Rumors have been swirling around former Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson as the preferred candidate to replace Kurt Rambis as the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Depending on who you ask, Nelson either resigned as head coach of the Warriors or he was fired. In either case, Nelson’s penchant for uptempo offense seems to have received much attention from Timberwolves GM David Kahn who has been quoted as saying he wants a coach with flair, “Someone who’s DNA is uptempo.”
Looking at the roster for the 2011-2012 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are an athletic, young bunch that could actually run other teams out of the gym. With the addition of Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams and mainstays Michael Beasley and Kevin Love, the TWolves could very well run a Phoenix Suns-type of system with Williams playing the role of a miniature Amare Stoudemire (or just regular Shawn Marion).
With Kevin Love anchoring the paint, Rubio will have plenty of options for set plays as well as pick-and-roll situations when things slow down. One of Williams’ strengths on his scouting report is his ability to get to the line. While running the floor is great for flash, being able to get buckets and control the clock — not just run against it — is the key to successful offenses in the NBA.
One of the biggest worries for the Timberwolves last year was defense. Last year they averaged negative net balances in points-per-game, field goal percentage, free throw attempts and turnovers. If Don Nelson’s record at the helm has anything to say about his effectiveness defensively, Minnesota might be in trouble. From 2006-2010 Nelson’s ratings with the Warriors had a net positive balance in points-per-game once (2007). In all other defensive categories the Warriors either netted a negative balance with opponents or the difference was negligible.
However, Nelson’s Warriors had legitimate positive differentials all four years in turnover percentage between their offense and defense. While that’s nothing to write home about defensively, extra possessions for a fast break team means all the difference in the world. It’s at least some kind of positive. Nelly — or David Kahn — will hopefully be looking to bring in a defensive specialist. Minnesota could make a play for Lawrence Frank or another similarly experienced coach for the bench.
Overall, Kahn has made his vision for the future clear in Minnesota. An ESPN report had this to say about Kahn’s goals:
“He spoke of a free-wheeling, open-floored, ‘beautiful game’ version of basketball that would make players want to come to frigid, small-market Minnesota and fans look forward to shelling out money to watch such an entertaining style of basketball.”
Kahn’s goals aren’t necessarily basketball-related. As an executive, Kahn’s job is to put the best product on the floor that returns the highest amount of dollars. In the NBA, the way to do that has typically been to create a winning atmosphere and a competitive roster. Whether Kahn’s desire for a run-and-gun style of team fits that standard is questionable.
In Phoenix, the management and ownership have been criticized for years because they’ve failed to make significant salary contributions in order to secure top-level talent around Steve Nash. Has that mindset hurt Phoenix’s chances for success and ultimately ruined their return on investment? Any of us arguing that stance would have a valid point.
However, if Kahn’s goal is to create a basketball team that draws the attention of fans and free agents alike, installing a coach like Don Nelson and a high-powered offense is certainly one way to get there. Nelson’s ingenuity has been both the source of suspicion and praise in years past and he may well yet have another trick up his sleeve.
The Timberwolves have assembled a talented-looking roster and they may very well rise into playoff contention for years to come, with or without Don Nelson. Whether that initial fan interaction — and boost towards the bottom line — will remain if Minnesota fails to win anything is very much the question at hand.
The Timberwolves may want to ask the Suns about that one.
The newest edition to The Hoop Doctors writing staff, Dane Carbaugh is the editor and lead writer of the popular new basketball blog A Young Sabonis. Dane is a published research author and also writes for Dime Magazine and Bleacher Reprt. He can be found on Twitter at @DaneCarbaugh
