The Minnesota Timberwolves finally fired Kurt Rambis and as such, they’ve begun the search for a new head coach—preferably someone with a ‘fast break gameplan’.

The search is underway and the Wolves have interview their first candidate: Terry Porter.

Terry Porter—a former player, played 17 seasons in the NBA—the former 24th overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, he went to the Portland Trailblazers till 1995.  From 1995-98 he played for none other than the Minnesota Timberwolves, 1998-99 for the Miami Heat and his final years from 1999-2002 with the San Antonio Spurs.

Also on Porter’s resume—a 2-time NBA all-star in 1991 & 1993 as well as the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1993.  His career statistics in his 17-year career include: 15,586 points, 3,872 rebounds and 7,160 assists.

Porter is also experienced on the pine as well.  His coaching career includes stops as a head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003-05 and with the Phoenix Suns from 2008-09.  His overall record in those three years is 99-116 (.460).

Porter’s skills and experience as a point guard make Porter an ideal fit for the Timberwolves who just added point guard Ricky Rubio as the Wolves.  According to President of Operations: David Kahn, will look to ‘run’ this season, which would obviously contradict Porter’s hard nosed-defensive mindset (which is something that many (including myself) believe the Wolves REALLY NEED).

Other candidates for the head coaching job includes: Don Nelson, Rick Adelman & Bernie Bickerstaff as well as Memphis assistant: Dave Joerger.  None of which have gotten interviews—though according to the Star Tribune Don Nelson talked with David Kahn on the phone for over 40 minutes and they’ll talk again.

That’s all for now, as the lockout goes on and the coaching search moves forward stay tuned all year round for the up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates—lockout or not!  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

Yesterday the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to let go there coach of two years: Kurt Rambis after a tumultuous two seasons that resulted in a 32-132 record. 

As such, the Timberwolves are again on the coaching hunt and names have begun to surface recently.

The first of course being Bernie Bickerstaff.  We’ve had a few different stories on Bernie, but that idea can basically be scrapped.  The idea was that the Wolves would hire Bernie and keep his son J.B. (already an assistant in Minnesota), in hopes that after a few years Bernie would throw the reins to his son, however news broke today that J.B. Bickerstaff had accepted an assistant coaching job with the Houston Rockets under Kevin McHale.

Now, yet another name has surfaced.  Don Nelson-formerly of the Golden State Warriors (before he was basically forced out, then they hired Keith Smart—fired him this summer and now analyst Mark Jackson is the new Warriors head coach).  Don Nelson is reportedly showing interest in this Timberwolves roster that is loaded with young talent.  There are a few big questions on Don Nelson.  1.) Is he the right fit?  Anyone who has won the most games as a coach in NBA history should be the right fit for any team…right?  Well, the bigger question is—at 71 years of age, is Nelson the right coach for such a young inexperienced team?  2.) How much money is Nelson going to demand?  Glen Taylor is already having to shell out the remaining salary on the remaining 2 years of Rambis’ contract, so the thought is—they’ll likely look for a cheaper option…unfortunately!

Nelson became the most winningest coach in NBA history late in the 09-10 season and has an overall record of 1,335-1,063 (.557) as he’s coached in Milwaukee, New York, Dallas and of course Golden State—which links him to two current Minnesota players—Anthony Tolliver & Anthony Randolph who both spent a year with Nelson before he was let go.

Of course Don Nelson isn’t the only veteran coach the Timberwolves could/should look into—Rick Adelman (formerly of the Rockets), Larry Brown (formerly of the Charlotte Bobcats—was fired earlier in the 2010-11 season) and Jerry Sloan (formerly of the Utah Jazz and currently retired in the midst of the 2010-11 season). 

The sad truth is that David Kahn will make a move that he’ll love as he leaves the entire organization and fan base left, scratching our heads.  Beaming with pride he’ll introduce him and puzzled we’ll continue to question why Glen Taylor lets him call the shots…

That’s all for now, the coaching list is likely to grow in the coming weeks and we’ll be here to bring you all the updates as it’s likely there won’t be much else TWolves news to discuss.  Thanks for reading and check back daily for all TWolves news and updates.  GO WOLVES!

President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves: David Kahn talks with the media about his decision to relieve head coach Kurt Rambis of his “duties”—Part 2 of 2

President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves: David Kahn talks with the media about his decision to relieve head coach Kurt Rambis of his “duties”—Part 1 of 2

David Kahn finally manned up after stringing along Kurt Rambis for the past 3-4 months since the TWolves season ended and fired the 32-132 coach (in two NBA seasons).

“I want to thank Kurt for his contributions to our franchise and wish him the best in his future endeavors.  His arrival signaled we were serious about building a championship-contending ballclub over the course of time,” Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said in a statement issued by the team.  ”We have accumulated a solid nucleus of young talent with a bright future during the last two years.  I am hopeful Kurt receives his share of the credit for helping develop that talent and his contributions are not forgotten as we become a better basketball team.

“Im grateful for the opportunity that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has given me.  During my years working with coaches Phil Jackson, Pat Riley and Cotton Fitzsimmons, I learned about the ups and down of this sport and today is one of the down days,” said Rambis in a statement given to the Associated Press.  ”But I’m confident that my work—and the work of my staff—with our many young players over the last two years will begin to pay off for Mr. Taylor and Timberwolves fans.  Now, as important new players are added to the mix, the future of this franchise should be a bright one and I am thankful for the chance I had, to play a part in shaping that future.”

Owner Glen Taylor will not only have to pay the remaining two years of Rambis’ contract, but he’ll also shell out more money for the new head coach (a good chance that the new coach will be signed cheap).

With Kurt Rambis, now, officially out of the picture, the Timberwolves will take some time during the lockout to search for a potential replacement and go from there.  The one name that’s been thrown out multiple times—Bernie Bickerstaff (a current Portland Trailblazers assistant)—(see the previous post on this site for more information on Bernie).  Thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all the TWolves news, information and updates all year round.  GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves still have head coach Kurt Rambis on the payroll, but that hasn’t stopped David Kahn from asking the Portland Trailblazers permission to interview current assistant coach to Nate McMillan-Bernie Bickerstaff (J.B. Bickerstaff’s father).

The Timberwolves requested permission earlier this week and the Trailblazers honored the request and allowed Bernie to be interviewed for the Wolves head coach position.

Blazers head coach Nate McMillan had this to say: “Bernie’s been (a head coach) before, so we’ll see what happens.  I don’t want to speak for Bernie, but I know he’s extremely happy with Portland and being here working with me.  He’s said time and time again he likes where we are and what we’re doing.  It’s going to have to be something really attractive to go,” McMillan told the Oregonian.

Bernie has a career record of 415-517 in 14 NBA seasons as a head coach.  His most recent stint was with the Charlotte Bobcats from 2005-07.  Bickerstaff began as an assistant with Portland, last season.

“Bernie’s been around for a long, long time, he’s seen so many different systems and worked with so many different coaches.  He’s been a GM; a president.  He’s done just about everything you can do in the NBA except own a team.  So he has a great deal of experience and knowledge for the game and he can help in so many different ways,” McMillian told the Oregonian.

Stay tuned for more updates on this and all Timberwolves news & information.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

2010-11 NBA Season: Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach: Kurt Rambis

The latest on Kurt Rambis and the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Word came today, that Pres. David Kahn wants to reassign current head coach Kurt Rambis (who has yet to get the “axe”).  

The initial story was that just days before the 2011 NBA Draft, news broke that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be firing Kurt Rambis and had already begun the search for potential replacements.

However, earlier this evening, the TWolves are now proposing that they want to reassign Rambis to the front office for the remaining 2-years $4M.  

However, sources say that Kurt Rambis has no desire whatsoever in teaming with Kahn in the front office—something that reportedly holds little to no appeal for Kurt.  

Honestly, can you blame Kurt Rambis?  He’s been strung along since mid-April when the Timberwolves season mercifully came to an end riding a 15-game losing streak and now, the beginning of July and there’s been no official announcement firing him or intentions to keep him around.  

Yahoo Sports have said that this is being seen as more of a concept than a formal offer by David Kahn to Kurt, as there’s been little to no communication between Rambis and the Wolves front office in quite a few days.

On June 22nd, the informal news broke that Rambis wouldn’t return as Wolves head coach, but again, no official announcement has been made.  The idea being that the Wolves will pay Rambis through the NBA lockout as it is cheaper, right now, than firing him and having to negotiate an expensive buyout—AS WELL AS hiring a replacement.

Kahn has reportedly been searching for replacements the past few weeks and among the names include Portland Trailblazers assistant Bernie Bickerstaff.  Bernie of course is the son of current Wolves assistant coach—J.B. Bickerstaff.  The obvious idea being that the Bickerstaffs would come in and work together with Bernie as the head coach and after a few years would turn the team over to his son—J.B.  Other candidates that Kahn has shown interest in include: U of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar, Rick Adelman and Sam Mitchell (though Rick and Sam aren’t being looked at as closely as Bernie and Lorenzo).  

The Timberwolves—with newly signed Ricky Rubio have stated that they want to ‘run’ next year—utilizing a fast break offense to coincide with the talents of Ricky, Wes, Beasley, Love, Williams, Randolph etc.

The chance of Rambis accepting this is extremely low, but for now, it’s a wait and see situation.

Thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all the up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates all year round (lockout or not!).  GO WOLVES!

On April 12th 2011, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune made Wolves President of Operations David Kahn—a checklist of what he (Zgoda) feels need to be done this offseason for the Wolves to be successful in the future.  Below you can find the original link to the article, but today we’re going to look at Zgoda’s five checkpoints and see how David Kahn has done/is doing.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/119742374.html

1. DETERMINE COACH KURT RAMBIS’ FUTURE—Well, let’s see, this article was written almost 4 months ago and we still do have affirmation on the future of Rambis.  However—the situation with Rambis is, the Wolves are keeping him through the lockout, simply because it’ll be much cheaper than firing Kurt—negotiating a buyout—and hiring a new coach.  David Kahn, however, should’ve had this situation resolved in the month of April OR May!  It’s dragged on, and it’ll keep dragging on! (0/1)
2. SIGN RICKY RUBIO—David Kahn finally got his man.  After two years of visits, persuasion and coaxing, Ricky Rubio is finally going to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves and he’s certainly created a lot of hype and buzz—but can he live up to those expectations?  It may take a while to find out as the NBA Lockout could wipe out part of OR the entire NBA season!  (1/2)
3. PURSUE VETERAN LEADERSHIP—Zgoda mentions the Wolves trying to acquire Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns.  I think we know the Suns aren’t going to trade their former MVP for anyone on the Wolves roster and he’s extremely ‘tight’ in that organization, if he wants out—the Suns are going to ask him where he’d be willing to go—guaranteed Minnesota wouldn’t be on that short list.  However, with the Lockout, free agency hasn’t been able to begin and as such it makes it quite difficult for the Wolves to pursue veterans for their squad with that going on.  However, the Wolves have acquired one new piece.  Big man Brad Miller was sent to Minnesota in a draft night deal that sent Jonny Flynn to Houston.  Kahn did acquire on veteran, however, this isn’t the all-star center he was back in his Sac-Town days and he’s nearing the end of his career, with some injuries the past few, I’ll go out on a limb here and say he won’t contribute much. (1.25/3)
4. WAIT—Zgoda is pleading for Kahn to wait to sign Kevin Love to an extension until after a new labor agreement is reached.  Well, good news, the labor agreement is being negotiated right now and it’d be impossible for the Wolves to offer Love an extension—so Kahn wins this one, however it’ll be a matter of how much he pays Love—what he’s offered, when it comes time.  Zgoda also says WAIT on offering Anthony Randolph and Michael Beasley extensions, until they get another year to ‘prove their worth’.  (2.25/4)
5. SAY GOODBYE—to PG Jonny Flynn.  Zgoda—AND EVERYONE ELSE—knew that Jonny Flynn wouldn’t be back with Minnesota as they’ve been looking to trade him ever since the weeks leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline, earlier this year.  Jonny Flynn has been traded to the Houston Rockets and there’s a chance he may be traded again (once the new labor agreement is negotiated).  (3.25/5)

Not to bad Mr. Kahn 3.25/5 and we still have plenty of offseason left.  However, the way you’ve handled this coaching decision and the way you’ve treated Kurt Rambis (no matter how many games we lost with him the last two seasons) is simply inexcusable!  Many people would say—too bad Kahn won’t fire himself, another couple slipups like this and hopefully Glen Taylor will show him the door.  Until then, we’re stuck with him (really though, the ONLY reason I don’t like him is because of the way he’s dealt with Kurt Rambis—I can’t imagine having a guy like that (someone who loves to have his “hand on the button”) be my boss).

Thanks for reading and remember to stay tuned all year round for your up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates.  GO WOLVES!

David Kahn has yet to fire Kurt Rambis and he may not have too.  The Minnesota Timberwolves may retain Rambis for this season…if there isn’t a season!

It’s much cheaper to keep Rambis and pay him a portion of his salary if there’s no season then to fire him, negotiate an expensive buyout and then have to hire a replacement.

Hence the reason Mr. Rambis is still the head coach—because everyone expects a lockout.

The biggest question of this ‘fiasco’ is when the TWolves will exactly fire Rambis and when they’ll hire a replacement before the end of the lockout—giving him enough time to prepare for the season with his new team.

The deadline is fast approaching—July 1st for the players and the owners to come to an agreement—they’re slated to meet on Thursday, just hours before the current CBA retires.

More on this as we go, thanks for reading and stay tuned all year round for TWolves news, information and updates.  GO WOLVES!

The heads of Minnesota TWolves fans are still spinning as they attempt to decipher who exactly the Wolves drafted and who will be playing in a TWolves uniform next season. I’ll do my best to clear the air, if anyone is still left dazed and confused.

First off, the easy one, with the #2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Arizona forward Derrick Williams. Williams will be thrown in with the bevy of forwards the Wolves already posses—Michael Beasley, Martell Webster, Wesley Johnson, Lazar Hayward, Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph & Anthony Tolliver. Tonight, David Kahn made clear to the media that Derrick Williams will be playing for the Wolves next season and that Michael Beasley ‘supported’ the Wolves selecting Williams. With that being said, Williams could still be moved for a GREAT offer, but it would take some/a special player(s) in return. Furthermore, Michael Beasley could be on the move, though David Kahn stated that Beasley isn’t going anywhere…time will tell.

After the #2 pick things got INCREDIBLY murky for the Wolves.

The next pick Minnesota had was #20 which they acquired before the draft via the Memphis Grizzlies. With the 20th overall pick, the TWolves selected Donatas Motiejunas…though he won’t be a Minnesota Timberwolf. The Minnesota Timberwolves then turned around and sold his rights to Houston, along with Jonny Flynn for Rockets big man-Brad Miller as well as the 23rd & 57th pick(s).

That’s right Wolves fans, Jonny Flynn has played his last game for the Minnesota Timberwolves—though, he may not even play for his new team: the Houston Rockets, as they’re reportedly already looking to move Flynn (the idea being that they shed Miller’s $9M contract for Flynn’s $3M contract).

Then came the Wolves 23rd pick, which they had just acquired from the Rockets. With the 23rd overall pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected…Nikola Mirotic…for the Chicago Bulls! That’s right, Mirotic’s rights were promptly sent to the Bulls for their 28th & 43rd overall picks in the draft.

With that, the Wolves’ next pick was at 28 where they selected…Norris Cole…for the Miami Heat! AGAIN, the Wolves moved the pick to Miami and in return, received the 31st overall pick in the draft as well as a future 2nd rounder and cash considerations. How did the Heat have the 31st pick in the draft you may ask?! Oh, that’s right, it was sent to Miami from Minnesota in the Michael Beasley deal!

All right, the Wolves next pick was then the 31st overall. If you haven’t realized yet, the Wolves have now selected at 2, 20, 23 & 28 and so far have just new rookie on their roster: #2 overall pick: Derrick Williams! With the 31st overall pick, the TWolves selected…Bojan Bogdanovic…for the New Jersey Nets! Is anyone else sensing a pattern? That’s right, the Wolves selected this pick for the New Jersey Nets and in return received…cash considerations.

At this point you may be wondering: “Why do the Wolves keep trading away all their picks for $.” Well, if you’d been on Twitter, the rumor circulating would’ve been, that, since Kurt Rambis had been fired, the Wolves had to finance his buyout because the minority owners didn’t want to pay for it! David Kahn quickly refuted those rumors while talking to the media, but because most fans refer to Kahn as a “Little Weasel”, does that make you want to trust him? Does the way he dragged out the Rambis situation and treated Kurt extremely unprofessionally, make you want to trust him?

Anyway, back to the draft. The Wolves then selected 43rd. This was a pick acquired from Chicago via the Utah Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected UCLA guard Malcolm Lee…for the…Minnesota Timberwolves. Wait, is that right?…THAT’S RIGHT! David Kahn took and intends to keep Malcolm Lee.

Finally, with the last pick in the draft for the Minnesota Timberwolves the Wolves had the 57th pick. This was acquired in an alternate trade. The Blazers and the Mavericks swapped some picks/players-Rudy Fernandez went to Dallas, the Blazers got the 57th pick and the 26th pick (Jordan Hamilton). Then they sent Hamilton along with Andre Miller to the Nuggets for point guard Raymond Felton! All Wolves fans need to know, we got the 57th pick and with it…Tanguy Ngombo a forward from Qatar. Pete Philo—a scout for the Wolves reported has seen him play more than once and is very high on him. Though Ngombo will stay overseas for a year or two. I, myself have never heard of him, so I had to do a bit of research and rather than regurgitate what I found, follow the link below for an excellent story as well as video highlights of the Wolves’ newest international player.

http://www.asiabasketballupdate.com/1/post/2011/06/targuy-ngombo-qatars-nba-hopeful.html

A small sidenote: the trades that I’ve discussed above are those pertaining to the Minnesota Timberwolves, there were more trades that took place, but I’ve only listed the ones that are relevant to Minnesota!

Well, hopefully we’ve helped to clear the air! I’ll be around as always providing you with daily updates on TWolves news & information. Any questions, comments or concerns about tonight’s draft or anything TWolves feel free to message me or find me on Twitter: @donnycersado27 for clarification. Thanks for reading, GO WOLVES and GOOD NIGHT!