<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="1">With his team on the brink of missing the postseason for the first time in eight years, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said it was a "failed experiment" to bring in veterans Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell for the past two seasons. n a phone interview with the Pioneer Press on Tuesday, Taylor expressed frustration with the Wolves' performance, as the Western Conference finalists one year ago could be eliminated from the playoff chase as soon as tonight. He also hinted at significant offseason changes, thanks to what he saw as a yearlong battle with selfishness, and allowed for the possibility of considering Phil Jackson to be the team's next head coach. Sprewell, 34, is an unrestricted free agent, and the owner reiterated the obvious, that Sprewell will not return at his current salary. As for a return at all, Taylor said, "Latrell himself has to decide ? if he even wants to play with us. What we have to look at is, is he the right player on our team next year or not?" As for Cassell, 35, Taylor indicated that a trade is a possibility. "He's on our payroll this next year, so you've got to deal with it," Taylor said. "You just can't say what you're going to do. If you can get a trade that's a good trade, you do it. If you can't, you've got to utilize the people as best you can. It isn't just as simple as saying, 'We're going to make these changes.' " There will be a coaching change, for sure. McHale has said he will not coach next season. Regarding the search for a new coach, Taylor said: ? Current Wolves assistants will be granted interviews, if they want to be considered; ? Interested parties already have contacted the team, though Taylor wouldn't name names; ? Though Jackson, owner of nine championship rings with Chicago and Los Angeles, isn't among that group, the door is open for a call to a coach of that caliber. "We can make those phone calls to all of those people you would think of real quickly, and we'll find out if they're interested," Taylor said. "If they're not interested, we're not going to talk them into it, because it doesn't work out that way. But ? we're not going to throw anybody out if they're interested." Brian Musburger, one of Jackson's agents, declined to comment on his client's future Tuesday. But Jackson would have a resident superstar in Garnett, and Minnesota has been immune to Jackson's sometimes-sarcastic jabs at various NBA cities ? Jackson is a North Dakota native, after all. Jackson's price tag ? probably in the neighborhood of $10 million a year, especially with four or five teams expected to be interested in his services ? might be the hang-up. Flip Saunders was making $5 million a year at the time of his ouster in February.</font></div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Well it seems like by making that statement it was a failure to bring Spree & Sam on board that he is now passing the buck of everything that went wrong with this team. These are the same two guys that lifted your franchise from pretty much average to a championship contender last year. And it might not seem like it but that was huge for the simply fact you seen KG's mental game & experience grow up alot over that playoff run. And he can now use that expereince gained when the Wolves get back into the same situation again, it might not be this year, but when they surround Kg with some younger parts, he will be back into that position playoff again. And now he has that playoff expereince gained last year, to build on.... And hmmmm....its pretty funny that Taylor mentioned those to as fail in decision. But doesnt mention the fact that it was a clear cut failure to pay Troy Hudson's extention during the offseason just because KG wanted it....Also the fact that once the Wolves decided to keep Trenton Hassell by matching Portland's offer, which is understandable after the season Trenton had....Wally S. should have been traded...I know it sounds bad seeing that Wally was the 2nd best player this year behind KG, but its the truth. The Wolves had 4 guys trying to fight for minutes at two postions all season long. And out of all 4 Wally probably had the most trade value, even during last offseason. So to use Sam and Spree as scape goats is a poor move by the owner in my opinion. Yes, we know Sam and Spree attitudes coming into the year wasnt in the right mind frame. But much more went wrong with this team then just those two....
The same two words I have had all year...... <font size="3">Jim Jackson</font> still putting up numbers and was easily attainable
Obviously, Glen has been very frustrated with what has happened this year and rightfully so. I am glad he vented. It shows that he cares as you can tell by him being at every Timberwolves games. This year hasn't been a good one with Sammy and Latrell whining about their contracts and they are still whining about it today. Then you had them losing to bad teams and had a huge slump in December and January. We lost a head coach. It just snowballed and it went downhill. Was it a failed experiment? Yes and no. It was not a failed experiment because as Patrick Reusse said in his column today without those two, KG would not have signed his extension days before the season started last year and he might have been playing elsewhere this year. Plus those two brought leadership and they advance the Wolves to a another level last year. Unfortunately, it killed us this year. Those two felt like they were underappreciated this season as they wanted a raise yet were denied and they played like they were unhappy all year. Sammy and Latrell was whining about Flip's offense and etc. It's time for those two to go. Latrell is outta here one way or another. Any shot of Latrell coming back was gone when Glen spoke out so McHale's wishful yet ridculous idea of bringing Spree back is out the window. Sammy is out of here too. Let's hope the Wolves can get some value for him. There is no way the organization bring him back now after what the owner said about him. There are also other guys need to go. It's time for Wally to move on. Wally has been a pro here and he was productive, but we need to get his contract out of here. The same goes with Troy. I think Mark Madsen played his last game here which is very unfortunate since I love the guy. Mark could get better offers and he would be stupid to turn them down because that's the best he will ever get. If you think this year is worse, next year could be real bad. The buck stops with Glen Taylor now. He can go rip McHale and rip Sam and Latrell, but now the buck stops with him as Reusse suggested today in the paper. He needs to find not only the right coach, but right GM. If Taylor wants my advice, my advice is to go hire Paul Silas as GM and coach. Either that or hire Tom Izzo. Rick Sund would be good too as GM.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sabretooth:</div><div class="quote_post">The same two words I have had all year...... <font size="3">Jim Jackson</font> still putting up numbers and was easily attainable</div> We could have traded Ebi for him. Hornets was getting nothing for him. Ebi could have helped them and most importantly, he would have gotten minutes which is something he will never get with the Timberwolves. Oh and Ebi is out with a sprained ankle. Unreal. Just as he is ready to get minutes, he has a sprained ankle. Unbelivable. As Dan Barriero would say, you could not make this up.
I really can't agree with Taylor saying this is a failed experiment. I wouldn't be bothered if he said this season was a failure, because I think we all know that. I think too much blame is being put on Cassell and Sprewell, even if they deserve it. These are the two same players that everyone was praising endlessly last year. I just don't think it's right to say trading for them was a failed experiment. They are what ended our first round losing streak. They are what kept Garnett in Minnesota. They were what sold all the seats the last two years. Do I think they had terrible mindsets heading into this season? Absolutely. How they handled themselves in Training Camp was immature and demoralizing. But I still don't believe this was a failed experiment.
Looking at it in a different perspective, I'm going to say what others can't fathom. I don't think that I would be totally disgusted if the roster returned and stayed the same to some degree. When you look at it, both the guys still have game. Spree can still slash and drive on the fast-break. Sam can is still a vet and can make things happen. If it wasn't for Sams injury..THIS SEASON could have been different. We saw a taste of that lately. If there were a way for the two of them to really look at the championship (and Sam get healthy), I think it could work. Does anyone know how Sam feels about coming off the bench, yet being in the game at crunch time (which is more important)? Another statement that I have to say that will be unpopular....I would let Wally go. It's not that I don't really love his game, but the amount of money plus the duration of his contract will keep us bound for years. Plus I don't feel his heart is here.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Taylor wants my advice, my advice is to go hire Paul Silas as GM and coach. Either that or hire Tom Izzo. Rick Sund would be good too as GM.</div> This is about the fourth or fifth forum where I have heard someone say "Let's just hire Tom Izzo". I don't see why everyone seems to think he's so available. He just led his team to their fourth final four in seven years, has the highest NCAA tournament winning % of all-time, he has possibly <u>the</u> greatest workout facility and office in America for a college coach, he has a team coming back next season that many people rank in their preseason top 5, and he has a fan following almost larger than the entire fan following of Michigan State basketball. Izzo has already turned down millions of dollars from NBA teams in the past, so why would he go to a struggling team like the Timberwolves or the Cavaliers? It just doesn't make sense. It's almost like a step down.
Why don't you all you go after experienced NBA coaches in Silas or Phil Jackson? Jackson has coached some of the best players in Kobe and MJ. And led both teams to several championships. Besides, I highly doubt Izzo will leave the Michigan State program.
I said this on the other board about the T-Wolves and ill say it again. Izzo is staying with the Spartans. And im with Voodoo Child on the GM and Coach 100%. Jimmy Jackson would be a great compliment to KG i think. Hes very underrated i dont know why hes been shipped around so much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Timberwolf:</div><div class="quote_post">We could have traded Ebi for him. Hornets was getting nothing for him. Ebi could have helped them and most importantly, he would have gotten minutes which is something he will never get with the Timberwolves.</div> We would have to trade more than Ebi for him. The Hornets would have wanted young players or draft picks. We couldn't give them what Phoenix could. They got 3 young talents which isn't nothing for a rebuilding team. And Jackson wouldn't improve our team for the futur nor right now because he is going to be 35 this year and Ebi is only 20. We don't want to get any older than we already are. We already have too many SFs on the roster. Ebi might not have gotten minutes this year, but he will next season with Spree gone. And as for Phil, he doesn't seem interested to coach the Wolves. He would also ask for alot more money than what we payed Flip and I don't know if Taylor would be willing to pay that much.
Jim Jackson WOULD have helped our team because he is a vet who is consistent, can score anywhere on the court, doesn't have the ego of an all-star but can play close to that level at times. He doesn't complain about starting and knows a good thing when he sees it. He's no Bowen or Hassell, but can defend. Knowledgeable and experienced.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sabretooth:</div><div class="quote_post">Jim Jackson WOULD have helped our team because he is a vet who is consistent, can score anywhere on the court, doesn't have the ego of an all-star but can play close to that level at times. He doesn't complain about starting and knows a good thing when he sees it. He's no Bowen or Hassell, but can defend. Knowledgeable and experienced.</div> I think you are giving him a bit too much credit. He is good but not that good. He is a vet but we already have too many. We already have problems giving the players minutes because of all the SFs and with him, we wouldn't be able to give him enough to keep him happy. He wanted to play for a winning team and at that time we were already losing. He's much happier in Phoenix right now. And we didn't need a wing player at that time, we already had Spree, Hassell, Wally and Hoiberg. He could have helped us but it would only have hurt us in the futur.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Linkin:</div><div class="quote_post">I think you are giving him a bit too much credit. He is good but not that good. He is a vet but we already have too many. We already have problems giving the players minutes because of all the SFs and with him, we wouldn't be able to give him enough to keep him happy. He wanted to play for a winning team and at that time we were already losing. He's much happier in Phoenix right now. And we didn't need a wing player at that time, we already had Spree, Hassell, Wally and Hoiberg. He could have helped us but it would only have hurt us in the futur.</div> If the trade went down: 1. We wouldn't have kept all of the wing players, mainly Spree 1st and Wally 2nd would have been moved to make room. 2. He is currently, and usually is, a bench player, so he wouldn't have had problems with playing time. 3. At the time we were having problems, he would have felt that he could help turn it around and NO ONE expected the Wolves to be where they are now. They saw that we were struggling and expected us to make the right moves, get our heads out of our +*&^$, and get back to winning. So he would have never gone to Phoenix, so that's a moot point.
