BleedGopher
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Per Pat:
As for those three hours in Naples, many topics — mistakes and admiration.
The Joe Smith, under-the-table contract that cost the Timberwolves multiple draft choices and a huge fine.
Taylor: “I can’t really get into that. I was called to New York to meet with the commissioner, David Stern. He showed me the contract, which I hadn’t seen.
“I said, ‘I’m the boss; it’s on me.’ He said, ‘We know you were in the hospital for heart surgery when this happened.’ I said, ‘It’s on me; I’m the boss.’ ”
Firing Flip Saunders on the recommendation of basketball boss Kevin McHale in 2005:
“Biggest mistake I ever made in basketball. I was closer to Flip than I’ve ever been to anyone in basketball.
“Best thing I did was bringing back Flip to run our team, and then we lost him. That was terrible.”
Bringing in Tom Thibodeau in 2016: “Everyone recommended Thibs. I liked him. We had great conversations. What I didn’t know was he could only get along with a few people.”
David Kahn as the basketball boss: “I let someone else do the hiring that time. Again, I liked David. He still calls me. But he’s a really different guy that wasn’t going to work here.”
Owning the Lynx, with Cheryl Reeve coaching four champions: “She’s tremendous. And the players … they are such great people. Maya Moore was the best player in the world.
“And I’ll never forget this: We have the team come to the house in Mankato before every season. Becky makes her lasagna … you’ve heard all those jokes about that, but it’s great.
“Dinner’s over, the players are in the room singing, laughing, but I don’t see Maya.
“I go into the kitchen, and she’s in there doing dishes with Becky. Best player ever, and better person.”
www.startribune.com
Howl Wolves!!
As for those three hours in Naples, many topics — mistakes and admiration.
The Joe Smith, under-the-table contract that cost the Timberwolves multiple draft choices and a huge fine.
Taylor: “I can’t really get into that. I was called to New York to meet with the commissioner, David Stern. He showed me the contract, which I hadn’t seen.
“I said, ‘I’m the boss; it’s on me.’ He said, ‘We know you were in the hospital for heart surgery when this happened.’ I said, ‘It’s on me; I’m the boss.’ ”
Firing Flip Saunders on the recommendation of basketball boss Kevin McHale in 2005:
“Biggest mistake I ever made in basketball. I was closer to Flip than I’ve ever been to anyone in basketball.
“Best thing I did was bringing back Flip to run our team, and then we lost him. That was terrible.”
Bringing in Tom Thibodeau in 2016: “Everyone recommended Thibs. I liked him. We had great conversations. What I didn’t know was he could only get along with a few people.”
David Kahn as the basketball boss: “I let someone else do the hiring that time. Again, I liked David. He still calls me. But he’s a really different guy that wasn’t going to work here.”
Owning the Lynx, with Cheryl Reeve coaching four champions: “She’s tremendous. And the players … they are such great people. Maya Moore was the best player in the world.
“And I’ll never forget this: We have the team come to the house in Mankato before every season. Becky makes her lasagna … you’ve heard all those jokes about that, but it’s great.
“Dinner’s over, the players are in the room singing, laughing, but I don’t see Maya.
“I go into the kitchen, and she’s in there doing dishes with Becky. Best player ever, and better person.”
Reusse: Glen Taylor is ‘OK with it’ as he cedes ownership of Timberwolves and Lynx
After a late battle for control of the franchises, and an arbitration loss, Taylor moves to the sidelines. He still has tickets.
www.startribune.com
Howl Wolves!!