Having started his coaching career away from the United States, Chris Finch was very happy to accept the NBA’s invitation to participate in a “Basketball Without Borders” camp this summer.
Surrounded by a few renowned peers, such as Steve Kerr, Chauncey Billups or Masai Ujiri and Dikembe Mutombo, the head coach of the Timberwolves was able to discover the African continent with this camp organized in Egypt, in the capital of Cairo.
He was also able to make a jump to Germany, to Cologne, to meet his future titular pivot, Rudy Gobert, currently in full Euro with the Blues.
“It’s so important for these guys to play for their country”reacted Chris Finch in The Athletic. “The least we can do is show him our support. “
Many criticized for the heavy consideration conceded to recover Rudy Gobert, the Wolves are well aware that they are now expected at the turn. With the tricolor pivot arriving at the bedside of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell, the Minnesota franchise can no longer hide its ambitions.
“We have to start from square one”
But, for Chris Finch, it will nevertheless not be necessary to put the cart before the horse. The arrival of the three-time best defender won’t turn Wolves into title contenders overnight.
“I think a lot about the tone I want to give at the start of the season”continues the coach. “We are not going to be good because we expect to be good. We are not going to be good because we had a good season last year. We’re going to be good because the foundations we’re going to set up from day one will be solid and we’re going to continue to build on them. “
Qualified in the playoffs for the first time since the rapid passage of Tom Thibodeau in 2018, Minnesota wants to settle permanently in the Top 8 of the Western Conference. In any case, they have the workforce for…
“I’m trying not to worry too much about it now. It’s not about solving a problem that doesn’t yet exist. But we already have several ready-to-use ideas.”he concludes. “But what comes to mind first is that you can’t make the mistake of thinking you’re going to pick up where you left off. [en fin de saison]. We have to start from square one and rebuild everything from the beginning. “
