Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor often wasn’t happy with his underachieving team last season and among the annoyances were too many technical fouls. The Wolves led the NBA in technicals per game (0.7, Teamrankings.com), and had issues with flagrant fouls and ejections. Taylor spoke up about the mess during the offseason.
“Yeah, that was an issue and the coach (Chris Finch) and I talked about it this summer that we had to get that cut down,” Taylor told Sports Headliners. “And my point to him (was) that I think it starts with the coaches. That it’s what they (coaches and players) say to the refs, how they say it to the refs, what the refs expect.
“I said that I don’t think we’ll ever become a championship team unless we cut down the technicals. I…(said) I think the process just doesn’t work that way.
“And by fall I talked to the coach about it again and he said he had taken the time during the summer to address it with the players. And I said when I have my business of basketball meeting with the players—I do every year—did he mind if I brought it up again directly to the players?
“That I just thought it’s something that sets us back, our relationship with the refs, when we complain too much…and things like that, and we should think (about the problem). And everybody was very receptive. I think they all understood it.
“They sounded like they agreed with the coach and myself that it had to be something everybody would work on and try to cut it back. And I think so far—we’re a fourth of the way through the season—I think they’ve done a good job.”
The message got through and the Wolves this season no longer rank among the leaders in team technical fouls per game (Teamrankings.com). This is a more disciplined team on the court and that has contributed to an NBA best 17-5 record. Six of the wins have been by fewer than 10 points, results where the absence of technical fouls for misbehavior can impact the outcome of games.
Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire, knew from his other businesses that leadership sets the tone for organizations. He made it clear to the well-respected Finch (Western Conference Coach of the Month October-November) that “you gotta make it very clear what your expectations are.” He encouraged Finch not to hold back in delivering the message and point out how arguing with the referees “over every play” was holding back team success.
In the past star forward Karl-Anthony Towns has too often let his emotions get the best of him and been a poster boy for whining to the officials. It’s a new KAT this season with improved body language, gestures and facial expressions.
“I would give that credit, most of that credit, to the coach,” Taylor said. “The coach has spent lots of time with KAT with film and looking over what he is doing and how he can adjust and how he can be a better teammate, not just score himself. And I think he has taken it to heart, and I think it has showed up.”
The Wolves, who did finish strong in a playoff series loss to the eventual NBA champion Nuggets, had a 42-20 regular season record in 2022-2023 after being 46-40 the season prior. More had been expected of a team that acquired All-NBA defensive center Rudy Gobert in the summer of 2022. But learning to play with Gobert, a long absence by KAT because of a persistent calf injury, and other issues, wrecked expectations.
The Gobert experiment (giving up a boatload of players and future draft picks) has become a success this season with the 11-year veteran anchoring a Wolves inside defense that’s among the most formidable in the league. He’s been an elite rebounder, too, including last week when he had consecutive 20 rebound games. Taylor sees a Gobert who is in better shape than last year, with more quickness and “spring to his step.”
Mr. Clutch for the Wolves has been 36-year-old point guard Mike Conley whose poise and experience late in games helps deliver big plays and shots. Taylor said the Wolves have known about Conley’s personal reputation of being a high-quality individual since he was at Ohio State.
It wasn’t until last winter, though, that new general manager Tim Connelly made a trade bringing him to the Wolves from the Jazz. Connelly has made moves to upgrade the roster, although during much of last season the acquisition of Gobert looked like a dud and was criticized across the country.
Taylor points out that it’s not only Gobert who has impacted the team but the acquisitions also of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Troy Brown have played key roles. Alexander-Walker has been starting most of the season for the injured Jaden McDaniels, perhaps the team’s best perimeter defender. Brown has made contributions off the bench and starting games recently when team scoring leader Anthony Edwards was injured.
Taylor was asked about the future of Target Center, the Timberwolves home and second oldest arena in the NBA. Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has reportedly met with government officials about renovations to Xcel Energy Center which opened in 2000 and is home to the state’s NHL team. Taylor is selling majority control of the Wolves to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriquez. He sees them taking the leadership on the arena situation.
“Well, the way I’ve handled it so far is I’d told both Alex and Marc this is something they’ve got to get on,” Taylor said. “Get organized and understand how they’re going to go about it. Come up with a plan and start presenting it to the leadership throughout the community.
“ …You gotta persuade people to participate and share in costs and get people to agree. Will it be fix up this one? Or will it be something new? Or whatever it can be?”
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