By Jordan Long
The Minnesota Timberwolves hired a new Head Coach. They fired Tom Thibodeau on January 6th. Minnesota was only 2 games below .500 at 19-21 at the time they dismissed Thibodeau. They made their interim coach Ryan Saunders who guided them to a disappointing 17-25, finishing with a record of 36-46. That was their 13th time in 14 seasons Minnesota failed to be over.500.
Gersson Rosas, President of Basketball Operations for Minnesota searched for a new Head Coach. He interviewed candidates during the NBA combine. Rosas decided Saunders should have the full time gig and a chance to help this team win.
Saunders knows basketball well. Before being the interim head coach of the Timberwolves, he was an assistant coach for 9 years, spending it with Washington and Minnesota. His time as an assistant coach will help him during a full NBA season and give him insight to make adjustments during games.
The Timberwolves know he finished poorly, but it was only half the year. Saunders has his chance to take over a team and lead them to the playoffs. It may not happen next year but could in a few years. They have two players they can build a championship team around in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Karl-Anthony Towns is 23 years old while Wiggins is 24. They have plenty of basketball left in them and they aren’t in their prime yet. That might be scary for the rest of the NBA since they are only going to improve their game.
The only problem with Saunders is his age. He is 33, the youngest coach in the NBA. Older players might not respect what he has to say because he hasn’t spent much time as an NBA Head Coach. This may equal a poor season and problems in the locker room.
Saunders has his opportunity to lead this team back to the playoffs. He is following the footsteps of his dad Flip Saunders who coached Minnesota for 11 years with a record of 427-392 and made the playoffs 8 times. Minnesota is hoping history repeats itself and Saunders is able to help turn this franchise into a winner again.
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