Timberwolves Interview Quin Snyder?
I guess Minnesota Timberwolves’ president, David Kahn, really has a thing for Duke Blue Devils.
A week after rumors surfaced that the NBA franchise was interested in Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the team has interviewed former Duke player/assistant coach Quin Snyder…even though the team technically hasn’t fired current head coach, Kurt Rambis. Only in Minnesota.
As for Snyder, since being fired by the Missouri Tigers in 2006, the man who led Duke to three Final Fours, has slowly been rebuilding his resume.
He was hired back in 2007 by the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League, where had had great success.
In his first season, he finished first and led the Amos to the NBDL Finals.
In his second season he won 32 games, losing in the semi-finals. However, he did win the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award in 2009.
In the 2009-2010 season, despite having the most rookies on his roster, he guided Auston to another 32-win season (out of 50 games), losing again in the semis. That team also featured former Dukie, DeMarcus Nelson.
This past season, the former Duke point guard, jumped up to the big leagues, joining Doug Collins staff as an assistant for the Philadelphia 76ers.
On top of interviewing for the Timberwolves job, Snyder is also considering an assistant job with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Obviously the Timberwolves have been a joke ever since Kevin Garnett was shipped to Boston in 2007. Over the last four years, the team has gone 78-250. Yet, this isn’t a terrible gig when you consider some of the young talent they have in place (and assuming they’ll be able to resign them).
Kevin Love is a double-double machine, while Michael Beasley has resurrected his short career since leaving Miami. They also have a pair of young gunners at the shooting guard spot with former Syracuse star Wesley Johnson, as well as former Tar Heels three-pt specialist, Wayne Ellington.
On top of that, any new coach will get to enjoy Derrick Williams talent. Any and all Duke fans should know what this kid can do (although there are questions about where he fits in, since Beasley and Love are holding down the SF/PF spots).
And lastly, the Wolves will finally welcome Rick Rubio from Spain. Now I still have my doubts about this kid, who has done next to nothing the last two seasons overseas. I’m just not sure he’s a NBA point guard.
However, if Minnesota wants Rubio to become one, it would probably be smart to hire a former point guard like Quin Snyder.
*** UPDATE ***
Well, it was fun talking about it for a little while. It appears Quin Snyder has accepted a job as an assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, he denies interviewing for the Minnesota job.