Next head coach??

[Scott K]

Might as well start a rumor head coach thread for the wolves.

Quote:

The Timberwolves have asked for and received permission to interview Blazers assistant Bernie Bickerstaff for their head coaching job.

Of course, he won't interview with the Wolves until David Kahn finally fires Kurt Rambis, but it should only be a matter of time.

[PierBridge]

Rambo's out! "tweeted" I'm all for brining the Bickerstaff's in here.

[Scott K]

Rambo's out! "tweeted" I'm all for brining the Bickerstaff's in here.

[abcnerdd]

Forget the father and son Bickerstaffs thing, J.B. just signed with the Rockets.

[PurpleFloyd]

I hear Phil Jackson is available.

[CrappiesNCats]

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

Will Wolves spend for vet coach? Is Nellie right choice for young team? Fair questions. But he's tantalized, I'm told, by Rubio/Love combo

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

Name to watch in Wolves search: Don Nelson. ESPN.com sources say he's not only open to return to coaching but intrigued by 'Sota roster

sign me up.

[Scott K]

If Don will come here, I am game! Although, I want Sam Mitchell back in Minnesota!

Quote:

ESPN's Marc Stein reported Tuesday that Don Nelson is interested in the Wolves' open coaching position.

Oh, Nellie. Only the most dysfunctional franchise in the NBA could be interested in the longtime coach of the team that used to hold that title. David Kahn has indicated that he wants to play uptempo ball, and this scenario is just crazy enough to happen. If you're in a Dynasty league now is an excellent time to speculate on Wolves players -- unless you're looking at Nellie's whipping post Anthony Randolph.

[Scott M]

I'll be watching if its Nellie. I'll also be picking up a few Wolves players in fantasy drafts if that is the case.

[PierBridge]

I'm all for bringing the Nelson's in here...

[solbes]

Must admit I'm fairweather T'Wolves fan. But "Sam I Am" would get me more excited about this team.

[CJH]

Forget the father and son Bickerstaffs thing, J.B. just signed with the Rockets.

No loss there.

I would be up for Nellie, Addelman, or Sam I AM. Three proven, solid coaches. Sick of us always hiring these Assistants. Dwayne Casey was the only quality one of the bunch and they prematurely fired him after half a season. With a name Coach who has a bigger contract, you have to at least give them a chance.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Beat writer Jerry Zgoda took a look at the Wolves' coaching search, and threw out the names of Don Nelson, Rick Adelman, and Grizzlies defensive coach Dave Joerger, as well as the usual suspects of Larry Brown and Mike Fratello.

Nelson, who is interested in the job, should be considered the favorite right now, but the real question is whether or not David Kahn's other targets want anything to do with Wolves management. Assuming basketball is played, the difference between Nellie and another coach could be vast for fantasy purposes, even if Kahn will be pushing an uptempo agenda, regardless.

[mrklean]

nelson would be awesome as our coatch i think that would really get people excited for the upcoming season, whenever that is

[Weed Shark]

Nelson sounds good. I miss Flip.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Don Nelson is on the Timberwolves' list of coaching candidates, sources tell ESPN.com.

A pairing of inept GM David Kahn and the mind-boggling Nelson would be almost comical. The Wolves, who ranked dead last in points allowed per game last season, would be bringing in a coach who simply ignores defense. It would be a fantasy dream for all Wolves that get minutes, but a nightmare for Nelson nemesis Anthony Randolph. Other candidates on the list are reportedly Bernie Bickerstaff, Kelvin Sampson and Rick Adelman.

[Scott K]

Quote:

While Don Nelson's name is the popular one being linked with the Timberwolves right now, the team's first interview was with former Bucks and Suns head coach, as well as Timberwolves player, Terry Porter.

It's interesting that the Wolves are giving Terry a shot, but not Sam Mitchell, who was his teammate on the Wolves. Porter has previously coached both the Suns and Bucks, compiling a 46 percent winning percentage. He was also a point guard, and what his vision is for Ricky Rubio could have a big impact on the hiring process.

[mrklean]

a guy like Don wants to come here to coach and we probably wont hire him sounds like normal twolves to me

[abcnerdd]

a guy like Don wants to come here to coach and we probably wont hire him sounds like normal twolves to me

As much as I would like Nellie to be our coach, he doesn't make his players play defense. With Nellie as our coach, we would be a great running team and Rubio would get to play his strengths. Anthony Randolph and Beasley would be in his dog house with all those turnovers.

[abcnerdd]

Quote:

The Detroit News reports Mike Woodson has confirmed to the newspaper that he will interview for the Wolves head coach position on Tuesday.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Trail Blazers assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff is scheduled to interview for the Timberwolves' head coaching job on Friday.

Bickerstaff becomes the third candidate interviewed by Minnesota, following Terry Porter and Mike Woodson. Wolves GM David Kahn is exploring all options and is expected to interview Don Nelson "and perhaps one or two other candidates" within a week.

Quote:

The Timberwolves will reportedly interview Rick Adelman for their vacant head coaching position.

Adelman, who is still being paid by the Rockets, makes an intriguing possibility as the Wolves' coach. He'll join a long list of candidates that includes Don Nelson, Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, and Bernie Bickerstaff.

[Scott K]

I cant believe Adelman is willing to even interview for the Wolves. Assuming Glen Taylor would be opening his check book up a bit to land him?

If they can get Adelman here, we will be a contender this year. Depending on if there is a this year!

I think they should not allow him to leave town without him signing. He must think highly of our young talent anyhow.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Boom, there it is.

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 all along has looked like the dream hire who'd solve a lot of the Wolves' problems, if he's interested.

Well, it looks like he is now, at least enough to listen.

Why is he the best they can do with this hire:

* He has a track record, and a .605 winning percentage (945-616) in 20 seasons with Portland, Golden State, Sacramento and Houston. His Portland teams made the NBA finals twice and his Sacramento teams pushed the Lakers to the brink out West.

* Believer in a passing offense similar in many ways to what Kurt Rambis believes, he has shown a willingness for his teams to play fast. Those Kings teams with Bibby, Webber, Vlade were fun -- and fast -- to watch.

* Most importantly perhaps is this:

He 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 during his senior season when he was in between jobs with the Kings and Rockets.

* So why would he take the job?

Love, $$$ and the chance to coach again.

It has been widely assumed around the NBA that Adelman, at age 65, will only coach again for a veteran team.

But now the Lakers have hired Mike Brown and guys like Rick Carlisle, Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau, Stan Van Gundy and Gregg Popovich, what such options are out there in the next few years?

This is a team with a lot of young talent -- emphasis on the young -- that needs to be molded just right.

If you're confident in your abilities and Glen Taylor is willing to pay $4-5 million a year...

Adelman took the Houston job four years ago for the chance to coach Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. This time, he's got Love and...Derrick Williams? Ricky Rubio? Michael Beasley or Anthony Randolph?

I hear Rockets GM Daryl Morey is a big Rubio believer, so maybe some of that enthusiasm got transferred down to the head coach.

Adelman's contract was not renewed by the Kings in 2006 or by the Rockets after last season.

He sat out that 2006-07 season while he watched Love and his boy play prep ball and then chose the Rockets' job because of Ming and McGrady.

"At the time, I was talking to two or three teams, and this was obviously the best situation," Adelman told the Associated Press late last season. "Those guys were here. They had won 50-plus games.

"I had three experiences (before Houston). At two, I had a lot of talent and at one, I didn't. I won at two places and didn't win at the other. I figured it out that talent is pretty important, especially if you have a unique blend of a big guy who's one of the best in the league and a perimeter player who's one of the best in the league."

He told reporters in the season's final week that he still has the passion to coach.

"I don't think I've lost the desire to coach;" he said. "I think I still can do it."

[Scott K]

Quote:

According to beat writer Jerry Zgoda, Don Nelson will interview with the Wolves on Sunday.

David Kahn sounds like he's having fun interviewing coaches right now, and with no basketball for the foreseeable future, he has all the time he needs with no other coaching positions available in the NBA. Zgoda says there might be one or two interviews following Nellie's, and after an ominous email went out to Minny media last week, there is no clear leader in the coaching search.

[abcnerdd]

I cant believe Adelman is willing to even interview for the Wolves. Assuming Glen Taylor would be opening his check book up a bit to land him?

If they can get Adelman here, we will be a contender this year. Depending on if there is a this year!

I think they should not allow him to leave town without him signing. He must think highly of our young talent anyhow.

I thought Adelman would want to coach a contender, but he interested in the WOLVES!! Fire Kahn if he doesn't hire Adelman! Hire Adelman and let him hire his own assistants, maybe he'll grab Woodson.

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Timberwolves intend on interviewing Larry Brown for their vacant head coaching position, according to beat writer Jerry Zgoda.

Brown joins a candidate list that also includes Don Nelson, Rick Adelman, Terry Porter, Mike Woodson and more. Still, Zgoda concedes that a Brown hiring is a longshot. Brown loves to gut rosters and rebuild while GM David Kahn says he won't be reconstructing. Kahn also wants to play an uptempo style, while Brown is all about playing rugged defense.

No thanks! I want Adelman for our coach now that I know he is willing to coach here.