 

[DJT]

MINNEAPOLIS -- Terry Porter spent 17 seasons in the NBA as a point guard, a two-time All-Star who helped Portland reach the NBA finals and was regarded as one of the smartest players at his position.

With helping Ricky Rubio make the transition from Spain to the United States one of David Kahn's biggest priorities, it's no wonder that Porter was the first person to get a formal interview for the Minnesota Timberwolves coaching vacancy.

A person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press that Porter interviewed on Monday. The person requested anonymity because the team was not commenting publicly on the search process.

Porter's previous experience as a head coach -- in Milwaukee and Phoenix -- and his background as a point guard could make him an ideal fit in Minnesota, which is coming off 32 total wins in two seasons under Kurt Rambis.

But Kahn has been adamant that he wants a coach with "up-tempo DNA," which seems to contradict Porter's hard-nosed, defensive mindset. Porter went 71-93 in two seasons with the Bucks and lasted just over half a season in Phoenix in 2008-09 when his slow-it-down style didn't jibe with Steve Nash and the high-octane Suns.

"We are going to play -- as I've said really since the first day I arrived -- a very up-tempo, fast-breaking style on both ends of the floor," Kahn said last week when he announced Rambis's firing. "And I think that it's very important as we go through the search process that we identify somebody who passionately believes in that and probably has a little bit of a track record in that respect and can help make this come to fruition."

Of course, the Timberwolves may need more help on the defensive end than they do on offense. With offensive-minded players such as Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson, the Wolves scored more than 101 points per game last season, good for 10th in the league.

But they gave up more points than any other team and consistently let leads slip away in the fourth quarter because of their inability to get stops.

Still, Kahn seems more concerned with finding a coach who wants to get the ball up and down the court quickly, a style that he thinks appeals to the players more than the grind-it-out, defensive game. With Rubio, Beasley, Love, Johnson and No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams, Kahn thinks he has the talent to run, and that's what he want to see happen.

Porter is the first to have a formal interview, but he won't be the last. Kahn interviewed about a dozen candidates the first time he made a hire and promised a "voluminous" search this time around as well. Career wins leader Don Nelson, Trail Blazers assistant Bernie Bickerstaff and Memphis assistant Dave Joerger are among the others expected to get consideration.

"I think we'll have a thorough search and we'll try to find somebody who embraces the notion of wanting to coach an up-tempo style on both sides of the floor and somebody who really connects well with young players," he said last week.

Porter has been a head coach twice before, in Milwaukee and Phoenix. He lasted just over half a season with the Suns in the 2008-09 season before being replaced by Alvin Gentry.

Porter spent three of his 17 NBA seasons playing in Minnesota. His background as a point guard could be attractive to the Timberwolves, who are looking for someone who can help Spanish import Ricky Rubio make the transition to the NBA.

The interview was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

They also talked to Terry Porter.

 

[Pugz]

Huh? lol

i figured when you said the missing piece it was a crack at me saying rubio would shine..

 

[BwareDWare94]

Why isn't anybody chasing Rick Adelman? He's been the best coach on the market the entire time. He'd be an even better fit in Minny, imo.

 

[$tunna]

really $tunna? it's a dream line-up for Nelly

Love
Beas
Williams
Wes
Rubio

OMG. this team is going to be really fun to watch on offense
even Darko has some athleticism if Nelly starts him instead of Wes/Beas/DWill

I'm saying the offense would be great but they need defense lol They'd have to beat teams like the Thunder, Lakers, Mavs etc. to get anywhere lol

 

[Pugz]

Why isn't anybody chasing Rick Adelman? He's been the best coach on the market the entire time. He'd be an even better fit in Minny, imo.

i wish detroit could make a play for him. for all we know teams have contacted him and he said no.

 

[Pugz]

Mike Woodson, who is a candidate for the Pistons’ head coaching job, is expected to interview Tuesday for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coaching position.

Woodson was at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport tonight, according to a source. The Timberwolves fired coach Kurt Rambis last week.

Woodson is awaiting word from the Pistons if he or Lawrence Frank will be hired to replace John Kuester.

take woodson, i want frank

 

[$tunna]

Idk how people love Mike Woodson so much lol

 

[Pugz]

According to league sources, former Houston coach Rick Adelman will be the fourth candidate to interview with the Wolves when he comes to town tomorrow to see David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor.

Adelman has known Kevin Love for years and his hiring would be a BIG step toward convincing Love to sign a long-term contract extension.

Love and Adelman's son played on the same Lake Oswego, Ore.,high school team and Adelman saw nearly every game Love played.