Wolves bring end to 15-year McHale Era

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- During 15 years in charge of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin McHale forged two distinct reputations.

There was McHale the gifted teacher, beloved by players and staff for his relentlessly positive demeanor and an unending eagerness to share his wealth of basketball knowledge. Then there was McHale the mistake-prone executive, vilified by fans for a series of blunders and the failure to make his team into a consistent championship contender.

New president of basketball operations David Kahn dumped McHale as coach on Wednesday, praising him as a "great man" who deserves respect. But offered no specific reasons during a press conference for his decision, saying instead that "this is going to be a transition period. And with the changes that have occurred, and with the changes that are still going to come, it would have been difficult to put him in the middle of that again."

"I was willing to come back, but they never offered me a contract," McHale told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "They told me last night they were going in a different direction. I said, 'I think you're making a mistake, but that's up to you guys."'

Players lamented the loss of the teacher.

"I was more shocked, disappointed, hurt," said forward Al Jefferson, one of many players who urged Kahn to bring McHale back next season. "But at the same time I understand that this is a business."

Source: http://www.nba.com/2009/news/06/17/mcha ... index.html

The move ends Kevin McHale's 15-year tenure with the Timberwolves, in the front office and as coach. A bit surprising for me, but it's probably a good move since the Wolves will be able to try something "new". Maybe they figured it's finally time for a change, or maybe they have had enough after 15 years. It's funny how McHale said that the Wolves are "making a mistake", but we'll have to see how they does without him.

They got tired of losing and all those fucking moves McHale did a few years ago .
I still can't believe he wanted a Miller-Jefferson duo than the Mayo-Jefferson duo .
A Good Head Coach but the T-Wolves really is tired of losing everytime .
Sam Mitchell ? Bring in Avery Baby !

Last edited by MikeMan™ on Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Best part is how the story was broken.

He seemed to have some really good moments such as drafting Garnett, acquiring Cassell and Sprewell for that one fabulous season and managing to find a quality up and coming big in Jefferson to replace Garnett. He also had some horrid moves to outweigh those really good ones though....

A bit of an unceremonious exit after fifteen years, but such is the way of pro sports. I guess the handwriting was on the wall from the moment his job in the front office went to Kahn.