Diehard Wolves fans look in the mirror and answer this question: Can you praise Kevin McHale for his coaching?
McHale critics (are there any other kind?) are looking at an unexpected reality. The Wolves’ failed personnel man has improved the team since moving from the office to the bench, replacing Randy Wittman as coach in early December. After inheriting a five game losing streak that became 13, the Wolves have won eight of their last 12 including a streak where they won five straight.
McHale’s coaching and his players’ efforts have made the Wolves entertaining instead of unwatchable. Not only are results better but so, too, is the karma. These guys actually enjoy playing and keeping company with one another. Smiles and backslaps are in; frowns and bad body language are out.
McHale thinks basketball should be fun and he coaches that way. He’s encouraged his players to see the possibilities, not the doubts. He’s found a receptive audience with a group of probably the best human beings in the 20 year history of the franchise.
The Wolves have a 13-27 record going into tonight’s home game with New Orleans. The record was 4-15 when McHale took over. With about three months remaining in the season the Wolves are more than half way to last year’s win total of 22.
Among NBA teams this month only the Orlando Magic with an 8-1 record have fewer losses than the 7-2 Wolves. NBA.com has the Wolves No. 20 in its 32 team power rankings, ahead of teams considered better before the season like Toronto.
The resurgence has happened because the coaching and playing is better, but also the schedule has been easier. During the 13 game losing streak the Wolves had a seven game stretch where they played San Antonio twice, plus Cleveland, the Lakers and Houston once each. Since January 1, the schedule has had the Wolves playing six of eight teams with less than .500 records and four of them (Golden State, Memphis, Oklahoma City and the L.A. Clippers are 17 games or more under .500). Give the Wolves credit, though, for defeating teams in January who like themselves are not among the NBA elite.
The team still has plenty of flaws including defensively. The resurgent play has been mostly fueled by better offense producing 100 points or more in eight of the last 12 games. Other problems include being undersized at the center and power forward positions, plus too many inconsistent performances by starters and subs.
For whatever weaknesses in personnel the Wolves have, the former vice president of basketball operations (that’s McHale) must take responsibility. But give him credit for A+ coaching in his short term on the bench and he’s brought talented players like center Al Jefferson, guard Randy Foye and forward Kevin Love to the roster. Plus, the tinkering he did during the last off-season to improve the locker room chemistry has been a winner.
McHale, who dislikes the NBA travel schedule, is seeing plenty of the road in his new role. If he wants the job for next year, he’s off to the kind of start that definitely commands a second look. Speculation is owner Glen Taylor won’t invite him back to the front office.
How strange will it be if come April, Wolves fans are howling in protest because the front office didn’t bring McHale back for another season?