It won’t take long for the talk show hosts or critical columnists to start speculating about Dwane Casey’s job security if the 2006-2007 Timberwolves play like the 33-49 bunch of last season. That was Casey’s first team as an NBA head coach and the Wolves’ failings included losing second half leads, some late in the fourth quarter. The Wolves also lost 18 and won 11 in games decided by six points or less.
If this season’s version of the Wolves stumbles in wins, losses and blown leads the Casey critics will surface and at least some will suggest assistant coach Randy Wittman be promoted to head coach. Wittman, who was on previous Minnesota coaching staffs from 1994-1999 and 2001-2005, is back with the Wolves after Casey shook up his staff during the off season.
Wittman is popular with local media and fans, and was head coach of the Cleveland Cavs for two seasons. Before accepting the invitation to return here he and Casey discussed the possibility Wittman’s name could be included in coaching change speculation.
“Dwane and I talked about that when he called me and asked if I had any interest in coming back,” Wittman said. “For me and for my career the best thing that could happen is we win 50 plus games (and) you make the playoffs. That means that maybe me coming back here helped in a certain manner. That’s all you can focus on.
“I told him if he is the least bit uncomfortable with that I would walk right out the door and have no hard feelings and completely understand that. But No. 1 you (Casey) have to be comfortable with that and he said he extremely was. That’s all I am here for. I am not here for anything else but to help Dwane become a better coach.”
Ask Wittman about his role with the Wolves and he talks about the close losses the Wolves experienced last season. “I want to help Dwane as much as I can in close situations (so) that he doesn’t feel the weight of the world is on him,” he answered. “That there is somebody that can give him a different perspective other than the one maybe he is thinking about. As a head coach that’s kind of what you are looking for. You have an idea of how you want to attack but you want to hear other people say, ‘What about this coach’? You might not ever think of that. That’s kind of what I hope to bring to him.”