Terry Porter in the frame for head coaching job at Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA Update
Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Terry Porter recently gave an interview for the head coaching job at the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources have revealed. Porter became the first man to have a formal interview with Timberwolves
GM David Kahn since Kurt Rambis was relieved of his duties as head coach.
Rambis had a troublesome two years, in which the team continuously lost and finished last season as the worst in the NBA. He was put in limbo for around three months after the season ended and was finally fired by David Kahn recently.
The Timberwolves have been on the lookout for a replacement of Rambis since around a month and Don Nelson was previously strongly linked with the coach. However, reports say Nelson has not had an interview yet.
Porter could be a controversial choice if taken aboard as head coach by the Timberwolves. He has ties with the franchise, having been there as a player, but his record as a coach in the NBA is not very impressive.
Porter took over at the Phoenix Suns after Mike D’Antoni left the head coaching job there and failed to impress with a team that featured two future Hall of Famers in Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal. The side, that also boasted
the talents of Amar’e Stoudemire and Jason Richardson, failed to make the playoffs in a 46 win season.
Phoenix played a very fast paced system under Terry Porter, ranking 4th in the league; however their defence was woeful to say the least.
Terry’s time at the Milwaukee Bucks was also not largely impressive. The team had a good offensive system and pushed the ball well, but they failed to produce meaningful success.
David Kahn however has specified that he is looking for someone who can mould the team into a potent offensive force, preferably fast paced and good at running. Porter’s resume does have tick marks in the corresponding boxes, but
his failure to build successful teams or strong defence could cause some unease in the Minnesota fan base.
The Timberwolves are looking to build a successful side after years of irrelevancy, since Kevin Garnett left to join the Boston Celtics. They seem to have some good ingredients in terms of talented players including the likes of
Michael Beasley and NBA’s rebounding champion Kevin Love. With Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio and 2nd overall pick in the 2011 draft, Derrick Williams, set to join the cast, the Timberwolves do hold promise.
It will now be up to whoever is given the coaching job at the franchise, to guide these youngsters into the playoffs and make a strong unit out of them.
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