The Minnesota Timberwolves interviewed Terry Porter earlier this week (the full story on that can be found in the previous post(s)), but today David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor sat down with Mike Woodson as a potential Wolves head coach candidate.

As Kahn & Taylor sat down with Woodson, eleven of the Minnesota Timberwolves employees (on the business side of things) were laid off according to a report from the Associated Press.  Many of the 11 employees were a part of the sales department and AP also reports that teams such as Charlotte among others, have begun to do the same amidst the NBA lockout.

Back to Mike Woodson, though.  Mike Woodson is the former Atlanta Hawks head coach.  Before all that however, Mike Woodson was an NBA player spending 11 seasons in the Association.  He was selected 12th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft to the New York Knicks he played with the Knicks from 80-81, with the Nets from 81-82, with the Kings from 82-86, the Clippers 86-88, 88-91 with the Rockets and just 1991 with the Cavaliers.  

He’s only had the one head coaching job—with the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-2010.  His career coaching records stands at 206-286.

Woodson’s defensive mindset is certainly what the Timberwolves need in order to become the outstanding team they’re capable of being, but David Kahn has been adamant that he wants a coach with a real up-tempo style of playing to get Ricky Rubio and all these young athletic guys up and down the court in a hurry.—Most would disagree that this is what the TWolves should be doing—I agree they should play a little more uptempo, but if that’s the case, they need to have an incredibly strong D, ‘run n gun’ only gets you so far!

Woodson was fired (or rather not resigned) before last season (and replaced by then assistant coach Larry Drew) after the Atlanta Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Orlando Magic in an 0-4 sweep.

Woodson is also one of the last two candidates for the Detroit Pistons job—taking over for John Kuester who was fired a month or so ago (Boston assistant and former Nets head coach—Lawrence Frank is the ‘other candidate’).

That’s all for now, stay tuned for all your TWolves news, information & updates even through the lockout!  Thanks for reading and 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!

The 2011 NBA Offseason has been going for quite a few months for the Minnesota Timberwolves after they failed to reach the postseason—yet again.  Today, we’ll take a look at where some of your favorite Timberwolves are and what they’re doing this offseason and during the current NBA lockout!

• Kevin Love had his jaw broken in May during a medical procedure to correct his bit.  He’s been cleared to return to the basketball court at the start of June, but he wasn’t able to fully participate in full-contact pickup games when he was in Minnesota in late June to play with new Wolves acquisitions: Ricky Rubio & Derrick Williams.  Kevin Love has spent the majority of the offseason in California—taking some time off, because of the long summer.  He’s recently begun to get back in the gym to work on his “game” and is currently in Oregon—where he grew up.  He’s also been doing a few endorsements (I’m sure you’ve all seen “Love in the Shower”—Right Guard).

• Anthony Tolliver is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ union player representative.  He attended the bargaining sessions in New York City in late June, however when the League imposed the labor lockout just a few days ago (June 1st—12am), Tolliver was in Bora Bora in the South Pacific-on his honeymoon.

• Michael Beasley has been working out in Los Angeles with teammates Wesley Johnson & Derrick Williams.  He’s also been worked out regularly and probably mentored by former NBA star Norm Nixon.

That’s all I’ve got right now, however with the offseason likely lasting longer than wanted (with the NBA lockout) this could be the first update of many.  Thanks for reading and check back daily for your up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates all year round.  GO WOLVES!

Two premier big men: Tyson Chandler and Nene Hilario have decided to test the FA waters this offseason as both will hit the market.

The deadline to reach a new deal is midnight tonight (6/30) in order to be under the current CBA rules—however they would only be able to sign with their teams from last season (Dallas & Denver).

Tyson Chandler has said that there has been minimal conversation between him and the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks, making an extension by tonight—highly unlikely.

As for Nene, he has already notified the Denver Nuggets that he will opt out of the final  year of his contract and hit the market this summer.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in dire need of a quality center to place alongside Kevin Love.  

David Kahn has said he’s been looking for athletic veteran big men to run the floor with their new point guard—Ricky Rubio, something that Chandler could very well do.  However, the question is, does he want to go from contender to rebuilding…again?-NOT A CHANCE!

Nene is another option.  There’s no doubt he’s an incredible center and one of the very best in the League.  However with the gameplan seemingly being fast-break/run-and-gun offense next year (if there is a next year/season), Nene wouldn’t be the right option.

These two big men definitely have to be options for the young Wolves looking for an upgrade at the 5—over Dako Milicic.

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

New Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio hosted “Build-a-Bear” at the Mall of America for a family that was affected by the tornado in North Minneapolis

Kevin Love & Ricky Rubio

The new-look Minnesota Timberwolves, workout-Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams, Malcolm Lee, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph, Wesley Johnson and Martell Webster at the TWolves practice facility!

Jonah Ballow talks with Minnesota forward Michael Beasley, about the offseason, Derrick Williams, Ricky Rubio and…Skittles.

Jonah Ballow catches up with Minnesota Timberwolves all-star forward Kevin Love to discuss the offseason and teaming up with new acquisitions: Derrick Williams & Ricky Rubio

The Wolves new backcourt next season-Wesley Johnson and Ricky Rubio at the 2011 NBA Draft Party earlier this evening.