Karl Juhnke
Posts: 12532
Joined: 7/28/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: twinsfan quote:
ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke This is good stuff. Apparently Finch asked the players what they wanted to do in the last possession. quote:
DALLAS – In the Timberwolves huddle with 14.8 seconds left and the Wolves up three, coach Chris Finch asked his team a question — do you want to foul the Mavericks or play out the final possession? Anthony Edwards spoke up: Play it out. The Wolves had watched a 26-point third-quarter lead shrink all the way down to that margin thanks to Luka Doncic (33 points) and Kyrie Irving, with Irving scoring 26 of his 36 in a furious fourth-quarter rally. Finch trusted his players, and it resulted in a pulse-raising, exhilarating 124-121 Wolves victory. Dallas never got off a shot. Jaden McDaniels locked up Doncic and Edwards took care of Irving in one of the best defensive sequences of the Wolves' season, given the situation and caliber of players they had to stop. "They got two iso players. We got two iso defenders," Edwards said. "So, I mean, however they want to do it, let's do it." "They was saying they wanted to foul. I was just like, 'Nah, man, let's play.' Let's guard them. Make them make a three." Of course Edwards spoke up, and of course wanted to play it out. I think it was the right choice too although either would be defensible. That should be a decision made by the head coach, not the players. I have no problem with occasionally getting players' input. This is the NBA, not junior high. Making the players feel empowered is a good thing. Pick your spots though. In this situation I think you could make a case for either choice. I agree with what they decided but it's not a black and white thing. Plus, Finch probably knew they were going to say play it out. Most players would. So use it as a motivating factor. Okay, you want to play it out, you better bust your butt out there. Genius coaching.
< Message edited by Karl Juhnke -- 2/15/2023 3:52:38 PM >
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