Timberwolves should give Tom Thibodeau whatever he wants
Tom Thibodeau is the best NBA head coach who isn't technically a head coach. But that appears on the verge of changing any day now, with Thibodeau reportedly a finalist to assume a highly coveted head coach opening with the Minnesota Timberwolves (via The Vertical):
Tom Thibodeau is aggressively pursuing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ president of basketball operations and coaching job because of his determination to have full control of an organization, league sources told The Vertical...Thibodeau’s appetite for organizational power has been unmistakable to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor in the process, league sources said. Several teams with openings have interest in Thibodeau as a coach, including Washington and Houston, but those organizations aren’t offering full control, sources said. The Sacramento coaching job is open, but Thibodeau has no interest in the Kings’ organization, sources said.
This is no surprise. Thibodeau is the best candidate and Minnesota is the most attractive destination looking to hire. Not only do they have Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and an incoming lottery pick in this year's draft, but Kevin Garnett (who won a championship with Thibodeau and the Boston Celtics in 2008) is still around, too. The franchise's future is as bright as any in the league.
If Glen Taylor actually hires Tom Thibodeau pic.twitter.com/hxITdixLbA
— Drew Mahowald (@DrewMahowald) April 18, 2016
Still, parts of this potential hire are controversial. Thibodeau not only wants to be Minnesota's head coach, he also wants final say on all personnel decisions. Those who hold both roles have had varying degrees of success, from Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers to Stan Van Gundy and the Detroit Pistons to Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs.
Coaching is hard enough as it is, and to take on multiple full-time jobs that are critical for any team's success isn't wise. But cohesion is valuable, too. And if Thibodeau is able to handpick a full-time general manager who can make intelligent decisions and serve as a competent sounding board on all matters related to the draft, free agency, trade market and long-term salary cap-related plans, this isn't the worst idea ever.
Thibodeau isn't a perfect head coach — he's widely criticized for how deep he drives players into the ground — but you can't call him unsuccessful. In five seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, his winning percentage was .647 despite myriad devastating injuries to several All-Star caliber players.
Frankly, it's still a bit shocking to see such a brilliant tactician out of work for an entire season, raspy voice and all. Whichever team hires him is all but guaranteed an above-average defense with discipline on both ends (even the Los Angeles Lakers).
The Timberwolves should give Thibodeau whatever he wants.
