Rick Carlisle, the president of the coaches association in the MBA, released a statement that read in part, quote.

The coaches association would be remiss not to acknowledge a deeper concern and level of disappointment with the Minnesota head coach hiring process.

During this past off season, we saw many MBA head coaching vacancies where teams led searches that were diverse and transparent.

This must be the standard, Rick says now.

Karl Anthony Towns also spoke about the Wolves coaching change for the first time yesterday, saying he absolutely supports Chris Finch, their new coach.

But he said he also would like to see more diversity among head coaches going forward.

Matt, where are you on the Timberwolves?

Quick change here They They played a game, fired their coach and hired a coach basically all within the same 12 hours.

This is an unfortunate situation and it's really a double edged sword because who are we to tell a billion dollar owner who they shouldn't shouldn't hire.

But at the same time, there's just a lack of diversity and I think it starts and I think perk touched on this last week.

It starts in the front office.

People hire people who look like them, so there's more people.

I will say the wolf probably have the most diverse front office in the lead, so that that's not what happened in this.

Okay, so that's no excuse.

So, no, so no excuse for them, then you know, No excuse.

Like I said, it's just a hard situation.

Because who are we as the public to tell, you know, someone who has a billion dollars, you know, company to hire, who they don't want to hire.

So it's just unfortunate he's definitely paid his dues.

He should get a chance.

And this is not just a basketball problem.

This is across sports, period, that's for sure.

And you're talking about David Vanterpool?

What do you think, Rich?

No, I I agree.

I completely agree with that.

I think when you really look at how this like kind of broke down, it's like how much did Saunders really have a chance.

If you were fired and somebody was hired within hours of it?

Seems like I understand that that, you know, Coach was gonna be their second choice and there was a lot of eyes on him already.

But you could just see that even though their team was struggling, there was a lot of confidence.

There probably wasn't a ton of support there, which doesnt lead to the confidence on the court.

So it just look, when somebody asked me when what Minnesota was doing, I was like, Minnesota is doing what Minnesota does.

So I'm not surprised when I look at the way this organization has been run pretty much since Kevin Garnett left.

Well, look, there's always There's always sort of justifications in the specific, and I wanna keep saying this.

Chris Finch could go on to be a Hall of Fame head coach.

This really is not about him.

It's not even really about David, not at all, because he's been on that staff.

And there's an argument that, hey, if the staff isn't working, you don't wanna go with someone who's been under that same coach.

Although we've certainly seen that happened in many other teams right now, right?

Of course, Nick Nurse.

Hi, Ron.

Exactly, um, that all being said, the larger global problem is clearly there and without any sort of process toe let guys go through, make their pitches make their case.

Give other candidates the experience of auditioning for the job, which will help them in the next job.

That stuff is important.

So even if you do have your guy and certainly Gerson Rosa's goes way back with Chris Finch, they work together in Houston.

You get that old boys network going back up again, and that is the larger global problem.

It is not a Timberwolves problem, but it is an MBA problem, and it's something that the league needs to look at.

All right, stick with our schedule released theme here.

The Lakers have the most national TV games in the second half, followed by the Nets, Warriors, Clippers, Celtics and Bucks.

So, Richard, not a shock when you look at this new back half of the schedule we have and who are the most quote popular TV teams.

But is there someone you want to see on national TV?

More?

Uhh, No, Tell you the truth, these the only teams I really actually are focused on watching, like and or whoever they're playing against.

So it's not like it just l A vs broken the L.

A vs Golden State, although those games will be on their whoever these teams air playing.

I'm okay with whoever their opponents are because these are the teams I want to see play.

This is a star driven league, and the best players are gonna be on TV the most.

And that's just how it is.

If I could see anybody more, I would just like to see Diane.

I love I love what he's doing.

I love what he's putting together and I love his development.

Yeah, how about this?

Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns Way in Our production called This morning.

The sun's were my pig.

Alright, but speaking of big stars, the Lakers air on ESPN all week Here, take a quick look you've got tonight.

Utah.

You've got them hosting the Trailblazers on Friday, the Warriors on Sunday.

So take a look here.

And as we go forward, come on.

Help me, Producer Bob, Go forward.

Speaking of the Lakers there on a three game losing streak heading into a road game against the best team in the west tonight.

So, Matt, how confident are you with this tough matchup against the jazz who are continuing to kill it?

I'm not very confident.

You know 80 is a big piece.

You want to continue to understand that this the marathon.

But like I said before when Rich was talking the whole segment, If any team doesn't need a one or two seed, it's the Lakers.

They're a veteran driven team.

If you Noah's far as long as they're in the top four.

Like I said, even if they're out of the top four, if they're in it, they're gonna have a great chance to win it.

So now right now is just kind of up in the air.

Just Lakers just need to be healthy.

That's always something that's been a focal point for great teams.

Like we don't care if we're one seed or the A C.

We wanna be healthy.

I'm not extremely confident.

Ultimately, I think LeBron James probably needs a break.

But right at the time that they were about to probably give him one or consider it you have two starters go out.

So now and then you lose.

Yeah.

Then you lose a couple of games, and now you're looking at this.

Well, okay.

Are we gonna give him a couple of days off?

What's gonna happen so I think the Lakers have a little bit of not soul searching, but they got some figuring out to do well.

I can't wait for tonight's game.

The Jazz air for real, for real and the Lakers obviously a little vulnerable right now.

Thank you, guys.

Jump is back Tomorrow.

We'll see then.

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