Rick Adelman set to become the head coach of Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA Update
Veteran coach Rick Adelman is all set to be unveiled as the new head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to sources, Adelman and the Timberwolves have already agreed in principle on a deal to bring the tactician to Minnesota.
If the news is accurate, it will bring to an end the long search for a replacement of Kurt Rambis, the head coach fired by Minnesota this summer. Rambis had a turbulent time in charge of the franchise and guided the team to a league
worst 17-65 record last season. His fate was pretty much sealed after the abysmal run that ended Minnesota’s season but the Timberwolves management dragged the matter out for around three months.
President of Basketball Operations, David Kahn, a man not regarded very highly in the NBA, refused to be straightforward about the matter and wasted months before finally putting Rambis out of his misery. He has since wasted more
time failing to identify a successor to the man he initially brought to the franchise as a first time head coach.
Kahn declared that he would not be experimenting this time around and would select a coach with proven NBA credentials. He also revealed that Minnesota will be looking to play fast paced offensive basketball next season in a system
that suits their personnel.
Although a whole host of NBA coaches were linked to the job, and a few interviewed as well, Adelman and Don Nelson had been considered by most sources as the two finalists. Nelson holds the record for most wins as a coach in NBA
history, with Adelman coming at number eight on the list, but it now seems the relatively younger Adelman has won out.
One factor that could have worked in the favour of Adelman is his relationship with star player Kevin Love. The Timberwolves management did reportedly seek feedback from Love for the search of a new coach and the forward was a
high school friend of Adelman’s son.
When the news broke about Rick set to be named Minnesota coach, Kevin Love endorsed the move via an interview,
"When I talked about the prospect of me re-signing, I always said one of the things we'd have to have is a great coach," Love told the Star-Tribune. "If it's true (that Adelman has agreed to take the job), we've got a great coach.”
"We've always had a good relationship. Looking back to high school, I always asked myself, 'What does Rick think I need to improve?' I kept asking him for advice whenever I had the chance to talk to Rick. I always thought it'd
be very interesting and intriguing to play under such a well-respected coach, who I know well, who has been there and done that. He adds credibility to our team."
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