Wolves Updates 7/1 Part 3

Written by SG

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 20:48

Minnesota GM David Kahn plans to interview multiple candidates over the next month for his coaching vacancy, including a rising star on Nate McMillan’s staff in Portland: Monty Williams.

From Jason Quick/The Oregonian:

Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams will interview for the Minnesota Timberwolves head coaching position, perhaps as early as this weekend, Williams said Wednesday.

The Timberwolves, who are looking to replace Kevin McHale, received permission this week from the Blazers to speak with Williams about the opening. Williams, 37, has been an assistant in Portland for the past four seasons after spending one year as an intern at San Antonio.

"I'm flattered,'' Williams said. "I'm someone who wants to be a part of a rebuilding process. But at the same time, I'm still a Blazer. So, there's initial excitement, but in reality, nothing has changed. I'm looking forward to the process.''

From Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press:

Williams, 37, has been an assistant in Portland for the last four seasons and is widely credited with the development of Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum.

Before that, Williams played 10 seasons as a forward for the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs before knee problems forced him to retire in 2003.

Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn isn't commenting on the team's coaching search, but ESPN/ABC analyst Mark Jackson is the perceived favorite, with former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell and former Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer among the most frequently mentioned interview possibilities. ESPN.com reported that Los Angeles Lakers assistants Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw are two more possible candidates.

From Hardwood Paroxysm: Podcast Paroxysm: Matt Done Pissed Of The Wolves Fan (Podcast)

Matt and Corndogg give their thoughts on the draft, Matt checks in to see how angry Wolves fans are with Derek Hanson of TWolvesBlog.com, and Phoenix Stan of Bright Side of the Sun drops by to give his thoughts on the genius (or lack thereof) of Steve Kerr.

From TrueHoop:

One thing that really impresses me: Minnesota GM David Kahn has skillfully removed the Rubio camp's biggest threat. In any normal situation they would have said give us what we want or we'll stay in Europe. But before the music even really started, right there on draft night, Kahn was assuring everyone that Rubio might stay in Europe and that's just fine. The Timberwolves, he said, are more than willing to wait.

That sends the message to everyone that the Timberwolves are ready for good offers, but not bad ones.

The Rubio camp does still have a big hammer, though, and it's one that has almost never been used.

Rubio can sit out a year, and re-enter next year's draft.

The way the collective bargaining agreement works, the Timberwolves hold Rubio's NBA rights so long as they make him an offer, and he plays professional ball in some FIBA-sanctioned league, which is just about all of the leagues he'd consider playing in.

But if he doesn't play professionally anywhere, then he can be right back in next year's draft.

From Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press:

The Timberwolves announced that their early bird season-ticket plan, originally scheduled to expire today, will be extended through Aug. 1.

"Hopefully, this extra month will allow our fans to get a better sense of what this team will look like come opening night," team president Chris Wright said in a statement, "and convince them that this will be an exciting young group to watch."