Kahn: Coaching Search Down to "Three or Four," and Spain-bound
by wyn on Jul 18, 2009 8:07 PM CDT
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PrintThe Timberwolves' search for a new head coach appears to be progressing. "I'll be calling three or four candidates probably tomorrow to let them know I'd like to interview them again," Kahn said. While he didn't identify any specific individuals, Mark Jackson, Kurt Rambis and Elston Turner have been identified as candidates. Kahn also had an impromptu conversation with Jeff Bzdelik this week.
When asked whether Ricky Rubio's potential to play for the Timberwolves was a numbers game, Kahn stated that "it always has been." He's traveling to Spain soon to meet with executives for DKV Joventut. He stated his role as one of offering assistance, with no specific goals or expectations for the meetings.
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I guess this is a situation where having a manipulative former lawyer is better than the sweeter wearer.
by revprodeji on Jul 18, 2009 8:17 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Kamla-Kahn interview
A recap was posted by someone else in the Wiz-Wolves thread, so I actually watched the replay of the Kamla-Kahn interview on NBA.com during last night’s Nuggets game. I will recap with a bit more detail:
- Kahn reinforced what Wyn said. We’re down to 3 or 4 final candidates and he’s contacting everyone he’s talked to on Sunday to let them know where they stand.
- On the Rubio situation, same thing….what Wyn said.
- On Jefferson’s weight – said he’s lost weight and is down to 270, which might be the lightest he’s ever been. Huh? I know Jefferson came into the league heavy, but after his second season he trimmed down and got himself in much better shape. Has he really been playing above 270 these last couple of seasons with the Wolves? Not that it’s a huge difference, but he looks more like 260. No matter, what’s encouraging is that Kahn said Jefferson would be ready for Day 1 of training camp. Thank goodness.
- On Rubio-Flynn playing time….Said they would see around 15-16 minutes together on the floor per game if Rubio comes over and that both would spend significant time at the PG slot. I still think it’s a stretch that they play that much together (I was thinking more like 10-12 minutes), but hell, the way Brewer is playing right now, Flynn and Ellington may have to split all the 2-guard minutes.
- Reiterated the fact that we took Lawson on behalf of Denver. The trade had already been made prior to the pick.
- Thought Ellington showed better handles and athleticism than what he expected (BTW, Ellington with another solid, efficient game tonight. Wouldn’t it be nice if he did this for us this season? http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/players/index.jsp?player=wayne_ellington)
- Reiterated again that we would run. Felt that it’s just too hard to score these days against set half court defenses (I especially agree with our current roster). Also mentioned that he felt Love’s outlet passing was underutilized last year. Said he’s spoken to Al about coming in lighter (see above) and that he’s on board with the plan to run more.
I was watching the Nuggets game
Khan seemed alot more charismatic than he noramlly comes across in other interviews or press conferences.
- I think the reason he was waiting until sunday for the second round of candidate cuts is because some of the candidates were out at the LV Summerleague together.
- I checked NBA.com and saw Al Jefferson has been listed at 265lb, but I’m not sure how often this is changed and it may be a rookie weight listing. Perhaps Khan was reffering to weight that Jefferson gained after the injury, and that he had successfully got back to playing weight.
- I agreed that Flynn and Rubio should only play 10-15mins together, it was nice to hear this from Khan because I had dreaded a Flynn/Rubio starting backcourt
- I think the Half court offense might actually be better this year. With Ellington showing confidence in his long range shot and Flynn displaying a shooting touch in todays summerleague game. In 08/09 kickouts from Jefferson double teams were a problem with Telfairs bad shooting touch and Miller/Foye’s lack of confidence in their shots.
Jefferson has been interviewed about this
I checked NBA.com and saw Al Jefferson has been listed at 265lb, but I’m not sure how often this is changed and it may be a rookie weight listing. Perhaps Khan was reffering to weight that Jefferson gained after the injury, and that he had successfully got back to playing weight.
I can’t find it offhand, but Jefferson was interviewed during rehab relatively recently. He said he’d deliberately gained some pounds in order to play center last year, but that his rehab regimen included getting to a somewhat lower weight.
Al's weight
would not be a problem at 270 lb (122 kg, ah, that’s better) but for his knee surgery. A drop to 260lb (117kg) may not seem like much but may contribute to his longevity and his ability to get up and down the floor for the new game style.
Only cowards pray for rain.
Getting up and down the floor
for Al is just as much about his mentality as it is his physical conditioning. I’ve never seen him hustle up the floor on offense or back on defense and it’s one of the things that has greatly annoyed me about his game. I realize 35+ minute NBA players like Al need to pick their spots to go 100% and when to back off to conserve energy. But it seems like he’s in the conserve energy mode unless he has the ball in his hands or is rebounding.
by Rascal Flatts on Jul 19, 2009 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions
That mentality includes a lot of offensive rebounding
Jefferson gets a ton of putback baskets. Lots of players who park under the offensive glass and collect garbage baskets are going to be slower getting back on defense — they’re spending time and a lot of energy playing volleyball down there.
Jefferson obviously has his defensive problems, and yeah it’d be great to see him bust him hump on that end. It’s just, there are also tradeoffs to that.
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