Minnesota Timberwolves eyeing Don Nelson for the head coaching stint – NBA News
According to reports, Minnesota Timberwolves have cast their sights on another candidate for their empty head coaching slot. Don Nelson, who possesses most wins record in the entire league has been contacted by David Kahn and company,
it is believed. Before Nelson, the only known candidate for the job was Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
On Tuesday, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn said in a press conference that they had received permission from the Trail Blazers to interview their assistant coach Bickerstaff. Another plan was to groom
Bickerstaff’s son J.B. under his own father for one year at least and then hand him the head coaching responsibility. However, this option did not work, as J.B. has already signed on with Houston Rockets.
Statistically, there is no match between Nelson and Bernie Bickerstaff. The veteran coach is not only one of the greatest coaches ever, but he also brings with him an up tempo approach that Timberwolves President Kahn is expecting
from the new head coach.
Prior to this, the 71 year old Nelson remained with the Milwaukee Bucks for almost 11 years. From there, he moved to Golden State Warriors and stayed with them for seven years. He then served for one year with the New York Knicks
and then nine years with Dallas Mavericks. His last job was again with the Warriors and that lasted for four years.
It is believed that one of the key reasons behind Nelson’s comeback is the young and dynamic roster of the Timberwolves.
Nelson’s son Donnie said, "I thought when he was the godfather (in Dallas after handing the coaching reins to Avery Johnson in March 2005), I thought that was the perfect existence. But he wanted to coach again. With him, you just
never know.''
However, it remains to be seen whether the Timberwolves owner Glenn Taylor can afford Nelson. The franchise owner is already on the hook for $4 million after firing ex-coach Kurt Rambis, who had two years left on his contract.
If he can afford Nelson, then he can also pursue elite coaches like Rick Adelman, Jerry Sloan and Larry Brown, who are all available. Then there is another question regarding Nelson’s effectiveness as to whether the old man has
that thing in him to work with one of the youngest rosters in the league.
Nelson has a history of being inflexible. The reasons why he failed to deliver in his last job with the Warriors were his resistance in making rotations and sometimes unpredictable decisions. Whether the Wolves can afford to take
the risk, with so much going right for them in the recent past, is anyone’s guess. But, with David Kahn, you never know.
He can do strange things and can still be successful.
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