Glen Taylor letting McHale decide his own fate, not the new GM???

[BleedGopher]

If this report is true, I am speechless:

"NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that Wolves owner Glen Taylor -- after initially saying that the new general manager would make the final call on Minnesota's coach -- has mandated that whoever is hired to take over Minnesota's basketball operations must make it McHale's choice to keep coaching or leave the organization.

Sources say Taylor would like McHale to remain on Minnesota's bench for at least one more season."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4170433

If the new GM evaluates McHale as a coach and believes that he's the best long-term option, then fine, but for Taylor to mandate that we keep him and not give the new GM a say in the matter is laughable. And to be honest, I don't want a GM who is willing to take a job under those circumstances. The new GM deserves to put his stamp on the roster and staff the second he gets here. Is the new GM forced to take Jonathan Williams in the 2nd round as well??

Howl Wolves!!

[hyaluronic]

I do not find it so ridiculous. Taylor wants McHale to stay, Taylor is the owner. McHale is Taylor's friend, and Taylor wants any split to be amicable. McHale has an easy out, or can choose to stay within the organization by coaching. As for the GM, yes it limits his power, and makes the position less attractive.

[coolhandgopher]

First off, how attractive a job is this to NBA personnel folks? I can't imagine very attractive and now you have a mandate to retain the former GM and obvious friend of Taylor's on the bench, if McHale so desires. As already stated by Bleed, if the incoming GM determines on his own accord that McHale is the best choice as HC, great, but to be mandated to keep him? And what prospective GM, stepping into a difficult position, isn't going to wonder how their chances stand in a potential standoff between himself and McHale? Mind boggling. So much for a fresh start, and what sort of message does this send to the ever dwindling fanbase?

[hyaluronic]

I am not saying I agree with the decision, but I do not find it mind-boggling.

[UpnorthGo4]

One of the reasons why a person might work their ass off to become rich is for the right to make their own decisions about how to run their business, and then be able to tell all of their critics to get screwed.

[Rouser]

Taylor is a joke. In my opinion, Ziggy is the best owner this town has (major sports)... Taylor is insane. I used to like Taylor because of the "local" angle..but the last few years proves he has no clue. We are the Clippers of the North.

[coolhandgopher]

The Minnesota GM job appears to be the chocolate candy bar in the swimming pool for prospective GM types. Hopefully Taylor will yet reconsider the overtures made by Bill Simmons.

http://blogs.twincities.com/timberwolves/2009/05/report-penn-pulls-out-as-wolve.html

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Simmons doesn't really want the job, he's just using it for some pub. Does anyone really think he would give up his cushy gig at ESPN and move to Minnesota for 3 years? If he really wanted the job he wouldn't talk about writing a book about the experience. What GM/Coach/Player/Agent would ever talk to him when they knew he was planning on chronicling the juicy details in another best selling book?

Add that to the fact that he is woefully unqualified for the job and has pissed off roughly 80% of NBA GM's through the years and his "candidacy" becomes a joke. Gotta hand it to the guy though, he sure knows how to get his name out there.

[BleedGopher]

I will say what I said earlier...I don't want a GM here that is OK with the stipulation that Taylor is reportedly letting McHale make his own decision. I don't blame any of the candidates that have pulled their names off the list if this stipulation is in fact true.

If the local scribes wanted a great front page story, they would convince some of Taylor's co-owners/silent partners to stop being silent as no way can there be a group of co-owners who are happy with the way Taylor runs things. Get them talking and it would make for a fascinating read.

Howl Wolves!!